Home >  Sports >  Columnists

Thursday, March 13, 2003

NEW YORK -- It was right here, at the world's most famous arena, where Brandin Knight played what might have been the greatest game by a point guard that Pitt Coach Ben Howland has seen in all his years in college basketball.

"Miami, last year ... 20 points, 7 rebounds, 14 assists," Howland said, rattling off Knight's line. "Trust me, it will take you a long time to find a point guard who played a better game."

The performance was the highlight of another successful Big East Conference tournament run for Knight, who always seems to play his best at Madison Square Garden. Howland is convinced Pitt would have beaten Connecticut the next night and won its first league tournament title -- it lost in two overtimes -- if Knight hadn't gone down with a knee injury late in regulation. "Ask [Connecticut Coach] Jim Calhoun. He might tell you the same thing." Knight had 15 points and eight assists before his injury.

A year earlier, Knight and the other Pitt players had grown up at the Big East tournament, becoming an elite team with a magical four-day march that didn't end until they were beaten by Boston College in the championship game. Ricky Greer was the team's best player then, but Knight was huge in each of the three wins. He had 16 points and six rebounds against Providence. He hung up a double-double -- 10 points and 11 assists -- in the big upset of Notre Dame. He had nine assists against Syracuse, a number that didn't include his sweet pass at the end to Isaac Hawkins, who was fouled and made the winning free throw.

Now, Knight is back at The Garden one final time.

He should be something to watch.

This conference tournament has to mean everything to Knight, who grew up in nearby East Orange, N.J. It will be his last trip to The Garden, at least until he gets in the NBA and starts playing for millions. He's also coming in with a team that's no worse than the co-favorite with Syracuse.

Do you think Knight would love a championship to add to his Pitt legacy?

"I know he's excited," Howland said. "But what kid doesn't like to play at Madison Square Garden? There's so much excitement in the air. Our bus drives through Times Square to get there. You see all the people. Man, it's just the best."

Knight acts as if the game against Providence this afternoon is just another game. He'll tell you he plays with the same intensity and the same will to win every game. That's why he has been involved in 84 victories and counting at Pitt, the most of any player in school history. That's also why he won three state championships in high school.

"If anybody can understand and appreciate a guy who's all about winning, it's the city of Pittsburgh," Howland said.

Howland talked at great length about the little things Knight does to make Pitt a legitimate national championship contender. During a game against Connecticut, it was a play call down the stretch. Against Georgetown, it was a suggestion to go to a zone defense. Before the Seton Hall game, it was an idea about the best way to fight through screens. "I went home that night, thought about it, came back the next morning and said, 'You're right, Brandin, it is better to go under the screen instead of over the top ...'

"I do that with him all the time. His knowledge of the game is so good, and he does such a great job with the mental preparation. I just have unbelievable trust in him."

That's why Howland says Knight is a better player this season, even though his scoring and shooting numbers are down from last year. That's also why Howland is disappointed Knight had to settle for second-team All-Big East honors -- "Doesn't matter to me," Knight said, shrugging -- after the conference coaches voted him co-player of the year last season.

"All of our success starts with him," Howland said. "His unselfishness and toughness is infectious with everyone. I can assure you he'll have an impact here even after he's gone. He's been a great role model for Carl [Krauser]. He's proven you don't have to score a ton of points to be a great player and a great leader. That will help Carl and our team next year. You've got to have that quarterback."

That doesn't mean Knight won't have to shoot well and score for Pitt to win three games in three days here and go deep in the NCAA tournament. All teams struggle and frequently lose when their best player has a bad game. That's been especially true for Pitt this season. In the team's four losses to Georgia, Syracuse, Notre Dame and Seton Hall, Knight shot 21 percent -- 16.7 percent on 3-pointers -- and averaged 8.0 points. In the 23 wins, he shot 38.7 percent and averaged 11.3 points.

Then, there's Knight's much-scrutinized free-throw shooting. He appeared to find his groove by making 25 of 32 before he inexplicably missed five in a row down the stretch Sunday at Villanova. Pitt could and probably should have lost the game.

"I've got to make the shots in those situations," Knight said. "My teammates are depending on me."

Said Howland, rather tersely, "He's going to shoot the ball well in New York."

No, he didn't leave any room for debate.

Considering Knight's track record at The Garden, who'd want to argue anyway?