What Xavier Johnson Said After Indiana's 72-64 Win Over Army

Here's everything Indiana senior point guard Xavier Johnson said after scoring 19 points in the Hoosiers' 72-64 win over Army.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana struggled for most of the game, but pulled away late to secure a 72-64 win over Army on Sunday night at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.

Senior point guard Xavier Johnson was second among Hoosiers in scoring, contributing 19 points on 4-for-8 shooting. He made 2-of-4 3-point attempts and all nine free throws, along with five assists and three rebounds. 

Here's everything Johnson said after the win.

Q. Coach Woodson mentioned you all stunk in the first half. I am curious what you feel like might be causing that.

JOHNSON: "I'm going to be honest. In practice we have our young guys, including myself. I'm not young, but including me, Galloway, and just the whole team. We're not going as hard. I think our preparation led to that, and that's what I believe."

Q. Coach Woodson said some of the young guys need to play a little bit harder in order to see minutes in the second half. How have you tried to kind of get through to them or help them through that as a veteran, like you mentioned, to get them where they need to be showing that intensity and showing that fire?

JOHNSON: "I try to tell them to do the right things. You do the right things, play hard, and Coach will reward you. I think a lot of guys go away from not playing as hard and just not want to play at all, but you have to play hard to play for Coach Woodson."

Q. Xavier, when you were in the half court, possessions went deep into the shot clock. It seemed like the ball was getting stuck a little bit, and when Army did miss shots, it was difficult to get in transition. How do you get that unstuck?

JOHNSON: "We just have to open up and play. Guys get standing with the ball, you know, we just stand and watch and wait until somebody makes a play, and that's what we have to get away from."

Q. X, Coach Woodson said as a team the guards weren't getting through ball screens as well as you guys did last year, and that's contributing to some of the challenges guarding the perimeter right now. Just curious as to your assessment of what you are seeing in that regard?

JOHNSON: "When I watched film on the last game, we're not getting over a lot of ball screens, you're right. I think it takes a lot of heart, and that's what Coach said to some of the young guys, you know, wanting to play, to get on the floor. I think we ran too many rotations, what-if rotations, and we have to stay out of those."

Q. Coach said the ball movement wasn't where he wanted it to be. How as a point guard can you help change that and initiate the movement?

JOHNSON: "Getting guys in the right spots and giving them the confidence to play. Coach instills confidence in them just to play, but it's kind of hard playing in front of thousands of fans and just executing."

Q. You're the leader of this offense, but it seems like when you are out on the floor, especially tonight, you had a few frustrating turnovers. What is it, do you think, that is contributing to that being the norm so far?

JOHNSON: "I think that goes back to the preparation. Guys in practice, you know, we just go soft up for layups. And when we turn over the ball, we think it's on the GAs that's reffing our little games when we play each other. I think with need to get stronger with the ball, and turnovers is the issue right now for this one game honestly."

Q. Obviously it's only two games into the season, but what's the offense supposed to look like? Obviously it looks disjoint, listless, whatever, right now. What's it supposed to look like?

JOHNSON: "Everybody touch the ball, move the ball. We have a whole bunch of talent. I know it's hard to see right now, but we actually do have a lot of good talent. We need to share the ball, move the ball, get the ball up the floor and run because that's what the offense is supposed to do. We're supposed to get out and get stops, and I think that's the main problem is we're not getting enough stops to get out and run."

Related stories on Indiana basketball

• GAME STORY: Three Hoosiers score in double figures, but Indiana often struggled as the offense looked stagnant and the defense gave up too many open 3-pointers against a weak opponent. CLICK HERE
• WHAT WOODSON SAID: Here's everything Indiana coach Mike Woodson said after the Hoosiers' 72-64 win over Army in the second game of the 2023-24 season. CLICK HERE