Michigan basketball season on the ropes, not just due to loss at Wisconsin

Michigan head coach Juwan Howard wasn’t in an apologetic mood after he threw an open fisted punch at Wisconsin assistant Joe Krabbenhoft. Judging by the response of his boss, athletic director Warde Manuel, he probably should have been.

In a few days, when he cools down a bit, he probably will be.

RELATED: Michigan-Wisconsin game turns ugly in confrontation with Juwan Howard, Greg Gard

For now, though, he’s going to have to come to grips with the fact that he hurt his team down the stretch with what Manuel called an inexcusable outburst. Howard wasn’t happy when Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard called timeout with a big lead and 15 seconds remaining in a 77-63. At the same time, Michigan was still pressing and fouling Gard’s backups.

“Yes, I was [upset],” Howard said. “I didn’t like the timeout being called, and I’ll be totally honest with you. I thought it was not necessary at that moment, especially being a large lead. And then, for the timeout to be called with three seconds, four seconds ago. I thought that … wasn’t fair to our guys.”

Howard said something to Gard in the handshake line, and Gard appeared to put his hands on him to stop him to talk. Howard got animated and put his finger in Gard’s face, at which point the two had to be separated.

Whatever Krabbenhoft said seemed to set Howard off. His open-handed punch set off a melee that included sophomore Terrance Williams and freshman Moussa Diabate.

All will likely face suspensions in the aftermath, which could hurt Michigan’s chances at the NCAA Tournament.

“The Big Ten Conference is aware of a physical altercation involving Michigan Head Coach Juwan Howard at the conclusion of the Michigan Wolverines and Wisconsin Badgers men’s basketball game,” the Big Ten said in a statement. “The conference is in contact with both member institutions and is currently assessing the incident. The conference will provide more information and will take swift and appropriate disciplinary action when it completes its review.”

Howard insisted his team wasn’t pressing down the stretch — “We were just five pressure defense, man to man. That’s what five is for us,” he said — and wouldn’t apologize.

“I addressed with the head coach that I will remember that, because of that time out,” he said. “And for someone to touch me — and I think that was very uncalled for him to touch me as we were verbalizing and communicating with one another — that’s what ended up happening. And that’s what escalated it. 

“Touching me unnecessarily … there wasn’t cause for that when we were talking. At that point, I thought that was time to protect myself.”

Manuel, however, didn’t see it that way, and he made it clear in his own statement.

“I am aware of and watched the end of our men’s basketball game. There is no excuse for any of our staff or student-athletes to get into a physical altercation with others regardless of instigating factors,” he said. “I reached out and apologized to [A.D.] Chris McIntosh and President [Mary Sue] Coleman has reached out to UW Chancellor Blank to apologize for the totally unacceptable behavior. 

“We will review the situation more thoroughly and work with the Big Ten Conference as they determine their disciplinary actions and will determine if further disciplinary actions are warranted.”

There will be some, and it will likely lead to the Wolverines being shorthanded during the most important part of the schedule. Michigan will probably be without its head coach and two of its players for at least a few games.

“Unfortunately, it ended up like that,” Howard said of his players’ involvement. “I didn’t like for it being that way. But you know what, I respect our young men for saying what they’re saying as far as we are family. Truly, I did not want it to be in a situation where it escalated like that.”

He seemed to understand, too, that there would be consequences for his actions.

“Well, I respect whatever the Big Ten decisions they make,” he said. “It’s up to them, and I will respect whatever decision they end up making.”