Indiana Suspends Knight One Game for Conduct

First, Indiana Coach Bob Knight was suspended for one game--Friday night’s contest against Tennessee Tech--because of his conduct during the Hoosiers’ game against Notre Dame earlier this week.

Then Pat Knight joined his coach-father on the sidelines Friday night when he was ejected for brawling with a Tennessee Tech player in No. 12 Indiana’s 117-73 victory in the first round of the Hoosier Classic.

Pat Knight, a key figure in the suspension of his father, was disciplined in the second half when he and Greg Bibb dragged each other to the floor before teammates and referees could separate them. Both were ejected.

Bob Knight was suspended earlier Friday because the controversial coach pushed his son into a chair after an errant pass and appeared to kick him during a timeout in Tuesday’s game against Notre Dame.

In suspending the coach, Athletic Director Clarence Doninger cited Big 10 regulations stating that “unsportsmanlike conduct shall subject the individual to disciplinary action.”

Norm Ellenberger, Knight’s assistant, coached against Tennessee Tech.

Knight’s outburst in the 101-82 victory over Notre Dame was triggered by some sloppy play in the closing minutes by Hoosier reserves, including his son Pat, a 6-foot-6 junior.

Indiana was leading by 28 points when Pat Knight made a bad pass that Notre Dame’s Ryan Hoover intercepted and took in for a layup. The coach already had scolded some fans for displaying a sarcastic sign directed at the Irish.

During a timeout, Knight screamed at his son as the players went to the bench and sat down. Knight kicked at something, and fans who thought his son was the target started booing. That’s when Knight turned from his seat and glared at the crowd.

A statement from Knight was read to the crowd before Friday night’s game.

“If my reaction to the jeering from the stands on Tuesday night offended any true Hoosier fans, I am deeply sorry and wish to apologize,” the statement said.

Knight made no apology for the treatment of son, but said, “I realize that you have not always agreed with what I have done or said. Given the opportunity to observe each of you, I probably wouldn’t agree with all that any of you said or did either.

“I also realize that I have made mistakes over the years in a variety of ways, which once again doesn’t make me any different from most of you.”

Kit Klingelhoffer, the Hoosier’s sports information director, said he didn’t know where Knight spent the game but said, “I’m sure he was watching somewhere.”

It was the first time Knight had been suspended by the university, although the Big Ten suspended him for one game in 1985 for throwing a chair during a home game against Purdue.

Big Ten spokesman Mark Rudner said the league was aware of the suspension and would also review the incident.

Indiana buried Tennessee Tech (1-3) early, opening an 18-5 lead 5:15 into the game. Alan Henderson led the Hoosier offense with 21 points and Damon Bailey added 20.

Indiana (3-1) will play Washington State for the Indiana Classic championship tonight.