Knight is typically frank after No. 880

Bob Knight won 880 games doing things his way. And he sure celebrated it his way.

Long appreciated for his strategy and long questioned for his methods, Knight added the crowning achievement to his Hall of Fame career by becoming the leader in Division 1 men's basketball victories when Texas Tech beat New Mexico, 70-68, yesterday in Lubbock, Texas.

Having finally reached the pinnacle he's long insisted didn't matter, Knight proved otherwise by soaking in every moment of the party that followed -- especially the soundtrack.

"I've always thought that if there's ever an occasion for a song to be played on my behalf, I wanted it to be Frank Sinatra singing 'My Way,' " said Knight, whose usually glaring facade showed hints of cracking during the outpouring of emotions.

"I don't expect you people to have agreed with what I've done -- and, if I did [care], I would have asked your opinion. And I have never asked the opinions of very many. I've simply tried to do what I think is best in the way that I think you have to do it."

All facets of Knight's personality were on display during a half-hour postgame ceremony and the nearly 20-minute soliloquy he gave instead of a news conference.

The first person to congratulate him was his son and successor-to-be, Pat. He later held his two grandsons from his other son, Tim. He introduced his wife and repeatedly thanked her, although he later broke a promise to her by cussing.

Knight singled out a player whose hustle helped pull out this victory, which wasn't easy; Tech blew a 20-point lead and trailed by 4 points with 6:25 remaining. The Red Raiders (11-4) finally went back ahead with 2:04 left and managed to hold on.

Not interested in answering reporters' questions, Knight instead went on a trip down memory lane that was filled with anecdotes and name-dropping. He seemed close to tears at times. Though none fell, he backed away from the microphone a couple of times while on the court, seemingly unable to speak.

In the coaches' locker room later, Knight was asked whether his emotions got the best of him. Gently rocking his head, he paused and said, "Well, I don't know. Maybe."

Alabama 70, Oklahoma 55 -- At Tuscaloosa, Ala., Jermareo Davidson scored 17 points and Richard Hendrix added 14 points and 10 rebounds to lead the No. 8 Crimson Tide past the Sooners

Hendrix registered his fifth double-double in the last six games as Alabama (13-1) dominated the Sooners (8-4) in the paint.