Coach Boeheim Quotes
January 31, 2004
Carrier Dome, Syracuse, N.Y.
On the game:
“In the first half offensively and defensively we were very good. We moved the ball around and got people involved. Demetris (Nichols) stepped up with a couple of big shots. Jeremy came in and gave us a big lift going to the offensive glass.
“We made big plays when we had to. Gerry (MacNamara) was big all night. Josh (Pace) came back and did some of the things he has to do for us. The turnovers were the only really negative thing. Our defense was good and we got the ball on the boards pretty well.”
On Gerry MacNamara’s Performance:
“He (MacNamara) had a good week of practice and got a lot of shots off. He was really aggressive tonight.
“He (MacNamara) plays the point and handles the ball quite a bit for us, but I’m concerned that some teams are going to pressure him and try to wear him down. In those situations we’re just going to have to use Josh (Pace) to handle the ball more. At the end he (MacNamara) got a little tired, but he’s a tough physical player.”
On Demetris Nichol’s Performance:
“He (Nichols) did a nice job. He got squared up and had a couple of good transitions and hit that big three. And he had a nice game defensively. Overall, he had a real good night.
“We wanted to see how we could go with the bigger lineup. We’re a little bigger with Demetris (Nichols) and he’s really our second best three-point shooter.”
On Jeremy McNeil’s Performance:
“We wanted to press, and he’s (McNeil) by far the best guy back there on the press. He made a couple of good plays back there – a couple of good steals and transition situations. On the boards, this is the best I’ve seen him above the rim all year.”
On the Upcoming Game against UCONN:
“I thought from the beginning of the year that they’re the best team in the country and I haven’t changed my mind. We’ve got our hands full Monday night. It’ll be a tremendous challenge.”
