Florida Gulf Coast didn’t secure a victory in the Indiana Hoosiers’ regular season opener, but the Hoosiers managed to secure a 69-63 win at Assembly Hall on Tuesday night. Senior guard Trey Galloway led the team with 16 points, shooting 7-for-9, while sophomore center Kel’el Ware achieved his first career double-double with 13 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, three blocks, and two steals. Here’s what Galloway and Ware had to say after the game.
Q: Trey, can you tell us about the three-guard lineup and how you closed out the game down the stretch? What’s the key to the cohesion in that unit?
GALLOWAY: “Yeah, I think down the stretch, it was crucial for us to find ways to get stops. This has to be our focus throughout the entire game, regardless of the lineup. We need to improve our defensive performance, understand our assignments, and cover the backside better. So, it’s about finding ways to enhance our overall defensive play, especially against their three-point shooting.”
Q: Trey, when you see a freshman like Gabe getting crucial minutes in a season opener as a true freshman, what are your thoughts, given your experience with the team?
GALLOWAY: “I thought Gabe did an excellent job stepping up in a high-pressure moment. He communicated well and remained composed, which was great to see. It gives us confidence in him, knowing that he can be trusted in clutch situations. His readiness off the bench was impressive.”
Q: Kel’el, in your first game for Indiana, you had some early blocked shots and played well. What does it mean to you to demonstrate your capabilities in this team?
WARE: “Every game, not just for me but for the entire team, we need to come out and give our best effort, playing hard to secure the win and show the fans what this team is capable of.”
Q: Kel’el, players often talk about their offense or defense getting them into a game. What is it for you when you contribute with scoring, rebounds, blocks, and assists at both ends of the court?
WARE: “It’s a 40-minute game, so whether it’s a block, a rebound, or a fast break, my focus is on contributing throughout the entire game, making an impact on both ends of the court.”
Q: Trey, what did this game reveal about your team? You had moments where you nearly took control, but the opponent came back. What did you learn about your team tonight?
GALLOWAY: “While we wanted to maintain a lead because we have the capability to do so, I was pleased with our resilience when we fell behind by six points late in the second half. We could have easily crumbled, but we made a strong comeback with our defensive intensity and energy. It’s a positive sign that we have players willing to fight when things aren’t going our way. We have room for improvement, but the ability to recover and secure the win was significant.”
Q: Kel’el, as a player near the rim, what do you observe that causes breakdowns in off-ball rotations for your team?
WARE: “I believe it’s mostly due to miscommunication. Once we get our communication in order, we’ll be better, both in off-ball situations and returning to our assignments.”
Q: Trey, how important is it for veterans like you, X, and Malik, who have been with the program for a while, to step up in crucial moments like you did in the second half?
GALLOWAY: “It’s crucial for us veterans to lead by example and guide our teammates. We understand what it takes to win at the highest level because of our experience here. Our main focus is to support and mentor our teammates, emphasizing the importance of staying focused, taking one possession at a time, and fighting for the win.”
Q: Trey, your team allowed 13 three-pointers tonight, many of which were open looks. What do you think broke down to give them those opportunities from beyond the arc?
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