Wisconsin AD Chris McIntosh responds to Juwan Howard, Michigan skirmish

Wisconsin Athletics Director Chris McIntosh was almost speechless following the fight that broke out following the Badgers-Wolverines game on Sunday afternoon. Michigan head coach Juwan Howard, followed by some Wolverines players, physically lashed out during the postgame handshake.

“There is no room for that in our competition,” McIntosh said ahead of head coach Greg Gard’s postgame press conference. “It’s unfortunate what transpired. I expect the league will act swiftly. It’s difficult for me to compose myself.”

McIntosh, who received the promotion to Badgers AD last summer, told the media that he has already been in touch with the Big Ten Conference office.

“There is no room for that in our competition. It’s unfortunate what transpired. I expect the league will act swiftly. It’s difficult for me to compose myself.”#Wisconsin AD Chris McIntosh addressed the media before Gard’s opening statement. He’s been in touch with B1G.

— Pablo Iglesias (@PabloIglesiasTV) February 20, 2022

Things got heated after Michigan suffered a demoralizing 77-63 loss to Wisconsin on Sunday. After the buzzer sounded, an argument broke out between Wolverines head coach Juwan Howard and Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard. A scrum ensued, resulting in Howard throwing a right hand through the sea of red, navy and yellow.

Juwan Howard answers questions following Michigan loss to Wisconsin

Michigan head coach Juwan Howard was not quick to apologize for his actions following the end of the Michigan-Wisconsin game on Sunday.

“Juwan Howard has not apologized for anything that happened,” tweeted Michael Cohen of the Detroit Free Press. “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.”

After the loss, Howard didn’t join the typical postgame coaches’ handshake right away. The announcers noted at the time that it was odd that Howard refrained from approaching Gard as the game clock expired. Howard seemed to be the one upset, getting in Gard’s face, pointing and eventually escalating to the point of physicality.

The anger seemed to begin due to a late timeout from Gard when the game was already decided. The timeout came with 15 seconds remaining while Gard kept the intensity up with a full-court press while winning by double digits.

Additionally, Cohen reported Howard stated it was unfortunate some of his players also threw punches.

“Howard said it was unfortunate that some of the players also threw punches,” added Cohen. “He admired them for backing each other up but didn’t want it to go that way. Howard’s presser is over. He did not apologize for his actions. #Michigan.”

On3’s Stephen Samra contributed to this report.