UNDATED (AP) — The Big Ten Conference says it plans to take swift action following a skirmish between Michigan head coach Juwan Howard and a pair of Wisconsin coaches following the 15th-ranked Badgers’ 77-63 victory.
Howard hit Wisconsin assistant Joe Krabbenhoft after arguing with Badgers coach Greg Gard during the handshake line. Howard said after the game that he didn’t appreciate Gard calling a timeout with 15 seconds remaining and Wisconsin up by 15.
Howard said he reacted after someone from Wisconsin put hands on him. Video showed Gard had his hands touching Howard’s arm or wrist area while trying to explain the reason for the timeout.
The Big Ten issued a statement saying it’s “aware of a physical altercation involving Michigan head coach Juwan Howard” and that it’s assessing the incident. Howard said he’d respect whatever decision the Big Ten makes.
Lost in the postgame fracas was the work of Johnny Davis, who pumped in 25 points to help the Badgers improve to 21-5.
In other top-25 men’s action:
— Jaden Ivey hit 15 of 18 from the line and finished with 25 points as fifth-ranked Purdue knocked off Rutgers, 84-72. Zach Edey had 15 points for the Boilermakers, who led by just one before going on a 20-1 run bridging the two halves. Purdue shot 53% and had a 19-4 edge in points off turnovers.
— Eighth-ranked Providence stormed back from 19 points down to beat Butler, 71-70 in overtime. Jared Bynum hit two free throws with 38 seconds left in OT to help the Friars stay atop the Big East at 12-2. Nate Watson finished with 22 points and Noah Horchler added 15 with 11 rebounds.
— J’Wan Roberts’ dunk with 1.3 seconds remaining in double overtime gave No. 14 Houston a stirring 76-74 victory over Wichita State. It was Roberts’ only basket of the game and followed Wichita State’s Craig Porter hitting a tying 3-point shot with 5.4 seconds remaining in the second overtime. Josh Carlton scored 11 of his 23 points in the two overtimes, finishing 9 of 14 from the floor for the Cougars.
— Boogie Ellis hit a 16-foot jumper from the foul line with 0.2 seconds left to send 17th-ranked Southern California past Washington State, 62-60. Ellis scored 21 points, with six coming in the final five minutes. Drew Peterson added 17 points for the Trojan, who have won four straight and are off to their best start since 1974 at 23-4.
