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Player Quotes Providence
Syracuse vs. Providence
December 28, 2010
Syracuse, N.Y. – Carrier Dome
Student-Athlete Quotes
Kris Joseph, Junior, Forward
It’s nice to see the offense continue to gel after the Drexel game.
“Yeah, it’s big for us as a unit. Guys getting into double digits -- that’s what we need to be a great team, apart from our defense being our bread and butter.”
Is it getting to the point where you guys know Rick Jackson is going to get a rebound defensively? When you’re on defense and a shot goes up, Rick is going to go up and get it?
“Almost. You want to get on the break when you get a shot up. Rick has been an animal on the boards all season. I remember him telling me this summer that all he wants to do this year is average a double-double. He’s not worried about anything else. I think he’s been staying true to his word and I have to give him a lot of credit.”
You hit four three’s -- it looked like you were feeling pretty good.
“I have to give a lot of credit to Coach Murphy. He’s been making me shoot with a big basketball, before and after practice and before games. I have to shoot with the big ball before I touch a regular one. The bigger ball demands a lot more concentration and you have to be more precise. I didn’t think it would work at first, but I have to give him (Coach Murphy) a lot of credit.”
You’ve had two very efficient games in a row. You must be feeling pretty good about your game.
“Coming into this game after having a career high last game, I definitely have the confidence and I knew the BIG EAST (games) weren’t going to be as easy or probably would’ve been more difficult but the shots were falling and that opened up a lot of things for me.”
Scoop Jardine, Junior, Guard
The first three buckets you had were on the break. Do you like playing that kind of game?
“That’s the best way to play. When we get rebounds, we are really going to get out and run and that’s why I give Rick (Jackson) a lot of credit because he goes in and gives his body up to get rebounds, for us to get out there and run.”
When the whole crowd is chanting “Scoop,” do you hear that during the game?
“I’m not going to lie. When I first came here I thought they were booing me, but I usually didn’t hear it. Now, I’m so used to it that when they call me out I hear it and that the best part and I love it.”
You guys defended Marshon Brooks pretty well in the second half. What did you guys do differently?
“I am going to tell you this -- he is one of the most underrated players in the country. He is so good and I had a chance to work out with him this summer. He reminds me of a Lawrence Moten. I give him a lot of credit. He’s worked himself into a player.”
Rick Jackson, Senior, Forward
You haven’t had to go to the bench much at all with fouls this year. How difficult was that for you to watch for a few minutes?
“It was difficult. Usually in the BIG EAST, they let you play and you don’t call so many fouls and it’s really a rough house. Tonight was a little different, I’m use to them letting us play and get away with a lot.”
The play where you were called for a technical foul -- did you see him there?
“No. He was just reaching for the ball and just being a big guy and it goes back to middle school where coach would say when you got a rebound to “chin it.” That’s what I did and he hit the back of my elbow. It just happened.”
Is there a rebound now that you can’t get?
“Yeah, there is a couple I couldn’t get. I just go after it and I feel like that’s what I have to do in order for us to be successful. I think I’m doing a great job right now and have to keep it up.”
It looked like you guys did a good job tonight on the defensive end, making sure they didn’t get too many second-chance points.
“That’s what it’s about. I think we are the type of team that can score whenever we want and it’s never about points with us, it’s always about defense. When they pass it back-and-forth and take 24 seconds off the clock, we know that’s good defense.”
We’ve talked about you being a good passer out of the post. Did they double you more than you think you’ve seen this season?
“Yeah, I think they played their matchup well and when I got the ball, guys would run at me and sometimes I couldn’t get one dribble without a guy running at me. I think I did a good job at finding guys and making plays.”
