Syracuse Player Quotes
Providence at Syracuse
Carrier Dome, Syracuse, N.Y.
February 26, 2005
Senior Forward Craig Forth
On his standing ovation at the end of his final home game:
“It was amazing. Thanks to the fans and for everyone that was here supporting us today.”
On how it feels to be part of such a great win:
“I think it’s a huge thing for us. It’s a lot of good memories of playing here in the Dome, not that many losses, that’s always a good thing. It’s good to go out on a win. It’s good to have it be such a big win.”
Senior Guard/Forward Josh Pace
On the game:
“I was kind of emotional but it was a good way of coming out and getting a victory.”
“It was good that we were able to come out and get a lead on them. We knew that they were going to make a run and come back but we got something going early in the game and that’s positive for us. We just wanted to keep working and get them out of that in the second half.”
On being recognized before the game:
“It felt good to have everybody supporting us. A lot of people came out…and we got more than 32,000 people so that says something about our fans and a lot about our team.”
On Hakim Warrick’s performance and career high:
“He had a big game and played well. He’s played real good the last couple games. We need him to make the same kind of plays when we get ready for the BIG EAST tournament.”
On Boeheim’s 700th win:
“It was good that he was able to get it here at the Dome, the last game here at home. We wanted to get it out of the way before the BIG EAST started so it was good that we were able to do that.”
Senior Forward Hakim Warrick:
On his mother’s influence for him coming to Syracuse:
“She loved the atmosphere coming here. She definitely wanted me to be an Orange and it was kind of tough waiting and I didn’t want to wait out and then someone sign and then miss a scholarship at another school. My mom told me to go out there and be patient and persistent which was the hard part. I think it was a good decision that I decided to wait.”
On meeting Boeheim for the first time:
“I remember the first time I saw him it was just crazy seeing him for the first time, -- he being a legendary coach and seeing him in person -- I was kind of star struck. You’re always around the AU trips and when you see the Boeheims, Calhouns, and Coach Ks, walking around, to play in front of them and for them is just a dream come true. It’s great that I had the opportunity to do that for four years.”
On saving some plays for the last game:
I definitely think I went out there and played a pretty good game. Went out there and played aggressive from beginning to end. It’s just a great way to go out.
On the pressure he put on himself for his last home game:
“I wouldn’t accept anything less for me to go out there and have a big game, my last game here at the Dome. I really wanted to go out there and end it with a bang.
On how Boeheim’s accomplishment added to the day:
That [700th win] was just icing on the cake. It’s just another added incentive for us to go out there and play aggressive. To go out there and be a part of that, that’s something special and something that’s going to go down in history.”
Did this game give the team the motivation it needs next week?
“I think we got it. We got a week off and we definitely want to go back to Connecticut and beat them on their senior day. It would really propel us into the BIG EAST.”
On Boeheim saying that the three seniors are the best seniors he’s had:
“It means a lot. He’s been here 29 years so for him to say that about us, I think it says a lot about us. I can remember meeting Josh (Pace) and Craig (Forth) for the first time and just go out there on the Carrier Dome floor with them for the last time is great.”
On if the game could’ve been scripted any better:
“No this is a movie script right here, being able to go out and get a big win like that. Walking off and all the seniors getting applauded off the court-- it just couldn’t be any better.”
On seniors Craig Forth and Josh Pace:
“They’ve meant a lot to this team. Craig’s just going out there no matter what, having a lot of ups and downs, he just went out and played. And Josh, as well, with ups and downs, just played through it. He’s a great guy. He’s been my roommate for four years so it was just a great time and I think I got even more emotional seeing him go out there.”
