Player Quotes Drexel
Syracuse vs. Drexel
December 22, 2010
Syracuse, N.Y. – Carrier Dome
Student-Athlete Quotes
Scoop Jardine, Junior, Guard
Did you think Drexel was going to play like a BIG EAST team?
“We knew we were going to have to match their intensity on defense. They are a great team that really beat us up on the boards and our big men knew that was how it was going to be coming into the game. I have to give credit to our big men tonight for really coming out and matching their intensity.”
How has this team been pulling it together with such a low 3-point scoring percentage?
“We are really using our ability to drive. We have a lot of guys that can get to the lane. Unfortunately, we haven’t been making very many threes, but we are making up for it.”
Do you feel like Coach Boeheim has had a change of attitude toward this team?
“Coach Boeheim is great. He is really great at what he does. Our team starting off was very young and didn’t play well together so we are trying to get better every game. He made sure we were getting better every game and we are going to continue to get better. There is always room to get better and as a coach he really knows that.”
What did you do to prepare for tonight’s game against Drexel?
“It wasn’t about preparing, it was about heart and that is what we have. We have guys on the team that can do it. We have a whole lot of energy and we cover a whole lot of ground. We have the guys that can do it and we know we are going to need that.”
Brandon Triche, Sophomore, Guard
How do you think you guys did in the second half?
“Everyone was moving the ball a little better. We had Kris (Joseph) doing really well. Rick (Jackson) was making really good decisions out there and our scoring game was more accurate.”
How are you feeling about heading into conference play?
“It’s great because you want to be playing your best basketball against conference play. The BIG EAST is going to be very tough this year. There are five teams in the top-10 and Cincinnati is undefeated. It is defiantly a tough league and every team is going to be playing their best basketball.”
What are your plans and what is on your wish list for the holidays this year?
“I don’t really have to go too far. I just want to be safe. I will probably work out a little bit and spend most of the time with my family and friends that are coming up. As far as my list goes, I am still trying to buy stuff for everyone else so I’m going to be surprised this year.”
How has your confidence increased since the beginning of the season?
“I think I’m at ease with myself and I am not stressing myself out as much. In the earlier part of the season, school was going on and I was stressed out about that, but with school being over I am able to just play and focus on that.”
Rick Jackson, Senior, Forward
How do you feel about tonight’s win?
“It always feels good to get the win, especially going home for the break. It felt really good to get the win against a Philly team and it always feels good to have some bragging rights heading home”
How far has this team come since the beginning of the season?
“I think we have matured so much. We have a lot of young guys that are working hard. They spend a lot of time in the gym getting shots up and I am really proud of these guys.”
Kris Joseph, Junior, Forward
Considering you are under the weather, how did it feel to score your career high in the points?
“I felt a lot better than I did the last game and I have played sick before, but I didn’t want to let it affect me. I just blocked it out of my mind. When you think about something too much before a game you tend to let it affect you and I just wanted to go out there and play my best basketball.”
How do you think this season is going so far?
“Things are going pretty well, but Coach Boeheim making that statement definitely woke us up a little bit. That really motivated us all as a team without anyone telling us that we needed to play better. That win at The Garden was really big for us as well and I think we are there so I see the rest of the season going pretty well.”
In what ways do you think this team has improved?
“We are doing much better. Our younger guys are learning and our veterans are stepping up. I think every night someone else is stepping up in every department whether it is vocally, or on the scoreboard. We are really working together as a team.”
