What Mike Woodson Said After Indiana's 70-58 Win Over Minnesota

Here's the full transcript of Mike Woodson's press conference following Indiana's 70-58 win at Minnesota Wednesday night.

Jack Ankony | Mar 7, 2024

What Mike Woodson Said After Indiana's 70-58 Win Over Minnesota /

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Indiana Hoosiers

Indiana won its third straight game Wednesday night, a 70-58 win at Minnesota.

Kel'el Ware led Indiana with 26 points and 11 rebounds, followed by 15 points from Mackenzie Mgbako, who made 3-of-4 3-point attempts. Trey Galloway continued to develop as a playmaker, dishing out 11 assists and scoring 13 points.

Here's everything coach Mike Woodson said after the win.

On Kel'el Ware's performance...

Woodson: "I just thought it was a total team effort from the beginning. Our defense set the tone, we rebounded the ball with them. Our two bigs got in foul trouble, so we were shuffling in and out. And the fact that Ware picked up two early and he didn't let that affect him and he came back in and he kept playing."

On Trey Galloway's 11 assists and development in that area...

Woodson: "Well again, he's been solid all season for us. He's done a lot of good things on both ends of the floor, and when I look at the stat sheet, we had 28 assists and he had 12 of them, that means everybody was sacrificing the ball and being unselfish and we made shots behind the pass. That helps a lot."

On Anthony Walker's play off the bench and injury...

Woodson: "I don't have any update, but he was solid. He gave us some positive minutes when our two big guys got in foul trouble, and so I'll know more on his injury tomorrow on his injury and know where he is moving forward."

On biggest difference during three-game win streak...

Woodson: "Well, it's just been guys are committing themselves. We're playing now like we should have been playing. X makes a difference, there's no doubt about that. He played 22 minutes tonight, but the other night was huge for us, him getting the 30 minutes that he played to help us secure the Maryland game. But, we're playing faster, and guys are making shots behind the offense, and that helps. When you go out on the road and you play defense like the last couple of games on the road, you give yourself a chance to win, and that's what we've done."

On news that he'll return to coach Indiana next season...

Woodson: "I'm not going to discuss my – I shouldn't have to sit here in front of you guys and discuss my job. No comment."

On what kind of skill sets he wants to add to next year's team...

Woodson: "I'm not going to discuss that. Right now, we're in the thick of the rest of the season. We've got Michigan State coming in this week, which is a big game for us, then we've got to start preparing after Michigan State for the tournament. So the portal is what it is. When we sit down and start discussing that – we've had talks amongst ourselves, and we just have to figure that out as we get down the road."

On if he's felt support from the IU administration throughout the season...

Woodson: "I'm not discussing with you guys my job. I shouldn't have to do that. I feel good in my skin in terms of my job."

On senior day now compared to his time as a player...

Woodson: "Listen, you spend for years of your life at an institution playing the sport that you love, getting an education, it means a lot, man. These young kids now, they've got to figure out now what's their next move from a job standpoint. That's a big decision for all these young men to make. When I look back at it, hell, I was celebrating winning the Big Ten title my last game on Assembly Hall floor, not knowing what I was going to do. Hell, I didn't know if I was going to get drafted. I knew I had a shot at it and was fortunate enough to get drafted and play the 11 years that I played. But I don't know, man. These young men, man, that's a big night for them, put it that way, knowing they've got to go out in the world now and figure the rest of their lives out. That's pretty special."

On Mackenzie Mgbako's growth and case to win Big Ten Freshman of the Year...

Woodson: "Well, you think back, guys, to where we started with Mack. We just hung in there, he hung in there and kept working. He's starting to blossom in front of us, man, and that's kind of nice to see the work that he's put in. The staff has done a hell of a job in getting him where he is today, but he still has a ways to go, man. He's got to continue to work and grow to help us continue to win because that's what it's all about moving forward."