In the aftermath of Indiana’s 85-60 loss to Iowa on January 11, 2025, head coach Mike Woodson addressed the performance of center Oumar Ballo, who committed four early turnovers during the game. Woodson acknowledged Ballo’s recent strong performances but noted that in this particular game, he exhibited uncharacteristic behavior that contributed to the team’s struggles. He emphasized that the issue was not solely Ballo’s responsibility, stating, “It wasn’t just Ballo – it was everybody had a hand in it, especially that starting group.” ([si.com](https://www.si.com/college/indiana/basketball/what-mike-woodson-said-after-indiana-s-85-60-loss-at-iowa-01jhc9atrcyr?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
Following this game, Ballo was listed as questionable due to a lower-body injury and did not play in Indiana’s subsequent matchup against Winthrop. When questioned about Ballo’s absence, Woodson was succinct, stating, “I’m not going to address that.” ([hoosierstateofmind.com](https://hoosierstateofmind.com/mike-woodson-was-a-man-of-few-words-about-the-absence-of-oumar-ballo-against-winthrop?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
Upon his return, Ballo came off the bench in a game against Rutgers on January 2, 2025, contributing 17 points, 12 rebounds, and two blocks. When asked about Ballo’s role coming off the bench, Woodson deflected, focusing instead on his performance: “Let’s just talk about his 17 and 12. That’s what I like to focus in on.” ([asapsports.com](https://www.asapsports.com/show_conference.php?id=203728&utm_source=chatgpt.com))
Throughout these events, Woodson maintained a focus on team performance and accountability, emphasizing the collective responsibility of the players and highlighting positive contributions when discussing individual performances.
