NCAA Basketball FanHouse

Big 12 Forces Its Way Into Nation's Elite

Terrance Harris — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas A&M, Texas, Texas Tech, Big 12, Missouri

It seems like every year the usual suspects are lined up as contenders for the best basketball conference in the country.

Big East. ACC. Pac-10. Big Ten.

But the Big 12 never seems to get much love, despite some impressive numbers that suggest the newest of the major conferences deserve to be part of the conversation. No conference has advanced more teams to Elite Eight (13) and Final Four (six) since 2002. The Kansas Jayhawks even cut down the nets in 2008.

More Previews: ACC | SEC | Big 10 | Big 12 | Pac-10

Also consider that in the last three seasons, it has been the Big 12, and not the Big East or ACC that has produced the top player in the country: Texas forward Kevin Durant (2007), Kansas State forward Michael Beasley (2008) and Oklahoma forward Blake Griffin (2009).

This season, the Big 12 has the preseason No.1 team in the nation and the squad many predict will likely end as the national champion in Kansas. And oh, the Jayhawks could be playing preseason No.3 Texas in this season's Final Four.

All those are reasons why the Big 12 coaches trumpet their league as one of the best, even if no one else will.

"Years ago people used to say -- or ask the question -- is our league ever going to be considered one of the best leagues in the country, or it can't be until you win the national championship," Texas coach Rick Barnes said. "Obviously, Kansas having done that, I don't know what other questions people can ask about our league. If we're not the best league in the country, we've got to be in that discussion every year.

"You go back and look at the success year in and year out, I think also in the tournament, obviously in the recruiting, where there's a lot of games won during those months."

But as special as the Big 12 has been in the past, it could be even more exciting this season with a star-studded lineup of premiere players across the league. Several players such as Texas forward Damion James, Iowa State center Craig Brackins and Oklahoma guard Willie Warren gave up the chance to be instant millionaires as potential NBA first round picks to return to school this past spring.

You combine them with proven commodities such as Kansas' two preseason player of the year candidates, point guard Sherron Collins and center Cole Aldrich, along with Oklahoma State guard James Anderson and you have a league that is certain to produce lots of exciting moments this season.

"When you look at some guys that could have been gone to go make some money and make big money, and yet they choose to stay in the league, that's a credit to those coaches and those relationships they've got with those kids," said Kansas State coach Frank Martin. "It's a credit to the league and just how much fun it is.

"It's not fun when it's late January and you get your brains beat in, but it's tremendous basketball. If you've got any hope at being any good, you've got to be excited about being in such a great conference as this."

Oklahoma coach Jeff Capel agrees.

"Like I've said since I've been here, there's some great coach in this league," said Capel, whose Sooners are picked to finish third in the league race. "Because of the talent level that our league has been able to attract, it makes the basketball a very, very high level.

This season, it all starts with the Jayhawks, who return their top nine scorers from last season's 27-8 Big 12 championship squad that advanced to the Sweet 16. Throw in another highly regarded recruiting class, which includes Top 5 recruit Xavier Henry, and it's easy to see many believe the Jayhawks will be the last team standing come April.

Kansas coach Bill Self, however, has joked throughout the preseason that it's hard for him to even think about winning the national championship when he knows how difficult it will be to win the Big 12 title.

"I really like our team," said Self, whose team is the only one of the Big 12 members to win the national title since the league's inception during the 1996-97 season. I think we have a chance to be a special group. We'll have to be very special because I think the league is the best since I've been in it, and I think it's the best it's going to be since the inception of the league.

"We've had success in the league the last few years, and certainly it will be much more difficult to maintain that because of the quality of teams in the league."

Without question Kansas and Texas will be the two premiere teams in the conference and it could be that the Longhorns could actually break through this season. Their frontcourt of Damion James and Dexter Pittman could be the most formidable in the conference and with the nation's top recruit Avery Bradley expected to add scoring pop, Texas could be the team to give the Jayhawks serious trouble. The biggest question mark for the Longhorns will be at point guard, where Justin Mason has slid over to his more natural two guard spot. Florida transfer Jai Lucas is expected to run the Longhorns offense, but he won't be eligible to play until mid-year under NCAA transfer rules.

"People are a year older, a year wiser, and I think they understand that this team will have tremendous balance," said UT coach Rick Barnes. "We want to be a transition team, and we want to get up and down the floor."

After the Jayhawks and Longhorns, the Big 12 boasts teams like Oklahoma, Kansas State, Texas A&M and Oklahoma State that should make some noise throughout the season and could all end up in the NCAA tournament should the league get six bids again.

But consider this a testament to how truly tough the conference may be this season. The Iowa State Cyclones have a unanimous preseason All-Big 12 player in Brackins and the preseason newcomer of the year in Marquis Gilstrap, yet the league coaches still picked them to finish eighth in the preseason poll.

"I think it is a testament to the league. I think you could argue -- and it's an easy argument -- the seven teams that are picked ahead of us are picked ahead of us for a reason," said ISU coach Greg McDermott. "Generally, preseason polls are based on how you did last year and what you return. There's just a lot returning in our league.

"Some of the newcomers that are entering our league come from very successful backgrounds in high school or junior college, and I think they're going to have quite an impact right away. So we're picked probably about where we should be picked, but I'll be disappointed if that's where it ends up at the end of the day."

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The Team That Will Surprise: Iowa State

With the 6-foot-10 Brackins in the post and junior college swing man Marquis Gilstrap, the Cyclones could easily break into the top five of the conference this season and challenge for a spot in the NCAA Tournament.

The Team on Decline: Missouri

After Mike Anderson's squad stormed into the Elite Eight last season with its version of 40 minutes of hell, look for the Tigers to take a step back to recover from the loss of leading scorer DeMarre Carroll and Leon Lyons along with Matt Lawrence.

Player of the Year: Sherron Collins

The senior Kansas guard will indeed prove this season he is the best point guard in the nation and the most valuable player to his team.

Best Chance to Win it All: Kansas

The Jayhawks have the experience, depth and explosiveness to win the Final Four. The biggest question coming into the season is which of the five returning starters will come off the bench once Xavier Henry is inserted into the starting lineup?

Big 12 Forces Its Way Into Nation's Elite originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kansas Is Pick to Win Big 12

Terrance Harris — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:18:00 EST

Filed under: Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas A&M, Texas, Texas Tech, Big 12, Missouri

The Kansas Jayhawks are the No.1 choice almost every preseason basketball publication, now they are also the unanimous pick to win the Big 12 championship by the league coaches, according to the poll released Wednesday.

The Jayhawks, who return all five starters and pretty much all of their scoring from a season ago, received all 11 possible first-place votes by the Big 12 coaches (head coaches can not vote for their own team). In addition to the retuning starters, which include All-Big 12 First Team selections Sherron Collins and Cole Aldrich, Kansas also brings aboard one of the top recruiting classes in the nation.Collins and Aldrich have also been selected the preseason co-Players of the Year.

Texas, which obviously received KU coach Bill Self's first-place, was picked second in the poll and has the lone remaining first place vote. The Longhorns return four starters from last season have been largely regarded as a top five team nationally by most basketball experts.

Following the Jayhawks and Longhorns are Oklahoma (third), Kansas State (fourth) and Texas A&M (fifth).

Team (First place votes) Points
1. Kansas (11)* 121
2. Texas (1) 111
3. Oklahoma 95
4. Kansas State 92
5. Texas A&M 74
6. Oklahoma State 69
7. Missouri 66
8. Iowa State 57
9. Texas Tech 34
10. Baylor 33
11. Nebraska 27
12. Colorado 13

Preseason Co-Players of the Year
Cole Aldrich, Kansas, C, 6-11, 245, Jr., Bloomington, Minn./Jefferson
Sherron Collins, Kansas, G, 5-11, 205, Sr., Chicago, Ill./Crane

Preseason Newcomer of the Year
Marquis Gilstrap, Iowa State, F, 6-7, 215, Sr., Covington, Ga./East Side/Gulf Coast CC [Fla.]

Preseason Freshman of the Year
Avery Bradley, Texas, G, 6-2, 180, Fr., Tacoma, Wash./Findlay Prep [Nev.]

2009-10 Preseason All-Big 12 Team

Name School Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl. Hometown/Previous school(s)

Craig Brackins, Iowa State** F 6-10 230 Jr. Palmdale, Calif./Brewster Academy [N.H.]
Cole Aldrich, Kansas C 6-11 245 Jr. Bloomington, Minn./Jefferson
Sherron Collins, Kansas** G 5-11 205 Sr. Chicago, Ill./Crane
Willie Warren, Oklahoma G 6-4 199 So. Fort Worth, Texas/North Crowley
James Anderson, OSU G/F 6-6 205 Jr. Junction City, Ark./Junction City
Damion James, Texas G/F 6-7 225 Sr. Nacogdoches, Texas/Nacogdoches

** - Unanimous Selection.
A tie in the voting created six spots on the preseason squad

Kansas Is Pick to Win Big 12 originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:18:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Big 12 Hoops Coaches Say League Will Be Best Next Season

Terrance Harris — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:58:00 EST

Filed under: Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas A&M, Texas, Texas Tech, Big 12, Missouri

The debate about which conference is the best basketball league usually heats up in December.

But the Big 12 coaches set fire to the debate early by staking claim as the best basketball conference Tuesday, some five months before the 2009-10 season begins. So the Big East, ACC, Pac-10 and SEC will have to just lineup for second best.

"I do think it's going to be the best with what we have retuning and the things that we've done in the last few years," Texas A&M coach Mark Turgeon said during the Big 12 summer teleconference call Tuesday. "I've talked to some so-called experts out there and they think we are going to be the best league, too.

"As far as talk goes this season, we'll be No.1 and I think rightfully so. We have some really good teams at the top and we have some good depth so as a coach it's going to be a challenge but it's going to be exciting, You're going to be getting a lot of publicity throughout the year. "

Such bravado is fueled by the league's recent success in the NCAA tournament combined with the uncharacteristic return of NBA-quality talent for next season. Texas' Damion James, Kansas' Sherron Collins and Cole Aldrich, Oklahoma State's James Anderson and Oklahoma's Willie Warren all defied the recent trend of early entries into the NBA to remain in school.

During last season's NCAA tournament, the league went 6-0 in the first round, had three teams advance to the Sweet 16, two to the Elite Eight and even Baylor made it to the NIT championship. But the Big 12 coaches insist the proof is in the players next season where they several frontline guys and arguably the best depth of any of the major conferences.

"With those people returning for their junior and senior years for the most part, probably made this league unfortunately for coaches probably the best league that's going to be in the country this next year," said Nebraska coach Doc Sadler. "If the guys from Kansas would have left or James Anderson would have left or Damion James would have left, all of those guys are obviously very very good players that can make a difference in your league and probably some day will be playing in the NBA.

"All that does is add to the depth that everybody in the league wants you to have. It's going to be an interesting year. The league is going to be really fun to watch."

Kansas, which is a year removed from winning the national title and lost a hard-fought Sweet 16 contest with eventual national runner-up Michigan State this past season, returns all five starters and its top nine scorers to go along with a top five recruiting class. Can you say preseason No.1 lock?

But most believe Texas will be in the national contending conversation before the season is out with big man Dexter Pittman and James combining with what most are trumpeting as the best recruiting class in the country.

The loss of national player of the year Blake Griffin and several key players from last year's 30-6 Elite Eight team won't prevent Jeff Capel's Oklahoma Sooners from making some noise next season. OU is bringing in a stellar recruiting class that includes Keith Gallon to combine with Warren.

The Sooners, along with Texas A&M, Kansas State and Missouri could bring Big East-like competition to the Big 12 next season.

"Kansas and Texas are going to be very good, the rich get richer," said Texas Tech coach Pat Knight. "But with those two programs, I think you will see some teams that were struggling last year that are going to be better because they had young players and some teams did a good job recruiting.

"I just think this league is always going to be tough."

But Knight says the key to the national knowing how tough the league is is through exposure. The ACC and Big East seem to be the media favorites, while attention certainly seems destined to return to Kentucky next season with the arrival of John Calipari and a big-time recruiting class.

Not being afraid to say how good your league is, no matter how early, might be the first step in the big 12 getting the recognition it believes it deserves as the best basketball conference next season.

"We were talking about that in the coaches meetings, we have to get better exposure for this league because we really feel, if not the top basketball league it's going to be top two," Knight said. "We just have to do a better of promoting it from a conference standpoint and a coaches standpoint."

Big 12 Hoops Coaches Say League Will Be Best Next Season originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:58:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Blake Griffin Cleared to Play Saturday

Will Brinson — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 15:40:00 EST

Filed under: Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Texas Tech, Big 12, Coaches, Injuries, Media Watch

Blake Griffin has missed his team's last two games due to a concussion suffered against Texas, both of which were Oklahoma losses.

Needless to say, he's the most important part of one of the better teams in the nation.

Fortunately for the Sooners, Griffin has been cleared to play again, and will likely return against the Texas Tech Red Raiders on Saturday.

Griffin's absence was felt heavily with losses to Texas and Kansas, respectively, even if the Sooners did come close to winning both games.

There's been some discussion as to whether bringing back Griffin this quickly was the smart move, but Oklahoma coach Jeff Capel said that the training staff was satisfied by Griffin's physical, so one has to presume that he's recovered from the effects of the concussion.

Blake Griffin Cleared to Play Saturday originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Sat, 28 Feb 2009 15:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Blake Griffin Returns to Practice, While Forward Juan Pattillo Gets Suspended

Will Brinson — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 22:45:00 EST

Filed under: Oklahoma, Texas, Texas Tech, Big 12, Coaches, Injuries

It's a win some, lose some kind of day for Oklahoma. On the downside, the Sooners suspended forward Juan Pattillo for Saturday's game against Texas Tech, further weakening an already depleted frontcourt.

But on the upside, that might be Oklahoma's temporarily depleted frontcourt.

While the Sooners were announcing news of Pattillo's suspension for violating an unspecified team rule, according to the Oklahoman, player of the year candidate Blake Griffin was doing something he hadn't done in almost a week -- playing basketball.

Griffin returned to practice Thursday for the first time since he suffered a rather large concussion against Texas last Saturday night. But, there's no guarantee that he'll be ready for this Saturday's game, according to Sooners head coach Jeff Capel, also via The Oklahoman.

Griffin sat out Monday's game against Kansas due to the injury, while Pattillo, whose developed into a nice complimetary player since turning in his redshirt 11 games ago, scored 15 points.

Pattillo will not play Saturday. Griffin probably shouldn't either.

Why? Well, for starters, the Sooners should be able to beat the Red Raiders without Griffin and Pattillo. Obviously losing Griffin hurts Oklahoma's chances in any game, but they certainly have the talent to take down Texas Tech without him. They did, after all, nearly "upset" Kansas with Griffin sitting on the bench.

Additionally, as I noted following the Kansas game, the Sooners need, more than anything else, to make sure Griffin is healthy when they head into the postseason. If Capel jumps the gun and puts him on the floor against the Red Raiders and he suffers further injury, it would be the worst coaching mistake of his young career.

Blake Griffin Returns to Practice, While Forward Juan Pattillo Gets Suspended originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Thu, 26 Feb 2009 22:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pat Knight Suspended for 1 Game

Matt Snyder — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 14:20:00 EST

Filed under: Texas Tech, Big 12, Coaches

Note to Pat Knight: When you have the pedigree your father did, temper tantrums are endearing -- even lovable -- to some of your team's fans. When you are 2-10 in Big 12 play, however, tantrums are just annoying. They come off as childish gum-flapping.

Earlier this month, Knight had a nice little on-court tirade, and he followed it up this past Saturday with a technical foul and officiating complaints. He has now received a one-game suspension for said complaints. Apparently, though, he doesn't mind. He said as much after the game in his press conference.

"I don't care right now what the Big 12 thinks," he said. "My kids ... have enough of a time playing against A&M let alone add somebody else they have to play against. I just think it's a shame."

Knight is referring to the fact that his Red Raiders shot 22 free throws compared to an astounding 51 attempts by Texas A&M. While you can't just simply read a box score and make assumptions about officiating -- for example, it's possible Texas Tech just needed to stop playing so physical -- that's an awfully high discrepancy between free throws for two teams.

Either way, the temper is showing a bit early on the younger Coach Knight. I wouldn't advise anyone to approach him in person and blurt out something like, I don't know, "Hey Knight!"

Pat Knight Suspended for 1 Game originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Mon, 23 Feb 2009 14:20:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pat Knight Is Just Like His Father (Video)

Will Brinson — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Texas Tech, Big 12, Coaches, Video

Bob Knight is famous for his expletive-laced tirades and out-of-control behavior towards referees. And, judging by his son, Pat Knight's, reaction to some bad news on the court, they're not too terribly different.

Via FanIQ

Pat Knight Is Just Like His Father (Video) originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Sun, 01 Feb 2009 13:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pat Knight Gets 12-Year-Old Boy to Tell His Players How to Make Layups

Shiloh Carder — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 01:02:00 EST

Filed under: Texas Tech, Big 12, Coaches, Fans

We knew that Bobby Knight was good for some interesting motivational tactics during his coaching career. Apparently his son can do the same.

Pat Knight, who replaced his dad at Texas Tech, used a 12-year-old boy to help make a point to his basketball team.

Texas Tech was struggling to make layups against Stephen F. Austin to other night. So during a timeout, Knight looked in the crowd and welcomed a 12-year-old fan to join his team's huddle.

Knight asked the boy whether he could make layups. The boy said he could.

"I was just tired of having 18- or 21-year-olds miss layups that a 12-year-old could hit, so I brought a 12-year-old in to let them know that he could hit layups," Knight said. "He's 12 and he can hit layups, so why can't you when you're 18 to 21?"

The tactic seemed to work. Tech would start hitting their layups and pulled out a 69-55 win over SFA.

No word on if Kentucky's Billy Gillispie has offered the young man a scholarship.

Pat Knight Gets 12-Year-Old Boy to Tell His Players How to Make Layups originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Sat, 03 Jan 2009 01:02:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Texas Tech's Basketball Team Can Score Too; Drops 167 Points on East Central

Shiloh Carder — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 23:09:00 EST

Filed under: Texas Tech, Big 12

Most of the hype around Texas Tech these days surround their No. 2 ranked football team and their showdown at No. 4 Oklahoma on Saturday. But today, the Tech hoops team decided to make some noise of their own.

The Red Raiders beat East Central Oklahoma, 167-116 setting a school record for points. They scored 90 points in the second half alone.

Ten players scored in double figures and the 167 points are easily the highest output in Texas Tech history (the old mark was 128). They put up an amazing 113 field goal attempts, hit 13-of-25 three point attempts and forced 29 turnovers.

This was part of the Legends Classic, which is one of those "tournaments" where big-name schools pound on smaller schools and then advance to a neutral site to determine a champion. Even if the small school beats them, they still get to go.

The East Central Oklahoma Tigers are part of Division II's Lone Star Conference.

Texas Tech's Basketball Team Can Score Too; Drops 167 Points on East Central originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Thu, 20 Nov 2008 23:09:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bob Knight, Like Rudy Giuliani, Answers His Phone When He's Making a Speech

Michael David Smith — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 04:47:00 EST

Filed under: Indiana Basketball, NCAA Basketball Coaches, NCAA Basketball Video, Texas Tech Basketball

While giving a speech in April, former Indiana and Texas Tech coach Bob Knight's phone rang. So he answered it and had a profane conversation (with Knight, is there any other kind?) in front of everyone in attendance:

That video, which I first saw when FanHouse's Chas Rich posted it last month, has been getting a lot of attention in the blogosphere lately, at places like Meaningful Collateral and Deadspin. But I'm surprised no one has drawn the obvious political parallel.

There was a brief kerfuffle early in the presidential campaign when Rudy Giuliani answered his cell phone while giving a speech to the NRA. The Giuliani campaign tried to spin it as evidence that he's a dedicated family man -- the call was from his wife -- but it was painted by many as a sign that Giuliani is arrogant, aloof and much more concerned about his own time than the time of those around him.

I'll leave it to the political pundits to determine whether that's true of Giuliani, but I'd certainly say that describes Knight.

Bob Knight, Like Rudy Giuliani, Answers His Phone When He's Making a Speech originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Sun, 15 Jun 2008 04:47:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Texas Has a Rare Slip

Charles Rich — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 22:08:00 EST

Filed under: Texas Basketball, Big 12 Basketball, Texas Tech Basketball

Texas has three main offensive weapons: D.J. Augustin, A.J. Abrams and Damion James. When at least two of the three players are having good games, Texas wins. When only one of the players is putting up the points, they struggle against anyone. Today, it was Augustin trying to do it all, and the Longhorns lost to Texas Tech 83-80.

Augustin had 30 points, shooting better than 50%. Abrams and James combined for 24 points but shot 9-29 to get there. The Longhorns did not move the ball well and only had 9 assists on 31 field goals.

Texas Tech after starting out 1-3 under Pat Knight have now won 3 of 4. Texas Tech was aggressive on offense the entire game. Pushing the tempo and making Texas hurry their shots. They seemed to have full control of the game in the second half, as Texas could not get the stops nor slow the game. With 3:28 to go, the Red Raiders had a 70-56 lead.

To the Longhorns' credit they really made a late run. They stretched the game, by fouling and the Red Raiders missed 4 of 6 free throws to allow Texas to close to within 4 points. Texas got even closer, but Texas Tech went 11-11 on free throws in the final minute-and-a-half to keep the pressure on Texas to score.

Texas now needs help to win the Big 12 regular season outright, as they fall into a tie with Kansas. Texas had won 8 straight and 11 of 12 in the Big 12. The Longhorns are still in excellent shape to receive a #3 or even 2-seed in the NCAA Tournament.

Texas Has a Rare Slip originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Sat, 01 Mar 2008 22:08:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bob Knight Goes to ESPN

Charles Rich — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 21:45:00 EST

Filed under: Indiana Basketball, Big 12 Basketball, Big Ten Basketball, NCAA Basketball Coaches, NCAA Basketball Media Watch, Texas Tech Basketball

John Feinstein called it shortly after Bob Knight's retirement resignation. Bob Knight is heading to TV. Bob Knight has chosen to take an analyst gig at ESPN just in time for March.

That Knight would be sought after for March and college basketball punditry, in general, is no surprise. Given the nature of the TV media coverage it would be either ESPN or CBS. Beyond simply the money, ESPN was the obvious choice. Given Knight's stormy relations with much of the media, he has been on very good terms with ESPN personalities. From the late Dick Schaap, to the present ex-coaches and players at ESPN there was a better comfort level.

[ESPN's executive vice president for production, Norby] Williamson said Knight's relationships with ESPN commentators such as Dick Vitale and Digger Phelps helped make him comfortable with the idea of joining the network. "This isn't just a few token appearances; Knight will work a packed schedule for ESPN. He's the type of person who wouldn't do it any other way," Williamson said.

Knight will start working during the ESPN "Championship Week" (the conference tournaments -- that Knight hated as a coach) and the sundry "Selection Sunday" specials ESPN will have the entire day.

No word on who ESPN has hired to work the 7 second delay and bleep button.

Bob Knight Goes to ESPN originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Thu, 28 Feb 2008 21:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bob Knight Dresses Like a Ref on Jay Leno

Michael David Smith — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 07:02:00 EST

Filed under: Indiana Basketball, NCAA Basketball Coaches, NCAA Basketball Video, Texas Tech Basketball

Former Texas Tech and Indiana basketball coach Bob Knight appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno Monday night:

Why is he dressed like a referee? I don't really know, although he tried to make a joke about how easy becoming a ref would be, saying, "There are fat guys that referee, there are slow guys that referee, there are some who don't see well, there are a lot of them who don't know what the hell the rules are."

Leno replied, "But it's dangerous, you could get hit by a chair."

The guest on the show before Knight was Larry the Cable Guy. Knight referred to him as, "Larry the Cable Car."

When Knight said he thought his son, new Texas Tech coach Pat Knight, will get along with the press better than he did, Leno said, "I think Hitler got along better with the press than you did."

Bob Knight Dresses Like a Ref on Jay Leno originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Tue, 12 Feb 2008 07:02:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pat Knight Now 0-2

Charles Rich — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 23:43:00 EST

Filed under: Big 12 Basketball, Texas Tech Basketball

Texas Tech got blown out in the first half by Nebraska and never could catch up. Nebraska got a big first half from Alex Marics and just cruised the rest of the way to a 73-62 win

Like the previous game for Texas Tech, the Red Raiders came out strong at first and then faded quickly.

Obviously there wouldn't be a lot of interest in two teams that are 3-5 in the Big 12, but for the curiosity of Pat Knight taking over the head coaching duties with the resignation of Bob Knight.

Dad didn't exactly leave his son in a great situation to notch an early win. The first two games were on the road and the next one will be home against K-State. Tough love, I guess you couldn't expect anything else from Bobby Knight.

Pat Knight Now 0-2 originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Sat, 09 Feb 2008 23:43:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Random Bob Knight Video Moment: Losing It

Charles Rich — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 16:50:00 EST

Filed under: Indiana Basketball, Big 12 Basketball, Big Ten Basketball, Texas Tech Basketball

Bob Knight's abrupt retirement from coaching this week means looking for a way to summarize a man who was extremely complicated. He could be profane, cruel, crude, a jerk and sometimes worse. This week we'll post some of the best Bob Knight clips.

This is the kind of outburst that is not Knight at his most endearingly profane. It's just plain disturbing. Here, he is just trying to tape his weekly show and asked about a recent loss. He talks about disappointment at being outscrapped, and then just loses it. It's the kind of behavior that throws into question claims by Knight in the past that he would never "pull a Woody Hayes." Uncensored, so NSFW or around young children.

Random Bob Knight Video Moment: Losing It originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Sat, 09 Feb 2008 16:50:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bob Knight on TV? John Feinstein Says It Can Work -- If Knight Can Tolerate Producers

Michael David Smith — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 18:34:00 EST

Filed under: Indiana Basketball, NCAA Basketball Coaches, NCAA Basketball Media Watch, NCAA Basketball Video, Texas Tech Basketball

Bob Knight quit as the Texas Tech basketball coach this week, but what will he do next? The man who may know Knight better than any member of the media, Season on the Brink author John Feinstein, said on Jim Rome's show that television could be next up for Knight:

"I can see him doing television. He used to tell me all the time about how good he would be at television," Feinstein said. "And he would be pretty good. Although I don't see Bob doing terribly well with a 29-year-old producer in a production meeting saying, 'Coach, we think the key to this game tonight is this, and we've built this graphic for you.' I don't see him responding terribly well to that."

So what Feinstein is saying is that Knight would be great when it comes to the Xs and Os of breaking down the game of basketball, but horrible when it comes to his people skills? Imagine that.

Bob Knight on TV? John Feinstein Says It Can Work -- If Knight Can Tolerate Producers originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Thu, 07 Feb 2008 18:34:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Random Bob Knight Video Moment: the Most Expressive Word

Charles Rich — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Indiana Basketball, Big 12 Basketball, Big Ten Basketball, NCAA Basketball Coaches, NCAA Basketball Video, Texas Tech Basketball

Bob Knight's abrupt retirement from coaching this week means looking for a way to summarize a man who was extremely complicated. He could be profane, cruel, crude, a jerk and sometimes worse. This week we'll post some of the best Bob Knight clips.

I don't know who or how these clips on Bob Knight are getting posted. I just know that I am exceedingly grateful for it. This is another NSFW or around children. Bob Knight was apparently getting ready to do a TV interview and was on good terms with the reporter. The reporter asked a question of word choices. Knight explains. After watching this, you have the answer as to why John Feinstein had to leave the profanity in Season on the Brink. No one would believe Knight was actually speaking without the profanities.

Random Bob Knight Video Moment: the Most Expressive Word originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Thu, 07 Feb 2008 09:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rounding Up Opinions on Bob Knight's Retirement Resignation

Charles Rich — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 06:03:00 EST

Filed under: Big 12 Basketball, NCAA Basketball Coaches, Texas Tech Basketball

Writing about Bob Knight should be more difficult. He is more than simply a bully. He is more than simply a great and legendary coach. How do you write a 500 word, a 1000 word or any word count of a column about this guy? Someone who has shown so many sides of himself to the public, that any article or post comes off as somewhat simplistic and written by a hater or an apologist?

The answer, is that you can't. So I think many writers just put their head down and write about one aspect and pay lip-service to the other part out of necessity.

No shock that every coach contacted had nothing but praise for Bob Knight and his decision to resign.

National punditry was a little different. A criticism stated by Michael David Smith at FanHouse was echoed in several places. The issue of hypocrisy of demanding commitment and loyalty and then quitting on his team may be something Digger Phelps and Dick Vitale can gloss over as not relevant, but it is something that can't be ignored.

Pat Forde at ESPN.com came down hard on him for the hypocrisy.

If this is it and Bob Knight has really just folded and walked in midseason, it's one more hypocritical moment in a career full of them.

Knight has always been a putative disciplinarian who lacked self-discipline. Now a man who demands loyalty has abandoned a Texas Tech team that is 12-8 (3-3 Big 12) and No. 54 in the RPI -- in other words, still harboring NCAA Tournament hopes. Along the way, the guy who has always disdained individual player glory sure didn't quit before he reached that 900-victory plateau, did he?

Gary Parrish at CBS Sports.com noted it with a sense of sadness.

Like I said, it's a shame. Because with this final unusual development Knight has cemented his reputation as a man who preached commitment and discipline but forever struggled being committed and disciplined while handling himself in a way that was equal parts controversial and bizarre.

It was a theme that many felt the need to comment upon.

Another popular theme was that Bob Knight left on his terms and his way.

I once asked Knight -- it might have been after the infamous chair-tossing incident in the early 1980s -- if he ever worried that he would pull a Woody.

"No," he said. "It'll never happen. I'm always in a lot more control than I might look. I know what I'm doing. I'm going to go out under my own terms."

Greg Doyel at CBS Sports.com was positively glowing in how Knight chose to leave.

Knight left the way we should all leave, which is to say, completely on his terms. His terms weren't the terms most people would have chosen, but they were his terms nonetheless. No news conference. Hell, no news release. He just let the word trickle out unofficially through the local paper in Lubbock, then confirmed it officially so there would be no period of awkward speculation or rumor-mongering. He woke up Monday morning as the basketball coach at Texas Tech, and he went to bed Monday night without a job. Hello. Goodbye.

People are asking how it could be this way. I'd ask another question: How could it be any other way? Imagine Knight holding that news conference. The media would sharpen their teeth and fly into Lubbock to take one last bite, or the media would muzzle themselves and sit through a charade in which they pretended to have liked Knight all along. Either scenario would have been intolerable, and Knight avoided the whole thing.

Knight's boorishness has always obscured his righteousness, transforming this man -- who won without cheating or sacrificing his academic ideals -- into the cleanest anti-role model we've ever seen.

The "his way" theme seemed to be something many hung their story since it allowed them to write about Knight without having to take a side.

John Feinstein of Season on the Brink fame recalls one of Bob Knight's best moments.

His name was Garland Loper, and he was 12 years old. He explained to Knight that his father and brother would like to meet him.

"Of course," Knight said. "Where are they?"

Garland pointed across the restaurant.

"You see, Coach, they're both deaf and mute," he explained. "They talk through me. They'd like to say hello to you if it's okay."

Knight instantly waved over the two older Lopers. They signed to Garland, who spoke to Knight, telling him how much they loved Indiana basketball and how proud they were of him and his players. Knight was clearly touched by all three. He took down their home address and phone number and sent the entire family Indiana memorabilia and souvenirs. He also invited them to a game.

Before the game, Knight took the Lopers into the locker room. He introduced them to his players, and Garland again acted as the family spokesman so he, his dad and his brother could speak to the players. When he was finished, the room was absolutely silent.

"Boys," Knight said as he always did when his team had visitors. One by one, the players lined up to shake hands with the Lopers and introduce themselves.

When the Lopers had left, there was a long silence, and then Knight said, "Boys, I don't ever want to hear again how tough your lives are."

Tim Keown at ESPN.com sees it as a sad day since a character of college basketball is not coaching any longer.

Until Monday, Knight was one of the few larger-than-life characters left in sports. He wasn't always right, but he was never dull. He held to the idea that kids were there to learn basketball and go to class.

Some of his ideas were downright archaic: He refused to put names on the back of jerseys because he believed the name on the front was the only one that mattered. His faults, to me, could be summarized in one sentence: He was a man who demanded discipline while often exhibiting none himself.

There's that reference to the hypocrisy again.

Rounding Up Opinions on Bob Knight's ~~Retirement~~ Resignation originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Thu, 07 Feb 2008 06:03:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Random Bob Knight Video Moment: 'Golf Your Way' Outtakes

Charles Rich — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 10:53:00 EST

Filed under: Indiana Basketball, Big 12 Basketball, Big Ten Basketball, NCAA Basketball Coaches, NCAA Basketball Video, Texas Tech Basketball

Bob Knight's abrupt retirement from coaching this week means looking for a way to summarize a man who was extremely complicated. He could be profane, cruel, crude, a jerk and sometimes worse. This week we'll post some of the best Bob Knight clips.

This one isn't bleeped out, so definitely NSFW or around small children. Outtakes -- I hope -- of Bob Knight doing an instructional golf show called "Golf Your Way" that he did in the 80s. Apparently another version of this has been taken down. This has nothing to do with basketball. It's just funny in a crude and juvenile way. Bob Knight is a master of using curse words as commas.

Random Bob Knight Video Moment: 'Golf Your Way' Outtakes originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Wed, 06 Feb 2008 10:53:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bob Knight Preached Commitment, Deserves Scorn for Quitting on His Team

Michael David Smith — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 10:25:00 EST

Filed under: Big 12 Basketball, NCAA Basketball Coaches, Texas Tech Basketball

Throughout his long coaching career, Bob Knight has preached the importance of commitment to the team, the importance of putting others ahead of oneself, the importance of collective goals over individual needs.

So by quitting yesterday in the middle of a season simply because, he said, he's tired and wants his son to take over now, Knight was committing the final act of hypocrisy of his coaching career.

There is much to admire about Knight, both on and off the basketball court. But there's also much to dislike. Knight's greatest flaw is that he held his players to higher standards than he could live up to himself.

Let's say Knight had a point guard who was a senior. And let's say the point guard has a younger brother who's a freshman and also plays point guard on the team, but doesn't get many minutes. If that senior came to Knight in the middle of the season and said he was quitting to let his little brother take over, would Knight be OK with it?

Of course not. Knight would rant and rave about commitment to team, and say quitting in the middle of the season is unacceptable. And he'd be right.

Bob Knight Preached Commitment, Deserves Scorn for Quitting on His Team originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Tue, 05 Feb 2008 10:25:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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