Syracuse Quotes
2K Sports Classic Coaches vs. Cancer
November 19, 2009
Madison Square Garden/New York, N.Y.
Syracuse Head Coach Jim Boeheim
On tonight’s game:
“I think we are starting to learn offensively how to work with our big guys. We haven’t really done that the last couple of years, (we have) been perimeter orientated. Sometimes we still get thinking that way. We got to get the ball down inside a little bit better. We got the ball inside a couple of times in the second half which made it a little bit easier. I think our defense has been good, I think we are really active. We are not rebounding the way we need to. I think Cal is small inside and we should take advantage of that and I thought we did. (Jerome) Randle is a terrific player and we had to extend a hand to limit his effectiveness. He is a terrific shooter. I think we are getting better. We have a long way to go. We are changing from where we have played. We are still a long way from where we need to be. I think this next game (Ohio State vs. North Carolina)…these teams are bigger, stronger, more physical teams. It will be a great test for us. We are just trying to find our way and hopefully get there.”
On the point guard play:
“I think they do some really good things. We are really not looking for them to score this much. I think they got some opportunities in transition. They both played well and didn’t turn it over much, particularly in the first half. It all starts with our defense. When we are active on defense we are a better team. I thought our guys played well.”
On Cal’s shooting:
“I don’t think anybody has an off night. I think you have to force people to have off nights. We didn’t play man-to-man. We tried that once this year, we won’t make that mistake again. Our zone is designed to be effective against three-point shots. A lot of people think we are supposed to be playing man-to-man against a good shooting team. What they don’t understand is that Cal shot 43% last year from the three-point line against man-to-man so it is obvious it didn’t work. We led the league against three-point percentage last year.”
On Scoop Jardine:
“I think Scoop is getting better. He has really done a lot of good things. I want him to be better. All young point guards…they hear it the most from me. He has been really solid. I think Brandon (Triche) has been good. They can play together. They are making some progress. It is going to take awhile. They are really fortunate that they have some upper classmen.”
On Rick Jackson and Arinze Onuaku:
“I think they did some good things. I think we have to do better getting them the ball. A couple of times we got them good position.”
