Brawl breaks out following NCAA basketball game after Michigan coach Juwan Howard hits Wisconsin's assistant

Angry about Wisconsin calling a late timeout, Michigan coach Juwan Howard began arguing in the postgame handshake line.

Moments later, he hit a Badgers assistant in the head, and mayhem followed.

The Wolverines' inability to boost their NCAA Tournament credentials was the least of their concerns after a 77-63 loss to Wisconsin on Monday (AEST). Their head coach could be facing major discipline after his poke turned a pushing-and-shoving scrum into a punch-filled brawl.

Howard struck Wisconsin assistant Joe Krabbenhoft after jawing with Wisconsin coach Greg Gard during the handshake line.

The league said it planned to «take swift and appropriate disciplinary action when it completes its review».

During his postgame news conference, Howard said he didn't like Wisconsin calling for a timeout with 15 seconds left and the Badgers leading by 15.

«I thought it was not necessary at the moment, especially being a large lead,» Howard said.

Gard said he called the timeout because his reserves were in the game and only had four seconds to get the ball past mid-court. A timeout gives them 10 seconds.

«I was not going to put them in position, where the ball had already gotten knocked out of bounds, to have to break a press in four seconds,» Gard said.

After the game, Howard pointed a finger at Gard while complaining about the late move. Later on, Howard reached through a crowd to get to Krabbenhoft — replays showed Howard no longer had a closed fist and had his hand open by the time he struck Krabbenhoft on the left side of his head.

Players from each side got involved in the skirmish, and video appeared to show Michigan's Moussa Diabate and Wisconsin's Jahcobi Neath throwing punches.

Howard said he reacted after someone from Wisconsin put hands