Syracuse vs. Providence Player Quotes
Syracuse vs. Providence
1/14/2012
Carrier Dome, Syracuse, N.Y.
Fab Melo, Sophomore Center
Vincent Council did not play today. When did you find out about that?
“In the locker room we found out. Coach told us. You just have to prepare for everything”
Did that change anything about your approach to this game?
“No, we just knew we still had to be prepared, and we still had to play hard.”
What did you think about your game today?
“I didn’t play well on defense. I had some silly fouls. I think I played pretty well on offense, but they had a lot of rebounds inside on us today so I need to get better with that."
It was a tight game until you started to press. Do you think that changed the flow of the game and got you on a run?
“Yes that got us on a good run and changed the pace of the game. We work on the press every day in practice.”
Michael Carter-Williams – Freshman Guard
You had heard of the Dome obviously and seen it before. Now that you play in it, and you can feel and hear it, what has that been like for you especially for a freshman?
“The fans are amazing. To see everyone coming to the Dome, 20-to-30,000 fans is just crazy. I know how lucky I am to be here and play in such a historical place where so many great players have played on this floor, so I really enjoy it.”
You’re a freshman on the number one team in America, playing in front of so many people and you’re unbeaten. Is this too much too early being so young?
“I think it’s just part of what you go through as a player. I’m very lucky to be experiencing this and to be part of this team. It is a lot, and the pressure is there but we keep getting better every day and we remember that the next game is our biggest game.”
Is there a part of you that ever gets upset when you’re not playing?
No, I get frustrated sometimes but never upset. I can never be upset. I have too many great teammates, great coaches, and we’re 19-0. If I was upset I’d just be being selfish. Of course I’d love to play more but we’re 19-0 and if I’m a coach I’m not changing anything. I’d be doing the same thing we’re doing every day.”
Dion Waiters – Sophomore Guard
Do you feel like the team has more energy up and down the floor when you are using the press?
“Yeah it gets us going. It leads to turnovers, which lead to buckets. I think it was the key for us tonight.”
Everyone is making a big deal about how much better this team is than last year, but do you feel like you have also made strides from the first game this season to tonight’s game?
“We get better and better every game. We just continue to try and work hard and take what teams give us.”
Did you guys talk about the fact that you’re 19-0 and have matched the best start in school history?
“No we don’t talk about that we just play. We’re just trying to win. That’s the biggest thing, winning, and everything else takes care of itself.”
Many teams in the BIG EAST have slipped up this year and lost games they maybe should have won. Why has that not been an issue for this team?
“We slipped up against Marquette in the second half; we just didn’t lose the game. I think this team knows how to handle adversity. That’s what we’re trying to do out there.”
1/14/2012
Carrier Dome, Syracuse, N.Y.
Fab Melo, Sophomore Center
Vincent Council did not play today. When did you find out about that?
“In the locker room we found out. Coach told us. You just have to prepare for everything”
Did that change anything about your approach to this game?
“No, we just knew we still had to be prepared, and we still had to play hard.”
What did you think about your game today?
“I didn’t play well on defense. I had some silly fouls. I think I played pretty well on offense, but they had a lot of rebounds inside on us today so I need to get better with that."
It was a tight game until you started to press. Do you think that changed the flow of the game and got you on a run?
“Yes that got us on a good run and changed the pace of the game. We work on the press every day in practice.”
Michael Carter-Williams – Freshman Guard
You had heard of the Dome obviously and seen it before. Now that you play in it, and you can feel and hear it, what has that been like for you especially for a freshman?
“The fans are amazing. To see everyone coming to the Dome, 20-to-30,000 fans is just crazy. I know how lucky I am to be here and play in such a historical place where so many great players have played on this floor, so I really enjoy it.”
You’re a freshman on the number one team in America, playing in front of so many people and you’re unbeaten. Is this too much too early being so young?
“I think it’s just part of what you go through as a player. I’m very lucky to be experiencing this and to be part of this team. It is a lot, and the pressure is there but we keep getting better every day and we remember that the next game is our biggest game.”
Is there a part of you that ever gets upset when you’re not playing?
No, I get frustrated sometimes but never upset. I can never be upset. I have too many great teammates, great coaches, and we’re 19-0. If I was upset I’d just be being selfish. Of course I’d love to play more but we’re 19-0 and if I’m a coach I’m not changing anything. I’d be doing the same thing we’re doing every day.”
Dion Waiters – Sophomore Guard
Do you feel like the team has more energy up and down the floor when you are using the press?
“Yeah it gets us going. It leads to turnovers, which lead to buckets. I think it was the key for us tonight.”
Everyone is making a big deal about how much better this team is than last year, but do you feel like you have also made strides from the first game this season to tonight’s game?
“We get better and better every game. We just continue to try and work hard and take what teams give us.”
Did you guys talk about the fact that you’re 19-0 and have matched the best start in school history?
“No we don’t talk about that we just play. We’re just trying to win. That’s the biggest thing, winning, and everything else takes care of itself.”
Many teams in the BIG EAST have slipped up this year and lost games they maybe should have won. Why has that not been an issue for this team?
“We slipped up against Marquette in the second half; we just didn’t lose the game. I think this team knows how to handle adversity. That’s what we’re trying to do out there.”
