Indiana University Athletics
Postgame Quotes Marian at No. 17/18 Indiana (Exhibition)
11/1/2024 10:30:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Postgame Quotes
Marian at No. 17/18 Indiana (Exhibition)
Nov. 1, 2024
MIKE WOODSON | INDIAN HEAD COACH
Q. On the shot making…
WOODSON: Again, we didn't shoot it well from the three-point line. We shot it well from twos. You know, we had all about looks and we're going to keep shooting them. You know, eventually they will go in. But you know, what I like most about the game tonight, we defended. We had 33 assists and ten turnovers. So that's a positive.
Q. On Bryson Tucker
WOODSON: I'm high on everybody on this team, not just Bryson Tucker. He's a young freshman that has got a nice skillset and especially on both ends of the floor. He's long and athletic and he handles the ball. He can score the ball. He can do a lot of things. But he's got to learn the college game, and he's young at it right now and we've just got to keep pushing him in the right direction.
Q. On Jakai Newton
WOODSON: Jakai, this is the first I'm he's played, which just brought a smile to my face because this young man has been working and working and working to get back, and finally got a chance to get a few minutes and I thought it's positive. You could tell he's rusty. He hasn't played.
But he's a talented young man. You know, I've seen him in practice do things that I knew he could do when we recruited him, and we just got to continue to nurse him and get him back a 100 percent because he's not there yet.
Ballo's the same way. We monitored both of those guys' minutes tonight, and it's going to be that way until we think they are truly comfortable in playing big minutes.
Q. On Oumar Ballo…
WOODSON: Ballo has proven what he did at Arizona, he's a double-double guy. He's capable of getting you ten points, ten rebounds. I mean, and he plugs the middle up.
So I mean, there's a reason why we went after him hard when he became -- when he went into the portal, and you know, we've just got to keep working with him, get him in tiptop shape because he's not where I want him to be yet and we're going to keep pushing him until he gets there.
But hey, he's headed in the right direction and doing some nice things for our ballclub.
Q. On Ballo's passing…
WOODSON: No, he can pass the ball. He's a big man that's been proven that he can pass the ball. I mean, he hits cutters. He plays good buddy ball, like we call. He and Malik are learning each other more and more that they have been together.
And he's unselfish. I mean, it's not just about him thinking he needs to demand the basketball. I mean, he's a good team player that does a lot of good things for your team.
Q. On the pairing with Malik Reneau…
WOODSON: Again, they both can pass the ball and they both can score down low and they both can handle the basketball. That's a nice combination. We're going to need them to continue to grow together, man, if we're going to be a big-time team.
Q. On the depth of the team…
WOODSON: Again, I mean, this is the deepest team that we've had since I've been here. Knowing that we've got a lot of work in terms of what I'm looking for in a team, and you know, we're not shooting the ball well right now from the three-point line, and that's kind of disturbing.
But you know, I'm not going to harp on it because again, we are getting them up, and coming into the Tennessee game and this game, we had been shooting the three ball really well.
We've just got to keep working at it and get guys comfortable and see where it leads us.
Q. On the injuries…
WOODSON: He's got some bruised ribs. He took a shot in the Tennessee game, and so we just kind of are nursing him back and taking it a day at a time. I mean, eventually he'll be back on the floor.
Q: On Pat Knight's return…
WOODSON: Not only Steve, we had Nancy Knight back, and I had not seen Ms. Knight in 40 years. It was really nice seeing her.
Steve and I have stayed in contact for many, many years and we talk off and on, so it was great having him back.
And it was nice having Pat back here in Assembly Hall. You know, it's been a while. You know, Pat is special to this program because of his dad and he's gone through it, and to get his mom back here, boy, was kind of special tonight, I think.
GABE CUPPS | SOPHOMORE GUARD & JAKAI NEWTON | REDSHIRT FRESHMAN
Q. On Newton's return…
CUPPS: Back out there playing and contributing cup cup it means a ton just to see all he's been through, all he's been fighting for however many years.
But I couldn't be happier for him. Just always been rooting for him to try to get back on the court. Try to do his thing because I know he's a great player, and how much he loves the game. It's amazing to see.
Q. On returning to the lineup…
NEWTON: It was just great to be out there. It's been so long, just realizing that practice shape and games is two different things. I've got to get adjusted to that.
But I feel good from being in practice, and I think it will translate as the season goes on.
Q. On how he is feeling…
NEWTON: I would say I'm 100 percent. I've been limited in practice by the coaches just to keep me healthy but I feel 100 percent.
Q. On Tucker…
CUPPS: I would say his ability to score the ball. He's just a scorer at heart. He's always trying to get a bucket and just his confidence. He plays with the ease and a flow that's very rare for somebody as a freshman coming in.
So the sky is the limit for Tuck. I think he can do whatever he sets his mind so to.
Q. On the 3-point shooting…
CUPPS: I'm not concerned with it. We have great shooters on the team. We are going to make shots. We trust it. Coaches trust it. Those are going to fall. We know it will.
Q. On Tucker's energy…
NEWTON: He's definitely advancing. He's super athletic and he can get to his mid-range and he can shoot the ball. He can be a key player for us going through the season.
Q. On Myles Rice…
CUPPS: Myles is just a great leader, great person. Obviously he's a great basketball player. But I mean, he's done a great job of just bringing energy and life to our team, and then just playing great basketball. He plays the right way. Makes the extra pass. Attacks. Get in transition. But yeah, he's been really good for us, and I think he's only going to get better throughout the season.
Q. On Ballo…
NEWTON: Brings a whole other level. He's a guy that brings so much attention just by himself. Him being able to kick the ball out to the open man, it's important for us.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports
PAT KNIGHT | MARIAN HEAD COACH
Q. On being back in Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall…
KNIGHT: (Kissing the court) was a spur of the moment deal. This place is a special place. I grew up here. I had a key to Assembly Hall. This was my playground. The visitor locker rooms are still shitty from when I was a young kid. I used to play in that locker room, and they haven't changed the carpet yet. This is like home to me. It's special to be back with friends family and the university. It was a special place for my dad (Bob Knight). Woody is here now. It was great coming back. It wasn't emotional, but more excitement and fun to come back.
Q. On Indiana's performance…
KNIGHT: We were trying everything. We're young and undersized. I know these transfers because I scouted them the last couple of years. I really like this team and their personality. The one thing you learn in scouting is it's not just the talent. These kids' intel is off the charts. Not just basketball, but as human beings. That is very important to have talent, but also good people off the court with the work ethic. I told Woody when they signed these three kids (Oumar Ballo, Myles Rice, Kanaan Carlyle). That I think this team is going to be really good. Not just because of their talent, but because of they have the right mindset. Woody coaches them hard and these kids take hard coaching. They came from good programs. They have shooting. They have guys that can drive and shoot from the midrange. They have everything they need to have a good year.
Q. On having an experience early in the year for their team…
KNIGHT: It's great. My guys were scared. You could tell. This is the biggest crowd they will play in front of all year. I told them I scouted against three of these guys last year in person. (Indiana) is a legit team. It was good for us. We will have a lot of tape. I wish it would be better for them. We were trying stuff to get a little bit out of it. We will watch this tape all day tomorrow. It's great to show these guys because I told them I was worried about them not competing. That was what the situation was great about. We will talk to them about their body language, their defense and playing hard. For me, it was great from the standpoint that we got beat. They beat us handedly, but it was good for these kids to learn what the next level is all about.
Marian at No. 17/18 Indiana (Exhibition)
Nov. 1, 2024
MIKE WOODSON | INDIAN HEAD COACH
Q. On the shot making…
WOODSON: Again, we didn't shoot it well from the three-point line. We shot it well from twos. You know, we had all about looks and we're going to keep shooting them. You know, eventually they will go in. But you know, what I like most about the game tonight, we defended. We had 33 assists and ten turnovers. So that's a positive.
Q. On Bryson Tucker
WOODSON: I'm high on everybody on this team, not just Bryson Tucker. He's a young freshman that has got a nice skillset and especially on both ends of the floor. He's long and athletic and he handles the ball. He can score the ball. He can do a lot of things. But he's got to learn the college game, and he's young at it right now and we've just got to keep pushing him in the right direction.
Q. On Jakai Newton
WOODSON: Jakai, this is the first I'm he's played, which just brought a smile to my face because this young man has been working and working and working to get back, and finally got a chance to get a few minutes and I thought it's positive. You could tell he's rusty. He hasn't played.
But he's a talented young man. You know, I've seen him in practice do things that I knew he could do when we recruited him, and we just got to continue to nurse him and get him back a 100 percent because he's not there yet.
Ballo's the same way. We monitored both of those guys' minutes tonight, and it's going to be that way until we think they are truly comfortable in playing big minutes.
Q. On Oumar Ballo…
WOODSON: Ballo has proven what he did at Arizona, he's a double-double guy. He's capable of getting you ten points, ten rebounds. I mean, and he plugs the middle up.
So I mean, there's a reason why we went after him hard when he became -- when he went into the portal, and you know, we've just got to keep working with him, get him in tiptop shape because he's not where I want him to be yet and we're going to keep pushing him until he gets there.
But hey, he's headed in the right direction and doing some nice things for our ballclub.
Q. On Ballo's passing…
WOODSON: No, he can pass the ball. He's a big man that's been proven that he can pass the ball. I mean, he hits cutters. He plays good buddy ball, like we call. He and Malik are learning each other more and more that they have been together.
And he's unselfish. I mean, it's not just about him thinking he needs to demand the basketball. I mean, he's a good team player that does a lot of good things for your team.
Q. On the pairing with Malik Reneau…
WOODSON: Again, they both can pass the ball and they both can score down low and they both can handle the basketball. That's a nice combination. We're going to need them to continue to grow together, man, if we're going to be a big-time team.
Q. On the depth of the team…
WOODSON: Again, I mean, this is the deepest team that we've had since I've been here. Knowing that we've got a lot of work in terms of what I'm looking for in a team, and you know, we're not shooting the ball well right now from the three-point line, and that's kind of disturbing.
But you know, I'm not going to harp on it because again, we are getting them up, and coming into the Tennessee game and this game, we had been shooting the three ball really well.
We've just got to keep working at it and get guys comfortable and see where it leads us.
Q. On the injuries…
WOODSON: He's got some bruised ribs. He took a shot in the Tennessee game, and so we just kind of are nursing him back and taking it a day at a time. I mean, eventually he'll be back on the floor.
Q: On Pat Knight's return…
WOODSON: Not only Steve, we had Nancy Knight back, and I had not seen Ms. Knight in 40 years. It was really nice seeing her.
Steve and I have stayed in contact for many, many years and we talk off and on, so it was great having him back.
And it was nice having Pat back here in Assembly Hall. You know, it's been a while. You know, Pat is special to this program because of his dad and he's gone through it, and to get his mom back here, boy, was kind of special tonight, I think.
GABE CUPPS | SOPHOMORE GUARD & JAKAI NEWTON | REDSHIRT FRESHMAN
Q. On Newton's return…
CUPPS: Back out there playing and contributing cup cup it means a ton just to see all he's been through, all he's been fighting for however many years.
But I couldn't be happier for him. Just always been rooting for him to try to get back on the court. Try to do his thing because I know he's a great player, and how much he loves the game. It's amazing to see.
Q. On returning to the lineup…
NEWTON: It was just great to be out there. It's been so long, just realizing that practice shape and games is two different things. I've got to get adjusted to that.
But I feel good from being in practice, and I think it will translate as the season goes on.
Q. On how he is feeling…
NEWTON: I would say I'm 100 percent. I've been limited in practice by the coaches just to keep me healthy but I feel 100 percent.
Q. On Tucker…
CUPPS: I would say his ability to score the ball. He's just a scorer at heart. He's always trying to get a bucket and just his confidence. He plays with the ease and a flow that's very rare for somebody as a freshman coming in.
So the sky is the limit for Tuck. I think he can do whatever he sets his mind so to.
Q. On the 3-point shooting…
CUPPS: I'm not concerned with it. We have great shooters on the team. We are going to make shots. We trust it. Coaches trust it. Those are going to fall. We know it will.
Q. On Tucker's energy…
NEWTON: He's definitely advancing. He's super athletic and he can get to his mid-range and he can shoot the ball. He can be a key player for us going through the season.
Q. On Myles Rice…
CUPPS: Myles is just a great leader, great person. Obviously he's a great basketball player. But I mean, he's done a great job of just bringing energy and life to our team, and then just playing great basketball. He plays the right way. Makes the extra pass. Attacks. Get in transition. But yeah, he's been really good for us, and I think he's only going to get better throughout the season.
Q. On Ballo…
NEWTON: Brings a whole other level. He's a guy that brings so much attention just by himself. Him being able to kick the ball out to the open man, it's important for us.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports
PAT KNIGHT | MARIAN HEAD COACH
Q. On being back in Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall…
KNIGHT: (Kissing the court) was a spur of the moment deal. This place is a special place. I grew up here. I had a key to Assembly Hall. This was my playground. The visitor locker rooms are still shitty from when I was a young kid. I used to play in that locker room, and they haven't changed the carpet yet. This is like home to me. It's special to be back with friends family and the university. It was a special place for my dad (Bob Knight). Woody is here now. It was great coming back. It wasn't emotional, but more excitement and fun to come back.
Q. On Indiana's performance…
KNIGHT: We were trying everything. We're young and undersized. I know these transfers because I scouted them the last couple of years. I really like this team and their personality. The one thing you learn in scouting is it's not just the talent. These kids' intel is off the charts. Not just basketball, but as human beings. That is very important to have talent, but also good people off the court with the work ethic. I told Woody when they signed these three kids (Oumar Ballo, Myles Rice, Kanaan Carlyle). That I think this team is going to be really good. Not just because of their talent, but because of they have the right mindset. Woody coaches them hard and these kids take hard coaching. They came from good programs. They have shooting. They have guys that can drive and shoot from the midrange. They have everything they need to have a good year.
Q. On having an experience early in the year for their team…
KNIGHT: It's great. My guys were scared. You could tell. This is the biggest crowd they will play in front of all year. I told them I scouted against three of these guys last year in person. (Indiana) is a legit team. It was good for us. We will have a lot of tape. I wish it would be better for them. We were trying stuff to get a little bit out of it. We will watch this tape all day tomorrow. It's great to show these guys because I told them I was worried about them not competing. That was what the situation was great about. We will talk to them about their body language, their defense and playing hard. For me, it was great from the standpoint that we got beat. They beat us handedly, but it was good for these kids to learn what the next level is all about.
Players Mentioned
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/ Men's Basketball
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/ Men's Basketball
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Forward
/ Men's Basketball
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Forward
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