Juwan Howard Suspended Rest of the Regular Season
The Big Ten, Michigan, and Wisconsin have issued the expected disciplinary actions for Howard’s attack and the ensuing brawl.
The short version: Howard will be out five games, and Terrance Williams and Moussa Diabate will miss the Rutgers game. The Wisconsin player who threw punches was also suspended a game. Howard was fined $40,000 and Gard fined $10,000.
The longer version: The five-game suspension, all of them with big tourney implications, will go through the end of the regular season. Those include the makeup game with MSU, three more home tilts with Rutgers, Illinois, and Iowa, and the finale in Columbus. He was also fined $40,000. The league’s maximum penalty is 2 games so this can be interpreted as the University of Michigan tacking on 3 more games to address the seriousness of Howard’s actions.
Howard and Manuel released statements through Michigan. Howard’s includes an appropriate apology and a promise that this will not occur again.
"After taking time to reflect on all that happened, I realize how unacceptable both my actions and words were, and how they affected so many. I am truly sorry."
"I am offering my sincerest apology to my players and their families, my staff, my family and the Michigan fans around the world. I would like to personally apologize to Wisconsin's Assistant Coach Joe Krabbenhoft and his family, too."
"Lastly, I speak a lot about being a Michigan man and representing the University of Michigan with class and pride, I did not do that, nor did I set the right example in the right way for my student-athletes. I will learn from my mistake and this mistake will never happen again. No excuses!"
Three players who threw punches will also serve 1-game suspensions. They are Terrance Williams II, Moussa Diabate, and Wisconsin’s Jahcobi Neath. Williams and Diabate will be absent for Wednesday’s game against Rutgers, while Neath will miss a trip to Minnesota.
Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard was also fined $10,000.
Five games for the instigator and 1 for swinging participants seems right. I’ve said my piece. Minus the Wisconsin assistant coaches, the league’s action was not far from the expectation.
UPDATE: Wisconsin came in with a response miles below the lowest possible expectations:
Statement from Wisconsin Athletics pic.twitter.com/Lyo5ai8uHf
— Wisconsin Badgers (@UWBadgers) February 22, 2022
Again, I've said my piece. That Wisconsin somehow managed to come out of all this looking worse than the school whose head coach threw the first punch is an incredible achievement, but doesn't improve the look for Michigan any. Howard will hold to his promise or we're having another conversation entirely.
ROSEMONT, Ill. — In collaboration with University of Michigan and University of Wisconsin, the Big Ten Conference has reviewed the postgame physical altercation between the Michigan Wolverines and Wisconsin Badgers men’s basketball teams on February 20, 2022, in Madison, Wisconsin.
It has been determined that there was a clear violation of the Big Ten Conference’s Sportsmanship Policy by Michigan Men’s Basketball Head Coach Juwan Howard. Additionally, the University of Wisconsin Men’s Basketball Head Coach Greg Gard was in violation of the conference’s sportsmanship policy.
For their roles in the altercation, Michigan’s Terrance Williams II (forward), Moussa Diabate (forward), and Wisconsin’s Jahcobi Neath (guard) were also in violation of the Big Ten Conference’s Sportsmanship Policy. Many members of the bench area for both teams, including assistant coaches, did not represent the level of sportsmanship that is expected from the Big Ten Conference and its member institutions.
“Big Ten Conference coaches and student-athletes are expected to display the highest level of sportsmanship conduct,” stated Commissioner Kevin Warren. “I am grateful for the partnership with Michigan Athletics Director, Warde Manuel and Wisconsin Athletics Director, Chris McIntosh. Our expectation is that the incident yesterday will provide our coaches and student-athletes with the opportunity to reflect, learn and move forward in a manner that demonstrates decorum and leadership on and off of the court.”
The University of Michigan Athletics Director, Warde Manuel proactively addressed a five-game suspension of his Head Coach, Juwan Howard with Commissioner Warren. Concluding an assessment of the incident, the conference and the University of Michigan reached alignment on Coach Howard’s disciplinary action.
The Big Ten Conference, in conjunction with the University of Michigan and the University of Wisconsin, are imposing the following disciplinary actions:
University of Michigan
- Head Coach Juwan Howard
- Coaching Suspension: Five games (remainder of the regular season)
- Fine: $40,000.00
- Student-Athlete Terrance Williams II
- Suspension: One game (effective immediately)
- Student-Athlete Moussa Diabate
- Suspension: One game (effective immediately)
University of Wisconsin
- Head Coach Greg Gard
- Fine: $10,000.00
- Student-Athlete Jahcobi Neath
- Suspension: One game (effective immediately)
FROM MICHIGAN:
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- In response to today's (Monday, Feb. 21) release of the Big Ten Conference's findings and subsequent disciplinary decisions for the University of Michigan men's basketball team, U-M's Donald R. Shepherd Director of Athletics Warde Manuel and U-M's David and Meredith Kaplan men's basketball coach Juwan Howard have released the following statements.
U-M's Donald R. Shepherd Director of Athletics Warde Manuel
"Today's disciplinary actions underscore the seriousness with which we take the incident that unfolded on Sunday. Simply put, there is no room at U-M for the behavior we saw. We will learn from this incident as a department, work to improve ourselves while operating under a spotlight, and move forward in a positive light."
U-M's David and Meredith Kaplan men's basketball coach Juwan Howard
"After taking time to reflect on all that happened, I realize how unacceptable both my actions and words were, and how they affected so many. I am truly sorry."
"I am offering my sincerest apology to my players and their families, my staff, my family and the Michigan fans around the world. I would like to personally apologize to Wisconsin's Assistant Coach Joe Krabbenhoft and his family, too."
"Lastly, I speak a lot about being a Michigan man and representing the University of Michigan with class and pride, I did not do that, nor did I set the right example in the right way for my student-athletes. I will learn from my mistake and this mistake will never happen again. No excuses!"
Michigan News & Notes
» Michigan has fully accepted all disciplinary actions handed down from the Big Ten Conference.
» Effective immediately, Juwan Howard has been suspended for the remainder of the regular season. Prior to reinstatement, all parties will meet to make a final decision prior to the Big Ten Tournament and any postseason participation.
» The Wolverine will be led by associate head coach Phil Martelli, starting with U-M's home game against Rutgers Feb. 23. Director of Basketball Operations Chris Hunter will have a temporary elevation to the third assistant position.
» U-M sophomore Terrance Williams II and freshman Moussa Diabate have been suspended for one game each for their involvement. Those suspensions take effect immediately.
» No further disciplinary actions or comments will be made publicly.
February 21st, 2022 at 8:49 PM ^
Complete bullshit that the Wisconsin assistants weren't suspended...
February 21st, 2022 at 8:53 PM ^
What did you expect? The Big Ten is a joke and our AD doesn't stand up for itself. Wisconsin's AD went straight to the press to put all the blame on Michigan and Warde just took it.
February 21st, 2022 at 8:59 PM ^
Your namesake isn't a whiner like you, Stringer--you need a new avatar. But--to your point--there's speculation over at umhoops that Warde might have had his hands full just keeping Juwan and his two players, the three people who threw punches, afloat. Crabmuffin and the other assistant clown car driver deserved punishment, too, but from our end--I will take it.
Hope this team goes out and destroys the rest of the B1G--hell, the world.
February 21st, 2022 at 9:29 PM ^
What! Stringer Bell may not have been an overt whiner but dude was a snitch to the nth degree and backstabbed his family on his way out like a bitch at the 11th hour.
February 21st, 2022 at 11:56 PM ^
You forgot at least one person who threw a punch but it seems like it doesn’t fit your narrative. Facts don’t really matter much anyway.
February 22nd, 2022 at 8:43 AM ^
Yea I’m no fan of his but I’m not putting any blame on Ward for this one. Juwans actions were so egregious they soaked up almost 99% of the spotlight and made any finger pointing at Wisconsin come off as worse than normal what aboutisms.
February 22nd, 2022 at 9:03 AM ^
Yes and Warde needs to worry about his own house and not what happens at Wisconsin. Juwan really crossed the line and his punishment is fitting. There is no excuse for his actions and I think he has finally seen that and now it’s time to move on and hope this never happens again
February 21st, 2022 at 9:03 PM ^
People keep saying this but what Warde was put in a tough spot because it was Howard who struck the other coach and that was the dominant story coming out. Warde could have said "hey, Wisconsin coaches were also chirping and getting physical" but you're not going to win the court of public opinion with that tact. Michigan and Howard were painted as the villains as soon as Howard struck Wisconsin's coach and there wasn't going to be anything Warde could say to change that.
As for the conference, I'm not surprised anymore with how ineffectual they are. The fact they apparently had a maximum of 2 games they could have suspended Howard for (per Seth's comments above) means they absolutely weren't going to do anything to Wisconsin beyond the bare minimum.
February 21st, 2022 at 9:17 PM ^
I disagree. Plenty of people in the media were emphasizing Wisconsin's role in all this, there would've been nothing wrong with Warde pointing out that 2 sides were involved. I think he had an obligation to do so once the Wisconsin AD ran his mouth about how the Big Ten needs to take swift action against Michigan. But he didn't, and what you have is Wisconsin getting off with no punishment at all while Juwan gets the maximum punishment that the Big Ten can dole out (not that I disagree with this part).
February 21st, 2022 at 9:38 PM ^
I guess I don't see how Warde can't privately voice those concerns with the conference without going on in the media and trying to frame Wisconsin as starting it. Again, Warde strikes me as the type of AD who picks his fights and this isn't one he's likely to win, and it's always better to not make a 1-day story into a multi-day one. Howard is going to be off the radar for a couple of weeks, the players will miss their games, and then (hopefully) the team can make a run to the tourney. I don't see how whining about how a Wisconsin guy deserved to get hit in the fact helps anyone, and I don't get a sense the conference was inclined to give UM the benefit of the doubt here either.
Do I wish Wisconsin's coaches were punished more? Sure. But UM trying to move past it makes way more sense than trying to relitigate it in public.
February 22nd, 2022 at 1:59 AM ^
I haven't seen that from the media. I feel like it's been pretty polarizing, exactly like what proposed above.
Even this article which started out really reasonable in explaining the events of the last minute of the game and then the interaction between Howard and Gard then made it sound like out of the blue Howard randomly hit Krabbenhoft. In an article that claims context matters!
He just skips over the fact that the situation was de-escalating, the coaches were being separated but Krabbenhoft then pulled his own fellow assistants aside so he could get in Juwans face and grab Michigan players.
A bunch of headlines called it a punch. That's click fodder but not an accurate representation obviously.
I thought the media generally lacked nuance about the incident, shocking as that is.
But I thought Warde's statement was spot on and I think it came before the Wisconsin AD's statement so I don't think he could have reacted, nor should he have. Nothing Warde said was going to change the conferences decision.
They clearly drew the suspension line at throwing hands and ignored grabbing / shoving which...fine. That kind of stuff happens frequently and goes unpunished so they followed precedent. Had Howard not slapped Krabbenhoft and had the incident de-escalated from there, it would have been a nothing burger and I don't think anyone would be talking about anything but whether the Gard/Howard handshake was petty.
February 22nd, 2022 at 8:02 AM ^
Sorry, I don't agree with this at all, even if Howard didn't slap him there is no way in hell a coach should never not be suspended for physically putting his hands on opposing players. That's not just be a troll, that is unacceptable behavior from a coach
February 22nd, 2022 at 2:16 PM ^
You're obviously missing all kinds of nuance with a blanket statement like NEVER. If a coach is separating two fighting players or breaking up a brawl, of course he can physically put his hands on opposing players. Saddi put his hands on Crowl to keep him out of the melee. I'm not saying that's what UW assistants did necessarily, just saying context is everything.
And in this case, the league decided "pushing" would go unpunished and I don't really have a complaint with that. Both sides did a lot of pushing, it was too difficult to tell what was productive pushing and what was malicious.
I do think that UW assistants were aggressors in their barking and lunging at Howard. But again, had Howard not slapped Krabbenhoft and had the thing de-escalated from there, I don't think any suspensions would be handed down to UW assistants. That level of shoving happens all the time and to my knowledge doesn't get punished which is the precedent the league was following I'm sure.
February 21st, 2022 at 9:38 PM ^
I don’t have a problem with how Warde handled the situation internally. What I did find somewhat odd is that immediately after the game both he and Coleman were contacting Wisconsin, profusely apologizing and basically accepting all responsibility. Then they went and made a press release with this exact info for the whole world to see that we basically pled guilty to the whole event. I think the punishment he handed out was fair though. Wisconsin coaches got off free and clear, which is bullshit, but it’s hard to critique that after our admin basically gave them a get out of jail free card.
February 22nd, 2022 at 4:11 PM ^
Warde had to do that because Juwan fucked up the post game so badly.
February 21st, 2022 at 11:10 PM ^
I implore anyone to FOIA communication between the AD office and the Big Ten office. Start the day of the OSU and Michigan game in 2016. Review it. Warde apologists will be nullified. He is a joke.
February 21st, 2022 at 9:05 PM ^
Dude, for us to only have Williams/Diabaté suspended a game apiece is a big win. Ridiculous to blame Manuel.
February 21st, 2022 at 9:54 PM ^
Manuel gets so much heat for no reason imo. Dude plays it close to the vest and has navigated Michigan through some suspect times. I’m grateful he’s our AD considering who the prior 2 were.
February 22nd, 2022 at 7:28 AM ^
Has Warde been an improvement over the last few ADs? Almost certainly (not counting Hackett since that was temp). Has he handled every incident/issue flawlessly since he started? No, there are still areas where he can be criticized.
At the end of the day, I still want him here - probably better than *most* of the other possible hires out there.
February 22nd, 2022 at 8:02 AM ^
The faction of Warde hate on this blog is bizarre. It was not that long ago we had an AD that ran his mouth, was in front of a camera (or email) 24-7 and pulled the 'smartest guy in the room syndrome' with the other AD's, whom took great solace screwing Michigan's football schedule for years when they re-split divisions. How did that tenure turn out?
I'll never understand why people want someone in a respected position to constantly put other grown adults "on blast" via some form of media. I have no doubt Warde said what he needed to say in a private manner and is ready to move on.
Frankly, the people that are upset have no clue if Warde argued for a reduced suspension for Diabate and Twill and was successful in doing so. Further, it may even be possible that Warde saved Juwan's job behind the scenes, because there was enough to fire him with cause.
I'll never understand it.
February 22nd, 2022 at 8:37 AM ^
couldn't agree more.
the last thing i want is for warde manuel to be some sort of loudmouth complainer, publicly bitching about every real or perceived slight. the reality is that juwan put us in a very, very bad position. there's no way you're going to press conference your way out of this.
i mean - most of us recognize the wisconsin athletic department's response as horseshit. i'm glad we're not doing the same.
February 22nd, 2022 at 12:05 PM ^
This. 1000X THIS. The fact that Warde Manuel, for the most part, is a public non-entity in the press is a massive win for us. He took a bad situation, didn't make it worse, and moved past it quickly. Far as I'm concerned, the man did his job perfectly.
Wisconsin will get dealt with in due course. Those on the board advocating getting into some kind of flamewar with their administration need to keep their heads about them. They're Wisconsin and they don't warrant any more of our attention.
February 22nd, 2022 at 5:05 PM ^
this is a great point - there was a real danger that this would become a days-long story (cf: shane morris / dave brandon / brady hoke). it's still out there, but not because warde manuel did some silly full-court media press.
edit to add: lolz negz.
February 22nd, 2022 at 6:12 AM ^
That had zero to do with Manuel. Nothing. The rolling over Michigan does under his leadership is ridiculous. He did nothing in 2016, he did nothing in this situation and he has done little in between except boot licking and pandering. If anyone disagrees with me, FOIA his office’s official communication with the Big Ten. Hell, request what he sent the NCAA as they changed the rules each time Harbaugh did something creative. Nothing.
February 22nd, 2022 at 8:41 AM ^
you don't know what the hell you're talking about. none of us has any idea of whether warde manuel has responded directly to the ncaa, or the big ten, or anyone else on just about any subject. doing his job has nothing to do with grandstanding at the microphone just so some rando message board turd can feel better about himself.
February 22nd, 2022 at 9:11 AM ^
You're the one making these wild claims, maybe you should FOIA the communications and let us know what you find.
February 21st, 2022 at 9:13 PM ^
username does not check out.
February 21st, 2022 at 10:49 PM ^
Warde should step up and call it like it is. Gard and his assistant instigated the entire thing. Stick up for your coach and your team.
He has every right to point blame where it belongs, And that include that Juwan was wrong…the most wrong and deserves his suspension. But it’s classic when the little punks laugh their way scott free.
February 22nd, 2022 at 1:16 AM ^
So, because Wisconsin's AD was wrong, our AD should also have acted wrong.
February 22nd, 2022 at 6:55 AM ^
Saying that JH and the players received a fair and just consequence while also stating the lack of accountability on the other side isn’t the same thing as what the Wisconsin side did. Come on.
February 21st, 2022 at 9:50 PM ^
Has a single person associated with Wisconsin issued an apology?
February 21st, 2022 at 11:30 PM ^
Lol, the opposite, they literally are claiming no culpability in the matter whatsoever.
February 22nd, 2022 at 2:05 AM ^
It's a total trash program, this is obvious.
And I realize how bad we look and it's not great. Juwan has some things to work out but even some of my Wisconsin friends admitted Warde handled this better than their AD.
February 22nd, 2022 at 5:36 PM ^
Absolutely on the Wisconsin assistant coaches and staff. Felt that at least 3 Wisconsin staffers should have been given a 1 game suspension.
They started out as separating the action, then bull-rushed in and caused much of the chaos.
Only bad thing that occurred was Davidson not running into an elbow.
Piss off Badgers, all BIG teams hate their style of play, and hopefully they get curb stomped moving forward.
February 21st, 2022 at 9:33 PM ^
Today of all days don’t you have other things to be worrying about?
February 21st, 2022 at 9:39 PM ^
I don't know. You probably want to stay loose while invading other countries.
February 21st, 2022 at 8:56 PM ^
Let’s all move on…hope Eisley/Martelli/Saddi can get the crew ready for Rutgers. Jace will get more time now as a result of Moussa/T-Will being out.
February 21st, 2022 at 9:00 PM ^
So Howard got sent to timeout after getting pissed about a timeout
February 21st, 2022 at 9:06 PM ^
*for not acting professional and starting a brawl.
February 21st, 2022 at 9:23 PM ^
Full disclosure: I'm on board with Juwan's sentence.
- - -
Have your hundred or so holier-than-thou posts on this topic made you feel better? Are you compensating for something?
February 21st, 2022 at 11:33 PM ^
I think you look through his posting history you'd find very few positive posts about UM.
February 21st, 2022 at 10:12 PM ^
You’ve lived a charmed life if you think that was a brawl.
February 21st, 2022 at 10:29 PM ^
The fight in Hoosiers was worse.
February 21st, 2022 at 9:39 PM ^
Howard got pissed at Gard “grabbing” him:
Can’t imagine why Gard thought he might be able to talk with Howard after the game. 🤔
— Zach Heilprin (@ZachHeilprin) February 21, 2022
Their previous interactions: pic.twitter.com/GNdQAfogRH
Honestly ridiculous, Gard and Howard have had friendly interactions before this game, and if Howard said, “I’ll remember that shit,” as he was walking past, Gard probably thought they were in good enough terms that he could stop Howard and talk to him like a colleague.
February 21st, 2022 at 11:08 PM ^
If Gard thought that he is fucking moron. Read the room.
Juwan was pissed. Let him pass. Don’t block his path, put a hand in his chest and force him to listen to your bullshit drivel that he is in no mood to hear.
That was a cocksucker made for public arrogant move.
Try a phone call the next day
February 22nd, 2022 at 2:32 PM ^
put a hand in his chest
When do you see that happen? Gard placed his hand/grabbed on Howard's elbow from the videos. This has been the clearest video I can find of the encounter:
February 21st, 2022 at 9:05 PM ^
Seems fair to me, curious as to how the team will look during the next game.
February 21st, 2022 at 9:06 PM ^
Coach Howard did the honorable thing and provided an apology. I agree that there was provocation on the Wisconsin side. That said, we are responsible for the Michigan side of things.
Again, I wish Coach Howard the best, and I am ready to stand behind him and his program after he completes this suspension. Go get 'em Coach!
Look, I know I sound like the "Get off my lawn" guy here, but we all have our experiences. I've been a physician for over 30 years, and I've known some talented doctors who had trouble with their temper, and put patients at risk.
I'm not a competitive athlete, so perhaps I don't have the right to offer an opinion. But I believe Coach Howard needs to see that his actions speak volumes to his players, as well as to young basketball fans everywhere. I don't need to hear Tom Izzo crow about how his team will always have a handshake line. We're Michigan. We need to be "Leaders and Best" and set the moral high ground.
I'll go ahead and take my lumps now, but I'm proud to be a Wolverine, and it's just how I feel.
February 22nd, 2022 at 12:41 PM ^
Get off your high horse with the leaders and best crap. This entire incident is a blight on Michigan. I’ve never been more embarrassed as a Michigan fan.
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