Stephanie Wang, Jill Disis, Madeline Buckley, and Mark Alesia

IndyStar

Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump received Wednesday night what he called “the greatest endorsement in the history of Indiana” from legendary basketball coach Bob Knight.

"There has never been a more honest politician than Donald Trump," Knight said.

Some in the crowd of roughly 5,000 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds said they showed up just to hear Knight speak. But with the full force of the election spotlight on Indiana’s May 3 primary, it was also a day for Trump to stress that his supporters in the state could help clinch the nomination.

"If we win Indiana,” Trump said, “it’s over!"

For Knight, who could be considered Indiana royalty, to stand up for Trump was to appeal directly to Hoosier voters. The former Indiana University basketball coach with the famous temper won three national championships and collected the most Division I wins of his time.

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The two men, who share similar – shall we say – emphatic personalities and colorful speech, embraced on stage.

“I am not here to represent the Republican Party,” Knight said. “And I’m not here to represent any organization that deals with politics. I think the most important thing in the world is that we vote for the best man there is for this job.”

Knight encouraged the crowd to "throw Donald over the top" with their votes, and that it would be "a first step toward what every one of us wants America to be like."

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For Matt Walker, 44, of Haubstadt, the Trump-Knight rally was a double draw.

“You’ve got two leaders,” Walker said. “You’ve got a guy who knows how to build a team, stumping for a guy who knows how to build a team and lead and win.”

To appeal to military Hoosiers, Knight referenced his time coaching at Army and said Trump would give military members “the absolute best care.”

“Under his administration, there will never be another thing like what happened in Benghazi,” Knight said.

In his brief remarks, Knight gave rare recognition to the IU Hoosiers, who fired him as coach in 2000 for violating a misconduct policy when he grabbed a student's arm. He ended his speech for Trump by saying, "I want to thank you for the opportunity I had to coach in this state. It will always be something I cherish.”

Trump embellished on his talking points from his rally last week to bash an attention-grabbing play Wednesday by his opponent, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, to announce Carly Fiorina as his running mate should he reach the nomination.

"Cruz can't win. What's he doing picking a vice president?" Trump said.

Trump also denounced what he called the “little deal” between his GOP opponents, Cruz and Ohio Gov. John Kasich.

Kasich decided to pull out of campaigning in Indiana, and Cruz out of New Mexico and Oregon, so each could focus resources on trying to block Trump votes.

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Trump has criticized the alliance as “collusion,” and the nomination system as being “rigged.” Cruz and Kasich are aiming to prevent Trump from winning the 1,237 delegates he needs to secure the Republican nomination outright. That would force a contested convention, where delegates could choose another candidate other than the front-runner to go up against the Democratic candidate in November’s general election.

“I gotta tell you, it’s disgusting,” Trump said. “You can bribe your way into the presidency.”

While Trump has largely won over working-class voters across the country, he gunned hard Wednesday for Cruz’s critical voting base: evangelical Christians.

They’re key in Indiana, and Trump bragged that he was able to turn tables in South Carolina by earning the support of evangelical Christians.

“I’m getting tremendous evangelical support,” Trump said. “… Because the evangelicals are smart, and they don’t like liars.”

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He addressed jobs and the economy, reprising a pantomime of how he would keep air conditioning manufacturer Carrier Corp. in Indiana by taxing their products more heavily if they move to Mexico.

Trump predicted a phone call saying, “Mr. President, Carrier has decided to stay in Indiana.”

He also pledged, of course, to strengthen America’s border with Mexico so “it won’t be Swiss cheese” by building a wall, paid for by Mexico.

The rally was notably devoid of protesters. Signs at the entrances said protesting was prohibited at the state fairgrounds, citing state code, and two protesters were told by police that they had to leave.

The rule wasn’t enforced at last week’s Trump rally at the fairgrounds, when a handful of protesters showed up.

Trump ended by letting Indiana know that he would be back.

In the week leading up to next week’s primary, Trump said he has several visits scheduled.

“I’m not playing games with Indiana,” Trump said. “You are going to get so tired of me, you’re going to say, ‘Oh, no, I can’t watch it anymore. Turn off the news, darling.’”

Call Star reporter Stephanie Wang at (317) 444-6184. Follow her on Twitter: @stephaniewang.

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