SU Player Quotes vs. Illinois-Chicago
Syracuse Player Quotes
Syracuse vs. Illinois-Chicago
December 21, 2005
Carrier Dome, Syracuse, N.Y.
Freshman Guard Eric Devendorf
On coming on strong in the second half:
“We came out in the second half and played aggressively. This team is very aggressive – It’s a one-on-one team and they like to go to the bucket. In the second half, we rebounded, played defense and were aggressive, and that’s how we got the victory.”
On rebounding:
“Coach Boeheim always stresses rebounding, for guards and for forwards. I try to get in there and grab a couple of rebounds. Obviously, Terrence (Roberts) and Mookie (Darryl Watkins) got a majority of the rebounds.”
On how to improve:
“Conditioning, keep playing aggressively and keep getting better on defense. Offensively, I think we’re all right. The shots are going to fall, and if the shots fall and we play defense, then we’re going to be a really good team.”
On balanced scoring:
“We all can shoot the ball – Gerry (McNamara), Demetris (Nichols), Andy (Rautins), Terrence…Terrence played a great game. He was aggressive, he got rebounds. If we’re open, we’re going to knock down shots, and that’s what we did.”
On the medical absence of Josh Wright:
“Josh is a great player. We missed him today, dishing and penetrating, but luckily Terrence was able to get open. He’s going to be back soon, and we’re ready to have him.”
On the upcoming game at Towson State, near McNamara’s home town:
“We have to go out there and play hard, play aggressively and get a victory. Hopefully, Gerry will have a good game, too.”
On adjusting to the college game:
“I think I’m progressing. In the beginning of the year, I don’t think I was playing that well defensively, but I’m starting to become more comfortable on the defensive end. Hopefully, I can continue to do that.”
Junior Forward Terrence Roberts
On the upcoming holiday break:
“I’m going to be up here working out the whole time. I don’t like to lose my edge. I’m going to work out, and then I’ll see my family when I go home during the BIG EAST.”
On playing strong defense:
“I think we need to rebound a lot better. Defensively, we have to step it up. We have our guards out there and they rely on us so much. In that first half, we really weren’t getting it done. It was tough to hang with those kids – When you’re boxing out two or three people, it’s tough to get the rebound. In the second half, I think we did a much, much better job.”
On balanced scoring:
“When you have four guys in double figures, a lot more guys come off the bench. The defense was working well tonight. I think Mookie and I had a couple of blocked shots, some steals, the guards played well…overall, I think it was a good night.”
On helping to tie a school record for blocked shots as a team (16):
“The main thing that we’ve been working on for the past couple of weeks has been defense. That’s the main thing I’ve been keying on. We’ve been out there, doing defensive slides, getting our legs ready to be in position to get these blocked shots – that’s what we’ve been working on in practice. We have to do it in games.”
On the Towson State game:
“It’s going to be a very emotional game. It’s going to be one of those games where, as far as his stats go, it’s going to be pretty ridiculous. I look for him to go down there and have a crazy crowd.”
On critics:
“I think we’re getting better as a team. We’re starting to show a little bit more promise. We need these couple games going into the BIG EAST. People might be right right now, but, as I said, we’re getting better as the season goes on.”
