Cager coaches sound off about impending Big Ten tournament

Love the idea or hate it, there's no denying the inaugural Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament has given fans, players and coaches something to talk about.

All 11 Big Ten men's basketball coaches weighed in with their thoughts on the tournament yesterday in a conference call and each expressed excitement about the tournament which begins Thursday at the United Center in Chicago.

"You've got a majority interest in the tournament and I accept that," Knight said.

The Hoosiers' general may not have to worry about making the trip to Chicago. The Big Ten is still deciding what sort of punishment, if any, Knight will receive for getting three technical fouls last week against Illinois and his not-so-flattering comments afterward about the referees.

Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany said the Big Ten spoke with Indiana at the end of last week and the school was supposed to get back in touch with him yesterday. After that, the Big Ten has three days to make a decision. Knight, for his part, is planning on being in Chicago.

"It's impossible for me to believe that in view of all that took place in that situation and what has been done or has not been done either way with other ejections of coaches this year," Knight said, "that there is no conceivable reason for me to think that I will not be coaching."

The other coach who voted against the tournament was Minnesota's Clem Haskins. He said he still is against the tournament because he feels the players' parents should receive free tickets, airfare and hotel accommodations. But like Knight, he is happy for his players to have an opportunity to play some more games.

Unlike Knight and Haskins, Purdue's Gene Keady voted to have the tournament. Now, Keady said, he might not have voted for it. This is probably because his Boilermakers finished in the upper echelon of the Big Ten and have most likely earned a bid to the NCAA Tournament.

"I don't have any feelings right now," Keady said. "I'm riding the fence."

Teams like his don't have much to gain from playing in the conference tournament. It may also hurt them in the NCAAs because someone could get injured and a team may become fatigued.

Michigan State, Illinois and Michigan are in a similar situation as Purdue. With their NCAA Tournament futures secure, the teams will be playing for bragging rights.

The teams it can benefit are the middle-of-the road and bottom-half teams. Indiana and Iowa can both play their way into the NCAAs with a strong performance in the tournament.

The automatic bid on the line in the tournament also provides hope for Penn State, Minnesota, Northwestern, Wisconsin and Ohio State, who otherwise would be preparing for next year or the NIT at this time.

Each coach pointed to a different factor that would play an important role in the outcome. Maturity, depth, staying healthy and the first-round byes were all mentioned as keys to success.

No matter which team gets the trophy Sunday, the Big Ten is expected to be the real winner. Delany said the conference expects the tournament to be a success financially and in getting the league publicity.

"I think it's a win-win situation," Northwestern head coach Kevin O'Neill. "It gives our league publicity and it gives our guys something to play for."