Bob Knight’s Top 10 Coaching Wins of All Time

Bob Knight’s coaching career is marked by numerous significant victories that showcase his strategic brilliance and leadership. Here are ten of his most remarkable coaching wins:​ At Army he took the Black Knights to the NIT when it still meant something, and he revived a floundering Indiana program. His final stop was in Lubbock Texas after the Liberal Morons led by Myles Brand fired him and he turned the Red Raiders into a winning program also.

10. Indiana vs. Michigan – 1993 Regular Season

Score: Indiana 93, Michigan 92 (OT) In a thrilling overtime game, Knight’s Hoosiers edged out the Fab Five-led Wolverines, demonstrating his ability to guide his team to victory in high-pressure situations.​ The Fab Five were an excellent team, but no match for Knight’s brilliance. The Wolverines did make back-to-back NCAA Championship games in 1992-93, but the Hoosiers lost by three points in the Final Four to Duke, while Michigan lost by 20 points to Duke in the next game. In 1993, the Hoosiers looked poised to win it all until injury issues short-circuited them.

Indiana vs Michigan – 2/14/93

9. Indiana vs. Ohio State – 1980 Big Ten Title Clincher

Score: Indiana 76, Ohio State 73 This victory secured the Big Ten title for the Hoosiers, highlighting Knight’s ability to lead his team to success in crucial conference matchups.​ Ohio State was loaded in 1980, and this was a classic battle between two of the best teams in the Nation.

1980 Ohio State at Indiana

8. Indiana vs. Marquette – 1976 NCAA Mideast Regional Final

Score: Indiana 65, Marquette 56 This victory over the second-ranked Marquette Warriors secured Indiana’s place in the Final Four, keeping their undefeated season alive and showcasing Knight’s strategic prowess. ​Al McGuire’s Warriors were an elite team that had lost in the NCAA Title game the year before and would win it all just two short years later.

1976 03 20 Indiana vs Marquette

7. Indiana vs. LSU – 1987 NCAA Elite Eight

Score: Indiana 77, LSU 76 Down by 12 in the second half, Knight’s Hoosiers staged a stunning comeback, capped by Ricky Calloway’s go-ahead tip-in in the final seconds. It secured Indiana’s trip to the Final Four and kept their title run alive.

Big Ten Elite: 1987 Indiana Basketball 4

6. Indiana vs. UCLA – 1992 NCAA Regional Final

Score: Indiana 102, UCLA 79 Knight’s Hoosiers knocked off the defending national champions, UCLA, in a dominant performance that sent Indiana to the Final Four and marked an important win in Knight’s career. After UCLA defeated Indiana 87-72 to kick off the 1991-92 season in Springfield, Massachusetts, it was hard to predict how the teams would perform when they faced each other again just over four months later. This time, Indiana completely changed the narrative, winning against the Bruins 106-79 in front of 16,160 fans at the Pit during the final game of the West Regional. Although Indiana missed 12 of their first 16 shots, UCLA struggled from the field as well, allowing the Hoosiers to establish a significant rebounding advantage and build an early lead of 27-13 in the first half, just as they had in their season opener.

Indiana vs LSU – 3/21/1992 – NCAA Tournament (incomplete)

5. Indiana vs. North Carolina – 1981 NCAA Championship

Score: Indiana 63, North Carolina 50 Knight’s second national title was secured with a decisive victory over the Tar Heels, emphasizing his defensive coaching skills and the team’s disciplined execution.​ Ted Kitchel got in early foul trouble and the Hoosiers didn’t take control until the second half. Kitchel was replaced by Jimmy Thomas and Steve Risley as both played well to help secure the second National Championship for Coach Knight.

1981 NCAA National Championship Indiana vs UNC

4. Indiana vs. UNLV – 1987 NCAA Final Four

Score: Indiana 97, UNLV 93 In a high-scoring affair, Knight’s tactical adaptability was on display as Indiana outpaced the Runnin’ Rebels, earning a spot in the national championship game.​ The Hoosiers let UNLV point guard Mark Wade roam free giving him wide open shots he could not make, and most times wouldn’t even take. This slowed down the Rebels have court offense, and the Hoosiers took advantage. The Hoosiers were amazing in transition and actually outran the Runnin Rebels.

1987 NCAA Final Four Semi Final UNLV vs. Indiana

3. Indiana vs. North Carolina – 1984 NCAA Sweet 16

Score: Indiana 72, North Carolina 68 Facing a formidable Tar Heels team featuring Michael Jordan and Sam Perkins, Knight’s defensive strategies led the Hoosiers to an upset victory, propelling them to the Elite Eight.​ Knight’s brilliance was apparent in this game as the North Carolina All-Stars lost to some slow white dudes from Indiana. The key to this game was Michael Jordan getting in early foul trouble and he played a little over twenty minutes in the entire game. So, if Dan Dakich ever tries to tell you he stopped Michael Jordan, it was actually the referees!

1984 NCAA East Regional Semi-Finals 1 North Carolina v. 4 Indiana

2. Indiana vs. Syracuse – 1987 NCAA Championship

Score: Indiana 74, Syracuse 73 In a nail-biting finish, Keith Smart’s game-winning jumper with seconds left clinched Knight’s third national championship, showcasing his team’s resilience and poise under pressure.​ Syracuse failed to execute as well as the Hoosiers, missing last minute free throws and then after Keith Smart’s last made shot failing to call time out until only one second remained.

Jim Boeheim On Keith Smart’s Shot In 1987 NCAA Championship | CampusInsiders

1. Indiana vs. Michigan – 1976 NCAA Championship

Score: Indiana 86, Michigan 68 This commanding win capped off a perfect 32–0 season, securing Knight’s second national title and cementing the Hoosiers’ place in history as the last undefeated NCAA men’s basketball team. ​The Hoosiers lost Bobby Wilkerson early in this contest, but the Hoosiers didn’t miss a beat as they turned a close first half into a second half blowout behind a 50-point explosion in the game’s final twenty minutes.

NCAA Final Halftime Speech | Perfect in ’76

Honorable mentions

Texas Tech vs. Texas A&M – January 16, 2008

Score: Texas Tech 68, Texas A&M 53. This win marked Knight’s 900th career victory, a testament to his enduring success and adaptability across decades and different programs.​

Bob Knight Gets 900th Win

Indiana vs. Michigan – 1989 Regular Season

Score: Indiana 76, Michigan 75 In a closely contested game, the Hoosiers defeated the eventual national champions, exemplifying Knight’s strategic expertise and his team’s tenacity.​ The Hoosiers were a good team in 1989 reaching the Sweet Sixteen, but Michigan had maybe the best team in school history and once again the Wolverines were beaten by the brilliance of Bob Knight.

Greatest Seasons: 1989 Basketball – Indiana Beats Michigan