We’re coming together’: Indiana’s late-season fight was on full display against Penn State
“At this point in the season every game is important, but this one is special because we know we’re playing for something big,” Ballo said. “And it was super fun to have our fans backing us up and keeping us in the game to the point that we took over. Anytime we get a home win, super fun.”
Indiana does look well aware of what it’s playing for. Yes, its NCAA Tournament hopes are showing life — IU is currently projected to make the Big Dance, per Bracket Matrix.
But even beyond that, this team has just played with a different vibe over the past few weeks. Perhaps Indiana finalizing Mike Woodson’s status as head coach eased some tension in the locker room. The Hoosiers no longer have to worry about whether their performance would get their coach fired; they can now just go play ball. In the five games since IU’s announcement that he’ll depart at the end of the season, Woodson has coached in a manner suggesting he’s also relieved of that pressure — he can make adjustments and lineup tweaks without worrying about ripple effects for future seasons.
The timing also aligns with the final stretch of college basketball for Galloway, Ballo, and Anthony Leal. The trio is making sure to appreciate the opportunity in front of them while they still have it — and that mindset has helped revive Indiana’s season.
“I think we just have to keep reminding each other to cherish every moment because wins and losses, it’s all special because you’re learning through it all,” Galloway said. “So I think just really cherishing these moments (is important) because when it’s over we’re all going to miss it and it’s going to be tough to really understand what it meant to put this uniform on and to go to war with our brothers every day. So I think just really just cherishing every moment, highs and lows.”
