While surfing the sports channels last Monday night, I dropped in on the Big Ten Network and found a somewhat faded videotape of the 1976 NCAA men's basketball championship when Indiana beat Michigan 86-68.

What kept me there was Curt Gowdy's regular commentary about how Indiana coach Bob (or was it Bobby?) Knight was constantly jawing at referee Irv Brown.

That's right, THAT Irv Brown, who worked six Final Fours as an official before finding a radio microphone.

One scene featured Knight, attired in a checkered, Purina-bag-style sports jacket, jumping off the bench while yelling at Brown about his call that gave Michigan the ball after bodies tangled out of bounds near the Indiana bench.

A different Bob Knight surfaced Saturday on ESPN during the Kansas-Kansas State Big 12 title game.

Attired in a stylish red sweater, Knight analyzed the contest in a calm, almost professorial style. Missing was the bombastic approach that made him such a controversial coach.

And to my knowledge, no chairs were tossed along press row.

Knight approached the game a bit like a teacher lecturing his students (viewers) on the intricacies of college basketball. He discussed plays that worked and outlined those that didn't.

In his third year on ESPN, Knight, in addition to working as a studio expert, has moved comfortably into a courtside role.

It's probably too soon to anoint Knight as ESPN's best color analyst, because some fans may not appreciate a low-key lecturing style devoid of ongoing histrionics.

But let's throw in that revered cliche — Knight knows the game.

Meanwhile, Brown, who developed a lasting friendship with Knight, could lecture for hours about his numerous verbal run-ins with the noted coach.

"Away from the court he was — and is — a different guy," Brown says.