"I don't know that you can put a price on a lot of national exposure he's brought to Texas Tech and Lubbock," said Hance, a former U.S. congressman and the only politician to defeat George W. Bush in an election. "If coach Knight were walking through LaGuardia Airport with Mack Brown and Bob Stoops, the people in the airport would say, 'Who are those two people with Bob Knight?' "



Knight gets his first opportunity at his 880th victory tonight, and a victory at home against UNLV will make him the winningest Division I men's coach in history.

For his part, Knight, 66, has played down the march to overtaking former North Carolina coach Dean Smith's mark of 879 victories. He said the record won't "have any impact whatsoever" on the basketball program or the school.

Knight, known through the years for his volatile temper, three national titles and 11 Big Ten championships, tied Smith on Saturday when Texas Tech beat Bucknell 72-60.

Smith, who had no plans to travel to Lubbock for tonight's game, said he'll be in touch once No. 880 is in the books.

"I'll sure be one of the first to call and congratulate him," Smith said. "He knows that."

MEN'S GAMES: Brian Butch had 17 points and 12 rebounds to lead No. 4 Wisconsin to a 98-40 victory over visiting Gardner-Webb. ... Jeff Adrien had 16 points and 11 rebounds to lead No. 12 Connecticut to an 84-41 victory over Coppin State, extending the Huskies' home winning streak to 30 games. ... Glen Davis matched his season high with 26 points, and No. 17 LSU beat Wright State 71-45 in a first-round game of the Hispanic College Fund Classic in Baton Rouge, La.

WASHINGTON RETURNS: Portland State senior center Anthony Washington is returning to the team after sitting out the fall term to be with his newborn son.

Vikings coach Ken Bone said the 6-foot-9, 250-pound Washington, who played his first two seasons at Washington, will be worked into the lineup as backup to starting center Scott Morrison.