What Miller Kopp, CJ Gunn Said After Indiana’s Win Over Elon

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Miller Kopp had the recent hand initially of Tuesday’s sport, scoring Indiana’s first eight factors in opposition to Elon.

CJ Gunn had a chance for extra minutes with Xavier Johnson, Trayce Jackson-Davis and Jordan Geronimo out as a consequence of harm, and Gunn scored a career-high 11 factors. 

Here is what Gunn and Kopp mentioned after the sport. 

On what went proper for Gunn on Tuesday…

Gunn: It felt good. Coach simply at all times tells me and the opposite guys to simply keep prepared and be able to hoop, and I really feel like that is what I did immediately. Clearly I wished to get within the sport, so once I get the chance I’ll play the very best ball I can and do the issues Coach asks me to do.

On how Gunn approaches video games like this…

Gunn: I am simply taking part in the sport the appropriate manner. Final 12 months I used to be used to taking part in in opposition to tiddlywinks, so now it is a completely different stage. It is a completely different stage of ball. I’ve simply bought to regulate to the sport, and it comes with practising laborious and meshing with the blokes, and that is how I take a look at it.

On the staff adjusting to new lineups and rotations…

Kopp: Properly, I imply, within the season, it is a lengthy season. If you consider it, we have got so many Large Ten video games left, too. We’re not waiting for that, however on the identical time, that is an enormous a part of the season is forward. Truthfully, it is about making guys come collectively. I at all times say, when the spider webs unite, you’ll be able to tie up a lion. On the finish of the day, it is nearly getting guys to know that we’d like everyone, and we’re solely as sturdy as our weakest hyperlink. All people is coming alongside for certain.

On taking part in at Meeting Corridor after two away video games…

Kopp: It was good. We love taking part in at dwelling. We apply right here day-after-day just about, and it is a dwelling fitness center for us. We really feel most snug right here. It is undoubtedly good to be again.

On Jalen Hood-Schifino’s function with Xavier Johnson out…

Kopp: Properly, issues undoubtedly change with X out, a man who’s one in every of our main scorers and one in every of our leaders, too, on the ground with the ball in addition to along with his voice. He is an enormous loss, however on the identical time, ‘Fino is certainly making strides. He makes strides day-after-day. The child is a relentless employee. On the finish of the day, we’re tremendous snug with the place he is at and the place he is going.

On CJ Gunn’s efficiency…

Kopp: Properly, one of many hardest issues to do once you’re coming in as a freshman is you wish to please, you wish to do properly. On the identical time, you need to study what the coaches are asking of you and what the blokes want from you. His function, identical to once I was a freshman, may be completely different now than it’s in two years. However proper now, one in every of his targets, and he’ll let you know, is simply to get on the ground and get within the rotation. Actually day-after-day in apply he performs laborious as ever. He talks, he is attempting to do the appropriate issues. Sure, there are mess-ups, however on the identical time, all of it comes from an excellent place, and he is doing issues at a thousand miles an hour. On the finish of the day, as a man who’s been right here for some time in school, it makes me blissful to see a man like CJ work so laborious and proceed to do issues the appropriate manner as a result of ultimately it is going to construct up, and he’ll see the advantages for certain.

• INDIANA-ELON GAME STORY: With out main scorers Trayce Jackson-Davis and Xavier Johnson, Indiana coach Mike Woodson experimented with new rotations in a 96-72 win over Elon. Freshman CJ Gunn and sophomore Logan Duncomb completed with profession highs in factors, and Race Thompson led the way in which with an 18-point, 11-rebound double-double. CLICK HERE
• WHAT WOODSON SAID: Indiana basketball moved to 9-3 with a 96-72 win over the Elon Phoenix on Tuesday at Meeting Corridor. Here is what coach Mike Woodson mentioned after the sport, with the complete transcript and video connected. CLICK HERE
• JOHNSON, JACKSON-DAVIS OUT: Indiana basketball can be with out beginning ahead Trayce Jackson-Davis and level guard Xavier Johnson on Tuesday in opposition to the Elon Phoenix at 7 p.m. ET at Simon Skjodt Meeting Corridor. CLICK HERE
• GERONIMO INJURY UPDATE: Indiana junior ahead Jordan Geronimo was in full uniform for Tuesday’s sport in opposition to Elon, however coach Mike Woodson mentioned after the sport that Geronimo didn’t play as a consequence of a dislocated finger. CLICK HERE