("The Late Show With Stephen Colbert"/CBS)

Ted Cruz is getting lots of flak for referring to a basketball hoop as a "ring" in a campaign speech on Tuesday, so "Late Show" host Stephen Colbert decided to try to cheer up the Republican presidential candidate.

"That basketball ring is the same height everywhere in the country," Colbert jokingly repeated Cruz's words on Wednesday night's show. "Just like how everywhere in the country, it is not called a basketball ring."

Realizing he was unlikely to place first in any of the five state primaries on Tuesday, Cruz decided to focus on Indiana, which votes next Tuesday. In a speech meant to evoke the 1986 film "Hoosiers" — delivered in the actual Knightstown, Indiana, gymnasium featured in the movie — Cruz made the mistake.

"Cruz has caught a lot of grief online for the gaffe," Colbert continued. "And on top of all the losing, he's got to be feeling really low right now. So, Ted, if you're watching, it's time for a halftime pep talk."

With that Colbert pulled on a cap, put a whistle around his neck, and proceeded to address the Republican candidate as if he were his coach. Sadly for Cruz, Colbert's inspirational speech was filled with mistaken references and misused phrases.

For example: "You got to keep bouncing that leather balloon down the wood room," and, "There's no 'I' in Tim and quitters never win it."

Watch Colbert's pep talk for Cruz below:

NOW WATCH: Watch Carly Fiorina sing to the crowd after being announced as Ted Cruz's running mate

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