Student-Athlete Quotes
Syracuse Men’s Basketball
Syracuse vs. Long Beach State
December 28, 2014
Carrier Dome, Syracuse, N.Y.
Rakeem Christmas, Senior, Center
What impact did Michael Gbinije have on the game?
“When Mike is on it changes a lot. People start focusing on him more and it opens things up for me. Then, people start focusing on me again and he’s open and gets a shot. So it’s great to have him.”
Can you talk about the team’s defensive performance?
“We had to keep up on our defense. In the beginning of the second half we started slacking on defense and they started to come back so we turned it up.
“We have to come out and play hard. Everyone was aggressive tonight. Everyone was playing good and we’re going to have to carry that into the next game.”
Trevor Cooney, Redshirt Junior, Guard
Can you talk about starting the ACC portion of the schedule next week?
“We’re taking the right steps right now and that’s when you want to take the right steps. You want to play well now and you want to keep continuing that into our next game and into conference play.”
Can you talk about Michael Gbinije’s Performance?
“Mike was huge. He’s like that in practice all the time. I think he’s getting confidence in himself to come out every day and do good things.”
Can you talk about Kaleb Joseph’s development?
“Kaleb is a really good player. He works hard every single day. Everyone has to remember that he is a freshman and it’s a learning process.”
Michael Gbinije, Junior, Forward
Why have you been so successful the last few games?
“Work ethic. There’s been stuff behind the scenes that is starting to pay off for me. I like the guys who I play with and I’m just trying to win as much as I can.”
What’s your mindset heading into the next game?
“Just come in with the same mindset we had today. Each game is going to be different, but just keep winning and have fun out there.”
How do the last few games affect the team’s confidence going into ACC play?
“It’s us just playing with each other, getting used to each other more. I think our chemistry is better and we’re starting to develop consistency on the offensive end. As long and we continue to do all that we’ll be ready for the ACC.”
Syracuse vs. Long Beach State
December 28, 2014
Carrier Dome, Syracuse, N.Y.
Rakeem Christmas, Senior, Center
What impact did Michael Gbinije have on the game?
“When Mike is on it changes a lot. People start focusing on him more and it opens things up for me. Then, people start focusing on me again and he’s open and gets a shot. So it’s great to have him.”
Can you talk about the team’s defensive performance?
“We had to keep up on our defense. In the beginning of the second half we started slacking on defense and they started to come back so we turned it up.
“We have to come out and play hard. Everyone was aggressive tonight. Everyone was playing good and we’re going to have to carry that into the next game.”
Trevor Cooney, Redshirt Junior, Guard
Can you talk about starting the ACC portion of the schedule next week?
“We’re taking the right steps right now and that’s when you want to take the right steps. You want to play well now and you want to keep continuing that into our next game and into conference play.”
Can you talk about Michael Gbinije’s Performance?
“Mike was huge. He’s like that in practice all the time. I think he’s getting confidence in himself to come out every day and do good things.”
Can you talk about Kaleb Joseph’s development?
“Kaleb is a really good player. He works hard every single day. Everyone has to remember that he is a freshman and it’s a learning process.”
Michael Gbinije, Junior, Forward
Why have you been so successful the last few games?
“Work ethic. There’s been stuff behind the scenes that is starting to pay off for me. I like the guys who I play with and I’m just trying to win as much as I can.”
What’s your mindset heading into the next game?
“Just come in with the same mindset we had today. Each game is going to be different, but just keep winning and have fun out there.”
How do the last few games affect the team’s confidence going into ACC play?
“It’s us just playing with each other, getting used to each other more. I think our chemistry is better and we’re starting to develop consistency on the offensive end. As long and we continue to do all that we’ll be ready for the ACC.”
