By Neil Schmidt
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Official Bert Smith is held back by Indiana player Bracey Wright as he is confronted by Indiana coach Mike Davis during the closing seconds of their 70-64 upset by Kentucky Saturday. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

LOUISVILLE - Mike Davis couldn't avoid stating the obvious: He's obsessed with University of Kentucky basketball.

"At least I'm honest about saying that," the Indiana coach said, after his on-court meltdown in the final moments of a 70-64 loss Saturday to the Wildcats. "But there's still no reason for me, every year, to do something (odd) in this game."

Davis had an outburst Saturday that would have done Bob Knight proud. After a no-call when contact was made on IU freshman Bracey Wright's potential game-winning shot in the final seconds, Davis sprinted onto the court to angrily challenge the officials, even before play had stopped.

Play continued for about three seconds, even as Davis stood in the middle of the court.

Davis was repentant afterward in discussing his outburst with the media.

"I never should have acted that way," he said. "No matter what happens on a play, you tell your players to keep their composure, and I lost mine.

"There's no reason for me to try to embarrass someone like that. That's not me. But when you want it so bad ..."

Davis is 0-3 against UK, and all three games have had tough moments for him. Two years ago, then an interim coach, he said after the loss: "I'm not sure I'm the man for this job." Last season, he ruffled feathers before the game by saying, "I hate Kentucky."

Davis said his obsession with UK dates to his playing days at Alabama. He fared well then, going 5-5 against the Wildcats.

When Davis ran onto the court Saturday, his team still trailed by only a point. With a foul, the worst it would conceivably face was a three-point deficit - thus at least a chance to tie.

But the officials called Davis for a double technical, giving UK four more free throws. Keith Bogans then made five of the six shots, icing the Wildcats' win.

Davis said he apologized to his team in the locker room, telling them he cost the Hoosiers the game.

"I apologize to my team, to the Indiana fans, and to the officials," Davis said. "There's no way I should embarrass (the officials) the way I did. They're guys working hard, doing their job, with families of their own."

Several Indiana players absolved Davis of blame.

"Coach is an emotional person, and he was upset with the call," Hoosiers junior guard A.J. Moye said. "He didn't cost us the game."

The Wildcats didn't all echo that sentiment.

"Their coach should have handled the situation better," UK's Cliff Hawkins said. "They still might have had a chance to win."