Player Q&A: Gabe Cupps and Kel’el Ware react to Indiana basketball’s 76-72 loss against Northwestern

Indiana basketball players Kel’el Ware and Gabe Cupps spoke to reporters following Indiana’s 76-72 loss against Northwestern on Sunday afternoon at Assembly Hall.

They spoke about the rebounding struggles, free throw shooting, the team’s effort and more.

Below is the full video Q&As.

Q. Kel’el, when you see the 14 offensive rebounds Northwestern had that led to them getting a lot more shots than you guys did, what do feel like the issue is with your back line and not always being able to secure those rebounds on defense?

KEL’EL WARE: You got to box out more and crack down on the big when I go to like block a shot. Just got to work on rebounding more.

Q. Seventh time this year you guys shot 60% or worse at the free throw line. What’s not clicking there? What’s the weekly process looking like and why is it not translating?

GABE CUPPS: Yeah, we shoot a lot of free throws in practice because the coaches and we obviously see that that’s something that we can get better at.

So I think it just all comes down to confidence and just the mentality approaching the line with. I think it’s much more mental than physical. We get the reps in all week and have been throughout the season.

We just got to step up and knock them down with confidence.

Q. Coach Woodson said you missed out on a lot of 50/50 balls. Did you feel for some of the game the urgency wasn’t there for you guys? Was there last five or so minutes, but needed to have that urgency earlier in the game?

KEL’EL WARE: It’s always good to come out beginning of the game with energy. I feel like we lacked it a little bit, but we dug ourselves too deep of a hole in the second half to come back, which we tried to do.

Q. For both of you, 0.8 points per possession the first half; 12 points the first 11 minutes. What do you feel is wrong with the offense?

GABE CUPPS: I think it’s just the pace we run it with. Obviously the last four minutes we were pushing the ball. We were running everything with pace, and we have athletic, quick guys, guys that can make plays.

I think it’s just having a consistent pace, and we needed to it from the jump instead of waiting until our backs are against the wall.

Q. Gabe, 11 turnovers, 8 in the first half. Do you think that was more a product of Northwestern’s defensive pressure or not making the right additions?

GABE CUPPS: I think a little bit of it was they pressure the ball. They’re very well coached, they’re on top of scouting stuff.

I also think that sometimes we got a little bit passive in the first half compared to the second half. We were much more aggressive and not on our heels as much. When you’re on your heels you make poor decisions that lead to turnovers.

Q. Gabe, Boo Buie probably had one of his least efficient games today. You had that matchup a lot. I know you guys switched a lot, too. How do you feel like did you in that matchup? Did you feel like I grew up as a defender in this game a little bit?

GABE CUPPS: Yeah, he’s obviously a great player. Tough to defend no matter what night it is. I thought I did pretty well when he was in his isolation stuff. He is one of the best iso guys in the country.

I’ve always taken pride on the defensive side of the ball. At the end of the day, didn’t do enough. Got to get the win. He’s a great player. Just got to do the best I can.

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