Syracuse vs. Cal State LA Player Quotes
Syracuse vs. Cal-State LA
November 1, 2011
Player Quotes
Fab Melo:
Did tonight’s game feel different than last year?
“Yeah, it felt different. I felt lighter; and I was moving better out on the court. I can run on the court and get rebounds. I’m moving better; my reaction’s better. And when I see daylight, I’m going for it and attacking.”
You were really attacking the boards tonight. Is that a bigger focus for you this season?
“I’m going after every rebound. I’m focused. I think that was a problem I had last year, hitting the glass. That’s what I’m focused on, hitting the glass and going after every rebound.”
You tied a career high with 12 points tonight. Did you feel more confident playing tonight and did your early baskets help with that?
“I think my confidence is in better shape. This summer, when I went to China to play basketball with the Brazil national team, I think it made a difference. I’m playing with confidence right now. I’m just going out there and playing basketball, whatever I have to do – get rebounds, get some blocked shots.”
Scoop Jardine:
Did the work you did over the summer with the US team, and having that constant exposure to basketball, pay off?
“Yeah, for the most part basketball is an all-year sport, and this summer I got my body in shape. I never really had time to slack off because I had so many camps and different things that kept me in shape and got me ready for this season. And I’m very excited, like I’m coming in as a freshman. This is my last year, and I want to make it a fun year. I’ve got a great team and a great coaching staff, and we just have to keep working and things will come together.”
What difference did you see in Fab Melo tonight as compared to last year?
“He’s excited, and we’re all excited to play. Last year he played with a lot on his shoulders – I’m not sure what it was from. But this year, he seems happy, even off the court. And that’s what we’re going to need from him all year – just to be excited and be ruthless. And he needs to be patient because the game is going to come to him. He’s always been a good player, and he showed it tonight.
He looks great; he’s jumping and trying to dunk everything. That’s what we need from him – we need him to be a force. We’re not asking him to be Rick Jackson, but we need him to be a force. We’ve got a lot of guys that can play this year, and Fab’s one of those guys.”
What did you think of the freshmen?
“They were great. I remember being in that position. I think Trevor was probably the most relaxed out of all of them because as a shooter, all he has to do is shoot the ball, so that’s easy for him. Michael really played great, and he got to show that he’s a great defender.”
How important is the play in the backcourt and limiting turnovers going to be for the team?
“It’s going to be a big thing. We have a veteran backcourt with Brandon Triche and myself, and Dion’s a sophomore now, so we shouldn’t turn the ball over a lot. We should be a very patient team and get great shots. We know our offense – Triche has been a starter for three years, I’m a second-year starter and fifth-year player, so we know the offense well.”
Dion Waiters:
It seemed like, when you came in, that getting the ball to you was more of a priority than it was last year. Did you feel that?
“Coach wanted us to attack more tonight – take it to the basket and dish it or if it wasn’t there, bring it back out. But he wanted us to attack, so that’s what I came to do.”
Even though you’re still coming off the bench, it seems to be a bit of a different role in that the team is trying to get you the ball more.
“I’m getting used to it; and I’m cool with the situation I’m in right now. I just have to be ready to come off the bench and give the team a spark right away because I’m an offensive threat. So, I think if I just continue to keep my head down, work hard, and stay humble, then I’ll continue to get better.”
November 1, 2011
Player Quotes
Fab Melo:
Did tonight’s game feel different than last year?
“Yeah, it felt different. I felt lighter; and I was moving better out on the court. I can run on the court and get rebounds. I’m moving better; my reaction’s better. And when I see daylight, I’m going for it and attacking.”
You were really attacking the boards tonight. Is that a bigger focus for you this season?
“I’m going after every rebound. I’m focused. I think that was a problem I had last year, hitting the glass. That’s what I’m focused on, hitting the glass and going after every rebound.”
You tied a career high with 12 points tonight. Did you feel more confident playing tonight and did your early baskets help with that?
“I think my confidence is in better shape. This summer, when I went to China to play basketball with the Brazil national team, I think it made a difference. I’m playing with confidence right now. I’m just going out there and playing basketball, whatever I have to do – get rebounds, get some blocked shots.”
Scoop Jardine:
Did the work you did over the summer with the US team, and having that constant exposure to basketball, pay off?
“Yeah, for the most part basketball is an all-year sport, and this summer I got my body in shape. I never really had time to slack off because I had so many camps and different things that kept me in shape and got me ready for this season. And I’m very excited, like I’m coming in as a freshman. This is my last year, and I want to make it a fun year. I’ve got a great team and a great coaching staff, and we just have to keep working and things will come together.”
What difference did you see in Fab Melo tonight as compared to last year?
“He’s excited, and we’re all excited to play. Last year he played with a lot on his shoulders – I’m not sure what it was from. But this year, he seems happy, even off the court. And that’s what we’re going to need from him all year – just to be excited and be ruthless. And he needs to be patient because the game is going to come to him. He’s always been a good player, and he showed it tonight.
He looks great; he’s jumping and trying to dunk everything. That’s what we need from him – we need him to be a force. We’re not asking him to be Rick Jackson, but we need him to be a force. We’ve got a lot of guys that can play this year, and Fab’s one of those guys.”
What did you think of the freshmen?
“They were great. I remember being in that position. I think Trevor was probably the most relaxed out of all of them because as a shooter, all he has to do is shoot the ball, so that’s easy for him. Michael really played great, and he got to show that he’s a great defender.”
How important is the play in the backcourt and limiting turnovers going to be for the team?
“It’s going to be a big thing. We have a veteran backcourt with Brandon Triche and myself, and Dion’s a sophomore now, so we shouldn’t turn the ball over a lot. We should be a very patient team and get great shots. We know our offense – Triche has been a starter for three years, I’m a second-year starter and fifth-year player, so we know the offense well.”
Dion Waiters:
It seemed like, when you came in, that getting the ball to you was more of a priority than it was last year. Did you feel that?
“Coach wanted us to attack more tonight – take it to the basket and dish it or if it wasn’t there, bring it back out. But he wanted us to attack, so that’s what I came to do.”
Even though you’re still coming off the bench, it seems to be a bit of a different role in that the team is trying to get you the ball more.
“I’m getting used to it; and I’m cool with the situation I’m in right now. I just have to be ready to come off the bench and give the team a spark right away because I’m an offensive threat. So, I think if I just continue to keep my head down, work hard, and stay humble, then I’ll continue to get better.”
