Indiana Basketball: Examining the All-Time Bob Knight Team

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BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA – FEBRUARY 08: Former Indiana Hoosiers player Isaiah Thomas on the court at half time during the game the against the Purdue Boilermakers at Assembly Hall on February 08, 2020 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

Indiana basketball all-time Bob Knight team: Point Guard

Isiah Thomas

One of the greatest Hoosiers of all time, Isiah Thomas stood out at point guard at Indiana between 1979 and 1981, ending off his career with a national championship before a successful NBA career. Suffice it to say, Thomas accomplished quite a lot in his two years playing college ball.

He put up fantastic numbers, averaging at least 5 assists per game in both seasons, while earning First Team All-American honors as a senior. That season also saw him lead the Hoosiers to the national championship, the second in Knight’s coaching career. Thomas was named Most Outstanding Player of the 1981 NCAA Tournament and had 23 points in their title game win over North Carolina.

Quinn Buckner

Not just a fantastic point guard, Quinn Buckner was a winner, getting both a national championship at Indiana and an NBA title with the Boston Celtics nearly a decade later. We’re focusing just on his collegiate career, and he was a prominent figure early in Knight’s career.

Buckner was known as a great defender and was a four-year starter for the Hoosiers. He was twice an All-Big Ten player and averaged 10.0 points and 4.5 assists for his career, a career that saw him play with a few other names from today’s list. He was a fantastic weapon for the Hoosiers and he got along well with Knight, helping lead the Hoosiers to that undefeated title in 1976.

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