I think you would see a lot more attrition. Plus, I don’t really like the idea of, “well, they signed up for it.” That doesn’t make his behavior ok
No one said it was OK, but you are using what would happen today, to what was not happening in the 70's and 80's. Every player that went to IU visited, saw what he was like and signed the LOI on the dotted line.
Times change, what Knight did to his players is between the staff, players and their families.
Thomas said today, "Knight put you through hell, but he also took you to a place that you yourself did not think you could go." Without a doubt he was a hard ass, but he also got the best out of his players.