Juwan Howard returned to Wisconsin for the first time since the infamous incident last year that tarnished his reputation.
There was no brawl this time, but things didn’t go so well for the Michigan Wolverines head coach as his team lost 64-59 to the Badgers.
It’s been almost exactly one year since that incident on Feb. 20, 2022 shocked the college basketball world. Howard, angry that Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard had called a timeout while leading by 15 points with 15 seconds remaining, confronted the Badgers coach in the postgame handshake line. That set off a brawl between the two teams.
Michigan suspended Howard for the final five games of the regular season.
In his first visit back to Madison on Tuesday night, Howard had one moment that left many fans holding their breath. Midway through the second half, Howard drew a technical for arguing a non-call on what he thought should have been a foul on Wisconsin.
For anyone who didn't see the game, this is the play that sparked the Juwan Howard argument. pic.twitter.com/WgUAb7r4yJ
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) February 15, 2023
Coaches get technicals all the time; it’s a part of the game. But given Howard’s last visit to the Kohl Center, anything seemed possible at that moment. Fans quickly shared their thoughts on Twitter.
“Oh my, Juwan Howard is about to lose it against Wisconsin. Again,” tweeted Sports Illustrated‘s Pat Forde.
I’m over Juwan as coach. But if I was him, I would have been tossed long time ago in this game. Officiating has been brutal.
— Joey Mays (@jmays23) February 15, 2023
So Juwan can’t get upset about calls anymore? Izzo loses his isht ALL THE TIME! But it’s a problem when Juwan does it. Coaches show their @$$ regularly during games. I’m not seeing posts about them “losing it”.
— Stephen (@nipsey) February 15, 2023
But in the end, Howard kept his cool. Although the Wolverines lost, the postgame handshake line went down very nicely this year.
BREAKING: Juwan Howard and Greg Gard successfully shake hands pic.twitter.com/Eo3GptD3d2
— Pregame Empire (@PregameEmpire) February 15, 2023
[Photo credit: ESPN]