Syracuse Player Quotes
Syracuse vs. Cal State L.A.
Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009
Carrier Dome/Syracuse, N.Y.
Wes Johnson, Junior, Forward
On what can be improved:
“We still need to execute better on offense. And on defense we need to stay in front of our man and rebound. Pretty much everything in the game.”
What the team was trying to accomplish during the game:
“Team chemistry and trying to find out our place on the team. We’re not all new to the game and we’re not young, we’re just trying to find our team chemistry. The rebounding too, I think that will help us out defensively and it’ll help us out in the long run, especially during the BIG EAST games.”
On playing his first game for the Orange:
“I had to get the jitters out. It was kind of nerve-racking sitting around early before the game. I got the first game out of the way so it’s smooth sailing from here.”
James Southerland, Freshman, Forward
On the team’s experience:
“I think our performance showed them that us new players are going to do all we can do. We have some experience on the team even though Scoop (Jardine) and Mookie (Jones) redshirted, we still have experience. We have AO(Arinze Onuaku), Rick (Jackson) and Wes (Johnson). We have more experience than some people think.”
On how the other younger guys played:
“Everything was good. Everything was flowing with everyone out there. So I guess that’s why my confidence was so high because everything was easy-going.”
On the difference between Brandon Triche and Scoop Jardine playing point guard:
“I felt comfortable with both of them. I felt comfortable with everybody. I just got to the open spot to take the shot. Everything is going to go well and I know later in the season everything will go smoothly.”
On if he was nervous playing his first game:
“After I hit the first one, it set the tone and I felt like I could keep shooting it.”
Scoop Jardine, Sophomore, Guard
On the play of DaShonte Riley:
“DaShonte is going to be a great big man next year. I really think he’s going to blossom next year. He really has a lot of talent. “
On preparing for the game:
“The coaches did a great job of prepping us. If we take care of the basketball and take a shot, or get our guys in the best position for a shot, I think we’ve done our job.”
On James Southerland:
“He can really shoot the ball and he’s going to help us this year. We have a lot of young guys that are willing to learn and willing to get down and dirty and that’s going to help us out this year.”
