Knight's Early Days @IU

[hookyIU1990]

Nice article with some cool photos

Bob Hammel: Images of Bob Knight's early days send the mind to wandering

Former H-T sports writer Bob Hammel inspired to recollection after seeing archival photos of Bob Knight's early coaching years at IU.

www.heraldtimesonline.com

 

[Univee2]

Nice article with some cool photos

Bob Hammel: Images of Bob Knight's early days send the mind to wandering

Former H-T sports writer Bob Hammel inspired to recollection after seeing archival photos of Bob Knight's early coaching years at IU.

www.heraldtimesonline.com

That Bootsie White story is one of my all-time favorites. “Don’t worry, Chief . . . . “

 

[GeorgeStrait IU]

Nice article with some cool photos

Bob Hammel: Images of Bob Knight's early days send the mind to wandering

Former H-T sports writer Bob Hammel inspired to recollection after seeing archival photos of Bob Knight's early coaching years at IU.

www.heraldtimesonline.com

From 1971-1994-1995 season he was the best in the business. I added 1994-1995 (First year where IU basketball didnt seem like IU Basketball anymore) because he regrouped that team to make the Ncaa's and handled a really good Kansas team at home. Even during this season, America still believed he could make a run at a Final Four just because... He had always been sooo good! Blow out of Iowa on senior day! But the following week it just wasnt in the cards and then the downfall began.

 

[Chicago-bound Hoosier]

From 1971-1994-1995 season he was the best in the business. I added 1994-1995 (First year where IU basketball didnt seem like IU Basketball anymore) because he regrouped that team to make the Ncaa's and handled a really good Kansas team at home. Even during this season, America still believed he could make a run at a Final Four just because... He had always been sooo good! Blow out of Iowa on senior day! But the following week it just wasnt in the cards and then the downfall began.

I think you pinpointed it...the door of the golden yrs closed with that 1st round loss to Mizzou in 95. Henderson's last game. Was never the same again after that.

 

[kmathum]

Nice article with some cool photos

Bob Hammel: Images of Bob Knight's early days send the mind to wandering

Former H-T sports writer Bob Hammel inspired to recollection after seeing archival photos of Bob Knight's early coaching years at IU.

www.heraldtimesonline.com

those were the days my friend we thought they'd never end

 

[8Stars5Banners]

From 1971-1994-1995 season he was the best in the business. I added 1994-1995 (First year where IU basketball didnt seem like IU Basketball anymore) because he regrouped that team to make the Ncaa's and handled a really good Kansas team at home. Even during this season, America still believed he could make a run at a Final Four just because... He had always been sooo good! Blow out of Iowa on senior day! But the following week it just wasnt in the cards and then the downfall began.

That was when I still picked IU to win the natty every year…. It was about 2004 when I finally learned my lesson 😂

 

[Crayfish57]

There were so many what if in that time frame of how many more they couldve won. Mays broken arm, Woody's back, Landon, Isiah stays longer, Kitch's back, Henderson 's knee. Pat graham's foot.

 

[Davehack]

There were so many what if in that time frame of how many more they couldve won. Mays broken arm, Woody's back, Landon, Isiah stays longer, Kitch's back, Henderson 's knee. Pat graham's foot.

Big Mac stays and adjusts to the new style of play.

 

[Crayfish57]

Big Mac stays and adjusts to the new style of play.

True .

If Isiah stays 4 yrs, he made the right choice BTW, Woodson doesnt get hurt when Isiah was a freshnan, Landon and Kitchel they may have won 4 straight. Wittman had broken his foot his freshman yr that set him back as well. They had the ability to be more dominant than the 75 and 76 team.

 

[13thman]

True .

If Isiah stays 4 yrs, he made the right choice BTW, Woodson doesnt get hurt when Isiah was a freshnan, Landon and Kitchel they may have won 4 straight. Wittman had broken his foot his freshman yr that set him back as well. They had the ability to be more dominant than the 75 and 76 team.

Witt was a Soph when he broke his foot. If healthy, that 80 team is cutting down the nets in Indy.

 

[Crayfish57]

Witt was a Soph when he broke his foot. If healthy, that 80 team is cutting down the nets in Indy.

Was it? I was thinking 79 when they went to the NIT and played purdue in the final .

That stretch of from the first final four thru 83 had it not been for injuries I think IU would have been a more dominant team than the UCLA dynasty. UCLA had no competition to speak of. 74-76 would have had a more impressive win streak than the 88 of UCLA . 75 team was better than 76 until May gets hurt. Also predicated on if Isiah had stayed 4 years but the injuries and Landon. That 82 team would have steamrolled even losing Ray . There were just so many great players in Indiana and the few from ohio and Ill in that time that meshed with Knight. If there was ever right man , right place, right time Knight was lightning in a bottle. Add in Larry going home. Late 80's and Shawn Kemp likely the most physically product of Indiana there were just so much talent

 

[TomEric4756]

Yes and early on, the Farm Bureau Insurance telecast made sure every Hoosier fan could watch every game that was not nationally televised.

 

[13thman]

Was it? I was thinking 79 when they went to the NIT and played purdue in the final .

That stretch of from the first final four thru 83 had it not been for injuries I think IU would have been a more dominant team than the UCLA dynasty. UCLA had no competition to speak of. 74-76 would have had a more impressive win streak than the 88 of UCLA . 75 team was better than 76 until May gets hurt. Also predicated on if Isiah had stayed 4 years but the injuries and Landon. That 82 team would have steamrolled even losing Ray . There were just so many great players in Indiana and the few from ohio and Ill in that time that meshed with Knight. If there was ever right man , right place, right time Knight was lightning in a bottle. Add in Larry going home. Late 80's and Shawn Kemp likely the most physically product of Indiana there were just so much talent

Witt was the starting PG as a freshman on the 79 team that won the NIT. Aside from all the injuries, the key to those teams in that era was Landon. When he had his act together, those teams were special.

 

[Crayfish57]

Witt was the starting PG as a freshman on the 79 team that won the NIT. Aside from all the injuries, the key to those teams in that era was Landon. When he had his act together, those teams were special.

I was just starting to watch in 79, my memories of 76 are more from replays. I knew he was out one season, Kitch was out in 79? I just know 83 when the Big 10 had the long 3 pt line and they were deadly from it. Likely Landon was the #1 pick so even without Thomas 82 was going to be great. Alas the what if's

 

[Crayfish57]

Yes and early on, the Farm Bureau Insurance telecast made sure every Hoosier fan could watch every game that was not nationally televised.

It was so much better watching those , Laz and then Kitch with chuck vs what we get now.

 

[13thman]

I was just starting to watch in 79, my memories of 76 are more from replays. I knew he was out one season, Kitch was out in 79? I just know 83 when the Big 10 had the long 3 pt line and they were deadly from it. Likely Landon was the #1 pick so even without Thomas 82 was going to be great. Alas the what if's

Do you remember the ACC 3 point line? It was inside the top of the key.

 

[Crayfish57]

Do you remember the ACC 3 point line? It was inside the top of the key.

yes ridiculous

 

[Courtsensetwo]

Was it? I was thinking 79 when they went to the NIT and played purdue in the final .

That stretch of from the first final four thru 83 had it not been for injuries I think IU would have been a more dominant team than the UCLA dynasty. UCLA had no competition to speak of. 74-76 would have had a more impressive win streak than the 88 of UCLA . 75 team was better than 76 until May gets hurt. Also predicated on if Isiah had stayed 4 years but the injuries and Landon. That 82 team would have steamrolled even losing Ray . There were just so many great players in Indiana and the few from ohio and Ill in that time that meshed with Knight. If there was ever right man , right place, right time Knight was lightning in a bottle. Add in Larry going home. Late 80's and Shawn Kemp likely the most physically product of Indiana there were just so much talent

Even with the many key injuries, that was a magnificent stretch of coaching. Unmatched given the competition, academic expectations and playing within the rules.

 

[CriticArisen]

I always thought that Coach Knight became less involved in recruiting and as a result they just started bringing in burger boys because they were burger boys.

 

[abraxis]

I always thought that Coach Knight became less involved in recruiting and as a result they just started bringing in burger boys because they were burger boys.

That's a myth propagated by the liberal media who hated Knight. Little people like to see the giants fall.

 

[13thman]

That's a myth propagated by the liberal media who hated Knight. Little people like to see the giants fall.

Dakich pushed that myth pretty hard too.

 

[GeorgeStrait IU]

I think you pinpointed it...the door of the golden yrs closed with that 1st round loss to Mizzou in 95. Henderson's last game. Was never the same again after that.

Also, Sherron's injury, never had his head on straight, Hart and Hermon didnt work out.... Boy Neil Reed did save those 95-96 and 96-97 (along with Guyton) teams.

 

[GeorgeStrait IU]

That's a myth propagated by the liberal media who hated Knight. Little people like to see the giants fall.

All about ratings. They will sell out in a heartbeat, and who bigger than Coach Knight during this time?

 

[abraxis]

All about ratings. They will sell out in a heartbeat, and who bigger than Coach Knight during this time?

That's the enigma of Bob Knight as he relates to the media. As much as the media hated Bob Knight, they loved him because of the way he was. His antics attracted readership/viewership. It's much the same way with Trump and the media today.
Once Knight was banished from Bloomington, ratings for the news outlets, especially the local ones, went down and they had to stir up attention elsewhere. The media was happy Knight was fired, but at the same time, their jobs just got more difficult. Knight was always easy fodder and the game was over.

 

[CriticArisen]

That's a myth propagated by the liberal media who hated Knight. Little people like to see the giants fall.

I have never seen this claimed by the liberal media. No one respects Coach Knight more then me and this is a reasonable explanation for why the problems started. I can't imagine why you would think this is a left wing plot to tarnish Coach Knight. Really incomprehensible to me.

Are you claiming that the program didn't fall off or that you have a better explanation as to why it fell off that has more politically conservative explanatory elements?

First time I have ever been labeled a dupe of the liberal media to tarnish Coach Knight and really don't see any coherent logic for the claim just a gratuitous ad hominem attack.

 

[abraxis]

I have never seen this claimed by the liberal media. No one respects Coach Knight more then me and this is a reasonable explanation for why the problems started. I can't imagine why you would think this is a left wing plot to tarnish Coach Knight. Really incomprehensible to me.

Are you claiming that the program didn't fall off or that you have a better explanation as to why it fell off that has more politically conservative explanatory elements?

First time I have ever been labeled a dupe of the liberal media to tarnish Coach Knight and really don't see any coherent logic for the claim just a gratuitous ad hominem attack.

I think it's a pretty well known fact the media, in general, didn't care for Bob Knight. It may have started with his infamous quote, "Most of us learn to read and write in fourth grade and then go on to other things." A lot of what they wrote as truth was distorted reality. Players consistently backed Knight's side of the story vs what the media printed Ex.-Knight stuffed an obnoxious LSU into a Bourbon St. trash can. Another ex.- A Puerto Rican security guard named de Silva was "accosted" by Knight after he demanded Knight's Pan Am team vacates the high school gym they were practicing in. How about the media guy who announced Knight would not be attending the NCAA tournament press conference? I could go on with examples of media slanted incidences involving our coach.

One of the well known TV sports personalities predicted that once Bob Knight started losing at the insane percentage IU fans were used to, the fans (and people across the country) would turn on him. The media was certainly included in that group, too, and the prophesy turned true.

What got Knight fired wasn't due to his lack of caring. He had a couple of years of bad luck with recruits not panning out as hoped and some unlucky breaks in the NCAA tournament leading to early upsets (see Kirk Haston in-game injury). I think the media's way of emphasizing the negative really pissed Knight off towards the end. Parity in college basketball also helped in the relatively slight decline in his winning percentage and tournament success. Parity was in the early stages, brought on my changing rules to even the playing field, AAU ball 24/7, etc. but it wasn't recognized as such back then and more blame was put on Knight for supposedly not being able to relate to youth of today. IU fans started thinking a pro style game was more conducive to the ballers of NBA dreams and another coach might be better instead of Knight's more disciplined style of motion offense. In other words, Knight became expendable. We were spoiled by our own success. Today, 20+ years later, we are still hoping to get back to where he had us.

 

[Bulk VanderHuge]

That's the enigma of Bob Knight as he relates to the media. As much as the media hated Bob Knight, they loved him because of the way he was. His antics attracted readership/viewership. It's much the same way with Trump and the media today.
Once Knight was banished from Bloomington, ratings for the news outlets, especially the local ones, went down and they had to stir up attention elsewhere. The media was happy Knight was fired, but at the same time, their jobs just got more difficult. Knight was always easy fodder and the game was over.

Please don't equate RMK, one of the greatest college basketball coaches of all time (if not the best) with Trump by trying to apply the victim whining strategy that a specific wing of the GOP uses to explain DJT's failures as a President.
Knight was far and away better at his job, as well as being a better person in general. Knight has integrity, intelligence, a sense of right and wrong, and a moral compass, unlike the other person you are trying to lump in with him.
It's comparing apples and, well, something that is orange-colored.

 

[kkott]

Please don't equate RMK, one of the greatest college basketball coaches of all time (if not the best) with Trump by trying to apply the victim whining strategy that a specific wing of the GOP uses to explain DJT's failures as a President.
Knight was far and away better at his job, as well as being a better person in general. Knight has integrity, intelligence, a sense of right and wrong, and a moral compass, unlike the other person you are trying to lump in with him.
It's comparing apples and, well, something that is orange-colored.

Failures as President? Heck, they won't even acknowledge he lost the election or behaved badly on January 6th. You think they'll admit failures? In their eyes if there was any problem: the world failed; not DJT!

 

[kurt cloverdales]

That's the enigma of Bob Knight as he relates to the media. As much as the media hated Bob Knight, they loved him because of the way he was. His antics attracted readership/viewership. It's much the same way with Trump and the media today.
Once Knight was banished from Bloomington, ratings for the news outlets, especially the local ones, went down and they had to stir up attention elsewhere. The media was happy Knight was fired, but at the same time, their jobs just got more difficult. Knight was always easy fodder and the game was over.

the liberal media hated him; fox news loved him, if OAN was around back then he would have had God like status

 

[abraxis]

Please don't equate RMK, one of the greatest college basketball coaches of all time (if not the best) with Trump by trying to apply the victim whining strategy that a specific wing of the GOP uses to explain DJT's failures as a President.
Knight was far and away better at his job, as well as being a better person in general. Knight has integrity, intelligence, a sense of right and wrong, and a moral compass, unlike the other person you are trying to lump in with him.
It's comparing apples and, well, something that is orange-colored.

The media treatment towards Knight was/is basically the same for Trump, regardless of their personal integrity, et al. Thank you for finding it in your heart to praise Knight. Many IU fans still loathe the man as a classic bully. I'm not one.

 

[Bulk VanderHuge]

The media treatment towards Knight was/is basically the same for Trump, regardless of their personal integrity, et al. Thank you for finding it in your heart to praise Knight. Many IU fans still loathe the man as a classic bully. I'm not one.

Oh, Knight was a jerk, but he was our jerk and a principled jerk.
The other guy has none of those attributes and deserves all the scorn, ridicule, and consequences he gets.

 

[ulrey]

The media treatment towards Knight was/is basically the same for Trump, regardless of their personal integrity, et al. Thank you for finding it in your heart to praise Knight. Many IU fans still loathe the man as a classic bully. I'm not one.

Not true! Iu fans love Knight always will

 

[abraxis]

Not true! Iu fans love Knight always will

Uh, maybe it appears we all love him now that he is almost brain dead. but when he was "choking", head-butting, kicking players, assaulting police officers, throwing flower plants, chairs, hissy fits and berating innocent reporters...oh, and coaching IU teams that made early exits in NCAA tournaments many IU fans sounded like they were tired of his bullying antics and ready to get rid of the man. To call this "love" during his latter years here is your imagination a bit stretched, I think.

 

[kmathum]

I think it's a pretty well known fact the media, in general, didn't care for Bob Knight. It may have started with his infamous quote, "Most of us learn to read and write in fourth grade and then go on to other things." A lot of what they wrote as truth was distorted reality. Players consistently backed Knight's side of the story vs what the media printed Ex.-Knight stuffed an obnoxious LSU into a Bourbon St. trash can. Another ex.- A Puerto Rican security guard named de Silva was "accosted" by Knight after he demanded Knight's Pan Am team vacates the high school gym they were practicing in. How about the media guy who announced Knight would not be attending the NCAA tournament press conference? I could go on with examples of media slanted incidences involving our coach.

One of the well known TV sports personalities predicted that once Bob Knight started losing at the insane percentage IU fans were used to, the fans (and people across the country) would turn on him. The media was certainly included in that group, too, and the prophesy turned true.

What got Knight fired wasn't due to his lack of caring. He had a couple of years of bad luck with recruits not panning out as hoped and some unlucky breaks in the NCAA tournament leading to early upsets (see Kirk Haston in-game injury). I think the media's way of emphasizing the negative really pissed Knight off towards the end. Parity in college basketball also helped in the relatively slight decline in his winning percentage and tournament success. Parity was in the early stages, brought on my changing rules to even the playing field, AAU ball 24/7, etc. but it wasn't recognized as such back then and more blame was put on Knight for supposedly not being able to relate to youth of today. IU fans started thinking a pro style game was more conducive to the ballers of NBA dreams and another coach might be better instead of Knight's more disciplined style of motion offense. In other words, Knight became expendable. We were spoiled by our own success. Today, 20+ years later, we are still hoping to get back to where he had us.

the media hated bobby because he wouldn't kiss their ass. otoh, a phoney like coach k was more than happy to do so. that's why they loved him.

 

[INwheels]

Please don't equate RMK, one of the greatest college basketball coaches of all time (if not the best) with Trump by trying to apply the victim whining strategy that a specific wing of the GOP uses to explain DJT's failures as a President.
Knight was far and away better at his job, as well as being a better person in general. Knight has integrity, intelligence, a sense of right and wrong, and a moral compass, unlike the other person you are trying to lump in with him.
It's comparing apples and, well, something that is orange-colored.

Not sure what you read that indicated a Trump comparison. I saw no mention of him. Concerning "failures as a president", look no further than your current 401K and overall economy as examples of "failures as a president".

 

[Bulk VanderHuge]

Not sure what you read that indicated a Trump comparison. I saw no mention of him. Concerning "failures as a president", look no further than your current 401K and overall economy as examples of "failures as a president".

You probably need to learn how to read.

That's the enigma of Bob Knight as he relates to the media. As much as the media hated Bob Knight, they loved him because of the way he was. His antics attracted readership/viewership. It's much the same way with Trump and the media today.
Once Knight was banished from Bloomington, ratings for the news outlets, especially the local ones, went down and they had to stir up attention elsewhere. The media was happy Knight was fired, but at the same time, their jobs just got more difficult. Knight was always easy fodder and the game was over.

 

[INwheels]

You probably need to learn how to read.

Screw you. I can read just fine

 

[Bulk VanderHuge]

Screw you. I can read just fine

Well, let's recap:
1. Abraxis makes a comparison between Coach Knight and Trump, as we can all read.
2. I called him out on it.
3. You questioned me, saying, "Not sure what you read that indicated a Trump comparison. I saw no mention of him."
4. I quoted the post by Abraxis, where he specifically mentioned Trump, as we can all read.
5. You made your post above. (#37)

Am I missing anything, or are you going to continue to deny that Abraxis mentioned Trump, even though we can all read that he did? I mean, you can agree or disagree with my opinion on Trump, or Coach Knight for that matter, but that's not what you did. You said Abraxis didn't mention him, which is false.

 

[MG80]

That's a myth propagated by the liberal media who hated Knight. Little people like to see the giants fall.

Try sticking to basketball rather than making this political and showing your bias. It was pretty well known that Knight wasn't a big fan of recruiting anyway and it was very obvious his recruiting got worse and worse later in his career.

 

[abraxis]

Try sticking to basketball rather than making this political and showing your bias. It was pretty well known that Knight wasn't a big fan of recruiting anyway and it was very obvious his recruiting got worse and worse later in his career.

If I deleted the word "liberal" preceding "media" would you feel less triggered? By you complaining about this one word I interjected, you show your political bias. I think it is "pretty well known" that journalists, in general, are more liberal vs. conservative in their way of thinking.

What makes you so sure Knight wasn't a big fan of recruiting? I closely followed his 29 year career at IU and don't recall this "pretty well known" belief Knight wasn't a big fan of recruiting. If true as you stated, he certainly did a commendable job of it for the greater part of those 29 years, despite his distain for the annual process.