BREAKING NEWS: “Not the Defensive Team We Should Be”: IU Basketball’s Mike Woodson Blames His Players for Loss Against Maryland
Indiana University men’s basketball head coach Mike Woodson did not mince words after his team’s disappointing loss to Maryland on Saturday night, delivering a candid critique of his players’ defensive effort in the aftermath of a game that many expected the Hoosiers to win.
Speaking to the media in the post-game press conference, Woodson, who has been known for his straightforward and no-nonsense coaching style, didn’t shy away from holding his players accountable for the 77-65 defeat.
“We are not the defensive team we should be,” Woodson said with frustration. “The effort tonight was not there. I don’t care who we’re playing, if we don’t bring it on defense, we’re going to lose. And that’s exactly what happened tonight. Maryland came in here and punched us in the mouth, and we didn’t respond.”
The Hoosiers were outplayed by a determined Maryland squad, who shot 48% from the field and capitalized on numerous defensive lapses throughout the game. Indiana’s defense, which had been touted as one of their strengths heading into the season, looked disjointed and lethargic, allowing the Terrapins to build an insurmountable lead that Indiana never fully threatened.
Woodson was particularly critical of his team’s inability to guard Maryland’s perimeter shooting. The Terrapins hit 12 three-pointers in the contest, many of which came from open looks that Woodson called “unacceptable.”
“We let them get too many easy shots from beyond the arc,” Woodson said, shaking his head. “We didn’t contest shots, we didn’t rotate properly, and we didn’t close out like we should have. That’s not how we play defense here. It’s embarrassing.”
While Woodson was quick to place blame on his players for the defensive breakdowns, he also acknowledged that there were missed opportunities offensively. Indiana shot just 39% from the floor and struggled to find any rhythm, especially in the second half when they were unable to make up any ground on Maryland’s lead.
“We’re not scoring enough, and when we do, we’re not executing consistently,” Woodson explained. “But at the end of the day, defense wins games, and right now, we’re not playing the defense we need to play to be a competitive team in this conference.”
The loss marks the Hoosiers’ second consecutive defeat in Big Ten play, dropping their record to 4-3 in the conference and raising concerns about their ability to compete for a high seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.
“I’m not going to sugarcoat it,” Woodson added. “We’ve got to be better, and it starts with the guys on the floor. They’ve got to take responsibility, and they’ve got to show up every night. This is Big Ten basketball. If you don’t play defense, you’ll get beat.”
While Woodson’s sharp comments have caused a stir among fans and players alike, many believe the tough love approach could be what the Hoosiers need to snap out of their recent funk. Indiana’s next challenge will come on Wednesday when they face off against a hungry Rutgers team, and it’s clear that the pressure is on for the Hoosiers to regain their defensive identity.
Indiana fans, who have high expectations for their team this season, will be hoping that Woodson’s public criticism serves as a wake-up call. The Hoosiers will need to show drastic improvement on both ends of the floor to get back on track and prove they are capable of living up to the potential Woodson believes they have.
Stay tuned as we continue to follow the Hoosiers’ response to Woodson’s fiery comments and whether they can bounce back in their next game.