Watch and listen to what Indiana basketball coach Mike Woodson said Friday morning ahead of IU vs. No. 2 Kansas at 12:30 p.m. ET on Saturday at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.
Watch and listen to what Indiana basketball coach Mike Woodson said Friday morning ahead of IU vs. No. 2 Kansas at 12:30 p.m. ET on Saturday at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.
Woodson previews the highly-anticipated matchup, what are the biggest challenges the Jayhawks present, an update on sixth-year starting point guard Xavier Johnson’s injury status and more.
MIKE WOODSON: I’ve known him for about 50 years. He influenced my life as a young basketball player growing up in Indianapolis, giving me the opportunity to play against him when he was a Pacer in the ABA days. It was truly unique for me.
I mean, we’ve been in touch for years. When I was lucky enough to play in the NBA, I had the opportunity to play against him. His bond has endured throughout the years.
It’s a tremendous loss. I mean, anytime you lose somebody like that, I mean, he was bigger than life, man. Just a beautiful person. Forget all the accolades. Hell, he was a better person than all the accolades that he received over the years. I mean, he was just special. So he’s going to be missed.
Q. I understand you were dissatisfied with the outcome last Saturday. What has your team’s reaction been to the loss on Saturday now that you’ve had some time this week to work with them? What have you attempted to concentrate on as you prepare for another difficult game against Kansas on Saturday?
MIKE WOODSON: When you experience a game like that, only thing you can do is go back and go to work. You practice to try to get better. Only time will tell.
I don’t know where we are until we tip it up tomorrow at 12:30. We’ll see where we are. I mean, we come back to practice and we work, we work. That’s the only way you going to get better.
Hopefully our work this week will pay off and we’ll see where we are.
Q. Any update on Xavier Johnson’s status for Saturday’s game? He had a tough last year with the injury. How has he navigated this stretch missing these games?
MR. MIKE WOODSON: It’s been difficult for him. I mean, you have two years in a row where you don’t play basketball. We went into this season expecting him to play. He isn’t present, thus…
I know it’s difficult for him. It’s difficult for us. But we have to keep marching based on who we have in uniform until he returns. I’m not sure when that will be. I simply do not.
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