Wisconsin releases statement on Michigan brawl following Big Ten punishment

Wisconsin athletic director Chris McIntosh released a statement Monday evening following the Big Ten’s punishment against the school and Michigan basketball coach Juwan Howard for a postgame altercation Sunday. Badgers coach Greg Gard was fined $10,000 for his role in the incident, but McIntosh said in the statement the school will take responsibility for paying it.

Howard was suspended for the final five games of the regular season. His fine will be more substantial than Gard, coming in at $40,000.

“We have received and read the rulings the Big Ten has handed down in regard to the incident that occurred at the Kohl Center on Sunday,” the statement read. “Needless to say, there is no place in college athletics for what happened at the end of Sunday’s game. Neither coach Gard nor his staff had any intent to provoke or incite any of what took place. I want to commend those on our staff – and student-athletes – who were trying to de-escalate the situation.

“Our staff has my complete support, as do our student-athletes. I consider the $10,000 fine from the Big Ten to be a ‘Wisconsin fine’ and not a ‘Greg Gard fine.’ Wisconsin Athletics will assume the responsibility for paying the fine. Our program is in the midst of the race for the Big Ten Championship and my hope is that the focus can now be turned to our game against Minnesota on Wednesday.”

Three players will be missing game time as well for their involvement. Michigan’s Moussa Diabate and Terrance Williams and Wisconsin’s Jahcobi Neath will serve a one-game suspension.

Howard was reportedly not happy with Gard’s decision to call a timeout with 15 seconds left in Sunday’s game and a sizable lead. The Badgers held a 15-point lead at the time and would go on to win by a score of 77-63. The two coaches shared a heated exchange in the postgame handshake line before things escalated, with Howard throwing a punch at a Wisconsin assistant.

The Michigan coach released a statement of his own following the Big Ten punishment, apologizing for his actions against the Wisconsin coach.

“After taking time to reflect on all that happened, I realize how unacceptable both my actions and words were, and how they truly affected so many. I am truly sorry.

“I am offering my sincerest apologies 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!”

With the matter now settled, both teams will look to move on and finish out the season strong. For Wisconsin, the next opportunity will come at 9 p.m. ET Wednesday against Minnesota.

On3’s Griffin McVeigh contributed to this report.