Last year's experiment of using Bobby Knight as an analyst for ESPN has expanded into a role in the broadcast booth.
Coach Knight will be paired with Brent Musburger on Thursday night games and will do some games with Dan Shulman on various other nights. His first gig will be next week at the 2k Sports Classic Benefiting Coaches vs Cancer in New York.
I echo what AA says about the prospects of Knight in the booth:
I'm still split on Bob Knight as a College Basketball analyst. On one hand, his knowledge and X's and O's are unrivaled. On the other, he still comes across like getting him to talk about the game is a chore. The negative could have been because Dickie V was hanging all over him on set, but whatever side you fall on, you're going to have to deal with him for another year on the "Leader".What is the betting line on him slipping up with an expletive on air this season? Or on him saying something so controversial that ESPN removes him from the booth?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
11-11-2008 @ 2:50PM
Jodi said...
I think Coach Knight will be a great addition. Yes, he can be colorful but that's what the viewers are watching for. He will add his knowledge and love for the game and also the unexpected....the ratings will soar! Good choice ESPN, snag him up before another network does. Good Luck Coach, I am glad to know I will see you even if it's not on the side lines!
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11-11-2008 @ 4:30PM
IUbacker said...
I am not sure how it will all play out, but give me the general over Dickie (The Homer) V any game. I whould suggest that ESPN have Mr. Knight on a 5 second delay of some sort. And ESPN or anyone else who thinks for one minute that Bobby won't say anything politicly incorrect hasn't been on this earth for very long. As an alum of IU and one of the biggest Knight fans you could ever want to meet I am looking forward to watching the first game with coach doing the color comentating
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11-11-2008 @ 10:29PM
Rob said...
What a joke. This guy is one of the biggest jerks in sports!
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11-11-2008 @ 10:42PM
Paul said...
Bobby Knight is great--at a time when there's just a bunch of wimps and yes men running around, Bobby will add some excitement--looking forward to a great year.
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11-11-2008 @ 11:46PM
jeff said...
Cool! Bobby will put color in color commentary. If you could bring in Jud Heathcoat (A good Bobby friend and an excellent coach, and a really funny dead pan humorist) every basketball coach from elementary to professional would be obligated to tune in for basketball I.Q. enlightenment. Anyone that has the excitement and color of Dicky V and Bobby Knight will be great and could only be made better with Jud. ..... But who would call the game! I'll bet Bobby knows how tell you to watch for yourself, meantime everybody else will be laughing and recording, except maybe Mr. IU only and Rob. Sparty's Rule all others drule! cept texas tech of course.
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11-12-2008 @ 9:29AM
Brain said...
Go Raiders
http://thingsfatpeoplehate.wordpress.com/2008/11/03/texas-tech-post-game-celebration/
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11-18-2008 @ 8:47PM
babs said...
Knight? A big admirer here. Looking forward to seeing his analysis. As a Christmas secret Santa gift, I want to frame a recent quote of his, as reported in a local paper, and want it to be accurate, word for word. To my dismay, the newspaper didn't seem to remember the quote or just wouldn't take the time to honor my request. I believe the article quoted him as saying "anyone caught cheating should be shot because they don't deserve to live". Anyone know if this is the exact quote?
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1-13-2009 @ 11:00PM
kelvin morgan said...
I just watched Bobby Knight break down Steph Curry's passing game on ESPN......Blew me away!!!! Im a 42 yr old all around sports fan. Im saving that segment for my kids. Mr Knight showed us all something we didn'nt know. Everybody loves the flash but you still gotta have the fundamentals if you want to be a truly great player.
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