Someone at the Big Ten has a sneaky sense of humor.
On Thursday, the Big Ten announced its men’s college basketball schedule for the 2022-23 season and there was one game that jumped off the page in particular.
On February 14, 2023 — otherwise known as Valentine’s Day — Michigan will travel to take on Wisconsin in the Kohl Center for the first time since the two teams engaged in a postgame brawl last February.
On a day that is supposed to be all about love, can Wolverines head coach Juwan Howard, Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard and Wisconsin associate head coach Joe Krabbenhoft put the past behind them?
For those of you who don’t remember (or need a refresher of) the events that unfolded in Wisconsin last year, The Sporting News has all the details below.
Juwan Howard sparks Michigan-Wisconsin brawl with slap to Badgers assistant coach
Last February, in a game between the Wolverines and Badgers in Wisconsin, Michigan head coach Howard was not happy with Wisconsin head coach Gard after he elected to call a timeout with a big lead late in the second half.
Howard got into a verbal altercation with Gard, then he slapped Wisconsin associate head coach, Krabbenhoft, leading to a full-on scrap between the two teams.
Michigan’s Juwan Howard was upset at a late timeout by Wisconsin and a fight ensued after the game during the handshake line 😳
📹 @CBSSports pic.twitter.com/ZiXIGVv4B3
— 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬 (@sportingnews) February 20, 2022
Once the situation cleared up, Gard spoke to the media in a postgame interview to break down what had just unfolded.
“Apparently, he didn’t like that I called a timeout.”
Wisconsin coach Greg Gard explains what led to the postgame fight with Juwan Howard and the Michigan team. pic.twitter.com/tjgRpGsCQB
— CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) February 20, 2022
Howard had his say, as well, but did not immediately apologize for his actions.
Juwan Howard has not apologized for anything that happened. Said he was upset about Wisconsin calling a timeout late in the game. He expressed that frustration to Greg Gard. Howard said Gard touched him during the postgame line and he felt the need to defend himself. #Michigan
— Michael Cohen (@Michael_Cohen13) February 20, 2022
Juwan Howard’s suspension by the Big Ten
The Big Ten handed out a number of fines and suspensions for the altercation, with Howard’s being the most severe.
The Michigan head coach was suspended for the remainder of the regular season, along with a $40,000 fine. Wisconsin head coach Gard was suspended $10,000, while three players — Michigan’s Terrance Williams II, Moussa Diabate and Wisconsin’s Jahcobi Neath — were all suspended for one game.
Howard eventually issued an apology for the situation, stating, “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,” he continued in the statement.
“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!”
As you’ll notice, Howard never issued any direct apology to head coach Gard — something that is worth monitoring when Michigan returns to Wisconsin on Valentine’s Day in 2023.
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