Fish earn one-week reprieve as Knight reels in win

TUCSON, Ariz. – Texas Tech coach Bob Knight’s fishing trip will have to wait.

Knight will be busy next week after his Red Raiders ended Gonzaga’s season with a 71-69 NCAA Tournament victory Saturday at the McKale Center. The victory sends Knight back to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1994.

“If we had been beaten today, it would have been disappointing,” said Knight, who has coached three national championship teams. “I would have been disappointed that they would not have been able to go to the Sweet 16. I would be out fishing – I won’t be now – and I would have been reflecting on what a wonderful experience it has been with this team, picked by nobody.”

Knight was fairly agitated for the last 10 minutes of the first half as Texas Tech struggled on both ends of the floor and fell behind by as many as 12. When an offensive set started incorrectly, Knight barked at his players and sat back in his chair with his hands folded on top of his head. Forward Damir Suljagic missed twice from close range – and heard about it from Knight when the forward came to the bench.

After another ineffective offensive possession, Knight grabbed his son Pat, an assistant coach, on the shoulders in disgust. Knight was constantly in the ear of the officials, stalking one off the floor after the half ended.

“I’m like a lion-tamer,” Pat Knight said of his sideline role. “This means a lot to us. I would have given anything to be the type of player to win him games, but I wasn’t. I was a role player. But I think as an assistant coach I’m good enough to help him win games. This is my sixth year with him and we’ve won 20 every year.”

Big toss for Ross

The player nobody wanted coming out of high school hit the biggest shot. Senior guard Ronald Ross, a former walk-on who has developed into a first-team All-Big 12 Conference selection, connected on a crucial 3-pointer from the corner to give the Red Raiders a 68-67 lead with 1:04 left.

Like many of Tech’s baskets, it was created by a guard – this time Martin Zeno – driving into the lane.

“When I penetrated, I just saw their man step up and I saw Ronald standing out there because he was hollering my name,” Zeno said. “When I saw him set his feet I knew it was going in. So I just ran back down court.”

Ross, who played at Hobbs (N.M.) High, will return to his home state for the Sweet 16. The Red Raiders face West Virginia on Thursday in Albuquerque.

“It’s definitely exciting to accomplish something like this,” said Ross, who finished with team highs of 24 points, nine rebounds and three steals. “Going back to New Mexico, it’ll be a good thing. I’ll know a lot of people there.”

Inside turnaround

Perhaps the biggest difference from the first half to the second was the emergence of Texas Tech forwards Devonne Giles and Darryl Dora. In the first half, they were dominated by GU’s inside trio of Ronny Turiaf, J.P. Batista and Sean Mallon, who combined for 15 points and 16 rebounds. Tech’s twosome had just four points and one rebound. The latter stat sparked a scathing locker room review from Knight and his staff.

Asked about Giles’ and Dora’s second-half effort, Knight said, “It was a hell of lot better than it was in the first half. I wasn’t sure if they couldn’t understand English or if I couldn’t speak it.”

Knight’s message hit home.

“They just crushed us on the boards in the first half,” said Dora, who rallied to finish with 10 points and five rebounds. “Coach came in and got on us and said we needed to show up and help this team. In the second half (Gonzaga) got a little relaxed, and we just came out with the attitude we needed and we were more energetic.”

Giles added eight points and five boards as Tech battled GU to a draw on the glass in the second half. Dora made a couple of baseline jumpers against Gonzaga’s zone to trigger Tech’s offense.

“We won because of those two,” Zeno said. “That’s what it comes down to. They played physical and got offensive rebounds.”

Batista, who didn’t score in the final 16:50, finished with eight points, eight rebounds and four turnovers. “They outscrapped us,” he said. “The refs were letting us play inside and they weren’t calling anything. The coaches just said to play through it. We just have to move on.”

Well-timed

The mid-air, falling-out-of-bounds timeout. It’s a play that drives many basketball purists crazy. With about 12 seconds left, Texas Tech’s Giles rebounded Adam Morrison’s missed 3-pointer. Giles lost his balance and was falling over the baseline when he alertly called a timeout.

“I didn’t have a chance to give a hand signal so I turned my head and (the official) was right there and I yelled to him,” Giles said.

Said Ross: “I don’t think any of our fans will complain about the rule, not today. I agree with it. If someone is working hard and they get the ball with control of it and it’s still in play, timeout.”

Gonzaga coach Mark Few isn’t a fan of the rule, although the Bulldogs benefited in a similar situation when Erroll Knight called a midair timeout after collaring a first-half rebound.

“I think it’s a horrible rule and it’s too hard on the officials,” Few said.