Lawyer: Knight Shoved Aide

Bob Knight’s lawyer admitted Thursday the former Indiana coach shoved former assistant Ron Felling, but he denied it was assault.

Felling filed a lawsuit in April against Knight and the university, claiming he was wrongfully terminated in 1999. In the lawsuit, Felling claims he was assaulted by Knight.

Knight’s attorney, Russell Yates, told Indianapolis TV station WTHR that Knight did nothing more than shove Felling.

“Mr. Felling turned to leave, Bob Knight reached out and pushed him back to say, ‘Stay here till I’m finished talking to ya,”’ Yates said.

“That’s quite different than being a violent punch to hurt someone.”

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Mike Davis, who took over as Indiana coach when Knight was fired in September 2000, was fined $10,000 by the Big Ten for criticizing officials following his team’s 66-64 loss to Butler on Saturday.

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Louisville Coach Rick Pitino indefinitely suspended freshman forward Brandon Bender for violating team rules.... Memphis assistant coach Tony Barbee will receive a letter of reprimand from the school for pushing Arkansas player J.J. Sullinger during Wednesday’s game.

MEN’S TOP 25

Juan Dixon scored 17 points as No. 8 Maryland (11-2) extended its home winning streak over nonconference opponents to 84 games with a 92-69 victory over Norfolk State (3-10).

WOMEN’S TOP 25

Michelle Snow had 12 points and eight rebounds as No. 2 Tennessee (11-0) beat No. 15 Florida, 88-64, in a Southeastern Conference opener at Gainesville, Fla. Florida is 10-4.... Jocelyn Penn scored 17 points to lead No. 14 South Carolina (13-1) to a 71-52 victory over No. 6 Vanderbilt (12-3) at Columbia, S.C.... Kara Braxton scored 16 points and No. 8 Georgia (11-0) coasted to a 72-56 victory over No. 23 Louisiana State (7-5) in an SEC opener at Athens, Ga.... Mary Jo Noon scored 20 points as No. 10 Purdue opened Big Ten play with a 77-65 victory over Northwestern (4-10) at Evanston, Ill.... Jessie Stomski scored 21 points and No. 12 Wisconsin (12-1, 3-0) set a school record with its 11th consecutive victory, 74-54 over Indiana (8-6, 2-1) in a Big Ten game at Madison, Wis.... Five players scored in double figures as No. 13 Louisiana State (8-3, 3-0) routed visiting Boise State, 106-58, in a Western Athletic Conference game.