NCAA: Screw Pat Knight

By Allen Miller Sportsuperstarz Columnist

Obviously, the bad feelings and controversy surrounding Bob Knight and the University of Indiana have yet to subside. More than 7 months after the firing of the legendary coach, apparent bad feelings still remain between Knight and interim Coach Mike Davis according to sources who spoke with Sportsuperstarz.com.

The feelings flared up prior to Indiana’s first round game with Kent State in the NCAA Tournament’s West Regional. On Tuesday of last week, ex-Indiana player and assistant coach Patrick Knight appeared on an Akron, Ohio radio show and was asked if the Knight family has had any contact with Davis since the season began.

Knight responded that Davis was “an ingrate” and had not called himself or his father this season. When asked why he would not call the Knight family, Knight called Davis a “backstabber.”

While Davis said nothing at the time, according to a source close to the Indiana coach; the comments upset him. Indiana hired Davis amid heat that several players would transfer following Knight’s firing. Davis led Indiana to a 21-12 and the Big Ten Conference final amid the constant glare of a spotlight. According to the source we spoke with, Davis is very upset with the assertions of Knight.

“Screw Pat Knight and what he thinks,” said the source, which spoke with Sportsuperstarz.com on condition of anonymity. “I don’t have to pick up the phone and call the guy and if I don’t that doesn’t make me a bad person or a backstabber. Coach Knight did a lot for me and I am grateful, however I don’t owe anyone anything. I have a job to do.”

Patrick Knight left Indiana following his father’s dismissal in September. While he was never officially fired by the university, Patrick Knight took his father’s firing as his own. Sources indicate that he will follow his father to Texas Tech if Bob Knight accepts the job.

The senior Knight would not comment on his son’s comments when he appeared on Bob Costas talk show on Wednesday night. According to the source we spoke with, Patrick Knight is still bitter at Indiana for his father’s firing; however Davis feels that is not his responsibility,

“Patrick has been way to emotional over this situation,” he said. “Mike felt bad for Coach Knight and he considers Coach Knight as a very close friend. However, he took this job knowing he would have to separate himself from Bob. The comments by Pat were totally off base. Just because the guy hasn’t made a phone call, does not make him a backstabber. He just has a job to do.”

The question now is how much longer will Davis be doing that job? The Hoosiers were once again eliminated in the first round on Thursday night, losing to Kent State 77-73. While Davis has had a good season and has garnered the respect of his players, may administrators I spoke with on the Indiana campus still have their doubts if Davis is the right man for the job. Davis has stated that he “wants this job more than anything.”

“I don’t know what his future is going to be, neither does he,” said the source. “My question is if he doesn’t get the job, is Patrick going to pick up the phone for him? No one deserves this job more than Mike does. This was not an easy situation that he walked into. In no way is he ungrateful to anyone who has helped him get here, but he is here now on his own. Screw Pat and what he thinks, his comments were misplaced and irrelevant.”

Patrick Knight is scheduled to join his father in meetings with Texas Tech throughout the weekend. Meanwhile, the future for Davis is far from decided.

According to sources, the Indiana Board of Trustees will meet several times next week to determine the coach’s future at Indiana. While most players want him to stay, one source I spoke with on the campus said there are serious doubts among trustees that Davis is the right man for Indiana.

At this time last year, Indiana had been eliminated in the first round. At this time last year, there was also a lot of controversy surrounding their coach. Apparently, nothing has really changed.

Article courtesy of Sportsuperstarz