Indiana Coach Mike Woodson 'Very Pleased' With Xavier Johnson's Performance in Win Over Maryland
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Indiana head coach Mike Woodson headed to the podium to address the media following the Hoosiers' 74-64 win over Maryland on Thursday night. Indiana's 5-game losing streak is over!
Senior point guard Xavier Johnson led the pack with 24 points, a performance Woodson desperately needed to get the Hoosiers back on track.
Read Woodson's full transcript below, or watch the attached video of the entire press conference.
Q: On Xavier Johnson's strong performance...
MIKE WOODSON: Well, we need it. We're shorthanded. My other two point guards sitting on the sideline watching it with me. And for him to step up like he did and have the game after picking up two early fouls, man, I mean, you couldn't have asked for a better performance. I'm very pleased.
Q. On Race Thompson...
MIKE WOODSON: He's been that guy kind of all season for us. I know he was a little down after the — we all were after the Ohio State game, and for him to bounce back like he did and have the kind of game he had tonight, man, we're going to need that from everybody as we finish the season off.
I mean, you know, this was a big big win for our team tonight I thought. I mean, you lose five straight, man, and you're searching a little bit, you know, trying to figure out when you're going to stop the bleeding. And I thought tonight, boy, we stepped up and did what we had to do.
Q. On this game having the best second half offensive efficiency...
MIKE WOODSON: Well, it felt good. You know, I don't know how it's, I mean, we've had some games where we've come out in the second half and been great. But as of late, I mean, man, when you lose five games in a row, man, you're searching as a team.
These guys are not quitting. I'm telling you that now. They're competing every night. And that's all we can ask for, man. We try to put them in the best position possible. And I thought tonight they answered the bell big time.
Q. On Indiana's attitude...
MIKE WOODSON: Our attitude has been great. Even in the five game skid. I mean, guys you don't come out and, you know, take Ohio State on the road to overtime if you're not mentally and physically ready to compete. I mean, we've been competing.
I mean, we lost a close game here at home against Wisconsin. I mean, our guys are competing. And that's, from a coaching standpoint and our staff, that's all you can ask for, man. I mean, a play or two here or there, those two games we probably wouldn't be having this conversation. But at the end of the day, they're not quitting, and that's nice to see.
Q. On the two-foul strategy with Jackson-Davis and Johnson...
MIKE WOODSON: Listen, it's kind of a feel. I mean, I'm still learning these guys. I mean, I don't know, I think sometimes coaches have to have trust to make sure you know, Trayce has never really fouled out of the — I can't recall in past years Trayce even being in foul trouble.
But, you know, at the end of the day, it's a long game early, so for him to pick up three or X — I can't go anywhere with X. You know, I don't have another point guard out there, so you got to sit him down.
I think it was the right move for both of them. Give other guys an opportunity to step up and play.
Q. On the bench stepping up...
MIKE WOODSON: Well, again, I can't play Trayce and Race, you know, even X, I mean, I can't play them 40 minutes. So those guys — again, I've always said everybody's a part of this team that wears a uniform plays a role, and if you play two minutes, you better make it the most important minutes to help us win games, you know.
And I thought in that stretch when we had the second unit in there, we couldn't rebound the ball and they were able to take an 8-point lead and I believe they tied it. You know, I mean, we go in there, up three at half, and they're right there.
But for the most part, again, it was a total team effort, man, and I'm pleased as hell.
Q. On if Johnson puts a lot of pressure on himself...
MIKE WOODSON: Well, I think all these young players put pressure on themselves. If they could just stay out of the paper and leave social media alone, they might be a lot better.
You know, I mean, again, X means well. He wants to be great. He plays. He competes, man. He's a competitor. That's what he does, and he's had his ups and downs, man.
But for the most part, man, listen, this is the first time he and I have had an opportunity as coach/player to get together, man. I'm pleased at how he's played this year. He's come a long way from the beginning when we started to where he is today. When I see things like that, that means he's put in time and he's working.
Q. On if Woodson has been able to get his players off social media...
MIKE WOODSON: Not a lot.
No, really not a lot. I don't know how the social media thing works because, guys, I don't, you know, I think the university kind of handles my thing. And I couldn't tell you what people are saying or what's being said on our part. I don't have time for that.
My time is watching film and trying to get prepared to play basketball. And these guys should do the same. I mean, you know, I tell them all, leave social media alone, man. Concentrate on your studies and playing basketball. That's what you came to school for, but it's not that easy.
Related stories on Indiana basketball
- WHAT JOHNSON AND THOMPSON SAID: Indiana senior guard Xavier Johnson led the Hoosiers to victory putting up 24 points in the 74-64 win over Maryland. Redshirt senior forward Race Thompson was second in line with 19 points and nine rebounds. Read their full press conference transcript, or just watch the attached video. CLICK HERE.
- XAVIER JOHNSON'S NEAR PERFECT NIGHT SNAPS HOOSIERS' LOSING STREAK: Indiana point guard Xavier Johnson has been struggling of late, but he snapped out of it in a big way on Thursday night, scoring a season-high 24 points in the Hoosiers' 74-64 win over Maryland. CLICK HERE.
- LIVE BLOG: Relive Indiana's victory over Maryland by following all the play-by-play in our live blog. CLICK HERE
