Wisconsin’s Gard gets fined, Neath suspended a game

The Big Ten Conference released a statement Feb. 21 and announced fines and suspensions for the Feb. 20 postgame altercation between the Wisconsin and Michigan men’s basketball teams.

Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard received a $10,000 fine, while player Jahcobi Neath was suspended a game. Michigan head coach Juwan Howard was suspended five games and fined $40,000, while players Terrance Williams II and Moussa Diabate were each suspended a game.

The statement began, “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.”

Neath, Williams and Diabate were also in violation of the Big Ten Conference’s Sportsmanship Policy.

The statement also noted that “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 Big Ten 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.”

Manuel proactively addressed a five-game suspension of his head coach with Warren. Concluding an assessment of the incident, the conference and the University of Michigan reached alignment on Howard’s disciplinary action.