Knight returns to Indiana for 1st time in 20 years
Bob Knight’s short stroll from the practice gym to Assembly Hall ended a 20-year journey home.
It seemed as if he never left.
When the former Indiana Hoosiers coach walked through the tunnel Saturday and onto his old court for the first time since his firing in September 2000, the crowd went wild — chanting his name, roaring with approval, thanking him for all the success and banners he brought to Bloomington.
The sellout crowd and dozens of former players lauded Knight after watching a video detailing Knight’s contributions.
Knight, 79, didn’t speak to the crowd over the public address system.
The combustible coach had an impressive 29-season resume: A school record 662 victories, 11 Big Ten titles, five Final Fours and three national titles.
University officials put Knight on a zero-tolerance policy in 2000 following an investigation into whether he had choked a former player, the late Neil Reed, during a practice.
Then, in September, a student accused Knight of grabbing him.
Knight responded by calling his own news conference, bringing witnesses to help explain his version. Two days later, the late Myles Brand fired Knight.
That was his last public appearance in the building — until Saturday.
KU, Self reach milestones: Udoka Azubuike had 20 points and 15 rebounds as No. 3 Kansas matched an NCAA record with its 31st consecutive 20-win season, beating TCU 60-46 for coach Bill Self’s 700th career victory.
Kansas (20-3, 9-1 Big 12) joined UNC (1971-2001) as the only teams to win 20 games in 31 consecutive seasons.
Six weeks after his 57th birthday, Self
Bobby Knight, left, acknowledges the Indiana crowd alongside Isiah Thomas.
became the second-youngest coach in NCAA history to reach 700 wins. Knight was 56 when he got his 700th win.
Duke wins wild one in OT: Freshman Wendell Moore scored on a putback as time expired to help No. 7 Duke rally past host UNC 98-96 in OT.
Moore’s follow of Tre Jones’ missed off-balance jumper finally ended this one, a game that saw Duke rally from 13 down in the final 41⁄2 minutes of regulation. Jones forced OT, hitting a contested jumper at the regulation horn after corralling his own intentionally missed free throw.
Jones finished with 28 points to lead the Blue Devils (20-3, 10-2 ACC), who led for only 1:47 of game action.
Baylor best: Top-ranked Baylor was the No. 1 overall seed in rankings released by the NCAA D-1 men’s basketball committee.
Kansas was the No. 2 overall seed, Gonzaga was No. 3 and undefeated San Diego State was No. 4.