Coach Boeheim Quotes
Syracuse vs. Connecticut
March 7, 2004
Carrier Dome, Syracuse N.Y.
On the Game
"A few games ago we were, without any doubt, struggling. The players took it upon themselves to really dig down and play a little harder on the defensive end - to rebound a little bit better, to battle a little bit better. On the offensive end we’ve been patient and got the ball to the right guys."
"In the first games Pittsburgh and Connecticut took it to us pretty hard. To come back and play well in these games is a tremendous accomplishment for these guys. I’m really proud of them and the way they’ve finished the year."
"We look to go to New York and use the time there to get better. I think we’re getting better as a team. Demetis (Nichols) stepping up there is a good case. We can get better. We’re going to be a pretty difficult team at the end of the year, and that’s all you can ask for."
"Overall our team offensive scheme is getting better. We’re looking for the right guys. We’re playing better and better every game, really."
On McNamara’s Performance
"He got a couple of good looks and good screens. If he gets those kinds of looks, he’s going to make some of those shots. It’s hard to get him those looks, but we did it today."
"He’s getting better - learning how to get open and where to move. Guys are looking for him better. Sometimes people forget that he’s only a sophomore."
On the BIG EAST Tournament
"We’re just going to go play. We’ll get ready to play and go play like we’ve been playing. When you win five straight games, obviously your confidence is going to go up."
On Strategy
"Anybody can keep the score low. The hardest coaching is when you play at a fast pace and you do it well. Anybody can slow the ball down, run the clock down, then take the good shot and get back on defense to keep it a 50-point game. We might take some time off for two or three possessions, but we’re still looking to see if there’s an opening and go. We’re never going to be a hold-it type team."
On the Crowd
"The crowd was great. When you get this kind of a turnout, it’s always nice to win the game. You don’t want to send 33,000 people home unhappy."
On Finishing the Regular Season
"This team finished the season as well as you could have expected them to. They really competed hard and played hard every game. When you get beat up by 20 and 30 points during the course of the season, it’s very unusual for us. It’s also very unusual to see a team come back from that and win 11 games in the league and accomplish everything this team has. I’m very proud of them."
