Mike Woodson Discusses Preparation for Rematch Against Purdue Basketball

Indiana basketball coach Mike Woodson spoke to the media to discuss the team's preparation for a road matchup against rival Purdue at Mackey Arena on Saturday. Here's everything he had to say about the Boilermakers.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — In-state rivals Purdue and Indiana will meet on the basketball court for the second time this season on Saturday, tipping off at 7:30 p.m. ET inside Mackey Arena. 

The Hoosiers got the better of the Boilermakers back on Feb. 4, coming away with a 79-74 win at Assembly Hall. Ahead of the matchup, coach Mike Woodson spoke to the media to discuss the team's preparation. 

Here's everything he had to say about Purdue: 

On throwing multiple looks at Zach Edey on the defensive end of the court

Woodson: Well, I mean, we had a game plan going in, and I thought it worked the first half. You know, they made the adjustments in the second half, and Edey got loose, you know what I mean? We were still able to make some plays down the stretch to secure the win.

I mean, he is just a load. I haven't seen very many teams stop him this season. And watching him on film, you know, he is going to demand the ball, and they're going to go to him a lot. Our bigs are just going to have to battle as much as they can, and we've got to get them some help as much as we can and not let the rest of the supporting pieces get away from us.

I thought that was a really big difference in the game here.

On Indiana's bench struggling in road games throughout the season 

Woodson: It's always a concern when you go on the road. You want everybody clicking.

You know, I go back to last year. We played well on the road a lot of games, man, where we were in games. This year, I mean, even our last game, I thought the game plan was nicely done. We came out ready to play.

That team, I think it was six, seven minutes -- they only had, like, 13 points -- left in the half. Then all hell broke loose.

I wish I knew what the formula was to get us feeling good about the road. It's not just our team. There are a lot of teams in the Big Ten that struggle on the road and the environment that you play in.

I mean, I look at our numbers on the road versus at home. It's staggering. It's unbelievable. It's a major difference how we play at home, and when we get out on the road, it's totally the other way.

So we have one more game here to get out against Purdue before we come home and finish our last two at home. Then you have to go to Chicago. That's out on the road, so somehow we're going to have to figure it out.

On how Zach Edey has improved from last season to this season

Woodson: I think he is in better shape because he is playing longer minutes. Last year he played a little over half the game, and he played in spurts because he was sharing minutes with [Trevion] Williams. This year everything is geared to him.

He is in much better shape. You know, he is moving up and down the floor. Not that he didn't last year, but the fact that he knows he is going to demand the basketball and he has developed both hands extremely well. So it's not like you can give him angles. He is just a tough matchup, man. He is a nightmare for a lot of teams. Not just us.

You can't give him angles because he is good with both hands at making plays. He is good. That's all I can tell you. I like him.

On appreciating the matchup between Zach Edey and Trayce Jackson-Davis 

Woodson: It's competition. I love it. I mean, that's kind of as a coach what I live for, and watching so much talent in college basketball. I left the league that was just full-blown with talent. You sit and just marvel at guys.

There are a lot of people that were tuned into that Purdue-Indiana game here at Indiana, you can rest assured of that, and just to see the matchup. They didn't fail anybody who was watching because both of them played extremely well, and I can't help but think it's going to be the same way come Saturday.

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