Knight Shines: IU legend shares inside look at career

As Bob Knight tells the story, the play that won the 1987 National Championship was executed by Keith Smart.

Only it wasn’t the famous shot that Smart hit to seal the victory. Rather, it was a heads-up foul that put the team in position to hit the game winning 3-pointer.

“That was maybe the smartest play I’ve ever seen,” Knight said. “We wouldn’t have won a national championship without that foul.”

Knight offered a string of obscure stories and behind-the-scenes looks at some of the most memorable moments in Indiana basketball history during his speaking event in Greenwood on Thursday night. The famous coach teamed with two former Indiana University players, Greenwood’s own Tom and Dick Van Arsdale, to help raise money for the Greenwood Public Library.

The evening was billed as “A Knight to Remember,” and about 1,100 tickets had been sold to the event as of Thursday night. Organizers estimated it would bring in more than $40,000 for the library.

His presentation mixed X’s and O’s, some teasing of former players and a little bit of cursing. The event drew big laughs and a standing ovation from the packed crowd wearing IU sweaters, jerseys and jackets.

“I’ve talked about some of the things that were memorable to me in coaching. But one of the most memorable things to me is the fans we had down in Bloomington,” Knight said as he left. “You fans are what will be the greatest memories I have.”

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