Davis’ tenure at Indiana ends with defeat

SALT LAKE CITY – Mike Davis wearily said goodbye to Indiana basketball, thanking his players as much for their effort over the last month as for their final game for the coach.

Gonzaga knocked Indiana out of the Oakland Regional on Saturday night, beating the Hoosiers 90-80 in the second round and making the resignation Davis announced a month ago official.

Davis didn’t show any emotion when the game ended. He just walked to meet Gonzaga coach Mark Few for a warm handshake and hug, then headed back to the Hoosiers’ locker room trying to look straight ahead.

“I can’t explain it. We’ve been through a lot together. I’m just proud of those guys,” Davis said quietly during his postgame news conference.

In six seasons, Indiana went 115-78 under Davis, who was promoted after Bob Knight’s tumultuous departure in 2000.

The Hoosiers had rallied six years ago for Davis to be hired and this year’s team supported the coach again, making the tournament with a late run in the Big Ten Conference and winning a first-round thriller over San Diego State.

“I feel more sadness for them than anything because they’ve fought hard,” Davis said.

The strain of Indiana fans who never wanted Knight to go and their scrutiny of Davis’ every move got to the coach this winter.

And the Hoosiers responded by winning six of their last eight.