“Inside Indiana Basketball with Mike Woodson” had its fourth version of the 2024-25 season Monday evening. Woodson and Don Fischer spoke at Hoosier Hank’s in Bloomington.
Right here’s what Woodson needed to say after beginning 1-1 in Massive Ten play, most not too long ago a 17-point drubbing to Nebraska final Friday:
• Woodson stated he was very happy with the workforce’s efficiency in opposition to Minnesota, notably noting spectacular showings from the bench and the protection all through the competition. “For 40 minutes we competed… the second half we simply stretched out and did all the pieces we wanted to do to safe the win. It was actually a complete workforce effort,” he stated.
• Towards Nebraska, Woodson highlighted an incapability to knock down open photographs. “We couldn’t make photographs coming down the stretch, which simply hasn’t occurred to our workforce fairly often. Particularly, we had good photographs that we couldn’t make.”
• Woodson was happy with the defensive efficiency regardless of the loss, saying it was “fairly good” regardless of some lapses and that Nebraska made robust, contested photographs.
• Woodson stated IU charted 24 of its 35 3-point makes an attempt versus Nebraska as “actually open” and so they simply didn’t fall however is happy with the power to create open seems to be and can “take his probabilities.”
• After Fischer identified a mixed three factors between Oumar Ballo and Malik Reneau within the second half, Woodson stated they did the “proper factor” by sacrificing the ball to move out of double groups. “Nebraska selected to take these guys out and never allow them to play and so they benefitted from it.”
• Woodson stated Myles Rice “helped us make the run to get again” when he scored 13 consecutive factors within the second half, however he might have taken a greater shot the subsequent possession shortly earlier than Nebraska began its game-ending run.
• Woodson on Bryson Tucker in opposition to Minnesota: “I assumed he got here off the bench and did a hell of a job.”
• Woodson on Mackenzie Mgbako in opposition to the Cornhuskers: “We’ve acquired to have him on the ground. He got here out making an attempt to be too aggressive… that’s one thing that we noticed early in his freshman yr. We’ve acquired to get him again going as a result of he’s an enormous piece to what we’re doing.”
• Persevering with on Mgbako, Woodson stated he wants to verify he’s doing the suitable issues on each ends of the ground. “You possibly can’t simply play offense. You’ve acquired to defend, too, at that place.”
• Requested about rebounding, Woodson stated they’ve mounted points with offensive rebounds allowed and is extra involved with limiting turnovers.
• On speaking: “It’s large… You add seven new faces, you’ve acquired to get acquainted with each other in a short time. We’ve had our struggles in that space when it comes to speaking, particularly on the defensive finish.”
• On the identical subject, Woodson stated the workforce’s defensive effort and communication is “not the place I feel it must be.”
• Requested about Myles Rice’s management, Woodson stated he’s nonetheless rising into the function however that Luke Goode “has in all probability been probably the most outspoken man on our ball membership.”
• Woodson stated he wants among the veterans like Malik Reneau to step up and play a “main function” within the management facet.
• Woodson stated when Luke Goode shoots “I be ok with each time he lets it go,” and he wants the senior’s confidence to maintain capturing.
• On engaged on zone protection: “We’ve got performed some zone previously… we’re going to wish it to gradual groups down once they get on runs… We have to get our man-to-man protection the place I feel it must be.”
• Woodson stated Gabe Cupps underwent profitable knee surgical procedure final week, however that he’ll “in all probability” be redshirted and sit out the remainder of the season.
• Woodson stated the gamers can go residence for Christmas on Dec. 22 however should report again for observe the evening after Christmas.
• On the passing of Dick Van Arsdale: “It’s a tragic day for Hoosier Nation. After I take a look at Indiana basketball, there have been so many gamers that paved the best way for Mike Woodson and plenty of gamers that got here after these guys. I’ve nothing however love and respect… he’s going to be missed.”
• Woodson stated the workforce will begin prepping for its Dec. 21 matchup in opposition to Chattanooga on Wednesday and that they’ll emphasize “primarily our protection and getting guys mentally again to creating photographs.”
• Woodson stated Ballo has misplaced 20 kilos since becoming a member of this system and that he’s achieved all the pieces that’s been requested of him to this point. “We’ve simply acquired to maintain pushing him, as a result of we’re going to wish him to play at a fair increased degree to assist us win basketball video games,” he stated.
Filed to: Mike Woodson
