Coach Boeheim Quotes
Notre Dame at Syracuse
Saturday, Feb. 15, 2003
Carrier Dome, Syracuse, N.Y.
"I believe the thing you have to do with Notre Dame is that you have to score with them. You're not going to stop Notre Dame from scoring. I think that defensively we played pretty well. In the second half, they were switching man-to-zone and we were switching man-to-zone. The last play, we were going to go to Carmelo (Anthony) and as he took the back zone player to the basket, Gerry (McNamara)'s standing there. I like him shooting that shot right there, freshman or not. I had great confidence that would go in.
"We dropped back defensively. Jeremy (McNeil) stepped up made a big block.
"It's one of the best college games I think I can remember being involved in, in a long time. Both teams played hard.
"Every time I've watched Notre Dame play this year they have won a close game. Part of it comes from their seniors and point guard Chris Thomas. We were just fortunate to make a couple plays at the end."
On Craig Forth:
"He did a tremendous job getting to the right position on offense. The thing I like about Craig is that he is getting where he needs to go. I though he did a great job getting to the right spot to help us out."
On Gerry McNamara:
"Gerry was double teamed (in high school) and still had to make the big play every game they had for four years through state championship games. I think this is easy for him because he's not being double-teamed and he doesn't have to make every big play."
On Carmelo Anthony:
"You never take away your player's confidence. He knows how to play. He understands the game. He knows when to take it to the basket when he's not making shots."
