(November 14, 2006)--Texas Tech officials declined to discuss Texas Tech men's basketball coach Bob Knight after the hot-tempered coach struck a player in the chin Monday night.

The latest episode occurred late Tech's 86-74 win over Gardner-Webb.

Knight approached forward Michael Prince during a timeout after Prince was called for a foul, then used his open hand to push Prince's chin as if to make him look the coach in the eye.

A short time later, Prince appeared to be moving his jaw around as he sat on the bench.

Prince and his parents tell the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal they didn't think Knight's actions were a big deal.

Prince told the newspaper, "It was nothing."

He says Knight "was trying to teach me and I had my head down, so he raised my chin up. He was telling me to go out there and don't be afraid to make mistakes. He said I was being too hard on myself."

Prince's mother, Suzette Prince, told the newspaper she doesn't think the incident should be an issue and that she didn't think Knight should be reprimanded.

More News >>Sports >> Weather >>