NCAA Basketball: Top 10 teams Bob Knight has ever coached
By Joey Loose
5. 1975 Indiana (31-1)
Consider that the top eight players on Knight’s fourth Hoosiers squad all made their way into the NBA, with some clearly having a bigger role at the next level than others. Among the talent, Kent Benson, Steve Green, and Scott May were all good for at least 15 points on a nightly basis, while Quinn Buckner averaged 11.8 points and 5.5 assists per game. There was significant talent across the roster and it really showed when these Hoosiers took the court.
Indiana spent the entire season ranked Top 3 in the nation and for good reason. This dominant squad won a thrilling overtime game at Kansas in early December, won ranked games against Kentucky and Notre Dame, and then weren’t really challenged in the non-conference. Things weren’t any different after New Year’s, as the Hoosiers blitzed through Big Ten play, finishing the season with a perfect 29-0 record.
As you may have guessed, things did not end that season as expected, and it’s a major reason why this team is not higher on the list (though most of them would get their chance again). The Hoosiers made easy work of UTEP in their first game before surviving Oregon State by ten points in the Sweet Sixteen. They played an absolute battle in a rematch against Kentucky in the Elite Eight, but came up just short in a 92-90 loss despite 33 points and 23 rebounds from Benson.