Syracuse Player Quotes
Colgate at Syracuse
Dec. 3, 2002
Carrier Dome, Syracuse, N.Y.
Freshman guard Gerry McNamara
On the first half:
"In the first half we struggled on defense, no question about it. We let them back in the game because we were playing terrible defense. I think the second half speaks for itself - we got down and got after it. I think we showed a lot of heart in the second half and what we really can be."
On the December schedule:
"These games are stepping stones and learning experiences. We need to take these next couple of games seriously and really get after it."
"We know we are going to put some points on the board, but we want to beat them on the defensive end. We don't want to go basket for basket - we want to get down and play some defense."
On his personal development:
"I'm still getting used to the college game; it is a little bit quicker and a little bit more demanding. I'm taking my time with it and easing into it."
Freshman forward Carmelo Anthony
On where the team has to look for improvement:
"Friday against Cornell. Every game in December is a game we have to improve in, especially on the defensive end."
On his fast start offensively:
"Tonight I took it upon myself to see if my shot was going to be falling."
On being double and triple-teamed in the post:
"Every time I go into the post I have three people coming at me and I had to look for my teammates. I know that they will make the shots if I get the ball to them."
Sophomore forward Hakim Warrick
On the first half:
"It was like a bad dream that you couldn't wake up from. I just couldn't believe that it was happening. No one panicked, and we did a good job in the second half, turning it around. You just have to take games like this as a learning game and try to move on. They came out with a lot of emotion and just got after us."
On the second half:
"I think we did a really good job coming back in the second half. We jumped on them from the start and didn't allow them to get open shots. We played hard and aggressive the whole second half. "
On his two dunks in the first half:
"They were big, especially with how close the game was. I had to let out a lot of frustration. I think it sent a message."
"I don't think we can beat any Big East team the way we played tonight. We just have to go out there and keep our intensity up, no matter who we're playing."
