Boeheim Quotes vs. EMU
Coach Jim Boeheim
November 29, 2011
Syracuse vs. Eastern Michigan
November 29, 2011
Syracuse vs. Eastern Michigan
Opening Statement:
“I thought we had a slow start. Generally when you go to New York and you play in a big tournament and you come back, it’s a little hard to get going. We had a day off and I don’t think we ever got our energy level up.
“I thought Rob (Murphy) did a tremendous job with just slowing down and keeping control of the game. James made a couple shots in the first half or we probably would’ve been behind at halftime.
“Second half, we got our energy up. I thought we executed a little better on offense and got some shots and finished the game. It’s always tough when you’re coming back from that trip to this, and everybody’s going to look forward to Friday.”
What was it like to go against Coach Murphy?
“He did a great job, he’s a great coach and he’s a great guy. I really love the guy. He was unbelievable for us -- what he brought to the table for us over the years, as a coach and as a recruiter. He’s done a great job. This team won nine games last year, they lost their two best players and he’s done a tremendous job. They played great tonight and we just obviously have some more personnel.
“He’s got some guys sitting out there to really help him. He’s got a good system- I don’t know where he got that system(!) -- but it’s a good system and I think he’ll do well with it.”
Four games with Gerry McNamara as an assistant-- what does he bring to the team as an assistant coach?
“Here’s the great thing about Gerry- he’s been with us, he’s played guard here, he knows the position, so I think it’s an easy transition (for him). Mike (Hopkins) has worked with big guys before so that’s been a good transition. The staff has done a great, tremendous job.
“One last thing. The players will not be distracted. We may not win every game but if we lose a game it will not be because they’re distracted.
“They’re going to play -- we’ll keep them focused. The important things as a coach that you try to teach them when they get here is that they have to be focused. They come in for two and a half hours. They have 22-and-a-half hours to do things but those two and a half hours they have to put everything behind them. When we get out on the court we have to get focused and then we’re going to get ready for the next game. That’s what you have to do as a coach. If you ask your players to do it then you’re going to do it. I think people talk about focus and distractions--those are excuses--we do not make excuses.”
