Michigan basketball coach Juwan Howard justified his actions by saying Wisconsin coach Greg Gard had touched him without provocation.
MADISON, Wis. — The Michigan basketball contingent shuffled into the media room inside Kohl Center on Sunday for the most unusual of news conferences after a fight broke loose in the postgame handshake line. Head coach Juwan Howard had struck Wisconsin assistant coach Joe Krabbenhoft in the face to spark a brawl following what he believed was an unnecessary timeout by the Badgers in the waning seconds of a game in which the outcome already had been decided. U-M forwards Moussa Diabate and Terrance Williams II also threw punches during the melee. ABOUT THE GAME: Michigan no match for Wisconsin,77-63; Juwan Howard strikes Badgers assistant Howard did not apologize or express remorse while speaking to reporters and instead justified his actions by saying Wisconsin coach Greg Gard had touched him without provocation. Joining Howard at the news conference were point guard DeVante’ Jones and center Hunter Dickinson, both of whom declined to comment on the specifics of the skirmish but said the Wolverines handled themselves like a family looking out for each other. The Big Ten released a statement about 90 minutes after the game ended, which said in part: “The conference is in contact with both (Michigan and Wisconsin) and is currently assessing the incident. The conference will provide more information and will take swift and appropriate disciplinary action when it completes its review.” Shortly thereafter, Michigan athletic director released a statement: “I am aware of and watched the end of our men’s basketball game. There is no excuse for any of our staff or student-athletes to get into a physical altercation with others regardless of instigating factors. I reached out and apologized to Chris McIntosh and (Michigan interim) President (Mary Sue) Coleman has reached out to UW Chancellor (Rebecca) Blank to apologize for the totally unacceptable behavior. We will review the situation more thoroughly and work with the Big Ten Conference as they determine their disciplinary actions and will determine if further disciplinary actions are warranted.” [ Juwan Howard hits another coach, sending shockwaves through internet] Comments from the Michigan contingent were followed by a two-part Wisconsin news conference featuring Gard and athletic director Chris McIntosh, who offered a strong rebuke of Howard’s behavior, and a panel of players including Brad Davison, Johnny Davis and Tyler Wahl. Here’s what was said by both sides: On whether he was upset by Gard calling a timeout with 15 seconds remaining in a 77-63 win for the Badgers: “Yes I was. I didn’t like the timeout being called and I’ll be totally honest with you: I thought it was not necessary at that moment, especially being a large lead. And then to have a timeout be called with three seconds or four seconds to go, you know, I thought that was what I felt wasn’t fair to our guys.” On what escalated the situation from frustration over a timeout to striking an opposing coach: “Basically I addressed with the head coach that I will remember that, because of that timeout. And for someone to touch me, I think that was very uncalled for, for him to touch me as we were verbalizing and communicating with one another. That’s what ended up happening and that’s what escalated it.” On whether the touching by Gard went beyond normal postgame handshake interactions: “It was more than that. Touching. Touching me unnecessarily when it wasn’t called for that, when we’re talking. At that point, you know, I thought that was time to protect myself.” On whether he expects to be suspended: “Well I’ll respect, you know, whatever the Big Ten decision that they make. It’s up to them, and I will respect whatever decision they end up making.” On additional Michigan players throwing punches and getting involved in the fighting: “Unfortunately it had to end up like that. Didn’t like for it to be that way.
