Postgame Quote: Indiana vs. Eastern Michigan
11/24/2017 7:35:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Indiana vs. Eastern Michigan
Postgame Quotes
Indiana Head Coach Archie Miller
COACH MILLER: Good win for our team. One-day prep for Eastern Michigan is hard. They play a very unique zone defense, and until you see them up close you don't really realize how long and how big they are. And playing against them in the past, I knew this was going to be a challenging game, especially on one day.
But I thought our staff and our team really worked hard yesterday to identify a couple of real key concepts to work against the zone, which was clearly to establish the ball getting inside and working through the paint. And I think that's a big reason why we had only eight turnovers. And also think the shot selection, being able to play inside the zone and out was pretty good. Guys got good looks and were able to knock them down for really the first time -- watching Josh and Rob make some shots, it felt a little different out there for us.
But all in all, good win for our team. We have to get back to the basics here and figure it out. And obviously Wednesday night is going to be a big game for us, just like every other game has been. But I think the competition level moving forward the next couple of weeks is going to be something that's really, really challenging for us. So we'll go back to work, use this weekend to get rested up and start over again next week.
Q. Obviously first time with Collin Hartman back on the court. Take us through the decision process.
COACH MILLER: The hope was to get him in maybe this week. I don't think he was very confident in himself. And that prevented him from playing on Wednesday.
The day in between, I think Tim and our docs really gave him encouragement that he's fine. I think for the first time he said to myself, if I'm going to get going I've got to get going. I've got to try it.
He was cleared yesterday. And definitely wanted to have an opportunity to see him get out there just so he can get moving. And lo and behold, bangs his first three and I think obviously a lot of pressure out of the building for him. So hopefully, knock on wood, keeping him healthy and getting him back, reacclimated into the lineup is really important.
Q. You touched on it a moment ago, how important is it to get your senior guards going?
COACH MILLER: It's really important because they're going to end up spearheading us through the rest of our season because of their experience level and the amount of games that they've played. And I think tonight those two guys were very efficient. I think you got a chance to see their ability to shoot the ball, which we haven't been doing very well right now in terms of just making shots.
But those two guys stepped in, they were ready to shoot and shot with great confidence. So really pleased with them. I thought Josh was by and afar a big, big difference maker today for us.
Q. Talk about going against a zone defense the caliber of Eastern Michigan's.
COACH MILLER: I thought our guys did a good job. We've actually been playing against a lot of types of zones here early in the season. It hasn't been a big flurry of man-to-man, so we've actually been working against it quite rarely. But that's a different zone, much more of a Syracuse feel with the wings very high on the floor, and they have legit size. It's tough to see them over at times.
So hitting the creases with the bounce passes and being able to work it then from either their partners in the paint with playing behind the backboard or them getting it out opposite for good looks, for the most part very patient. When we didn't working it outside, I don't think we're as good. But clearly to get eight turnovers was a big deal because if you turn it over against them, that's when they can become a real problem in transition for you.
Q. De'Ron and Juwan assisted each other on the first two buckets --
COACH MILLER: Yeah, we always tell them look for your buddy. There's usually going to be one opposite or one in the middle, one under or one over. And first look on any catch in the post or any catch in the paint is obviously your buddy.
I thought they did a great job of finding him early behind the basket. And De'Ron, in particular, was very effective. He wasn't on the floor enough for us because he can command a lot of attention and he's a good passer.
Q. 29 bench points. But the job that Freddie and Zach in particular did, can you talk about that?
COACH MILLER: Absolutely. I thought for the first time all season we just dove into the bench regardless of what we were thinking prior to going in. And it was a good step in the right direction for our team.
Sometimes it's not an individual's certain night; he doesn't have it going, and you have to be willing to trust the guys that are in there every day.
And Zach, in particular, what a great teammate. Probably should be in there a lot more right now and us learning our team and how we're doing things.
I think today he showed what he can bring to the table, which is an awesome attitude, unbelievable work ethic. And what he did in practice is what he did in the game. He impacted our team in a positive way.
Freddie really rebounded the ball for us tonight, had to play extended minutes, which was good to see. He continues to really go after balls, which is his best attribute. He did a really nice job.
And I thought other guys stepped up and played as well. Justin made some good plays. Al continues to be stellar just in terms of us trusting him with his IQ and how he plays.
To be honest, I'm not sure he's had a turnover in almost four games or whatever it may be. And he's doing a good job.
But we're going to get contributions I think all the way down the line and it's going to be one of those teams, I think, on a given night different guys will have to be ready to step up.
Q. With all the games you've had, you talked about how it's going to be a tough stretch, but tonight, the game, it all seemed to come together. Shots were falling and Freddie was working hard underneath. How do you see those guys getting so much energy after having been worked so hard?
COACH MILLER: We've had -- this has been an odd opening couple of weeks for us just as a staff. Usually you play like a Wednesday, Saturday. And you have another Wednesday/Saturday.
We've been very odd where it's been Friday to Sunday to Wednesday, I think again to Saturday or Sunday for South Florida, then coming back Wednesday/Friday. So the rhythm our players get in is hard.
They need rhythm as a player to rest, prep, play. We've been on the fly. And to their credit in the off days or the days in between the games, they've locked in on the message, whether that was disappointment from how we approached Arkansas State defensively, or some of the things we were going to have to do against the zone tonight, they took that and did a really nice job trying to execute it.
When the shots go in, when you make them, it makes everything look better, feel better. To have a couple of open ones go in was big.
Q. What did you think about the performance defensively and specifically on EMU's Elijah Minnie?
COACH MILLER: He got really going in the first half and we were soft on closeouts. I don't think -- you appreciate how big he is. Even if you're there he can get it off because of his size. And I think he made five 3s in the first half or four. Second half -- four 3s in the first half, and in the second half much better detail in terms of making them put the ball on the floor, make their team in general, try to put the ball on the floor, don't give him easy looks.
We were better in the second half. Just in terms of being able to address him, we still have a lot of things to work on. And clearly it's -- you want to say a work in progress, but we have to continue to try to get better. Our half court defense has to keep getting better.
Now it's going to be put to the test with the offenses and the teams we're playing that you're going to have to be really dialed in here moving forward over the next couple of weeks.
Q. Seemed to me it was characterized by hustle plays. Was it music to your ears to hear Juwan squealing when he got that ball and got on the floor?
COACH MILLER: Juwan had great effort there at times. I think Josh Newkirk made one of the great run-down blocks, and unfortunately we had three guys over there standing around watching him, and didn't run down to get the rebound. We had a lot of hard plays guys were making -- if you look at the offensive rebounding numbers in the second half -- challenged our team in the second half.
We weren't rebounding at all in the first half. We weren't getting on the offensive glass. They were outrebounding us by two, so to be able to look at what we did on the offensive glass in the second half, I know we were competing hard and playing harder.
Q. Going back to Al for a second, how rare is it for a guy like that to play as a freshman and not turn the ball over?
COACH MILLER: I mean, you're not going to find a guy early in his career that's this steady. He's playing both spots. He's much more of an efficient player straight line, doesn't need to have the ball on his hands a ton to be effective. I think if you just went by plus-minus, and sometimes it's good for you sometimes it isn't, our team has played six games. And by far the biggest gap of a guy being on the floor in terms of positive is Al.
He's probably, when he's on the floor, even coming into yesterday's game our team I think it's plus 35, plus 35 when Al's on the floor. That's really rare for a freshman to have that type of impact. And one of the reasons is he doesn't turn the ball over.
He takes care of the ball. He makes the right read. He's an efficient scorer. He's not even shooting the ball as well as he can. I think if he can get his legs under him, I think being able to stretch the floor for three is going to help him. He's off to a really good start, he's very coachable. He has a great attitude.
Q. Games and practices, do you see things clicking for these guys? Do you see them understanding more what you want from them?
COACH MILLER: I think so. We've had carry-over for a while where we started to get a little bit better. We played against a lot of zone defenses, so we're starting to get a little more comfortable. In the early part of year we went against a couple type of zones and how we have to play against it. So that's been a positive.
Defensively we're always trying to strive to take one step forward and not one back. That's probably our biggest disappointment is maybe coming off South Florida I really started to see things click. And then in these last two games I sort of see some bad breakdowns.
And part of the breakdowns is now when you have the breakdowns you don't play. You sort of figure out who is making those breakdowns, and if you can't improve you have play less.
That's what we kind of did in the second half tonight was to get guys in there you trusted were just going to play as hard as they could and do what you ask them to do and good things will happen. And being able to use our bench in the second half was a positive.
Q. Can you give us a take on Duke --
COACH MILLER: I haven't seen them play. Clearly whether they won or whatever they're ranked, I think they're as talented as a team in college basketball this season. They're as big and as skilled as a team as you're going to see. They have potentially two first team All-Americans on their team and (indiscernible) sort of what they're doing. But to be able to give you my thoughts on how they're playing or whatever I've not seen them enough. But understand we know what we're getting on Wednesday night.
Indiana Players – Zach McRoberts, Josh Newkirk, Freddie McSwain Jr.
Q. I thought that when I heard Juwan Morgan squeal on floor about six minutes left in the half, that kind of summed it up for me. Looked like a really hustling game from you guys. Archie has been saying, get on the floor, bring that out. Do you feel it's your best performance today in that regard?
JOSH NEWKIRK: We definitely play hard. Coach Miller emphasizes playing hard. Out there doing all the dirty things I think we did a good job today but we could always get better at it.
Q. Second time I think that back-to-back games Josh with single digits turnovers, how encouraging is that to you?
JOSH NEWKIRK: It means a lot. We pride ourselves on taking care of the ball. Limited turnovers. It makes our offense a lot better and it stops us from having to play a lot of defense and getting back on defense and defensive transition.
Q. Josh, you looked really comfortable with your shot today. The last couple of games been feeling a little more in rhythm?
JOSH NEWKIRK: I credit my teammates. They've been doing a good job of finding me, and I just knock down the shots.
Q. What was working well for you today?
FREDDIE MCSWAIN JR.: Just keeping my body on my opponent, trying to use my quickness around them, boxing them out and trying to beat them to the ball, and hustle plays, just trying to get my team an opportunity to get an offensive possession.
Q. Coach talked Wednesday night about really needing to respect maybe even fear Eastern Michigan's 2-3 zone. You started both halves strong against that zone. How do you critique your own performance not just against their length but the overall defense today?
ZACH MCROBERTS: I think that's something we've got to look at the film at. I thought we did a good job but obviously we can build from this, learn from it, practice what we need to get better at. I think we can only improve.
Q. Josh, the game at one point, it was 49-47 and then all of a sudden a few minutes later it's 80-60. What did you feel were the two or three most important things that helped extend the lead?
JOSH NEWKIRK: We just stayed composed. We stayed together. We got defensive stops, we got turnovers and we just stayed true to what we did on offense and it worked out.
Q. Josh, do you feel that this team is getting more comfortable game by game?
JOSH NEWKIRK: Definitely, everybody is getting comfortable with the offensive style, the defensive schemes. We've just been practicing a lot. I think everybody is feeling more comfortable understanding that we're all helping each other. I think it's coming along.
Q. One of the things that's been missing is the 3-point shooting. Tonight you guys were lights out. Shot 50-something percent tonight. Tonight it was 12, the most you hit all season. Where did that come from, that big jump?
JOSH NEWKIRK: I think we did a good job on offense, getting it to the middle of the zone. And then our big guys did a good job of finding us on the perimeter. I credit them, I think that's what helped us.
Q. Josh, you said just that everybody is getting more comfortable. What do you attribute it to? Is it just time on task and being able to have actual game time or there may be some specific things you can point to?
JOSH NEWKIRK: Just practice. We are like five, six games in, so everybody is getting more comfortable. Everybody is understanding what's needed of them. And we're holding each other accountable. I think that's the biggest part.
Q. Josh, Al Durham had his third straight game without a turnover. For a freshman to come in have that kind of ball security what does that say?
JOSH NEWKIRK: That says a lot about him. He takes pride in taking of the ball and making the right decision. We're going to need him to keep doing that.
Q. What did you do guys do on Thanksgiving? You came out ready to play. Can you talk about that a little bit.
FREDDIE MCSWAIN JR.: We just enjoy each other's company. Had Thanksgiving with our coach and our team and just had a bonding experience with each other. And I guess it took over to the court.
ZACH MCROBERTS: About Thanksgiving? We had practice and got to go over to Coach Miller's house and just hang out, eat food. It was a good time.
Q. You know you don't get an assist if you rebound your own miss?
ZACH MCROBERTS: Why was testing it out.
FREDDIE MCSWAIN JR.: That's my spot.
Q. Josh, what does it mean to have Collin back in the lineup?
JOSH NEWKIRK: It meant a lot. His spark, his energy, all that definitely helped us out. Gave us a big spark off the bench. He played hard and gave us some quality minutes. So it definitely helped us.
Q. Did you think that first one was going in?
JOSH NEWKIRK: Yeah.
FREDDIE MCSWAIN JR.: Yeah, most definitely.
Q. How important is it to -- Collin only played six minutes -- how important is it to have him back in the mix especially with a team like Duke coming in next week?
JOSH NEWKIRK: It means a lot. He has a lot of experience. He brings a lot of value to the team. He knocks down the open shots, plays great defense. So to have him out there is a big contribution.
Eastern Michigan Head Coach Rob Murphy
Talk about the difference between the first and second half?
"Well I thought we played pretty good defense throughout the first half. But the start of the second half we were a little lethargic on offense which results in easy buckets for Indiana. Once they got up nine, they started to play a little more comfortable. We didn't keep the ball out of the inside, and then once we did that, they kicked it out. Newkirk did an unbelievable job of knocking down shots and getting the ball where it needed to be. He had a great floor game. I thought that was the difference."
What about Elijah Minnie? He was knocking down shots in the first half.
"Elijah got a little winded. But to their credit, they made some adjustments. I heard Coach Miller tell his guys to switch opposed to just guarding the ball and stopping our penetration. They did a really good job on him, but anytime you get up and you're at home you start to get comfortable. It's kind of hard once that momentum swings. So, I give those guys a lot of credit for playing really good defense, executing their offense. It was a good win for a really good basketball team."
What can you as a team take away from playing in a hostile environment like this?
"Just experience. We have nine new faces and it was the first road game for a lot our student-athletes. And when you go into a venue like this for the first time you may have some hiccups. What happened today was great for Indiana and it will be a learning experience for us."
You mentioned Newkirk, were there any other players on Indiana that specifically stood out?
"I thought as a unit they all played pretty well altogether. I like Johnson. He stepped up and hit some threes. I thought Davis was huge in size, sealing consistently. Those guys consistently just made plays on both ends of the floor. But I thought Newkirk was the catalyst today and did a great job on running his team. He hit big shots when needed and he did a really good job of defending our point guard."
Postgame Quotes
Indiana Head Coach Archie Miller
COACH MILLER: Good win for our team. One-day prep for Eastern Michigan is hard. They play a very unique zone defense, and until you see them up close you don't really realize how long and how big they are. And playing against them in the past, I knew this was going to be a challenging game, especially on one day.
But I thought our staff and our team really worked hard yesterday to identify a couple of real key concepts to work against the zone, which was clearly to establish the ball getting inside and working through the paint. And I think that's a big reason why we had only eight turnovers. And also think the shot selection, being able to play inside the zone and out was pretty good. Guys got good looks and were able to knock them down for really the first time -- watching Josh and Rob make some shots, it felt a little different out there for us.
But all in all, good win for our team. We have to get back to the basics here and figure it out. And obviously Wednesday night is going to be a big game for us, just like every other game has been. But I think the competition level moving forward the next couple of weeks is going to be something that's really, really challenging for us. So we'll go back to work, use this weekend to get rested up and start over again next week.
Q. Obviously first time with Collin Hartman back on the court. Take us through the decision process.
COACH MILLER: The hope was to get him in maybe this week. I don't think he was very confident in himself. And that prevented him from playing on Wednesday.
The day in between, I think Tim and our docs really gave him encouragement that he's fine. I think for the first time he said to myself, if I'm going to get going I've got to get going. I've got to try it.
He was cleared yesterday. And definitely wanted to have an opportunity to see him get out there just so he can get moving. And lo and behold, bangs his first three and I think obviously a lot of pressure out of the building for him. So hopefully, knock on wood, keeping him healthy and getting him back, reacclimated into the lineup is really important.
Q. You touched on it a moment ago, how important is it to get your senior guards going?
COACH MILLER: It's really important because they're going to end up spearheading us through the rest of our season because of their experience level and the amount of games that they've played. And I think tonight those two guys were very efficient. I think you got a chance to see their ability to shoot the ball, which we haven't been doing very well right now in terms of just making shots.
But those two guys stepped in, they were ready to shoot and shot with great confidence. So really pleased with them. I thought Josh was by and afar a big, big difference maker today for us.
Q. Talk about going against a zone defense the caliber of Eastern Michigan's.
COACH MILLER: I thought our guys did a good job. We've actually been playing against a lot of types of zones here early in the season. It hasn't been a big flurry of man-to-man, so we've actually been working against it quite rarely. But that's a different zone, much more of a Syracuse feel with the wings very high on the floor, and they have legit size. It's tough to see them over at times.
So hitting the creases with the bounce passes and being able to work it then from either their partners in the paint with playing behind the backboard or them getting it out opposite for good looks, for the most part very patient. When we didn't working it outside, I don't think we're as good. But clearly to get eight turnovers was a big deal because if you turn it over against them, that's when they can become a real problem in transition for you.
Q. De'Ron and Juwan assisted each other on the first two buckets --
COACH MILLER: Yeah, we always tell them look for your buddy. There's usually going to be one opposite or one in the middle, one under or one over. And first look on any catch in the post or any catch in the paint is obviously your buddy.
I thought they did a great job of finding him early behind the basket. And De'Ron, in particular, was very effective. He wasn't on the floor enough for us because he can command a lot of attention and he's a good passer.
Q. 29 bench points. But the job that Freddie and Zach in particular did, can you talk about that?
COACH MILLER: Absolutely. I thought for the first time all season we just dove into the bench regardless of what we were thinking prior to going in. And it was a good step in the right direction for our team.
Sometimes it's not an individual's certain night; he doesn't have it going, and you have to be willing to trust the guys that are in there every day.
And Zach, in particular, what a great teammate. Probably should be in there a lot more right now and us learning our team and how we're doing things.
I think today he showed what he can bring to the table, which is an awesome attitude, unbelievable work ethic. And what he did in practice is what he did in the game. He impacted our team in a positive way.
Freddie really rebounded the ball for us tonight, had to play extended minutes, which was good to see. He continues to really go after balls, which is his best attribute. He did a really nice job.
And I thought other guys stepped up and played as well. Justin made some good plays. Al continues to be stellar just in terms of us trusting him with his IQ and how he plays.
To be honest, I'm not sure he's had a turnover in almost four games or whatever it may be. And he's doing a good job.
But we're going to get contributions I think all the way down the line and it's going to be one of those teams, I think, on a given night different guys will have to be ready to step up.
Q. With all the games you've had, you talked about how it's going to be a tough stretch, but tonight, the game, it all seemed to come together. Shots were falling and Freddie was working hard underneath. How do you see those guys getting so much energy after having been worked so hard?
COACH MILLER: We've had -- this has been an odd opening couple of weeks for us just as a staff. Usually you play like a Wednesday, Saturday. And you have another Wednesday/Saturday.
We've been very odd where it's been Friday to Sunday to Wednesday, I think again to Saturday or Sunday for South Florida, then coming back Wednesday/Friday. So the rhythm our players get in is hard.
They need rhythm as a player to rest, prep, play. We've been on the fly. And to their credit in the off days or the days in between the games, they've locked in on the message, whether that was disappointment from how we approached Arkansas State defensively, or some of the things we were going to have to do against the zone tonight, they took that and did a really nice job trying to execute it.
When the shots go in, when you make them, it makes everything look better, feel better. To have a couple of open ones go in was big.
Q. What did you think about the performance defensively and specifically on EMU's Elijah Minnie?
COACH MILLER: He got really going in the first half and we were soft on closeouts. I don't think -- you appreciate how big he is. Even if you're there he can get it off because of his size. And I think he made five 3s in the first half or four. Second half -- four 3s in the first half, and in the second half much better detail in terms of making them put the ball on the floor, make their team in general, try to put the ball on the floor, don't give him easy looks.
We were better in the second half. Just in terms of being able to address him, we still have a lot of things to work on. And clearly it's -- you want to say a work in progress, but we have to continue to try to get better. Our half court defense has to keep getting better.
Now it's going to be put to the test with the offenses and the teams we're playing that you're going to have to be really dialed in here moving forward over the next couple of weeks.
Q. Seemed to me it was characterized by hustle plays. Was it music to your ears to hear Juwan squealing when he got that ball and got on the floor?
COACH MILLER: Juwan had great effort there at times. I think Josh Newkirk made one of the great run-down blocks, and unfortunately we had three guys over there standing around watching him, and didn't run down to get the rebound. We had a lot of hard plays guys were making -- if you look at the offensive rebounding numbers in the second half -- challenged our team in the second half.
We weren't rebounding at all in the first half. We weren't getting on the offensive glass. They were outrebounding us by two, so to be able to look at what we did on the offensive glass in the second half, I know we were competing hard and playing harder.
Q. Going back to Al for a second, how rare is it for a guy like that to play as a freshman and not turn the ball over?
COACH MILLER: I mean, you're not going to find a guy early in his career that's this steady. He's playing both spots. He's much more of an efficient player straight line, doesn't need to have the ball on his hands a ton to be effective. I think if you just went by plus-minus, and sometimes it's good for you sometimes it isn't, our team has played six games. And by far the biggest gap of a guy being on the floor in terms of positive is Al.
He's probably, when he's on the floor, even coming into yesterday's game our team I think it's plus 35, plus 35 when Al's on the floor. That's really rare for a freshman to have that type of impact. And one of the reasons is he doesn't turn the ball over.
He takes care of the ball. He makes the right read. He's an efficient scorer. He's not even shooting the ball as well as he can. I think if he can get his legs under him, I think being able to stretch the floor for three is going to help him. He's off to a really good start, he's very coachable. He has a great attitude.
Q. Games and practices, do you see things clicking for these guys? Do you see them understanding more what you want from them?
COACH MILLER: I think so. We've had carry-over for a while where we started to get a little bit better. We played against a lot of zone defenses, so we're starting to get a little more comfortable. In the early part of year we went against a couple type of zones and how we have to play against it. So that's been a positive.
Defensively we're always trying to strive to take one step forward and not one back. That's probably our biggest disappointment is maybe coming off South Florida I really started to see things click. And then in these last two games I sort of see some bad breakdowns.
And part of the breakdowns is now when you have the breakdowns you don't play. You sort of figure out who is making those breakdowns, and if you can't improve you have play less.
That's what we kind of did in the second half tonight was to get guys in there you trusted were just going to play as hard as they could and do what you ask them to do and good things will happen. And being able to use our bench in the second half was a positive.
Q. Can you give us a take on Duke --
COACH MILLER: I haven't seen them play. Clearly whether they won or whatever they're ranked, I think they're as talented as a team in college basketball this season. They're as big and as skilled as a team as you're going to see. They have potentially two first team All-Americans on their team and (indiscernible) sort of what they're doing. But to be able to give you my thoughts on how they're playing or whatever I've not seen them enough. But understand we know what we're getting on Wednesday night.
Indiana Players – Zach McRoberts, Josh Newkirk, Freddie McSwain Jr.
Q. I thought that when I heard Juwan Morgan squeal on floor about six minutes left in the half, that kind of summed it up for me. Looked like a really hustling game from you guys. Archie has been saying, get on the floor, bring that out. Do you feel it's your best performance today in that regard?
JOSH NEWKIRK: We definitely play hard. Coach Miller emphasizes playing hard. Out there doing all the dirty things I think we did a good job today but we could always get better at it.
Q. Second time I think that back-to-back games Josh with single digits turnovers, how encouraging is that to you?
JOSH NEWKIRK: It means a lot. We pride ourselves on taking care of the ball. Limited turnovers. It makes our offense a lot better and it stops us from having to play a lot of defense and getting back on defense and defensive transition.
Q. Josh, you looked really comfortable with your shot today. The last couple of games been feeling a little more in rhythm?
JOSH NEWKIRK: I credit my teammates. They've been doing a good job of finding me, and I just knock down the shots.
Q. What was working well for you today?
FREDDIE MCSWAIN JR.: Just keeping my body on my opponent, trying to use my quickness around them, boxing them out and trying to beat them to the ball, and hustle plays, just trying to get my team an opportunity to get an offensive possession.
Q. Coach talked Wednesday night about really needing to respect maybe even fear Eastern Michigan's 2-3 zone. You started both halves strong against that zone. How do you critique your own performance not just against their length but the overall defense today?
ZACH MCROBERTS: I think that's something we've got to look at the film at. I thought we did a good job but obviously we can build from this, learn from it, practice what we need to get better at. I think we can only improve.
Q. Josh, the game at one point, it was 49-47 and then all of a sudden a few minutes later it's 80-60. What did you feel were the two or three most important things that helped extend the lead?
JOSH NEWKIRK: We just stayed composed. We stayed together. We got defensive stops, we got turnovers and we just stayed true to what we did on offense and it worked out.
Q. Josh, do you feel that this team is getting more comfortable game by game?
JOSH NEWKIRK: Definitely, everybody is getting comfortable with the offensive style, the defensive schemes. We've just been practicing a lot. I think everybody is feeling more comfortable understanding that we're all helping each other. I think it's coming along.
Q. One of the things that's been missing is the 3-point shooting. Tonight you guys were lights out. Shot 50-something percent tonight. Tonight it was 12, the most you hit all season. Where did that come from, that big jump?
JOSH NEWKIRK: I think we did a good job on offense, getting it to the middle of the zone. And then our big guys did a good job of finding us on the perimeter. I credit them, I think that's what helped us.
Q. Josh, you said just that everybody is getting more comfortable. What do you attribute it to? Is it just time on task and being able to have actual game time or there may be some specific things you can point to?
JOSH NEWKIRK: Just practice. We are like five, six games in, so everybody is getting more comfortable. Everybody is understanding what's needed of them. And we're holding each other accountable. I think that's the biggest part.
Q. Josh, Al Durham had his third straight game without a turnover. For a freshman to come in have that kind of ball security what does that say?
JOSH NEWKIRK: That says a lot about him. He takes pride in taking of the ball and making the right decision. We're going to need him to keep doing that.
Q. What did you do guys do on Thanksgiving? You came out ready to play. Can you talk about that a little bit.
FREDDIE MCSWAIN JR.: We just enjoy each other's company. Had Thanksgiving with our coach and our team and just had a bonding experience with each other. And I guess it took over to the court.
ZACH MCROBERTS: About Thanksgiving? We had practice and got to go over to Coach Miller's house and just hang out, eat food. It was a good time.
Q. You know you don't get an assist if you rebound your own miss?
ZACH MCROBERTS: Why was testing it out.
FREDDIE MCSWAIN JR.: That's my spot.
Q. Josh, what does it mean to have Collin back in the lineup?
JOSH NEWKIRK: It meant a lot. His spark, his energy, all that definitely helped us out. Gave us a big spark off the bench. He played hard and gave us some quality minutes. So it definitely helped us.
Q. Did you think that first one was going in?
JOSH NEWKIRK: Yeah.
FREDDIE MCSWAIN JR.: Yeah, most definitely.
Q. How important is it to -- Collin only played six minutes -- how important is it to have him back in the mix especially with a team like Duke coming in next week?
JOSH NEWKIRK: It means a lot. He has a lot of experience. He brings a lot of value to the team. He knocks down the open shots, plays great defense. So to have him out there is a big contribution.
Eastern Michigan Head Coach Rob Murphy
Talk about the difference between the first and second half?
"Well I thought we played pretty good defense throughout the first half. But the start of the second half we were a little lethargic on offense which results in easy buckets for Indiana. Once they got up nine, they started to play a little more comfortable. We didn't keep the ball out of the inside, and then once we did that, they kicked it out. Newkirk did an unbelievable job of knocking down shots and getting the ball where it needed to be. He had a great floor game. I thought that was the difference."
What about Elijah Minnie? He was knocking down shots in the first half.
"Elijah got a little winded. But to their credit, they made some adjustments. I heard Coach Miller tell his guys to switch opposed to just guarding the ball and stopping our penetration. They did a really good job on him, but anytime you get up and you're at home you start to get comfortable. It's kind of hard once that momentum swings. So, I give those guys a lot of credit for playing really good defense, executing their offense. It was a good win for a really good basketball team."
What can you as a team take away from playing in a hostile environment like this?
"Just experience. We have nine new faces and it was the first road game for a lot our student-athletes. And when you go into a venue like this for the first time you may have some hiccups. What happened today was great for Indiana and it will be a learning experience for us."
You mentioned Newkirk, were there any other players on Indiana that specifically stood out?
"I thought as a unit they all played pretty well altogether. I like Johnson. He stepped up and hit some threes. I thought Davis was huge in size, sealing consistently. Those guys consistently just made plays on both ends of the floor. But I thought Newkirk was the catalyst today and did a great job on running his team. He hit big shots when needed and he did a really good job of defending our point guard."
Players Mentioned
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