Wisconsin men’s basketball: Greg Gard fined by Big Ten; Jahcobi Neath suspended one game

After the University of Michigan announced that Wolverines head coach Juwan Howard was going to be suspended for five games, aka the rest of the regular season, the Big Ten Conference handed down additional suspensions and fines from the skirmish that happened after the Sunday afternoon game between the Badgers and the Wolverines.

Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard was fined $10,000, while reserve guard Jahcobi Neath received a one-game suspension. In addition to Howard’s suspension, which will cost him around $130,000 in lost pay, he was fined $40,000, which is the largest fine in Big Ten history. Terrance Williams II and Moussa Diabate also received a one-game suspension for Michigan.

Badgers assistant coach Joe Krabbenhoft did not receive any punishment from the conference office.

Here is the official statement from the Big Ten:

ROSEMONT, Ill. — In collaboration with University of Michigan and University of Wisconsin, the Big Ten Conference has reviewed the postgame physical altercation between the Michigan Wolverines and Wisconsin Badgers men’s basketball teams on February 20, 2022, in Madison, Wisconsin.

It has been determined that there was a clear violation of the Big Ten Conference’s Sportsmanship Policy by Michigan Men’s Basketball Head Coach Juwan Howard. Additionally, the University of Wisconsin Men’s Basketball Head Coach Greg Gard was in violation of the conference’s sportsmanship policy.

For their roles in the altercation, Michigan’s Terrance Williams II (forward), Moussa Diabate (forward), and Wisconsin’s Jahcobi Neath (guard) were also in violation of the Big Ten Conference’s Sportsmanship Policy. Many members of the bench area for both teams, including assistant coaches, did not represent the level of sportsmanship that is expected from the Big Ten Conference and its member institutions.

“Big Ten Conference coaches and student-athletes are expected to display the highest level of sportsmanship conduct,” stated Commissioner Kevin Warren. “I am grateful for the partnership with Michigan Athletics Director, Warde Manuel and Wisconsin Athletics Director, Chris McIntosh. Our expectation is that the incident yesterday will provide our coaches and student-athletes with the opportunity to reflect, learn and move forward in a manner that demonstrates decorum and leadership on and off of the court.”

The University of Michigan Athletics Director, Warde Manuel proactively addressed a five-game suspension of his Head Coach, Juwan Howard with Commissioner Warren. Concluding an assessment of the incident, the conference and the University of Michigan reached alignment on Coach Howard’s disciplinary action.

The Big Ten Conference, in conjunction with the University of Michigan and the University of Wisconsin, are imposing the following disciplinary actions:

University of Michigan

Head Coach Juwan Howard

Coaching Suspension: Five games (remainder of the regular season)

Fine: $40,000.00

Student-Athlete Terrance Williams II

Suspension: One game (effective immediately)

Student-Athlete Moussa Diabate

Suspension: One game (effective immediately)

University of Wisconsin

Head Coach Greg Gard

Fine: $10,000.00

Student-Athlete Jahcobi Neath

Suspension: One game (effective immediately)