Knight Enjoys Stamina Test

The Maui Invitational in Lahaina, Hawaii, provides three days of high-energy games in a gym without air conditioning--and Bob Knight loves it.

“I think as coaches and players, we all have a tendency to overlook how crucial stamina is in successful basketball,” the Indiana coach said of the eight-team, three-day tournament on Maui that starts today.

“We’re playing three days in a row so stamina really comes into it. We’ll see in relatively warm circumstances how well the team lasts through a game, through a second game and through a third game.

“I think stamina today over a 30- to 32-game season is so important for these kids, so we’ll get a real good look at that right now.”

The No. 21 Hoosiers face Kansas State in the opening round.

Other first-round games have host Chaminade facing No. 22 Syracuse, No. 24 Clemson playing Michigan and No. 9 Utah, last season’s NCAA tournament runner-up, against Arizona State.