Player Quotes vs. DePaul
Syracuse vs. DePaul
March 5, 2011
Carrier Dome
Rick Jackson
Where do you think the team is at this point in the season?
“I think right now we’re playing our best basketball all year. We’ve had our ups and downs but now we’re back in the swing of things. Everybody did a great job tonight and that really shows us that we can be a great team. We can always get better. Teams can always get better so we’ll work to get better.”
What are your expectations for the BIG EAST Tournament and the NCAA Tournament?
“(We are) trying to go all the way. Whenever you play, you want to go all the way. You are never looking to lose or just hoping to go to the Sweet Sixteen. We’re trying to go further than that. We’ve been to the Sweet Sixteen twice, it hurts losing there and then you have to watch other teams play and you wish that was you. We don’t want that feeling. We want to go out there and play our ball.”
Have you thought about the team’s motto, “Unfinished Business” at all this year?
“I don’t think it’s planned out, we just started it this year. (When) you lose twice (in the Sweet Sixteen), you have unfinished business, that’s all that is. Last year, we had a great year but I think this year we can have a great year now that we have some young guys that can do some things. I think Fab Melo showed people what he could really do tonight. With those big guys, we can really go far.”
What was it like playing in your last game in the Dome? Has it sunk in yet?
“Not yet because we have more games. But just to be out there and have people root for you, just to get that (framed) jersey and know that you won’t be coming back, it’s kind of weird right now. I had a great time being here. I want to thank the fans, coaches and my family for supporting me. I hope we can go further than last year and close out this year on a good note.”
Scoop Jardine
What was going through your mind when Rick Jackson was walking off the court tonight?
“I had chills because it seems like we just left high school together when we were only seniors and I couldn’t be happier for him. He’s done a great job in his four years here – he’s gotten better every year and that’s what you want when you come to college.”
How important is the momentum from a five-game win streak heading into the BIG EAST tournament?
“We have a lot of momentum, we really turned it around. We’re doing some good things on both ends, offense and defense, and we have to continue that. We’re going to MSG (Madison Square Garden) and we always play great there. It’s going to be a hard BIG EAST Tournament, but we put ourselves in good position to only win three games and that’s our focus.”
Are you looking forward to playing any particular team in the tournaments coming up?
“It doesn’t even matter. We’ve got six losses and we’re ready for anybody. Whoever we play is going to be a tough game because it’s the BIG EAST. “
Are you expecting another unpredictable tournament this year?
“It’s basketball, you never know who’s going to get hot and what’s going to happen. We have to focus and play hard and play every possession.”
C.J. Fair
What have you heard about playing in the BIG EAST tournament? What’s going through your mind with the tournament coming up?
“Going to the BIG EAST Tournament, we have to refocus our minds and know what the ultimate goal is. Of course we want to win the BIG EAST tournament and continue our progression and take that to the NCAA tournament.”
Did having a week off help in terms of recovery for your ankle? How will the double bye in the BIG EAST Tournament also help?
“It helped me a lot because I reinjured my ankle again against Villanova so the time it gave me was a huge benefit for my recovery. I still have some more time to get to 100 percent before the BIG EAST (tournament) as far as getting treatment for my ankle and keeping my body good because it’s a long, tough road ahead of us. I need to make sure to eat right, drink right, get enough sleep and continue to play well.”
