[A.G.]

Now this is a coach who stresses academics and makes his players (as opposed scapegoating others) accountable:

The following is from Andy Katz and ESPN.com:

Credit Bob Knight for not just thinking about when he would break the all-time Division I wins record and whether or not Texas Tech would win a few more nonconference games.
Knight isn't going to sacrifice, or even disrupt, a season for a player, even if it's his most productive guard and possibly the lone NBA product on the squad.

ESPN.com learned Wednesday that senior guard Jarrius Jackson, the Big 12's leading returning scorer at 20.5 points a game, was on his way to being ruled academically ineligible for the second semester.

That's why Knight dismissed Jackson from the team Tuesday. The dismissal isn't permanent; rather, it's meant to serve as a wake-up call. If Jackson passes the required six hours in the first semester, he could still rejoin the team. ESPN.com learned that Jackson can still pass his classes if he focuses over the next few weeks. The Red Raider staff will know within two weeks if it's possible for Jackson to be eligible for the second semester.

What Knight didn't want to do was have his season disrupted by playing Jackson in the first semester, only to have him ruled ineligible in December.

Plenty of coaches have gone that route in the past, hoping to squeeze out as many wins as possible before a player is ruled ineligible for the second semester, but Knight wasn't going to go down that road, so he took the drastic step of sending Jackson away from the team. The Red Raider staff cleaned out his locker, took his nameplate down and essentially banned him from working out with the team until he remedies his academics.

Jackson's poor effort in the classroom doesn't just affect the Red Raiders. It's a potentially devastating blow to his draft status in June. The 6-foot-2 Jackson is a possible draft pick, but if NBA scouts don't see him this season, he'll likely fade from their minds.

In the interim, the Red Raiders will lean heavily on juco transfer Charlie Burgess, who already was slated to start next to Jackson. In Jackson's place, juco transfer Benny Valentine will get the nod.

Two weeks ago, Jackson was at Big 12 media day and told ESPN.com that expecting to be a part of the team that pushed Knight past Dean Smith would be a great honor that is leaving him speechless. He also said playing for Knight "has been a great experience. He's a great teacher as well as a coach. He's teaching me how to survive in life, not just basketball."

Is there a more telling quote than that? Knight clearly is teaching Jackson about life by making sure he gets his academics in order to be eligible. This isn't just about Tech's season or whether or not Knight will still get the 11 wins necessary to break Dean Smith's 879 win total by Jan 1 (it's likely to be pushed into January if Jackson does indeed miss games in November and December). Rather, it's about Knight trying to save Jackson from damaging his pro career as much as anything, a move that could be quite costly if he doesn't get eligible.

Unlike Texas' P.J. Tucker, who was academically ineligible two years ago for the second semester, Jackson, a senior, can't come back next season. Tucker had a second chance to redeem himself and prove that he was NBA-worthy, let alone help his team get to the Elite Eight.

So far, there is a quiet confidence that Jackson has heeded the message, but he still needs to produce in the classroom before he makes another shot on the court.

[jmdickens]

That is such a bold move by a coach to make that decision. I hope Jackson understands that Knight is doing it for Jackson not for himself.

[Purple Haize]

This is nothing new for Knight. I would say about every other year a kid gets the boot. I believe it was Andre (?) Emmitt who got the academic boot Knights second year (after dismissing about half the squad after the spring semester for skipping classes) Even back in his GLORIOUS IU days, Daryl Thomas got the boot, and even when he was eligible he had to be VOTED back on by his team mates. He was, oh and by the way won the 87 tournament. Jay Edwards is another example. Granted, his players (like all other D1 players) get the "special" help they need, but how many would have the gumption to do this not just once but consistently. Say what you will, Bob Knight is THE GREATEST COACH (since John Wooden)

[nickrichard]

Must be he got a "ton" of studying done over the last week or so?



Associated Press


LUBBOCK, Texas -- Jarrius Jackson, Texas Tech's leading scorer, has returned to practice after being dismissed from the team last week.


Jackson worked with the team Sunday, Tech spokesman Chris Cook said.


His status for the season opener on Saturday night against Sam Houston State remained unclear.


Knight said last week that Jackson, who led the Big 12 Conference in scoring last season with 20.5 points per game, had been dismissed for academic reasons.

[A.G.]

Sometimes a good kick in the pants and making a player accountable is just what the doctor ordered.

[Purple Haize]

"Academic Reasons" for Coach Knight means skipping class or missing an assignment. "Academic Reasons" for most coaches means......................

[A.G.]

"Academic Reasons" for Coach Knight means skipping class or missing an assignment. "Academic Reasons" for most coaches means......................

..................LET'S BLAME THE ACADEMIC COORDINATOR!!!!!!

[Purple Haize]

You know, I have heard of that happening somewhere recently just can't recall where

[adam42381]

Agree or disagree with his methods, Bob Knight is a good coach who sticks to his guns. He does what he believes is the right thing and doesn't back down just because it may hurt his win total.