Indiana University Athletics
Thursday, November 10
Bloomington, Ind.
8:30 PM
Indiana University
vs
Bethune-Cookman
Full Speed – IU Drives to Push the Pace
11/10/2022 12:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Speed matters.
Mike Woodson believes that, pushes that, coaches that.
Are his No. 13 Indiana Hoosiers (1-0) up to it?
The early answer -- yes.
"That's something that will help us from an offensive standpoint," guard Tamar Bates says. "It's a credit to what we want to do on defense.
"We want to get stops and get out in transition and get easy baskets. We want to take advantage of those opportunities as much as we can."
IU's full-throttle approach was on display during Monday night's season-opening win against Morehead State. Figure to see more Thursday night against Bethune-Cookman (0-1).
"I would like to play faster and do more things in the open court," Woodson says. "I think we can, but we're still conditioning ourselves.
"We've got to be in great shape. I think we are based on all the running and things we've done from a weight (lifting) standpoint to get to this point."
Playing fast requires more than good conditioning. In other words, good and fit players.
"You've got to have the right pieces to do it," Woodson says. "Last year, we just didn't have a lot of guys that could handle the ball and make basketball plays and do things off the bounce individually. We didn't have that makeup of the team."
Woodson says returning players such as Bates, Trey Galloway and Jordan Geronimo have improved in those areas. As for the freshmen, "All those guys can do that," Woodson says.
All-America forward Trayce Jackson-Davis certainly can. He is playing with a wrapped right hand. Woodson said the padding helps with pain relief. Jackson-Davis had 15 points, seven rebounds and two steals in 23 minutes against Morehead State.
"We hope it's not something that will nag him the rest of the season," Woodson said. "We're looking at it cautiously because we've got a long season ahead of us and he's a big part of what we do."
Monday's 88-53 victory left Woodson with a few concerns, starting with free throw shooting. IU was 12-for-21 (57.1%) against Morehead State after going 11-for-18 (61.1%) against Saint Francis. That's a combined 58.9%.
For comparison, IU shot 70.0% from the line last year to rank last in the Big Ten and 233rd nationally.
"I don't like the fact we're missing free throws," Woodson says. "That's really bothering me."
Woodson also wants better rebounding than the Hoosiers' 33-28 edge against Morehead State.
"We've got to get better," Woodson says. "I've got to get our guards helping our bigs."
Freshmen Jalen Hood-Schifino and Malik Reneau continue to impress. Reneau had a strong college debut with 15 points and five rebounds in 17 off-the-bench minutes.
"Malik has been solid ever since he put on the uniform," Woodson says. "He and Jalen don't play like freshmen. They act like they belong."
He gets no argument from senior forward Race Thompson.
"You can't speed him up," Thompson says of Reneau. "That's one of his strengths. He gets to his spots.
"I've got to guard him every day. It's fun to compete with him. We push each other. He has really good footwork."
Reneau's versatility makes him an all-around threat.
"I've let him rebound, push the ball up, take it all the way to the buck and make plays," Woodson says. "He's made plays out of double-teams. He's shot out on the floor. Yes, his strength is playing inside-out, and I'm going to hold him to that, but he's a player who can do a little bit of everything. We're going to put him in position to do those things. I think we've done that."
Good guard play is critical to success. The Hoosiers have four who can run the show in Hood-Schifino, Bates, Galloway and Xavier Johnson.
Woodson says he likes to have the more-experienced Johnson on the floor with the second unit "because he's been around a lot longer. He can run our club."
So can Hood-Schifino, Woodson adds.
"He can play with any unit. Both of them can. I have no problems there."
As for Bates and Galloway, "We've given them an opportunity to handle the ball a lot. You can play them together. I feel good about our perimeter play and who plays what -- any position, really."
IU impressed Morehead State coach Preston Spradlin.
"Indiana is a really good team," he says. "They do a great job defensively. They're very dynamic with their size and athleticism, especially in transition. They are very deserving of being a top-15 team."
The Hoosiers' 52-18 advantage in points in the paint reflects their inside-first emphasis. They were 4-for-11 on three-pointers.
"That's what they do," Spradlin says. "They are not a big 3-point-shooting team.
"They are very good at protecting the paint and keeping the opponent out of it. They also are very good at getting in there. More often than not, they will win that battle in the paint with most of their matchups."
Bethune-Cookman opened with an 89-58 loss at Iowa Monday night. Guard Zion Harmon led with 15 points, seven assists and two blocks. Guard Marcus Garrett added 13 points.
The Wildcats are coached by Reggie Theus, a former NBA All-Star with more than 19,000 points and 6,000 assists. He played with Woodson for a couple of years in Kansas City and Sacramento.
Woodson joked that Theus was a good teammate, but "We would always ride him. He would throw us bad passes when we were in scoring position, so we couldn't shoot it. We had to pass it back. That was a big issue. We had to get him straight, tell him to put the ball in the pocket where we can catch it and be ready to score.
"We've been friends since 1981 or '82. I'm happy to do this game with these guys."
During Wednesday's Zoom conference, Woodson was asked about playing Kentucky. Wildcats coach John Calipari had earlier said the programs were working to resume the annual series, which ended after forward Christian Watford's game-winning shot in December of 2011 at Assembly Hall. The teams have played twice since then in the NCAA tourney, going 1-1.
Woodson says he and Calipari have been friends for years, they've talked a lot of basketball X's and O's, and that both want to play each other. He says he hopes a contract is finalized soon.
"Right now, it's still in the talking stages."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Speed matters.
Mike Woodson believes that, pushes that, coaches that.
Are his No. 13 Indiana Hoosiers (1-0) up to it?
The early answer -- yes.
"That's something that will help us from an offensive standpoint," guard Tamar Bates says. "It's a credit to what we want to do on defense.
"We want to get stops and get out in transition and get easy baskets. We want to take advantage of those opportunities as much as we can."
IU's full-throttle approach was on display during Monday night's season-opening win against Morehead State. Figure to see more Thursday night against Bethune-Cookman (0-1).
"I would like to play faster and do more things in the open court," Woodson says. "I think we can, but we're still conditioning ourselves.
"We've got to be in great shape. I think we are based on all the running and things we've done from a weight (lifting) standpoint to get to this point."
Playing fast requires more than good conditioning. In other words, good and fit players.
"You've got to have the right pieces to do it," Woodson says. "Last year, we just didn't have a lot of guys that could handle the ball and make basketball plays and do things off the bounce individually. We didn't have that makeup of the team."
Woodson says returning players such as Bates, Trey Galloway and Jordan Geronimo have improved in those areas. As for the freshmen, "All those guys can do that," Woodson says.
All-America forward Trayce Jackson-Davis certainly can. He is playing with a wrapped right hand. Woodson said the padding helps with pain relief. Jackson-Davis had 15 points, seven rebounds and two steals in 23 minutes against Morehead State.
"We hope it's not something that will nag him the rest of the season," Woodson said. "We're looking at it cautiously because we've got a long season ahead of us and he's a big part of what we do."
Monday's 88-53 victory left Woodson with a few concerns, starting with free throw shooting. IU was 12-for-21 (57.1%) against Morehead State after going 11-for-18 (61.1%) against Saint Francis. That's a combined 58.9%.
For comparison, IU shot 70.0% from the line last year to rank last in the Big Ten and 233rd nationally.
"I don't like the fact we're missing free throws," Woodson says. "That's really bothering me."
Woodson also wants better rebounding than the Hoosiers' 33-28 edge against Morehead State.
"We've got to get better," Woodson says. "I've got to get our guards helping our bigs."
Freshmen Jalen Hood-Schifino and Malik Reneau continue to impress. Reneau had a strong college debut with 15 points and five rebounds in 17 off-the-bench minutes.
"Malik has been solid ever since he put on the uniform," Woodson says. "He and Jalen don't play like freshmen. They act like they belong."
He gets no argument from senior forward Race Thompson.
"You can't speed him up," Thompson says of Reneau. "That's one of his strengths. He gets to his spots.
"I've got to guard him every day. It's fun to compete with him. We push each other. He has really good footwork."
Reneau's versatility makes him an all-around threat.
"I've let him rebound, push the ball up, take it all the way to the buck and make plays," Woodson says. "He's made plays out of double-teams. He's shot out on the floor. Yes, his strength is playing inside-out, and I'm going to hold him to that, but he's a player who can do a little bit of everything. We're going to put him in position to do those things. I think we've done that."
Good guard play is critical to success. The Hoosiers have four who can run the show in Hood-Schifino, Bates, Galloway and Xavier Johnson.
Woodson says he likes to have the more-experienced Johnson on the floor with the second unit "because he's been around a lot longer. He can run our club."
So can Hood-Schifino, Woodson adds.
"He can play with any unit. Both of them can. I have no problems there."
As for Bates and Galloway, "We've given them an opportunity to handle the ball a lot. You can play them together. I feel good about our perimeter play and who plays what -- any position, really."
IU impressed Morehead State coach Preston Spradlin.
"Indiana is a really good team," he says. "They do a great job defensively. They're very dynamic with their size and athleticism, especially in transition. They are very deserving of being a top-15 team."
The Hoosiers' 52-18 advantage in points in the paint reflects their inside-first emphasis. They were 4-for-11 on three-pointers.
"That's what they do," Spradlin says. "They are not a big 3-point-shooting team.
"They are very good at protecting the paint and keeping the opponent out of it. They also are very good at getting in there. More often than not, they will win that battle in the paint with most of their matchups."
Bethune-Cookman opened with an 89-58 loss at Iowa Monday night. Guard Zion Harmon led with 15 points, seven assists and two blocks. Guard Marcus Garrett added 13 points.
The Wildcats are coached by Reggie Theus, a former NBA All-Star with more than 19,000 points and 6,000 assists. He played with Woodson for a couple of years in Kansas City and Sacramento.
Woodson joked that Theus was a good teammate, but "We would always ride him. He would throw us bad passes when we were in scoring position, so we couldn't shoot it. We had to pass it back. That was a big issue. We had to get him straight, tell him to put the ball in the pocket where we can catch it and be ready to score.
"We've been friends since 1981 or '82. I'm happy to do this game with these guys."
During Wednesday's Zoom conference, Woodson was asked about playing Kentucky. Wildcats coach John Calipari had earlier said the programs were working to resume the annual series, which ended after forward Christian Watford's game-winning shot in December of 2011 at Assembly Hall. The teams have played twice since then in the NCAA tourney, going 1-1.
Woodson says he and Calipari have been friends for years, they've talked a lot of basketball X's and O's, and that both want to play each other. He says he hopes a contract is finalized soon.
"Right now, it's still in the talking stages."
FB: Curt Cignetti - Pre-Heisman Press Conference
Thursday, December 11
FB: Fernando Mendoza - Pre-Heisman Press Conference
Wednesday, December 10
IUBB Postgame Press Conference
Tuesday, December 09
Darian DeVries Postgame Press Conference
Tuesday, December 09