What Mike Woodson Said After Indiana's Win Over Kennesaw State
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BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Hear from Indiana basketball head coach Mike Woodson following the Hoosiers' 69-55 win over Kennesaw State in the Hoosiers' final non-conference game of the season.
Read the full transcript below, or just watch the attached video of the entire press conference.
On what Tamar Bates has done the last couple games...
MIKE WOODSON: "Well, I mean, guys are going to have to step up. We're a little shorthanded. Tamar is starting to figure it out. He's done some good things for us throughout the 13 games that we've played. It's just that his minutes now are going to increase because we're going to need him to step up and play and make plays for us."
On if it's reassuring seeing the team face adversity in a game and this time being able to finish the job...
MIKE WOODSON: "Again, I don't like to look backwards. Arizona and Kansas were two games that we just didn't show up. They taught us how to play hard in those two particular games.
I thought tonight, I tip my hat to Coach Rahim and his team because I thought they played harder than we did the first half. I thought the second half we started to lock in defensively and figure some things out. It didn't hurt that we were making some shots. That helped."
On what went into the offensive adjustments moving Race to the top of the key...
MIKE WOODSON: "Well, again, I mean, we opened the floor up a little bit to get Schifino some room to work with the basketball, as well as Gallow. Tamar was on the back end of a lot of it, getting shots.
I ran a few things for Tamar to get shots, and he delivered for us. I thought Miller's shot coming down the stretch was one of the biggest shots of the game as well to give us a little bigger cushion to secure the win.
It was a total team effort. We just kind of opened the floor up a little bit offensively."
On offensive adjustments before Big Ten play...
MIKE WOODSON: "We got to get some healthy bodies back. That will help. I mean, the way teams are playing, when we had Trayce, hopefully he'll be back after the break, they were doubling. That's not going to change. Guys got to be able to make shots on the perimeter, it's just that simple, if we posting the ball some.
They doubled Race tonight. We got good looks and guys knocked some shots down, which we needed. That's what's going to have to happen as we continue."
Q. On if Trayce Jackson-Davis will be fresh and ready for Big Ten play in January...
MIKE WOODSON: "That's what I'm hoping. I'm hoping this break will allow him to rest a little bit more and he come back ready to go."
On Bates' work ethic in practice and beyond...
MIKE WOODSON: "Again, all our guys work. I mean, they have to. It's mandatory that they work. So I'm not surprised. I mean, he's put in the time and he's getting some more minutes now. He's been able to knock some shots down for us.
But, I mean, it's what he's capable of doing. It's what I expect. When I run plays for him, I expect him to deliver. I thought tonight he did."
On what the focus is for the team with 13 days off...
MIKE WOODSON: "Well, again, they'll go home for three, four days, visit loved ones. I'll be here waiting on 'em. I'm not going anywhere for Christmas. I'll be here in Bloomington.
When they get back, we'll start practicing on I think the 27th or 28th, get ready for the Big Ten run."
On when Xavier Johnson isn't available the importance for Bates to step up...
MIKE WOODSON: "It's huge. Gallow is capable of making plays with the basketball. He's capable of getting into the teeth of the defense. I mean, we going to need him. CJ will see some action as we go along. Based on matchups, maybe Kaleb Banks could be in there.
Right now when you have injuries, you just mix and match and you hope for the best. Guys got to be ready to play. That's all I can say."
On the fans...
MIKE WOODSON: "I thank all the fans for coming out. They didn't have to do that this evening to support us, the weather being so bad. I want to wish all the fans a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, as well as you guys.
Enjoy your time off."
Related stories on Indiana basketball
- GAME STORY Tamar Bates scored 19 points and Jalen Hood-Schifino added 18 as the Indiana guards took over the game late to lead the Hoosiers to a hard-fought 69-55 win over Kennesaw State on Friday at Assembly Hall. CLICK HERE
- TOM BREW COLUMN: Indiana freshman Jalen Hood-Schifino is mature beyond his years, but the pressure is on with Xavier Johnson (foot) out for a while. It's Hood-Schifino's team now, and he has to run the show when the Hoosiers hit Big Ten play. CLICK HERE
- WHAT TAMAR BATES SAID Indiana basketball guard Tamar Bates led the Hoosiers to a 69-55 victory over Kennesaw State on Friday. Bates scored 19 points off of three triples in his season-high 31 minutes of play. CLICK HERE
- PHOTO GALLERY Take a look at 20 action photos from inside Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall as the Hoosiers take down Kennesaw State in their final non-conference game of the season ahead of a 13-day break. CLICK HERE
- WATCH MILLER KOPP'S BIG THREE Indiana forward Miller Kopp leads the Hoosier starters in three-point percentage and knocked down a big one versus Kennesaw State to give Indiana the edge over the Owls in the second half. CLICK HERE
- WATCH TREY GALLOWAY'S TREY Watch this replay of Indiana guard Trey Galloway hitting a three-pointer in the Hoosiers' final non-conference game of the season versus Kennesaw State. CLICK HERE
- WATCH TAMAR BATES' DUNK Indiana guard Tamar Bates threw down a fast break dunk off of forward Miller Kopp's assist in the Hoosiers' home game versus Kennesaw State. Watch the highlight here. CLICK HERE
