While Mark McGwire was lying to Bob Costas on MLB Network about taking steroids to recover from injuries, ESPN was trotting out random people to comment on the subject. They had Tony LaRussa on earlier in the day, and then brought out the foremost expert on the topic of PEDs. Wait, it was Bobby Knight? And he compared steroids to Gatorade? Naturally.

Lost within all of this, is the fact that Bob Knight is a close personal friend of Tony LaRussa and was possibly just on to defend Mark McGwire's former manager (and current boss). I mean, by the true definition of "performance enhancing" I guess Gatorade would fall into that category, but that's just a tad bit of a stretch there Bobby.

Bob Knight compares steroids to Gatorade on ESPN (Chicago Sun Times)

Bobby Knight does a lot of media in the offseason, and was in The Netherlands promoting a Basketball Clinic. A reporter decided to ask Knight about the "chair incident", and the ESPN analyst didn't take too kindly to the line of questioning (fast forward to the 2:30 mark and brace for NSFW language)....

Well then. I wonder that he meant by "you people"? Those crazy Dutch are always asking Knight about his blowups. Too funny.

Video: Foreigners Shouldn’t Ask Bob Knight About The Chair (You Been Blinded)

I forgot to watch the debut of NBC's "Parks and Recreation" last night, and in doing so, I missed a Bob Knight appearance on the show. Well sort of. Mouthpiece Sports has the video of one of the P&R employees using a Knight poster for inspiration....

I would pay good money for that thing. Anyone know where to get one?

I had already seen the Guitar Hero: Metallica spot where they tie up Kobe and Co. outside and blow up the house, but this one caught me by surprise. Near the end of the Oklahoma-UNC game, this ad featuring Coach K, Rick Pitno, Roy Williams and Bob Knight, came up on the screen....and yes....they are wearing just their underwear too.

We're playing the Guitar HEEEERO! Disturbing, but very very funny.

Update: Annnnd....here are the outtakes!



Ladies And Gentlemen, Welcome To The Best Guitar Hero Commercial EVER. (Fan IQ)

I caught a bit of the Packer-Knight show, "Survive and Advance", and I have to say that I was rather impressed. The two had on Isiah Thomas and Quinn Buckner, and the group discussed a lot of Tournament related topics, but none more interesting than the story of the 1981 Championship Game, and how it was almost postponned. Ronald Reagan was shot earlier in the day on March 30th, 1981, and both Knight and Thomas recalled the events of the day....

All My Children, huh Isiah? That explains a lot. Seriously though, the show was actually pretty entertaining, and the breakdown of the best players at each position in the Tournament, was extremely informative. Billy Packer even laughs during the show!

Check it out if you get a chance. It's on every Sunday, throughout the Tourney, at midnight.

One of the more anticipated (and controversial) things to debut this March is, Billy Packer and Bob Knight's newest endeavor, "Survive and Advance". I was curious to see what the duo had planned, and as it turns out, the site is actually pretty informative and entertaining. There is obviously a bracket contest, but on top of that they've added videos, trivia and an online talk show. Here are some quotes by Knight and Packer on the site, and one of the videos they put together on Magic Johnson....

Billy Packer: "I first thought about this project years ago, and I wanted a way to expand my ability to communicate my love of basketball beyond what I could do while broadcasting games all those years. Even though I am not technically savvy I wanted to use this website to work in conjunction with our upcoming Fox SportsNet TV show to help us reach out to as many fans as possible. Frank Sinatra said I did it "my way," and though I am not him, I'm doing this multi-platform project my way, and this is something I have planned on for a few years now and I always wanted to do with my good friend Bob Knight."

Bob Knight: "I am very excited about working on this project with Billy. In all the years that he has worked on NCAA basketball I have always been very impressed with his insight into the game and his ability to tell the viewing audience what's going on in the game and why it's happening. I have great respect for his knowledge of the game and think the two of us doing something together will be enjoyable and informative for the audience and that's what we intend to do here."

Looking through the videos, it seems like this might be the direction and change that Packer needed. He always had a great Basketball mind, but over the years he got more and more surly, and seemingly disinterested in the Sport. I think this is the perfect venue for him, and he already seems more relaxed and focused on sharing his views with fans.

The "Talk Show" portion airs Sundays at Midnight, starting March 15th (Selection Sunday), and will be on FSN. I'll be sure to get video up of the first show as well.

Man, it took long enough right? You would have that after two appearance or so last season, that the General would have let out a curse or two, but alas we had to wait until now. Knight was trying to link up with Mike and Mike this morning and after thinking he was cut of, had this to say. Via Fanhouse....

On Wednesday's Mike and Mike in the Morning, Knight called in (on the Subway hotline, as the sponsor-heavy show calls it) to talk some college basketball. Things were going fine until a moment during the show when Knight suddenly seemed to think he had been cut off and said, "Oh, s**t. I lost you."

With that, Knight hung up his phone, while co-host Mike Greenberg scrambled to try to get him back on topic, saying, "No, we got it. Bob Knight, we're still there, we hear you. Bob, do you hear us? I think Bob Knight may have just lost us there, so we'll try and get him back here. I was able to hear him."

So was everyone else.

Hilarious! I haven't heard the audio yet (trust me I'm looking), but I can just hear the panic in Greenberg's voice already. Too funny.

ESPN's Bob Knight Swears On The Air (Fanhouse)

If you've been watching Thursday Knight Basketball recently (that's seriously what ESPN is calling it), you may have noticed the wonderful chemistry that is developing between Brent Musburger and Bob Knight. It's no Lavinburger, but it's still entertaining. Especially when someone like Bruce Pearl gets mad at his team and decides to sport just a white t-shirt....

Wow. Someone needs to tell Musburger, that evil laugh at the end might scare the kids watching. Seriously though, the pair is growing on me. While they're certainly unorthodox, Musburger is making the broadcasts fun and Knight is making them interesting.

Bruce Pearl Strips Down to T-Shirt During South Carolina Game (Fanhouse)

Bob Knight has said recently, that he enjoys his analyst role at ESPN and that he wasn't itching to get back into coaching. Well, at least until the Georgia job came available. The original report came over the weekend from the AJC, but now even ESPN is commenting on the situation....

I don't know why Knight would want to take on a team that's a work in progress, and one that definitely won't be making the Tourney, but I guess you never forget your first love. Georgia would be crazy not to hire him and Dickie V certainly agrees....

"I don't even know if he would take a job but I know Georgia has a lot of positives going for it in the scenario there and I think he'd be interested, I really do, but I can't speak for Bob Knight," Vitale, who works with Knight as an ESPN college basketball analyst, said in a telephone interview.

"To me it's no contest, if Bobby Knight is interested in Georgia basketball it's no contest," Vitale said. "He's so good I'd come with him as an assistant. I'd be his chauffeur."

Bob Knight interested in UGA job (AJC)
Vitale says Georgia should hire Bob Knight (International Herald Tribune)

The reviews were mixed from the first announcer switch, when Breen, JVG, and Jackson got traded to the NCAA for Vitale and Shulman, and the ratings didn't really seem to grow based on the stunt. And while "Announcer Swap #2" probably won't see that great of ratings either, the move itself is extremely interesting.

On Monday night, ESPN2 will air Pat Summitt's attempt at win #1,000 against #2 Oklahoma, and Brent Musburger and Bob Knight will be on the call. Why is that interesting, you ask? Well, you have the all-time NCAA Men's leader in Knight, working a game featuring the all-time wins leader in Summitt.

The announcement will come later today, and I'll have more info if there is any, but this plan seems like a winner. While the last move came off as more of a stunt than anything else, this one seems more like ESPN is capitalizing on a great opportunity.

Bobby Knight worked a game with Brent Musburger last night, and before the game he and Brent decided to show illustrate how he used to argue calls at the Barn in Minnesota. Not only that but Musburger decided to even sport a sweater in honor of the General!

I guess that video wasn't the funniest thing, and that it's more of an excuse just to talk about Bob Knight the analyst. For some reason I find him boring on studio shows, but intriguing on actual games. His style is certainly not traditional, but he's so knowledgeable about the game that you hang on just about every word.

I thought it was an iffy decision at first, but after watching one of the games, it's one of the better moves ESPN has done in a good while. The only thing we didn't get from Knight though, was his true feelings about one of the teams he covered last night.

Bob Knight and Billy Packer are causing quite a stir in the Sports World since announcing the details surrounding their new FSN show, "Survive and Advance". USA Today spoke with a former gambling addict, and she says that program's locale is saying it's okay for College kids to bet on games....

"The NCAA should have enough clout to stop something like this. It sends the message to (college) kids it's OK to do this," complains Arnie Wexler, a recovering compulsive gambler who runs a gambling hotline.

"They're setting themselves up for a scandal. Who knows how many college students are going to bet on these games? I'm sure some athletes will bet too. What kind of message are we sending by running a show like this? The whole thing is sick."

Keith Whyte, executive director of the National Council on Problem Gambling, says the show flies in the face of the NCAA's anti-gambling stance. "This is really an issue for the NCAA. There's a contradiction between their zero-tolerance gambling approach — and the reality that most Americans do gamble."

The unfortunate thing, is that a hell of a lot of Americans do gamble on Sports, and there's nothing that can really be done to change that. Especially when you consider that banning online gambling in the U.S. did absolutely nothing to curtail it. FSN promises that the show will have nothing to do with betting, but young kids are impressionable, and all of the lines posted and people walking around with betting slips won't go unnoticed.

Hell, College is when I started gambling, and I'm sure that's the case for most people my age. I'm not for telling grownups what to do, but FSN might want to think about changing the location of the show.

Vegas venue raises eyebrows for Knight-Packer show (USA Today)

EB at The Dagger came across an interesting new segment for ESPN's College Basketball viewing audience, and it stars everyone's favorite Coach....Bobby Knight. The premise is simple. Knight picks a player, breaks down his game in a film room, and everyone is more knowledgeable. Well as EB points out, the first "Knight Watch" on Blake Griffin is full of fail....

There are a couple of good nuggets in there -- having Knight call the pump-fake his favorite move took me back to basketball camps as a still-budding blogger -- but ultimately, the last sentence just blows it away: "In time, if he stays in college basketball, will be one of the two or three most dominant players as a senior."

What?! Um, Coach Knight? Blake Griffin is already one of the two or three most dominant players in college basketball. As a sophomore. In fact, I'd say he is the most "dominant" player in college basketball this season, even if he's not the "best," which he might still be. And no, he's not staying in college basketball. Give up that pipe dream immediately.

If Knight is going to be telling gamblers who to bet on this March, he might want to figure out who all the good players are. Just sayin'.

'Knight Watch' Watch: In which Blake Griffin has a chance to be really good (The Dagger)

So all day yesterday the World waited as Billy Packer and Bob Knight prepared for a groundbreaking announcement. I honestly though it was going to be something unimportant, but it turns out to actually be something of substance. The two are teaming together for Fox Sports, and are planning on doing an hour show on March Madness right from the Sportsbook at the Wynn in Vegas. Via PR Newswire....

Wynn Las Vegas Race & Sports Book will host Billy Packer and Bob Knight's "Survive and Advance," a series of five one-hour tournament television programs analyzing the 2009 NCAA National Championship. Packer and Knight have teamed up to develop the ultimate men's college basketball tournament platform that includes broadcast television, interactive TV, fantasy leagues, computer games and the Internet.

"Survive and Advance" is scheduled to air on FSN (Fox Sports Net) at 12 a.m. local, directly following the basketball games on March 15, March 22, March 29, April 3 and April 5. The one-hour program will feature live commentary from the hosts and their top-tier guests including coaches, former players and well-known personalities. The shows will re-air throughout the week (check local listings). FSN is the nation's leading provider of local sports and reaches more than 80 million homes across the U.S.

In addition to their arrangement with Wynn Las Vegas to host the television shows, Packer and Knight are also teaming to develop an interactive web platform. The interactive platform will feature custom games and a website, including news, analysis, blogs, video, and other original content. Packer said, "this initiative will enable fans to experience the best college basketball tournament coverage across multiple media vehicles."

Well that's quite an interesting/random pairing, isn't it? I can't imagine the two being able to calmly put on a show with a thousand drunk gamblers hanging all over them, but I wish them luck. Actually, that's a lie....I want it to be a trainwreck. I'll be sure to have video(s) up in March.

Wynn Las Vegas to Host Billy Packer and Bob Knight's 'Survive and Advance,' a Series of Tournament TV Shows

I honestly thought that the combination of Doctor Lou and Bobby Knight would bring on the apocalypse, but unfortunately it just brought on more Lou-inspired angst. In his latest installment, Doc Lou chastises Bobby Knight for a long question and then goes into a 10-minute long "Thought of the Week". Enjoy!

Ahh yes, Doctor Lou. I'm going to miss you when the season is over, but I have a feeling you'll be around for another month or so (pleaaaaase, ESPN!).

I really hate to say anything bad about Coach Knight, as the guy scares me to death, but his first trip to the booth last night was less than stellar. It's not like he didn't provide analysis, but a lot of it just seemed either completely obvious or uninspired. Not only that but I think ESPN might be afraid to put him on camera. I watched a good bit of the Duke-S.Illinois game last night and I think I only saw him on camera once.

Combine that with the odd choice of essentially replacing him on the second game with Vitale, and it was just a random night altogether. So much so, that Coach Knight's son decided to steal the headlines. Pat Knight's Texas Tech Red Raiders put up a school record 167 points in a win over East Central Oklahoma. Via the Dallas Morning News....

Texas Tech gave coach Pat Knight something his father never got with the Red Raiders — 167 points.

The Red Raiders defeated East Central 167-115 Thursday night.

Trevor Cook scored a career-high 20 points and was one of 10 players in double figures for Texas Tech, which easily eclipsed the record for most points scored by the Red Raiders. Alan Voskuil and John Roberson each had 17 points and Mike Singletary and Wally Dunn each had 16.

"I'm a big believer in confidence," Knight said. "We got 10 guys that score double figures. Proves to them they can at least put it in the bucket. Our defense is a little different. The game is just so different from anything. We're not going to face anything like this."

That's just wild. Take a look at the boxscore when you get a chance as well, it'll just blow your mind. Shooting 52%, on 13 of 25, from 3-point range will always help you out. And who said that the new 3-point line would cause scoring to be down?

Texas Tech defeats East Central 167-115 (Dallas Morning News)

I'm still split on Bob Knight as a College Basketball analyst. On one hand, his knowledge and X's and O's are unrivaled. On the other, he still comes across like getting him to talk about the game is a chore. The negative could have been because Dickie V was hanging all over him on set, but whatever side you fall on, you're going to have to deal with him for another year on the "Leader". You'll also be doing so with Knight in an expanded role as he'll be working on certain games throughout the season with Brent Musburger and Dan Shulman SBD's John Ourand has the scoop....

Basketball HOFer Bob Knight will return to ESPN's college basketball
telecasts this season in an expanded role. The former coach will be paired
with Brent Musburger on weekly Thursday night games with various
conferences, and he will work with Dan Shulman on non-conference games on
other nights. Knight also will work as an on-site analyst for "College
GameDay Driven by State Farm," and he will give analysis on "SportsCenter"
(once a week in January and February) and ESPN Radio ("Mike & Mike in the
Morning" or "Tirico & Van Pelt").

His first game telecast is scheduled for November 20 and 21 at the 2K Sports
Classic Benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer in N.Y. Knight joined ESPN in March to
provide studio commentary for its Championship Week and NCAA Tournament
programming.

Very interesting move. I think another year in-studio would have served Knight well, before he moved to live action, but he really could become a great color guy if he tries. Hopefully this doesn't signal the end of the "Lavinburger" duo though. That would make me sad.

Knight Back In ESPN Booth In Expanded Role This College Hoops Season (Sports Business Daily)

(FYI- Your first College Basketball schedule will be coming in a few)

Caught this clip right before the OSM last night and it cracked me up. Digger Phelps is trying to explain how Memphis fouling at the end of regulation would have helped them and that they didn't need a timeout to set up their defense. Jay Bilas and Bobby Knight disagree. Watch as Digger slowly starts to lose it...

I absolutely love it when people get into a heated argument about two completely different things. The best part is that they got back into it after the break and the whole debate started all over. Also, Bobby Knight's reaction is priceless. Everyone starts to laugh it off, but he just looks fed up.

It's been a long month Bobby, you really think you deal with Digger on a full time basis?

I'm all for people making as much money anyway they can, but this is a little ridiculous. This is a new Volkswagen commercial in which ESPN Analyst Bob Knight talks to an old VW Bug about Championships and decides to throw an oversized IKEA-like chair....

Dumb...just dumb. I did a little bit more research and I think the Bug's name is Max and he's going to be talking about cars with more people than just Bob Knight. The list includes such stars with German lineage like David Hasselhoff and Heidi Klum! So at least he's in good company. Herbie the Love Bug couldn't be reached for comment.

(Sorry about the crawl at the bottom. I've got another version loading now without it.)

He already tried to pull this off on air last week, but Bob Knight is doing everything he can to not be called a member of the media. He's even given himself a title for those in the real media to call him....

"Here's how I handle that: I just simply say I am a media consultant," Knight said of his ESPN gig talking basketball with Digger Phelps and Jay Bilas -- a job for which he has been outfitted with a rainbow of sweaters with the ESPN logo.

"I told 'em, 'I'm not going to wear a coat and tie. If you want me to do this, that's the first condition.' This is sports. It isn't the Supreme Court."

Interesting title isn't it? And while I agree with him on the suit and tie thing, I can already tell that I'm tired of his schtick. But that's just me....hopefully his analysis will outweigh his personality this week.

Breakfast with Bob Knight: Humble pie isn't on menu (LA Times)