Syracuse Player Quotes
Syracuse Player Quotes
November 3, 2005
Carrier Dome, Syracuse, N.Y.
Arinze Onuaku
“I felt good – a lot more confident than the last game. That’s what Coach told me to do. He said they haven’t had a freshman come in who is built like (me) in a long time, so I feel like that’s my job. Especially helping on the boards, throughout the season.”
“That’s what we’re looking forward to. That’s what all of this is for. Trying to get a flow. Playing in practice is very different from playing in an actual game. That’s where we come out feeling even more comfortable after doing what we do.”
Eric Devendorf
“Coach Boeheim just wants me to take shots. I feel comfortable, though. Yesterday I was kind of out of sync. Today I felt much more comfortable.”
“I do want to try and shoot the three. Coach is a really good coach….I didn’t shoot a lot of three’s. I didn’t feel as though it would help anybody out to be shooting more threes and not driving into the lane. I’m not really looking to score like that. I’m just trying to get more comfortable with my teammates and in the Carrier Dome. I’m just looking to come out Tuesday and play well against Bethune-Cookman.”
“We have to look at our turnovers and at our fouls, obviously. We can also get better, but I thought we played much better than we did Tuesday. We’re just looking to capitalize on what we’ve done offensively so we can come out Tuesday and get less fouls and less turnovers. Hopefully we’ll play well again.”
“Definitely. I’ve been waiting all summer and all fall, so it’s been awhile. It’s here and I’m ready. We have to get prepared. We know that any team can win a game at any moment, so we just need to go out there, play hard and get a win.”
“It’s been a big transition. I’m used to playing against this type of competition. Again, the guard’s game is a different pace and I just have to get used to it. I’ll be all right.”
Louie McCroskey
“These two exhibition games, we just assess the team, get on the court. Anytime we can do something positive…tomorrow and the rest of the practices, we’re going to go out and try to build on this.”
“I’m pretty sure they’re (Bethune-Cookman) going to come and play us tough. It’s a big part of their season.”
“We did some things in spurts today. I think the more we get out there and play each other in practice, we’ll do it in games. I see a lot of development, so hopefully we’ll keep going.”
“Gerry is definitely our leader. He has National Championship game experience. But a lot of us were here last year and we have some things to contribute to this team. But Gerry is definitely our leader.”
“I just watched what Josh Pace would do. He had a real nose for the ball. Last year I would have gotten a couple of more rebounds, but he was there. Obviously he’s not here any more, so that’s why I’m getting those. You just have to have a nose for the ball. I just go out there and try to get every one, or be in the area to make a play. It’s just an instinct. It’s not something you can practice. When I play, I try to box out, but it’s just a matter of me wanting the ball. I want to score.
