Here's What Mike Woodson Said After Indiana's Tough Loss to Illinois on Saturday

Indiana coach Mike Woodson met with the media following Saturday's 70-62 loss to Illinois. He praised young stars Malik Reneau and Mackenzie Mgbako, but bemoaned missing 10 free throws and going 0-for-9 from three-point range as the reason for the defeat.

Tom Brew | Jan 27, 2024

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CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Indiana coach Mike Woodson met with the media following Saturday's 70-62 loss to Illinois. He praised young stars Malik Reneau and Mackenzie Mgbako, but bemoaned missing 10 free throws and going 0-for-9 from three-points as the reason for the defeat.

Here is the full transcript from his postgame press conference, with full video.

QUESTION: "Coach, obviously a lot of good things today, Mackenzie (Mgbako) and Malik (Reneau). In your eyes, not making any threes and the free throws, how big of a factor was that just down the stretch, or did you see something else?''

MIKE WOODSON: "That was the difference. Close games on the road, or anywhere, you've got to make free throws. We were 12-for-22, so that was not good for our ballclub, and we missed them at critical times when we needed them. But I was pleased that we had a week to work and we prepared for this team because that's a pretty good team. I thought defensively we played a great defensive game. But when you're on the road, you've got to do almost everything right to come out with a win.''

Q.: "Mike, I recognize the result is not what you want, but especially after Purdue, after Wisconsin and then having that week to dig in to things. I think you even described it as soul searching. How do you feel about the fight, the stubborness, and your team's performance?''

WOODSON: "Listen, I am about winning, man, and I want to win at all costs. Again, when you go through a Purdue game like we played, and a Wisconsin game where we played in spurts, I thought we were solid all the way through. We just didn't make the plays coming down the stretch. That's promising, and hopefully when we get the big fella (Kel'el Ware) back. I don't know if he's going to be back for the Iowa game or not, but we're going to try to get him going tomorrow if we can. Hopefully that will be some of the difference, because I think we are a better team when we've got him in. there clogging it up a little bit.''

Q: "Mike, what do you think was the biggest thing Mackenzie got out of this game? A little bit of the step in the right direction for him.''

WOODSON: "He's been solid, man. You think back to where he started, and where he was when we first started. He struggled. A lot of young players come into the league and into the college game from high school, and it's not easy. The Big Ten, surely it's not easy. I think Mack has come a long way from where he started and where he is today. He's just trying to do the right things on the floor, and he's still learning. He's in that learning stage from a defensive standpoint. He still has a way to go, but he's gotten better.''

Q: "Mike, you held Illinois about 20 points below their average. Defensively, how were you able to do that?''

WOODSON: "Well, we had the week to prepare. I thought they followed the game plan tonight. With our switches, we didn't get burned as much. We switched up and made the correct effort and defensive plays that we needed to make. Again, it's a fine line in winning on the road, man. You've got to do almost everything right, like make your free throws, don't go 0-for-9 from shooting the three-point ball. I mean, we had good looks. We just didn't make them.''

Q: "Mike, you got a lot out of (Xavier Johnson) tonight and you needed that. You've been talking about how much you need to get him rolling and he did a lot of good things. Obviously the free throws late hurt, but what did you think of his performance?''

WOODSON: "Well, again, it's promising. At the end of the day, if we're going to go anywhere, X and (Trey Galloway), I played (Anthony Walker) a lot tonight and I thought he had his moments and did a pretty good job for us. Our seniors are going to have to lead. Our young freshmen, and our sophomores, they're still trying to figure it out. You can't lay it all on those guys, because they haven't done it as long as these other guys have done it. I'm going to put it where it lies, and get them to help the younger guys win. They've got to be a big part of it.''

Q: "Your thoughts on Malik's game tonight.''

WOODSON: "Malik's been solid, man. What can you say? He's a sophomore that's starting to figure it out. He's improved from the time he came in here as a freshman and I can't help but think he'll continue to grow if he continues to work, and he does. We've just got to get everybody involved who's playing to be playing at a higher level to help him and to help us win basketball games.''

Q: "Coach, that smaller defensive lineup. Did you like what you got out of it, and will we see more of that down the line?''

WOODSON: "When teams force you to do that, all Big Ten teams are not small playing like that. Illinois is pretty much really the only team that plays like that, so they force your hand. It would have been interesting to see if the big fella did play where I could fit him in, because I could just put him at the rim like (Purdue) does with (Zach) Edey and you just protect the rim and you figure it out from there. But I didn't have to do that tonight. I feel like our guys played a solid game based on the scouting report.''

Q: "Mike you talked about Mackenzie earlier, and without Kel'el against Illinois, you're going to play smaller, but 12 rebounds. Is that evidence in your mind of just his engagement and how he's reading the game and his effort.''

WOODSON: "Listen, think back to where we started with him. It was a struggle. He didn't know any defensive rotations, and he's still struggling to guard his man when he's in a one-on-one position off the bounce. And that will come, he just needs more reps at it. Sometimes you have to fail to be successful. I like his work ethic. In practice, he gives you what he's got. But tonight, you saw it, a guy who was relentless on the boards when we needed it, and he made tough shots inside. I'm happy with Mack. I think he's going to continue to grow and get better.

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