Coach Q&A: Mike Woodson recaps 82-69 win over Michigan State

WOODSON: Trey. It started back again this summer when he was on the second unit. He and Tamar Bates had a lot of duties in terms of handling the ball when X was playing, so I had X and Jalen matched up against those two, and they had to bring the ball up the floor like point guards do, and you know, they had to be -- they had to be basketball players, that's kind of how I look at it, and we look at a lot of ball handling drills with our -- with all of our players, to make them feel comfortable about handling the basketball when they get on the game floor and they start playing for real.

So it's the work that he's put in this summer that's put him in the position to be able to get the trust from me and the coaching staff to let him run our point.

Q. On not always having to depend on Trayce Jackson-Davis

WOODSON: Well, again, this team was put together from last season for that reason alone where everybody had to play a role, and you know, we've had our ups and downs in terms of guys stepping up but these last three games, man, everybody that's played, has played a major, major role in us winning, and it's not just Trayce.

Trayce is kind of the guy that's driving the car, but the supporting cast has really pitched in and done their job as well.

Q. On Jackson-Davis’ decision making…

WOODSON: Well, again, they didn't really double. They kind of just dropped everybody and was in and out from a defensive standpoint. I thought early on, he missed about three or four when I call "chippies" that he normally makes but make no mistake about it. It was our defense that held us. At the ten-minute mark, I think they had 7 points.

So I just thought from a coaching standpoint if we could find some offense eventually, we would get back in the basketball game, and we did.

Q. On the level of play from Jackson-Davis…

MIKE WOODSON: I think you're looking at a complete player, man, for four years that has done it at a high level. I mean, can't a lot of players say they have averaged 18, 19, 20 a game every year in college.

You add his rebounding, his ability to block shots, his assists, his ability to handle the ball and pushing him to initiate the break, I mean, there's nothing the guy can't do on the basketball floor. He's making his free throws. I mean, he's a beautiful player to watch and he's done -- I'm just glad he's on our ballclub, put it that way.

Q. On the team’s recent success and difference in play…

WOODSON: Well, guys, when you lose two starters, and I go back to the Iowa game, you lose two starters, it's a shellshock to everybody, and especially when now you've got to depend on the Malik's and CJs and Jalen who has never played at this level a long period of time. And that's where we were.

I'm not using it as an excuse. You know, those guys, mentally, we were smacked in the face. When we started to go into the tailspin, the only way to get out of a tailspin, I've always believed this as a coach, you've got to work your way out of it.

So practice became even harder. And I became more demanding. I wanted more. We needed more, and we responded in the Wisconsin game and it's been a nice carryover to Illinois and now today. That's kind of where we are.

Q. On the response after a three-game losing streak…

WOODSON: It says a lot. They are not quitters. I've been a part of teams that just shut it down and say I'm done. But these guys, they are playing for something. The Big Ten Championship and title is still out there. Somebody's got to win it.

They are still competitive and they have got to stay competitive and stay humble and practice hard and do all the things that's necessary before you get ready for a ballgame to play.

Q. On the impact of Tamar Bates and Trey Galloway…

WOODSON: It's all about trust. You know, Tamar, he had been struggling the last few games, and he stepped up and played tonight. Gallo has been solid. He's been solid from day one. I like Gallo because he plays hard and does all the intangible things, things guys don't like to do. The trust factor is there. Jalen took a big blow and he was kind of hobbling around, so hell, I didn't think he had much in the tank at that time, so I rolled those guys.

Q. On the extra energy and competition between the teams…

WOODSON: I don't think it's by design. It's competition, man. Both teams are competitive. Any time you play an Izzo team there's well-coached by Izzo, they play hard and they push you to play hard. If you don't, you lose. I thought tonight, our guys stepped up, matched their energy and we were able to come out of here with the win.

Q. On the shift defensively late in the game…

WOODSON: Well, they made some shots. Hauser made some tough shots off the bounce as well as post-up play. Trey gave up a couple of buckets underneath on post-up plays.

So those are things I was screaming about the rest of the game, not giving up, and I thought we did a pretty good job on their perimeter play. So it was a solid team effort I thought.

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