In an NCAA tournament first round filled with buzzer beating finishes but remarkably few upsets, Indiana University’s game was an aberration. The 11th—seeded Pepperdine Waves thrashed Coach Bob Knight and his No. 6—seeded Hoosiers, 77—57, on Friday night.

At the post—game press conference, a stunned and seemingly mentally absent A.J. Guyton stared blankly into the distance as fellow senior Michael Lewis insisted that the team had fun on the floor. Lewis was actually answering a question about Pepperdine’s playing style, but he quickly turned his answer into a defense of the program and its embattled coach. Playing for Bob Knight does not take the fun out of basketball, Lewis said.

Coach Knight himself eventually emerged and, in atypically subdued fashion, fielded the media’s questions. There was no screaming, throwing of objects, cursing, challenges to fight or anything else popularly associated with a post—loss Knight press conference.

The low—key Knight said or did nothing remarkable. He made only one statement of media interest, succinctly stating that off the court matters "didn’t even enter the game" as a distraction to his team. Soon after making this statement, Knight announced that the conference was over, got up and walked out.

Knight’s claim seems ridiculous at first glance, and indeed the on—court drubbing will likely forever be linked to Neil Reed’s accusations that took center stage earlier in the week. Maybe, though, this is unfair. The loss to Pepperdine is really no more remarkable than Indiana’s 25—point second round loss to St. John’s last year or its three first—round losses in the five years prior to that. Indeed, the most outlandish and unbelievable statement from the post—game press conferences might be not Knight’s denial of distraction, but Lewis’ claim that the Hoosiers have fun playing.

There is a reason why many fans cheer on the underdogs in the NCAA tournament — the low seeds are generally small schools from mid—major conferences. These teams fight and claw their way through the regular season and conference tournament with a singular goal of making it to "the dance." If they make it, they are excited and it shows in their play. These kids realize that, win or lose, the chance to participate in college basketball and the NCAA tournament is an absolutely priceless experience. College basketball is an end in itself, and victory is just icing on the proverbial cake.

The public embraces this type of team because of the stark contrast between this seemingly pure emotion and the staid, business—like attitude that dominates the major conferences. Simply put, major college basketball has evolved from a game into a multi—billion dollar industry devoid of the fun and enthusiasm that its popularity was originally built on.

There is a recording, featured on the Internet and CNN television, of Bobby Knight going on an obscenity—laden tirade about what absolute hell his players will face in practice if they continue to play poorly. This tape figured prominently, along with Neil Reed’s recently resurrected accusations of physical abuse, in the CNN segment that raised the furor over Knight last week.

People got upset, but it really should not be shocking to hear this tape, and it would be outright wrong to assume that it is something unique to the Hoosier locker room. Major Division I coaches often have incomes, including broadcast media and shoe contracts, in high six or low seven figures. Maintaining job security demands winning, and this pressure often leads to either slave—driving coaching tactics or academic or financial fraud.

Winning supersedes following recruiting and academe rules at a host of institutions like Purdue and Minnesota, why shouldn’t it supersede nice—guy treatment at Indiana?

Legendary Temple coach John Chaney and many former Hoosiers supported Knight this week, defending his tactics as something necessary to prepare kids to win. And, make no mistake, winning is what it’s all about. All coaches answer to fans, alumni and school administrators who live vicariously through "their team," perpetuating the endless desire to win at any cost. A tradition—rich program like that at Indiana demands an even higher measure of success. Knight is and will forever be held against the standard he set when he put those championship banners into the rafters of Assembly Hall. He absolutely must get the most out of his players and win as much as possible.

Michael Lewis was obviously stretching the truth when he said that he had fun on the floor against Pepperdine. He was right, though, when he said that Bob Knight does not take the fun out of basketball. Knight is just a tool of the NCAA machine, with its $6 billion television contract, corporate tie—ins and success—hungry supporters. This institution is what takes the fun out of basketball.