The Big Ten wants Indiana coach Mike Davis suspended for six games for his outburst at the end of last weekend's loss to Kentucky, Davis told ESPN.com on Tuesday.

Davis told ESPN.com the Big Ten sent a letter to the university Monday detailing its request for the suspension. Big Ten spokesperson Sue Lister confirmed Tuesday that the conference had begun dialogue with Indiana but wouldn't confirm what was said.

Indiana interim athletics director Terry Clapacs told The Associated Press it was implied that if Indiana did not penalize Davis the conference would. The Big Ten says Davis violated rules governing sportsmanship.

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.

"It's hard to make any statement till we review the tape again, and with the holidays, it makes it difficult to make all of the contacts," Clapacs said.

Lister declined to say how the conference has jurisdiction over suspending a coach for non-conference games, or reference anything in the Big Ten rules that allows the conference to take action in games that don't include two Big Ten teams. Two of Indiana's next three games are on the road for the Hoosiers, meaning the Big Ten is not the host conference in the game.

If Indiana agrees with the suspension, Davis would not be allowed to coach until Jan. 18 against Illinois. He would miss Saturday's game at Temple, at Ball State (Dec. 31), Charlotte (Jan. 4), the Hoosiers' Big Ten opener against Penn State (Jan. 8), at Ohio State (Jan. 11) and Northwestern (Jan. 15).

Davis and Indiana are likely going to fight the severity of the penalty. At issue for Indiana are the inconsistencies in the Big Ten's penalties for the behavior of its coaches. Penn State football coach Joe Paterno chased down an official after a loss to Iowa on Sept. 28 but was not punished. Lister said she could not comment on the Paterno case.

Lister said Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany wasn't available for comment.

Davis said he would discuss the matter with Clapacs on Thursday. The Big Ten wants a response by Friday, Lister said, before a final decision is announced.

This is the third time Davis has been at odds with the conference. He was fined $10,000, instead of opting for a one-game suspension, for his postgame comments criticizing officials after losing to Butler last year. Following a loss at Illinois that included assistant Ben McDonald getting a bench technical, Davis was sent a letter of reprimand from the Big Ten and paid a $10,000 fine out of pocket.

If Davis is suspended, assistant coach John Treloar would coach the team. The Hoosiers (8-1), ranked 11th in this week's ESPN/USA Today coaches' poll, are a Big Ten title and Final Four contender.

"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.

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 win.

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

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

"He's a terrific coach and a terrific man, and the Kentucky game means a lot to him," Clapacs said. "Clearly, he coaches with passion. You saw that in the Duke game last year and you saw that against Kentucky."

Davis' passion was clear in his two previous meetings with Kentucky. In December 2000, following an 88-74 loss to the Wildcats, Davis said he wasn't the man to replace volatile Bob Knight, who won three national titles at Indiana.

Before last year's game, Davis said he "hated Kentucky." After losing 66-52, Davis said there was no way Indiana could have beaten a team like the Wildcats.

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.

Information from ESPN.com senior writer Andy Katz and The Associated Press was used in this report.