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Coach Hillsman Quotes
Syracuse vs. New Hampshire
Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2009
Manley Field House/Syracuse, N.Y.
Opening statement:
“We got 32 offensive rebounds. That’s pretty good. This was as much like a BIG EAST game as you could have. We knew they would be a very physical team. I told my players that they could be the best team that we’ve played up until this point in the non-league. They’re a very good team. I give them a lot of credit for battling and staying in the basketball game, but I’m going to give every ounce of credit to my team for fighting through it and being physical and being aggressive and just staying with it.”
“We got 32 offensive rebounds. That’s pretty good. This was as much like a BIG EAST game as you could have. We knew they would be a very physical team. I told my players that they could be the best team that we’ve played up until this point in the non-league. They’re a very good team. I give them a lot of credit for battling and staying in the basketball game, but I’m going to give every ounce of credit to my team for fighting through it and being physical and being aggressive and just staying with it.”
On the start of BIG EAST play:
“I’ve been looking forward to getting through these 12 games to start getting into BIG EAST play because people talk a lot about our scheduling. But at the end of the day if you don’t win 10 or 12 conference games it doesn’t matter who you beat in the non-league. I’m not confused about that. We have to win 10, 11, 12 conference games to get in the NCAA Tournament and I know that.”
“I’ve been looking forward to getting through these 12 games to start getting into BIG EAST play because people talk a lot about our scheduling. But at the end of the day if you don’t win 10 or 12 conference games it doesn’t matter who you beat in the non-league. I’m not confused about that. We have to win 10, 11, 12 conference games to get in the NCAA Tournament and I know that.”
On the energy level against New Hampshire:
“Everybody is waiting for us to lose. Everyone is waiting to tell that story - Syracuse lost and who they lost to. And I told our team wouldn’t it be great if they didn’t get to tell that story anytime soon. We talk about being reliable and showing up and being accountable. This was a trap game, the last non-conference game in Manley and I told them that. I told them this whole thing is a setup and you have to approach it that way. You have to take that out of the equation. You have to come out with energy and play hard and we did.”
“Everybody is waiting for us to lose. Everyone is waiting to tell that story - Syracuse lost and who they lost to. And I told our team wouldn’t it be great if they didn’t get to tell that story anytime soon. We talk about being reliable and showing up and being accountable. This was a trap game, the last non-conference game in Manley and I told them that. I told them this whole thing is a setup and you have to approach it that way. You have to take that out of the equation. You have to come out with energy and play hard and we did.”
On the play of Kayla Alexander:
“She did a great job of holding her seal and holding her pivot and playing strong at the rim. That’s a great testament to her. Nine offensive rebounds for her. I don’t think she had that many all summer, so for her to get nine in one game was great.”
“She did a great job of holding her seal and holding her pivot and playing strong at the rim. That’s a great testament to her. Nine offensive rebounds for her. I don’t think she had that many all summer, so for her to get nine in one game was great.”
On the upcoming game against Georgetown:
“Georgetown’s a very good team. They were picked one spot behind us (in the preseason poll) so it’s going to be a great game. They are very physical and very aggressive. That’s how they are and how they play. We have to come out and be ready to go. I hope for our kids’ sake we come out and compete and play as hard as we can play because I think if we play the way we did tonight we’ll be okay. If we get 57 rebounds against Georgetown, I’ll feel good about it. If we get 73 shots against Georgetown, I’ll feel good about it. So if we play this way we’ll win the basketball game.”
