Knight at 800 and Counting

Now that Bob Knight has won his 800th college basketball game, he has his next goal in mind.

Nope, not going after Dean Smith’s all-time victory record. Rather, Knight wants to get Texas Tech back to .500 in the Big 12.

“When I wake up tomorrow morning, the most important thing in my mind is we’re 3-4 in conference,” Knight said Wednesday night.

With fans chanting his name and the magic number, Knight entered the 800 club, becoming only the fourth Division I men’s coach to reach the mark, in guiding Texas Tech over Nebraska, 74-49.

Knight spoke to fans afterward.

“I’ve had some milestones, but I’ve never had a milestone in front of a crowd that I appreciated so much,” he said. “I appreciate very much the support we have and the support that’s been given us. Most of all I appreciate the support you students have given us.”

When he was finished speaking, his team circled around him, hugging him and jumping up and down.

The crowd chanted “Bobby!” and “800” during the final minutes of the game. A group of 11 Tech students stood frequently during the game, holding up white placards with red lettering that spelled out 1-800-Bob-Nite with the word ‘WON’ written vertically on the number one.

The Red Raiders (13-5) went on an early 26-0 run, making it easy for Knight to get the milestone victory on his second try.

Texas A&M; spoiled his first shot Saturday, beating Texas Tech, 64-59, at College Station, Texas.

Only Smith of North Carolina (879), Adolph Rupp of Kentucky (876) and Jim Phelan of Mount St. Mary’s (827) have won more than 800 men’s games in Division I. With Phelan set to retire after this season, Knight (800-303) would become the active leader.

Nebraska (9-12, 1-7) led only once in the early going before Texas Tech took command. The Cornhuskers were held scoreless for more than eight minutes in the first half and without a field goal in the first six minutes of the second half.

Andre Emmett scored 24 points and Kasib Powell added 16 to lead the Red Raiders.

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Dialing Won-800

Men’s college basketball coaches with 800 or more victories, with a minimum of 10 Division I seasons:

*--* Coach School Career Seasons Career Avg per Season Age at Where Span Wins Season of 800 800 Reached 800 Dean N. 1961- Smith Carolina 1997 36 879 24.4 1993-94 63 Adolph 1930- Rupp Kentucky 1972 41 876 21.4 1968-69 67 Jim Mt. St. Phelan Mary’s 1954- 49 827 17.0 1998-99 69 Bob Texas Knight Tech 1965- 37 800 21.8 2002-03 62

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800 Club

Men’s college basketball coaches with 800 or more victories, with a minimum of 10 Division I seasons:

*--* Wins Coach Years 879 Dean Smith 1961-1997 876 Adolph Rupp 1930-1972 827 Jim Phelan 1954- 800 Bob Knight 1965-

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