Knight ties Smith with win over Bucknell

Add this to the list of things you can say about Bob Knight: Nobody has ever won more Division I men’s basketball games.

Knight matched Dean Smith’s record of 879 victories when Texas Tech beat Bucknell, 72-60, on Saturday.

Knight’s first chance to own the top spot all by his sweater-wearing self comes Thursday night at home against Nevada Las Vegas.

“Any time a coach is given an award or honor, the great thing about it is that it recognizes everyone involved -- the players, the assistant coaches,” Knight said.

“I know that Dean Smith felt exactly the same way because he epitomized what coaching is all about.”

Playing in front of 11,561, the second-biggest crowd in the campus arena’s history, and without third-leading scorer Charlie Burgess (groin injury), Texas Tech (10-3) led Bucknell for all but a couple of possessions in the opening minutes.

The Bison (5-6) got to within 42-39 early in the second half, but missed 13 shots in a row starting with a three-pointer that could have tied the score.