Green Bay coach Doug Gottlieb will miss Friday’s game in Oakland as he serves a one-game suspension for his postgame comments following the Phoenix’s loss in Milwaukee. The Horizon League announced it has suspended Gottlieb for violating the league’s operating rules after he went viral with a rant about the referee in Sunday’s loss.
Gottlieb pounded his fists on a table during an expletive-filled tirade in which he demanded an explanation for a technical foul he received in the 75-72 loss. Gottlieb called on the Horizon League to explain the “inequity” in the office and clarify why he received the technical information to argue a call that he said unfairly favored Milwaukee.
“Gottlieb’s post-match comments do not reflect the League’s values or expectations of sportsmanship,” he said. the Horizon League said in a statement. “The Horizon League considers this matter closed and will have no further comment.”
Green Bay coach Doug Gottlieb goes on an epic rant, demanding an explanation after a technical foul
Kyle Boone
Gottlieb said the officials reviewed the “exact same damn play” on both ends of the floor with different outcomes. He also said he did not swear, leave his box or act demonstratively while questioning the call during the game. Regardless, Gottlieb was assessed a technical foul with less than seven minutes to play while the Phoenix had a one-possession lead.
Milwaukee’s Amar Augillard converted both technical free throws to cut the Panthers’ deficit to 59-58 with 6:58 to play.
“I would like to apologize to the Horizon League and the officials for my disparaging comments after Sunday’s game,” Gottlieb said in a statement. “I understand and appreciate how difficult their job is, and respect what they do for the sport of basketball. I will be better able to move forward.”
The loss ended Phoenix’s three-game winning streak, moving them to three games above .500 for the second time this season. With three regular season games remaining, Green Bay is 10-7 in the league and just a half-game behind second place in the standings. Gottlieb will miss a crucial game against Oakland, which is second at 10-6.
Every spot in the Horizon League standings matters with the adoption of a new conference tournament format. The top five seeds will host on-campus matches in the first round, and those who advance will be reseeded. The three highest-ranked teams remaining will advance directly to the semi-finals.
If Gottlieb can guide Green Bay to a conference tournament championship, he will complete a remarkable turnaround after finishing 4-28 in his debut season. A run to league supremacy could also give the Phoenix their highest win total since the 2018/19 season – the last time they crossed the 20-win threshold.
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