Indianapolis ? The Big Ten asked Indiana to suspend basketball coach Mike Davis for his outburst at the end of last weekend’s game against Kentucky.

The university said it will respond to the request Friday, the deadline set by the conference.

The Big Ten notified Indiana by letter Monday that it expected the school to impose sanctions. Interim athletic director Terry Clapacs said it was implied that if Indiana did not penalize Davis the conference would.

The Big Ten would not confirm the length of a possible suspension or the nature of a reprimand, but a Chicago Tribune report said the suspension could be as long as six games.

Clapacs said Tuesday he has spoken with Davis and will do so again before making a decision.

Indiana’s next game is Saturday at Temple.

“What I did was wrong, and I’ll support Terry Clapacs and our administration with whatever they think is right,” Davis told The Indianapolis Star.

The Big Ten says Davis violated rules governing sportsmanship. Conference spokeswoman Sue Lister said the rule calls for specific penalties, but would not confirm what they were.

Davis’ tirade came near the end of Indiana’s 70-64 loss to Kentucky in Louisville on Saturday. With 2.6 seconds left and Indiana trailing 65-64, Hoosiers guard Bracy Wright drove for a layup and the ball hit the side of the backboard. Davis wanted a foul but none was called.

Davis then ran on the court in protest, waving his arms at official Bert Smith. He drew two technical fouls and was ejected before Keith Bogans made five-of-six free throws to seal the victory.

During his postgame news conference, Davis was apologetic, saying his actions cost his team the game. He also apologized to players and fans.

Indiana coach Mike Davis yells at his players. Davis faces suspension for his outburst at the end of last weekend's game against Kentucky. He was ejected after running onto the court.

Clapacs was supportive of Davis afterward, and he again spoke highly of him Tuesday.

On the court, Davis is usually a stark contrast to Knight. In a little more than two seasons as coach, Davis has drawn a total of six technical fouls.

¢

UCLA courting Bibby: UCLA’s 2-4 start has fans so disgruntled that some Bruins boosters have contacted USC coach Henry Bibby to gauge his interest in the job that still belongs to Steve Lavin.

Bibby, who started at point guard for three of John Wooden’s NCAA championship teams at UCLA from 1970-72, refused to comment when asked about the contact but did not deny that it took place.

“UCLA already has a coach,” Bibby told the Orange County Register. “I’m committed to USC, and I don’t plan to go anywhere.”

Bibby, however, seems to be the type of coach UCLA athletic director Dan Guerrero would pursue if he fired Lavin.

When Guerrero fired football coach Bob Toledo, he said he wanted a proven coach with West Coast ties, someone who understood the Pac-10 and someone who stressed discipline, which is a trademark for Bibby’s USC teams.

Bibby, who is close to Wooden, regularly disciplines the Trojans (4-3) when they fail to follow team rules or fall short of what he expects from them in terms of attitude and effort.

Guerrero, who repeatedly has refused to evaluate Lavin publicly, also said it was important to look at minority candidates. Guerrero hired new football coach Karl Dorrell who, like Bibby, is a former UCLA player who is black.

In March, Bibby was asked how much he wanted to have a chance to coach his alma mater at some point in his career.

“I wouldn’t take the UCLA job to save my life,” he said before last season’s NCAA Tournament. “I don’t want that job. That’s too much pressure.”

But when he was asked again last week, he shrugged and said, “Things change.”

¢

Seton Hall mourns: Richie Regan, who spent nearly half a century at Seton Hall as a basketball player, coach, athletic director and fund-raiser, died Tuesday. He was 72.

Regan died at Jersey Shore Medical Center in Neptune, where he had been hospitalized since Dec. 14.

Regan was a starter at Seton Hall from 1950-53, helping the team post an 80-12 record under coach John “Honey” Russell.

Regan replaced Russell as Seton Hall’s coach in 1960. He won 112 games in 10 seasons.

After serving for two years as assistant athletic director, Regan was appointed director of athletics in 1971.