In the aftermath of the ugly scuffle between Michigan and Wisconsin on Sunday, media code words for Juwan Howard and Michigan were unleashed.
“Thug”, “Brawl” and “Malice in the Palace” were just a few of the words used to describe the events that took place in the handshake line after the game.
“When I watched it on a big screen and I saw people swinging, I saw the fans right behind them, it reminded me of the Malice in the Palace and it bothered me,” said Michigan State head coach Izzo.
As the debate about the incident raged across social media, everyone anxiously waited for the Big Ten’s verdict.
That arrived Monday afternoon.
Howard was suspended for the remainder of the regular season (5 games) and fined $40,000. Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard was fined $10,000 and a few players also received one game suspensions.
On Tuesday evening, Howard issued a heartfelt apology to all.
“After taking time to reflect on all that happened, I realize how unacceptable both my actions and words were, and how they affected so many. I am truly sorry.”
“I am offering my sincerest apology 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!”
Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel also issued a statement.
“Today’s disciplinary actions underscore the seriousness with which we take the incident that unfolded on Sunday. Simply put, there is no room at U-M for the behavior we saw. We will learn from this incident as a department, work to improve ourselves while operating under a spotlight, and move forward in a positive light.”
Later that evening, Wisconsin athletics issued their statement.
Wisconsin’s AD, Chris McIntosh, firmly supported the coach and team.
He noted that the school would pick up the tab for the $10,000 fine and were turning their attention to their game at Minnesota.
But guess what was missing?
Yes, an apology from the school AND, more importantly, apologies from coach Gard and assistant coach Joe Krabbenhoft.
The absence of apologies from Wisconsin is surprising, dismissive and demonstrates a “holier than thou” attitude. He didn’t even apologize to Badgers fans who witnessed the incident.
“Neither coach Gard nor his staff had any intent to provoke or incite any of what took place,” wrote McIntosh.
But they did.
“I want to commend those on our staff- and student athletes – who were trying to de-escalate the situation,” continued McIntosh.
Apparently, he missed Krabbenhoft’s contribution to the situation.
Regardless of the childish ending to the game, everyone saw that Gard initiated the confrontation by grabbing Howard. Howard, as mad and dismissive as he was, said his piece and was leaving the court before Gard grabbed his arm to, as he claimed, explain why he called a timeout.
But he still grabbed Juwan Howard.
That’s what set the incident in motion, which included Krabbenhoft’s unnecessary presence and jawing that resulted in Howard’s open hand slap/mush.
Yet neither Wisconsin nor the two coaches issued an apology, and that’s very telling. They obviously feel they had no fault in the situation, even though the evidence is clear.
No one is denying that Howard deserved to be punished, which he was.
No one is claiming that Howard didn’t need to apologize, which he did.
But for Wisconsin to essentially play the innocent victim and deny their role in the incident is ignorant, reeks of entitlement and, like Gard’s decision to grab Howard, straight-up wrong.
