Postgame Quotes: Penn State
2/26/2025 11:59:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Postgame Quotes
Indiana vs. Penn State
Feb. 26, 2025
MIKE WOODSON | INDIANA HEAD COACH
Q. On relying on experienced guards in the second half…
WOODSON: Well, again, these guys are seniors. They don't get another shot at this. So, they know what it's about. Anthony (Leal) and Gallo (Trey Galloway) have been with me the longest. (Luke) Goode has had a good run at Illinois; now he's with us. Ballo (Oumar) is a senior. Gotta ride them, see where it leads us.
Q. On the team gelling together after the Wisconsin game…
WOODSON: I've never said that my team wasn't mentally tough or physically tough. I think at the end of the day -- we've lost some games that, I mean, we were right there. A bounce of the ball here or there, we're probably not even having this conversation.
But these guys are playing for something. We're trying to get in the tournament. And we've got three games left. Gotta go out west now tomorrow and we've got a few days to prepare and get ready for Washington.
Q. On Trey's ups and downs and how he has bounced back…
WOODSON: He's had a tough go at it. You guys gave him a hard time at one time. There's a lot of things. But I never stopped believing in Trey (Galloway). Trey's been with me the longest. He's put up with a lot of shit from me.
And I trust him. He does a lot of good things on the floor. Yeah, he makes mistakes. They all do. I make mistakes.
But at the end of the day, I know he's going to play hard and give 100 percent when he's out there, and that's all you can ask for.
Q. On any defensive adjustments or execution tactics after the break…
WOODSON: When we played them up at their place, the first seven minutes they got like 12 points just on backdoor cuts. And that was something -- we gave up two tonight -- that was something that we really focused in on.
And we tried to keep their side pick-and-rolls where they weren't rejecting us and sending it back over the top where all the help was. They still had success there.
But for the most part I thought our defense was pretty solid coming down the stretch. Both teams were scoring at will. And like I told them at halftime, the team that is going to defend and rebound this half is going to end up winning the game. I thought coming down the stretch we made the defensive stops we needed.
Q. On closing games out and Malik Reneau's absence…
WOODSON: Our defense has been solid. Malik (Reneau), right now, I'm just -- I've got to get an update. I know we took him to the hospital, the emergency. He was fine in shoot-around. Then he came down with something.
So, I don't know where we are with Malik right now. But the sooner he can get back, the better. But it's next man up. Everybody's got to just stay ready.
Q. On productive minutes from Kanaan Carlyle…
WOODSON: Stay ready. I mean, stay ready and focused because you just never know, man. This game is a funny game. And somebody goes down and you are mad at the coach because he hasn't played you. Now you're not mentally and physically ready to play.
I just tell guys, stay ready and what minutes you do get, make it the best minutes for our team in terms of helping us win basketball games. If you do that, then I'll come back your way again.
Q. On the team's improved ball movement and multiple scoring options…
WOODSON: It's something we've been searching for all season. I thought the second half of the Purdue game is the best we played all season, defensively. And we scored 48 points. So that meant the ball was moving and guys were sharing the basketball.
And tonight, you know, we shared it again. We scored 46 points and the ball was humping. And that's the way it's got to be.
We just can't rely on one guy. We've had four, five guys in double figures in two straight games. And we're going to need that going forward.
Q. On seeing the clutch threes go down from Trey Galloway and Myles Rice…
WOODSON: I've been saying that shit for three years. Guys have been getting good looks but hadn't knocked them down, and tonight we made them. It was nice to see. I hope that's a good sign moving forward.
OUMAR BALLO | SENIOR CENTER & TREY GALLOWAY | SENIOR GUARD
Q. On how fun that game was and the importance of finishing strong…
BALLO: You know, at this point in the season every game is important, but this one is special because we know we're playing for something big. And it was super fun to have our fans backing us up and keeping us in the game to the point that we took over.
Anytime we get a home win, super fun.
Q. On his strength advantage tonight…
BALLO: Yeah, for sure. Whenever you have couple of pounds on the defender, you need to take advantage of that. So, I was trying to put my body -- even though I missed some shots, but at the end of the day we got the job done. So that's what matters.
Q. On managing the emotions of the season…
GALLOWAY: I mean, it's been challenging. Every season has its own challenges. But I think just really just focusing on how can I make my team better and getting every day is the biggest thing I've been trying to do because everyone on our team has to make sacrifices for us to be successful.
Just really buying into the team and buying into everybody else is the biggest thing.
Q. On where the team's fight is coming from…
GALLOWAY: I think we're coming together, and we know we're a better team than we've shown. And we still have a chance and we're fighting for a spot in the tournament and we're fighting for just getting better and pushing our record in the Big Ten.
We're taking it one game at a time. We've got to keep focusing on the next game, which is Washington. So, I think just us really just buying in and really pushing each other to get better.
Q. On some freedom with this being the last ride…
GALLOWAY: Yeah, I think we just have to keep reminding each other to cherish every moment because wins and losses, it's all special because you're learning through it all.
So, I think just really cherishing these moments because when it's over we're all going to miss it and it's going to be tough to really understand what it meant to put this uniform on and to go to war with our brothers every day.
So, I think just really just cherishing every moment, highs and lows.
Q. On the team going 10-of-15 from 3-point range and Galloway's 3-point shooting…
GALLOWAY: I think just we knew that they're a heavy team that closes in on gaps. And I think we were going to be able to get open shots. And keep shooting the ball with confidence. That's the biggest thing we've been kind of preaching.
So, I think the shots really just came out of the offense. Couple of mine -- one was in transition, but just guys setting screens and moving the ball.
I think we're doing a great job of sharing it. Guys are being unselfish and really wanting to find ways for us to score. So, it's been good.
Q. On the team's 24 assists on 29 made field goals…
GALLOWAY: I think, like I said, guys trusting each other and making the right reads and making the right play because there's times where you might think an open shot is a good shot but we can always lead to better shots. I think we're doing that and being really unselfish.
It starts with obviously (Oumar) Ballo and getting the ball in the middle and making the right reads and us just being able to make reads, pick-and-rolls and making extra passes.
Q. On his appreciation for Trey Galloway and how he has contributed to Indiana throughout his whole career…
BALLO: You know, I've been in college for quite a long time now. I know this moment, man, they go fast. And for guys like Trey (Galloway) and (Anthony) Leal that have been here for five years, I know every single game means the world to them.
And for me too because this thing goes fast, and we have to take every game as important and we have to finish the season strong, not just for us but for the fans. And I feel like they deserve that, and we're pushing forward for that.
Q. On the team coming together more with better ball movement and more assists…
GALLOWAY: Like I said, we've really preached on sharing the ball and making the right play. And I think it really -- obviously it helps when you're making shots, too. Looks a lot better with 24 assists.
But we got great shots out of our offense flowing and being able to move the ball because we knew they were going to hard hedge and put two on the ball. There's going to be open reads out of it.
We prepped it. We did a great job on our preparation for this game to find the right spots and put guys in the right spots to make plays.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports
MIKE RHOADES | PENN STATE HEAD COACH
Opening Statement
RHOADES: I'm not happy with the result but I am super, super proud of my team. To come on the road and play here, against Indiana, who has been playing like the way they did the other day.
To give us a chance to win and the way we played today, I am a proud coach. We had a tough stretch here the last six weeks, but you see the fight we have had. There's always struggles throughout seasons, but our guys keep showing up and playing so credit to Indiana. They made plays and shots down the stretch. We didn't make enough of them.
That's sort of how it goes when you play a good team, but I'm really, really proud of our team, just disappointed with the result."
Q. On Indiana's lineup down the stretch…
RHOADES: They spread you out, different guys that can make plays in space, but also, they can shoot it. They don't always shoot like they did today, but they sure did today.
They made the big ones late. When you space the opponent out, and you have different guys that can make plays on a perimeter and shoot right, then your big man inside has more space to operate, go to work, and find his angles. So, you are picking your poison at times. But I think you know, when you have (Trey) Galloway out there, I don't know if he's the best player in the league, but I think he is the most valuable player. Dude is a winner. He is out there, and he is leading the charge for Indiana.
Q. On the last shot from Zach Hicks and if he wanted a better shot…
RHOADES: Yeah, I mean it is a two-possession game. So, you know, if you have an open three take it. If not, take it to the rim and make it a one-possession game. So, when it is a two-possession game like that you want to get to a one-possession game as fast as you can, so you have time to steal, set up press, call a timeout, whatever.
Yeah, I probably would have liked to.
Indiana vs. Penn State
Feb. 26, 2025
MIKE WOODSON | INDIANA HEAD COACH
Q. On relying on experienced guards in the second half…
WOODSON: Well, again, these guys are seniors. They don't get another shot at this. So, they know what it's about. Anthony (Leal) and Gallo (Trey Galloway) have been with me the longest. (Luke) Goode has had a good run at Illinois; now he's with us. Ballo (Oumar) is a senior. Gotta ride them, see where it leads us.
Q. On the team gelling together after the Wisconsin game…
WOODSON: I've never said that my team wasn't mentally tough or physically tough. I think at the end of the day -- we've lost some games that, I mean, we were right there. A bounce of the ball here or there, we're probably not even having this conversation.
But these guys are playing for something. We're trying to get in the tournament. And we've got three games left. Gotta go out west now tomorrow and we've got a few days to prepare and get ready for Washington.
Q. On Trey's ups and downs and how he has bounced back…
WOODSON: He's had a tough go at it. You guys gave him a hard time at one time. There's a lot of things. But I never stopped believing in Trey (Galloway). Trey's been with me the longest. He's put up with a lot of shit from me.
And I trust him. He does a lot of good things on the floor. Yeah, he makes mistakes. They all do. I make mistakes.
But at the end of the day, I know he's going to play hard and give 100 percent when he's out there, and that's all you can ask for.
Q. On any defensive adjustments or execution tactics after the break…
WOODSON: When we played them up at their place, the first seven minutes they got like 12 points just on backdoor cuts. And that was something -- we gave up two tonight -- that was something that we really focused in on.
And we tried to keep their side pick-and-rolls where they weren't rejecting us and sending it back over the top where all the help was. They still had success there.
But for the most part I thought our defense was pretty solid coming down the stretch. Both teams were scoring at will. And like I told them at halftime, the team that is going to defend and rebound this half is going to end up winning the game. I thought coming down the stretch we made the defensive stops we needed.
Q. On closing games out and Malik Reneau's absence…
WOODSON: Our defense has been solid. Malik (Reneau), right now, I'm just -- I've got to get an update. I know we took him to the hospital, the emergency. He was fine in shoot-around. Then he came down with something.
So, I don't know where we are with Malik right now. But the sooner he can get back, the better. But it's next man up. Everybody's got to just stay ready.
Q. On productive minutes from Kanaan Carlyle…
WOODSON: Stay ready. I mean, stay ready and focused because you just never know, man. This game is a funny game. And somebody goes down and you are mad at the coach because he hasn't played you. Now you're not mentally and physically ready to play.
I just tell guys, stay ready and what minutes you do get, make it the best minutes for our team in terms of helping us win basketball games. If you do that, then I'll come back your way again.
Q. On the team's improved ball movement and multiple scoring options…
WOODSON: It's something we've been searching for all season. I thought the second half of the Purdue game is the best we played all season, defensively. And we scored 48 points. So that meant the ball was moving and guys were sharing the basketball.
And tonight, you know, we shared it again. We scored 46 points and the ball was humping. And that's the way it's got to be.
We just can't rely on one guy. We've had four, five guys in double figures in two straight games. And we're going to need that going forward.
Q. On seeing the clutch threes go down from Trey Galloway and Myles Rice…
WOODSON: I've been saying that shit for three years. Guys have been getting good looks but hadn't knocked them down, and tonight we made them. It was nice to see. I hope that's a good sign moving forward.
OUMAR BALLO | SENIOR CENTER & TREY GALLOWAY | SENIOR GUARD
Q. On how fun that game was and the importance of finishing strong…
BALLO: You know, at this point in the season every game is important, but this one is special because we know we're playing for something big. And it was super fun to have our fans backing us up and keeping us in the game to the point that we took over.
Anytime we get a home win, super fun.
Q. On his strength advantage tonight…
BALLO: Yeah, for sure. Whenever you have couple of pounds on the defender, you need to take advantage of that. So, I was trying to put my body -- even though I missed some shots, but at the end of the day we got the job done. So that's what matters.
Q. On managing the emotions of the season…
GALLOWAY: I mean, it's been challenging. Every season has its own challenges. But I think just really just focusing on how can I make my team better and getting every day is the biggest thing I've been trying to do because everyone on our team has to make sacrifices for us to be successful.
Just really buying into the team and buying into everybody else is the biggest thing.
Q. On where the team's fight is coming from…
GALLOWAY: I think we're coming together, and we know we're a better team than we've shown. And we still have a chance and we're fighting for a spot in the tournament and we're fighting for just getting better and pushing our record in the Big Ten.
We're taking it one game at a time. We've got to keep focusing on the next game, which is Washington. So, I think just us really just buying in and really pushing each other to get better.
Q. On some freedom with this being the last ride…
GALLOWAY: Yeah, I think we just have to keep reminding each other to cherish every moment because wins and losses, it's all special because you're learning through it all.
So, I think just really cherishing these moments because when it's over we're all going to miss it and it's going to be tough to really understand what it meant to put this uniform on and to go to war with our brothers every day.
So, I think just really just cherishing every moment, highs and lows.
Q. On the team going 10-of-15 from 3-point range and Galloway's 3-point shooting…
GALLOWAY: I think just we knew that they're a heavy team that closes in on gaps. And I think we were going to be able to get open shots. And keep shooting the ball with confidence. That's the biggest thing we've been kind of preaching.
So, I think the shots really just came out of the offense. Couple of mine -- one was in transition, but just guys setting screens and moving the ball.
I think we're doing a great job of sharing it. Guys are being unselfish and really wanting to find ways for us to score. So, it's been good.
Q. On the team's 24 assists on 29 made field goals…
GALLOWAY: I think, like I said, guys trusting each other and making the right reads and making the right play because there's times where you might think an open shot is a good shot but we can always lead to better shots. I think we're doing that and being really unselfish.
It starts with obviously (Oumar) Ballo and getting the ball in the middle and making the right reads and us just being able to make reads, pick-and-rolls and making extra passes.
Q. On his appreciation for Trey Galloway and how he has contributed to Indiana throughout his whole career…
BALLO: You know, I've been in college for quite a long time now. I know this moment, man, they go fast. And for guys like Trey (Galloway) and (Anthony) Leal that have been here for five years, I know every single game means the world to them.
And for me too because this thing goes fast, and we have to take every game as important and we have to finish the season strong, not just for us but for the fans. And I feel like they deserve that, and we're pushing forward for that.
Q. On the team coming together more with better ball movement and more assists…
GALLOWAY: Like I said, we've really preached on sharing the ball and making the right play. And I think it really -- obviously it helps when you're making shots, too. Looks a lot better with 24 assists.
But we got great shots out of our offense flowing and being able to move the ball because we knew they were going to hard hedge and put two on the ball. There's going to be open reads out of it.
We prepped it. We did a great job on our preparation for this game to find the right spots and put guys in the right spots to make plays.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports
MIKE RHOADES | PENN STATE HEAD COACH
Opening Statement
RHOADES: I'm not happy with the result but I am super, super proud of my team. To come on the road and play here, against Indiana, who has been playing like the way they did the other day.
To give us a chance to win and the way we played today, I am a proud coach. We had a tough stretch here the last six weeks, but you see the fight we have had. There's always struggles throughout seasons, but our guys keep showing up and playing so credit to Indiana. They made plays and shots down the stretch. We didn't make enough of them.
That's sort of how it goes when you play a good team, but I'm really, really proud of our team, just disappointed with the result."
Q. On Indiana's lineup down the stretch…
RHOADES: They spread you out, different guys that can make plays in space, but also, they can shoot it. They don't always shoot like they did today, but they sure did today.
They made the big ones late. When you space the opponent out, and you have different guys that can make plays on a perimeter and shoot right, then your big man inside has more space to operate, go to work, and find his angles. So, you are picking your poison at times. But I think you know, when you have (Trey) Galloway out there, I don't know if he's the best player in the league, but I think he is the most valuable player. Dude is a winner. He is out there, and he is leading the charge for Indiana.
Q. On the last shot from Zach Hicks and if he wanted a better shot…
RHOADES: Yeah, I mean it is a two-possession game. So, you know, if you have an open three take it. If not, take it to the rim and make it a one-possession game. So, when it is a two-possession game like that you want to get to a one-possession game as fast as you can, so you have time to steal, set up press, call a timeout, whatever.
Yeah, I probably would have liked to.
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