Bob Knight’s still beloved in Indiana. But the man who led the Hoosiers to three national titles didn’t think twice about helping his alma mater prepare for his former school.
Just don’t broadcast it.
“I’ve helped facilitate a few things for him, and he’s (reciprocated). But he’s like, ‘Don’t you tell anybody that I’m doing this,’” Ohio State coach Thad Matta told the Columbus Dispatch.
Matta wanted a way to bolster a Buckeyes defense that’s allowed opponents to shoot better than 50 percent in the last five games. So Knight told him about a drill that he used since he coached at Army in the ‘60s. The basic idea? Play your four main guys on defense against five players for 15 minutes.
It’s so simple, it works. Ohio State had no issues against Indiana on Sunday.
And it sounds like Matta liked the results so much, he’ll keep using Knight as much as he can.
“He wants us to do well. It’s unbelievable,” he told the paper.” I love talking to him because, No.1, you get so much basketball-wise. And then you get a lesson in history. And then you laugh your (rear end) off because he’s one of the funniest human beings I’ve ever talked to.”
Hm. Guess that’s not the Knight who also does color commentary for ESPN…
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