Coach Boeheim Quotes
Syracuse vs. Cal State L.A.
Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009
Carrier Dome/Syracuse, N.Y.
Opening Statement:
“I thought defensively we did a really good job in the first half. I thought we rebounded really well in the first half. In the second half, we broke down rebounding a little bit and we didn’t do a good job on the boards, but the first-half defense and rebounding was very good.
“I thought we moved the ball and were unselfish. I thought everybody got an opportunity to contribute and overall we missed some threes that I think we’ll make. It’s good to get this game in early and get in the Dome. We haven’t shot in here and it’s a little different shooting in here. I think that’s the one thing I noticed. It didn’t seem to bother James (Southerland) too much, but he’s a freshman and doesn’t know any better.
“Overall, our defense was good. I thought we helped each other. The ball movement was good and our turnovers were good. I thought for playing this soon, it was a good effort. It was good to play a game early because we’re opening up so early, so this was a good time for us.”
On the performance of the freshmen in today’s game:
“I think all three freshmen did a good job. I thought Brandon (Triche) was solid. Obviously, James (Southerland) is a very good shooter. I thought DaShonte (Riley) did a good job inside too. I thought all three played well.”
On Scoop Jardine and Brandon Triche today:
“I think they did a good job. They were solid and they got the ball to people. They made some offensive plays and Scoop penetrated and got people open. I thought it was good and that they were both real solid.”
On Wes Johnson:
“It is going to take him a while. He was shooting the ball. Andy (Rautins) and Wesley are probably our two best 3-point shooters, along with James (Southerland). I think they had looks you like them to get, but they were 0-for-6 from the three. They are going to make those shots over the course of the season. But Wesley is good. He is a good defender and a good rebounder. He does a lot of things. He’s not necessarily a big scorer. He doesn’t look to score a lot and he doesn’t take that many shots as a general rule. He got nine shots up there in 26 minutes. He’s a good defender and a good rebounder, but it’ll take him a few games to get going.”
On the impact that the younger players had today:
“I thought all the guys did a good job. I thought the freshmen did a very good job. Kris Joseph is much better. I think that everybody came back a better player. I see tremendous individual improvement from all these guys. Last year, I think it was a four-point game at halftime in this game. I think all those guys did a good job. I think Arinze (Onuaku) looks solid, he just needs to get some games. He just hasn’t played enough. I think he and Ricky (Jackson) look good inside. They’re moving and they’re two wide-bodies that just keep pounding it inside on the boards. I think that they’re in a good position at this time of the year.”
