Former NBA star Juwan Howard, who became coach of the University of Michigan men’s team, was sanctioned after an altercation with his Wisconsin counterpart.
© imago images/ZUMA Wire
Juwan Howard during the game between his Michigan Wolverines and the Wisconsin Badgers. It was a little before he slapped the coach opposite.
Former NBA player Juwan Howard, who became coach of the University of Michigan men’s team, was suspended until the end of the university season, for punching a team coach in the face opponent after a loss.
The Big Ten Conference, affiliated with the NCAA university championship and which organizes the championship involving the two teams, announced the sanction on Monday, saying it was taken after consultation with the two universities. “It has been agreed that there has been a clear violation of Big Ten Conference sportsmanship by Michigan men’s basketball head coach Juwan Howard,” the Big Ten said. Ten, in a press release.
Howard, who was fined 40,000 dollars (approximately 40,000 Swiss francs), will be suspended for the next five games remaining until the end of the season. He will be allowed to return to the Big Ten Conference for the postseason tournament, which begins March 9 in Indianapolis.
Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard was fined $10,000 but not suspended over the incident.
Players suspended for one game
Right after the game, when they had to go through the traditional post-game handshake, Howard let Gard know he was contesting a timeout given to the Wisconsin team, who won the game. 77-63. Howard explained afterwards that he thought this time out was “not necessary at this time, especially with such a big lead.”
While trying to explain his point, Gard grabbed Howard’s arm, much to Howard’s displeasure. A melee ensued. Michigan players Moussa Diabate and Terrance Williams II, as well as Wisconsin player Jahcobi Neath, were each suspended for one game for throwing punches.
“Coaches and student-athletes in the Big Ten conference need to show greater sportsmanship,” conference commissioner Kevin Warren said in a statement.
Howard played in the NBA from 1994 to 2013 and was a two-time NBA champion with the Miami Heat (2012 and 2013). He retired as a player in 2013 and has served as Michigan’s head coach since 2019.