2003-04 Media Day Player Quotes
On why he came to SU:
"They obviously have a great basketball program and on my visit I had a wonderful time. I met a lot of great people and it seemed like the right fit. Syracuse is a great institution and I wanted to be part of it."
On how much playing time he expects to receive:
"Obviously, as a player you want to get as many minutes as possible, but you have to realize that you are going to a school that has the defending national champions and there's going to be a lot of talent, so whatever playing time I get I'll be happy with."
On the pressure of being a freshman:
"I don't feel any pressure. It isn't really our job to be superstars. We just have to fit in and hopefully we can help the team win."
Sophomore Gerry McNamara:
On advice he got from Carmelo Anthony and Kueth Duany:
"Carmelo was up for the ring ceremony and he told us to do what we did last year. There was a reason we won. He told us to keep working hard and Kueth said the same thing. He told me to remember what us got us there and those two guys had a lot to do with our success, so I think its good advice."
On the departure of Carmelo Anthony:
"He was one of the reasons that we won the national championship last season, but everyone on this team contributed. To say he was the reason we won downplays what all the other guys did. We look at it as that he was a part of out team and that's how we see it again this year. We are a team."
On winning the national championship:
"It was one of the best moments of life. I think about it everyday. I have a few more years to work hard and hopefully get another one. That's what we all want and we're willing to work hard to get it."
Junior Josh Pace:
On the possibility of winning another national title:
"I think we can do it again, but it's going to be a difficult task. Every team in the country thinks they're going to win it. We thought that last year and we weren't even ranked. You have to have that mentality or you won't win."
Junior Hakim Warrick:
On being a part of SU's first national championship team:
"I hope to come back here in a few years and see them going for their fifth or sixth national championship. Knowing that you were part of the first one and winning it for a great coach was terrific. It was nice to help him get that monkey of his back."
Sophomore Billy Edelin:
On Louie McCroskey:
"What I like about him is that he will come up and ask questions and try to learn. It's not all about talent. Everyone in college basketball has talent. It's about learning how to play the game and he's not afraid to ask questions of people. He works hard. I think he will be a real good player."
On the biggest difference from last year to this year:
"I think we won't be as predictable this year as we were last year. Everyone knew the ball was going to Carmelo and they couldn't stop him. I think this year we will be more balanced."
