News and notes from Mike Woodson’s radio show

“Inside Indiana Basketball with Mike Woodson” returned Monday night following Indiana’s 79-78 loss to Maryland on Sunday at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. Woodson sat down with Don Fischer at Hoosier Hank’s in Bloomington to address the state of the team, as well as their upcoming stretch.

Here’s a recap of what Woodson had to say after the Hoosiers’ fourth loss in their last five games:

• On the second-half collapse against Northwestern: “We just went cold and couldn’t guard the 3-point line. We made a run at the end to cut it four, but the damage was already done… everything that could go wrong went wrong.”

• Woodson said defensive miscues in “critical times” have been an issue over the last two games. He added he takes “full responsibility” but stressed the need for his players to pick themselves up and improve in late-game situations.

• On regrouping after Sunday’s loss: “It’s not going to always go your way. People are not always going to cheer for you, I get all that. I can’t concern myself about it and they can’t either.”

• On the perceived confusion during the final possession against Maryland: “It wasn’t confusion, we called a play, you got to execute it. We came nowhere near close to executing the play. They know our plays, we just failed to execute. As a coach, you wonder what they’re thinking at that particular time because there’s times throughout the game they executed very well.”

• Woodson said Luke Goode’s confidence has grown. “You think back when we first started this journey with this team, he struggled early on. He just kept working and working… I thought he played great last night.”

• Woodson said Oumar Ballo is in the “best shape he’s ever been wearing a college uniform.” He added that he started to “perfect” his left-handed shot with the help of Calbert Cheaney. “I feel good that he can step up and make free throws.”

• On the team’s defensive struggles: “We haven’t been the defensive team that I thought we should be… the last two games, we just have not guarded the 3-point shot very well and that’s mind boggling to me.”

• More on what’s causing the defensive struggles: “They all try to pay attention and listen to what’s been taught to them. It’s just learning to execute. That’s what it’s all about.”

• Woodson raved about Trey Galloway’s work ethic, saying he’s one of the hardest working players he’s coached. “He’s working his butt off. He plays hard. He tries to do the right things. He doesn’t always get it right, but I love him to death.”

• More on Galloway: “His teammates love him. I know when I put him out there, he’s gonna work his butt off and play hard for us. He makes mistakes, just like all players make mistakes. Some of those mistakes you have to live with, but I’ll go to war with Trey all day long every day.”

• Woodson said Kanaan Carlyle needs more confidence. “He’s struggled some this year, ain’t no doubt about that. When guys are feeling low and not doing what they’re supposed to do, you got to try to figure them out. You got to try to push the right buttons. I’m not throwing in the towel on him, because you never know we might have to really need him.”

• Woodson said the decision to start Ballo and Malik Reneau together depends on the opponent. He said that he thought the two helped Indiana get back into the game against Maryland.

• On Anthony Leal: “He’s kind of a glue guy. Even when he didn’t play much I felt comfortable throwing him in if I needed him in critical times… Anthony’s starting to figure it out, and we’re benefitting from it a little bit.”

• Asked if a team Indiana played previously was special, Woodson said the talent level in the Big Ten is off the charts. “Every team that we played is talented. They got bigs, they got guards, they got perimeter guys, they can make shots. It’s hard to single out anyone.”

• Woodson said Purdue hasn’t missed a “major beat” in the absence of Zach Edey. He mentioned Braden Smith and Trey Kaufman-Renn as particular challenges to overcome.

• On the mental state of the team: “Anytime you lose a game like you lost last night, the morale is a little low. I don’t have time for that as a coach, I’m not made like that.”

• More on where the team is at mentally: “You got to figure it out. You got to get them back, feeling good about themselves. We got a big game coming up on Friday, so we got to get them ready to go.”

Category: Media

Filed to: Mike Woodson