Syracuse Player Quotes
Syracuse vs. Connecticut
March 7, 2004
Carrier Dome, Syracuse, N.Y.
Junior Josh Pace
On the play of Craig Forth:
“When Craig plays like that, we’re a tough team to beat.”
On drawing the largest crowd of the season (32,944):
“I think they helped us out, both with the noise and by being here to support us. We really, really appreciate it.”
Freshman Demetris Nichols
On hitting a three to gain the lead:
“I just thought about trying to spread my fingers and it went in. It was a tie game then, so I just had confidence in myself and GMac gave it me, so he had confidence in me, too. I just had to do it.”
On keeping the game in perspective:
“We still have the BIG EAST and we still have the (NCAA) Tournament. This was step one. We have two more steps to go. Games like this are a step in the right direction -- We wanted this game so badly. “
Sophomore Gerry McNamara
On slaying the dragon:
”There’s always one team that’s a bully, when you think, ‘Aw, we don’t want to play these guys tonight.’ And that’s the way I feel about (Uconn), so when you beat them, it’s a big thing.”
”There’s always one team that’s a bully, when you think, ‘Aw, we don’t want to play these guys tonight.’ And that’s the way I feel about (Uconn), so when you beat them, it’s a big thing.”
On playing a balanced game:
“Today I think we did a better job of playing good offense and good defense. The West Virginia game we didn’t play good defense, and in the Pitt game we didn’t play great offensively. We’re trying to do a better job at both ends of the floor.”
On the post-season:
“It’s all about getting hot at the right time. Last year we did and this year we’re trying to make another run. (The national title) is still ours. We won it last year, so it’s still ours and now we’re trying to get back there to do it again.”
