Knight flap shadows Hoosiers in tournament

 Former player Neil Reed accused Knight of choking him during practice three years ago. Reed transferred from Indiana at the end of that season, contending he was physically and mentally abused by Knight.

 The university investigated and rejected Reed's claims three years ago.

 An interview with CNN/Sports Illustrated in which Reed repeated his charges was broadcast Tuesday night, and a longer version was part of a CNN program Wednesday night.

 Several Indiana players spoke at a news conference and denied Reed's charges Tuesday night. Also, basketball media relations director Todd Starowitz read a statement from former assistant coach Dan Dakich.

 "Anyone who has seen coach at practice knows that he will physically move a player by the waist or shoulders from one spot on the floor to another to make a coaching point, but for Reed to say that I ever had to separate him from coach is false," Dakich said. "I did see coach take a kid by the shoulder or elbow and say 'Get over here,' but choking a player? No. Never, ever."

 A.J. Guyton, the team's scoring leader and an All-American, called Reed's comments "outrageous."

 The Hoosiers (20-8), seeded sixth in the NCAA East, plan to leave on Thursday for Buffalo, N.Y., where they will face 11th-seeded Pepperdine (24-8) on Friday. It's the first appearance in the tournament for Pepperdine since 1994, while the Hoosiers are in for the 15th straight year.

 "We aren't one of those teams that is going to be happy just to be there. We plan to prove that we belong," Pepperdine guard Tezale Archie said. "We're a good, battle-tested team. This is what we've all dreamed about for a long, long time, and we hope to make the most of the experience."