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Coach Boeheim Quotes vs. DePaul
Coach Jim Boeheim Post Game Quotes
Syracuse vs. DePaul
February 3, 2007
Carrier Dome-Syracuse, N.Y.
Opening statement:
“I thought early we got really good ball movement and we got really good looks. That’s the best we’ve been on offense all year against a darn good defensive team. We were active on defense. I thought we played well again for 30-35 minutes. The last six or seven minutes we got a little stationary. We didn’t get into the lane and make enough plays. We made just a couple of mistakes; turnovers were good. But we had to make plays at the end. Eric (Devendorf) made a big play and we made our free throws when we had to.”
“Every game is tough in this league. When you have lost two or three in a row, especially a couple maybe you could have won, especially one you should have won, you start thinking about it a little bit. Overall we came out ready and took control of the game early and just had a hard time at the end. DePaul’s a good basketball team. They beat Kansas and some other good teams. You know they’re going to come back and make plays and we were able to make plays as well.”
“What amazes me is where the fans have gone. I can understand when we play poorly and we don’t get support. That’s one thing. But when we’re playing well and not getting support that’s another thing. We used to have a tremendous home court advantage here and that’s completely gone. Maybe if we lose a couple of games, people are just not going to support us anymore. I watched Connecticut today and the fans were up the whole game and they’ve lost six in a row. That’s very disappointing. When I’m 62 years old and have to the cheerleader here at Syracuse, that amazes me. We have a tough game Monday night. Connecticut’s a tough to play at home. They’re a pressure team and coming back from today, it will be a very difficult game.”
On starting Eric Devendorf:
“I just though he had given us a lift coming off the bench and just thought it would help him. It helped him and it helped Andy (Rautins). They had something like 27 points in the first part of the game. Both guys adjusted well to it and I thought Eric and Andy just had big games. It was a huge game for them and us. (Demetris Nichols) struggled today. When we have a game like that and Demetris struggles, it’s a heck of a good sign. Terrence (Roberts) and Mookie (Daryl Watkins) struggled. It’s a pretty big win when those struggle and we win.”
On getting shots for Andy Rautins:
“Well we have to work the ball and help get him open. I thought we did that today. Our patience was better and we didn’t turn the ball over and we passed the ball better. We had 18 assists. I thought all that was good. Andy needs help, he needs screens. I thought one thing we didn’t do was when they started switching late in the game, we should have tried to get the ball inside more and that’s something we’re going to have to do.”
On status of Terrence Roberts:
“His knee is sore. He’s playing with a lot of soreness. He is doing the best job he can. I thought he was really good in the beginning but wore out as the game went on. I think he’s going to be really sore on Monday so I think Paul (Harris) and Matt (Gorman) are going to have to be ready because they’re going to get a lot of time against Connecticut.”
On the late rally by DePaul:
“Well we just have to get better execution. We did the same thing at Louisville and we couldn’t make a play; we had four turnovers at the end of the Louisville. Maybe that helped us, the experience of that game. We didn’t turn the ball over and got in the lane. We actually had some real good shots. Eric (Devendorf) made the one play. I’m disappointed we couldn’t make a defensive stop or rebound. There were three or four times when we got them to miss and didn’t get the rebound. We were getting the rebound in the first half. We’re just not doing a great jump down the stretch in games. We got crushed on the boards tonight. They had 20 offensive rebounds. That’s almost amazing when you can win a game when that happens. They’re not an overly strong team but quick. Connecticut’s a better rebounding team and they’re going to go on the boards harder than this team. I’m just disappointed we can’t rebound the ball better.”
