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Coach Bob Knight, I mean reporter, Bob Knight. Bobby Knight or should I call him Bob Knight has just signed on with ESPN to do analysis of the upcoming NCAA tournament. While I believe his expertise will be fantastic and his charisma will shine through, I find it amazing that ESPN will eat this much crow to get him on board.

I hope they let him interview some of the coaches and that one coach gives him the same type of smart aleck answer he used to give. That could be very interesting television indeed.

Sticking with analysts, heard Jay Bilas going off on the flawed system the selection committee uses to select the teams for the tournament. While I agree with some of his comments, especially this over talk about “rpi “and last “ten games,” he needs to understand that the excitement of the tournament is generated by the underdogs who get a shot at the big boys on a neutral court. Contrary to what he believes, not everyone wants to see Duke in the Final Four eery year.

The day after Michigan State coach Tom Izzo blasted the Big Ten Network, his Spartans go blasted by Wisconsin. Izzo was complaining that their fans can’t see all of their games while the Network negotiates with the cable companies. Lucky for Coach Izzo fewer people can see his team.

Wisconsin put a pasting on the Spartans with Brian Butch leading the way. Butch connected on four three pointers. He seems to have continued his shooting touch from the game winning three at Indiana a couple of games back. Butch, who started the season 3-32 from behind the line has heated up in Big Ten action. Credit Coach Bo Ryan and his constant work with his post players to develop their scoring abilities away from the basket.

What once was a four team race for the title has turned into a three team battle royale between Wisconsin, Purdue and Indiana.

Head coach Norm Roberts met with his athletic director Chris Monasch yesterday and was assured that he would be back next year. In four years he has had only one winning season and failed to make the Big East tournament last year.

However, he took over a complete mess from Mike Jarvis and inherited a program that was on probation. These days most coaches get three years to turn things around. If you are lucky you get four. In Roberts case he deserves five for taking on such a challenge. This year they have made progress while starting and playing as many as eight freshman.

On another note, heard Mike Jarvis on the radio the other day and it seems he has found God and wants another chance to coach. Should he be allowed to coach. Absoulutely!! But if college presidents are true to something other than the almighty dollar he should have to prove his desire to coach by starting in the lowest of levels. Maybe NJIT.