Bob Knight - Love him or hate him. There are no other choices.
The wrinkle in this latest case of supposed bad behavior is that after lukewarm denials were made, a videotape surfaced which broadcast the event in question. There can be no further denying that Knight did indeed place a hand around Reed's throat, snapping the young man's head back. Indiana University had no choice but to initiate a formal investigation. However, although the tape confirmed that inappropriate behavior took place, it did not support Reed's melodramatic recollection of the confrontation. Instead, it showed that Knight let go within three seconds and Reed went on his way. No assistant coaches came to separate them as Reed claimed. An unpopular player who would eventually be kicked off the team was being "coached" in the award winning fashion of a legend. In other words - no harm, no foul.
Indiana trustees are also considering allegations that Knight threw a vase at a secretary 12 years ago, and that he attacked former assistant coach Ron Felling last November after overhearing Felling talk about problems with the program. Sounds like a sticky predicament, and you never know which straw will be the one to break the camel's back. But if the sequence of current events plays out the way past messes have, Knight will go on to see another day of controversy and basketball.
In the world of sports, what matters most is wins and losses. The only true danger to Knight is that lately, the latter has been gaining ground on the former. These past four years have not been among his best. Indiana has not won a championship in this period. They have not been to the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 since 1995. During the last six seasons they have posted a losing road record. The Indiana program can purchase guaranteed home games against a better class of opponent than the average school, thus keeping its power rating artificially high. But they have not had a winning record against top 50 teams since the 1993-94 season.
Many attribute these declining numbers directly to Knight, which is only fair, since he has received the bulk of credit for Indiana's prior successes. Detractors say that he is old school, incapable or relating to the modern day player who has changed the look of the modern day game. Several skilled athletes, including three McDonalds All-Americans, have recently transferred from the Indiana program rather than putting
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