Student-Athlete Quotes
Syracuse Basketball
Syracuse vs. Princeton
November 21, 2012
Carrier Dome – Syracuse, N.Y.
James Southerland, Senior, Forward
Defensively, when you guys have to play against those cuts and the motions, what goes into it? How do you stop them?
“I feel like we have to talk more on defense because there’s a lot of times my natural reaction is to just stop the guy going to the basket, but they have four great shooters, they make sure they get them the ball.”
How hot were you out there tonight? When did you start to feel it?
“Oh yea, I felt it [the momentum] after I got a couple of steals and then I just wanted to stay active out there – I just played my game.”
How much is your confidence growing every game?
“It’s always growing. I feel like every game, it’s growing bigger and especially with the guys around me, their great guys and they help me build my confidence and they are always looking after me out there.”
This afternoon I heard Boeheim in an interview say that you could be a candidate for sixth man of the year nationally. I don’t know if you heard him say that, but how do you feel when you hear him say things like that about you?
“Oh it feels great. It’s great my coach thinks highly of me, but at the same time, I just have to keep focused and keep doing what I do.”
Michael Carter-Williams, Sophomore, Guard
How much do you see peripherally?
“I don’t really know I just try to find the open man. When I dribble in the lane, I know someone’s always curling up at the top of the key, I know Baye’s [Keita] ducking in, I know CJ’s [Fair] there – it’s just all about our communication.”
Do people talk to you? Do you guys have your own signals?
“Definitely, because I know sometimes both people are open. I remember one time, Baye [Keita] was open with the lob and Brandon [Triche] was open up top and I saw Brandon, but Baye was a better play so the next time maybe I’ll go to Brandon instead of Baye. I just try and pick apart the defense and do the best job I can.”
Dajuan Coleman, Freshman, Forward
What’s exciting about this season, it’s so early in the year, but what are some of the exciting things you’ve had already this season?
“I just like the competition. Going out there every night and grinding, that’s what makes it fun. I love winning.”
Things seemed kind of dead until you guys got that little rush and got things going. What was it?
“Every time we make a stop or anything, we always try and pick each other up so we can have a turning point and go up big, so every little opportunity we make sure we’re picking each other up so we can keep going and try and get a blowout.”
DaJuan, just talk about what you thought of your game tonight.
“I feel I’m getting more comfortable every time I get out there. I feel more comfortable even facing up, taking mid-range jump shots – I think I did pretty well.”
What’s something that you’re really focused on working on to get better?
“Every time I step on the court, I want to lead the team in rebounds because I know the points will come.”
Syracuse vs. Princeton
November 21, 2012
Carrier Dome – Syracuse, N.Y.
James Southerland, Senior, Forward
Defensively, when you guys have to play against those cuts and the motions, what goes into it? How do you stop them?
“I feel like we have to talk more on defense because there’s a lot of times my natural reaction is to just stop the guy going to the basket, but they have four great shooters, they make sure they get them the ball.”
How hot were you out there tonight? When did you start to feel it?
“Oh yea, I felt it [the momentum] after I got a couple of steals and then I just wanted to stay active out there – I just played my game.”
How much is your confidence growing every game?
“It’s always growing. I feel like every game, it’s growing bigger and especially with the guys around me, their great guys and they help me build my confidence and they are always looking after me out there.”
This afternoon I heard Boeheim in an interview say that you could be a candidate for sixth man of the year nationally. I don’t know if you heard him say that, but how do you feel when you hear him say things like that about you?
“Oh it feels great. It’s great my coach thinks highly of me, but at the same time, I just have to keep focused and keep doing what I do.”
Michael Carter-Williams, Sophomore, Guard
How much do you see peripherally?
“I don’t really know I just try to find the open man. When I dribble in the lane, I know someone’s always curling up at the top of the key, I know Baye’s [Keita] ducking in, I know CJ’s [Fair] there – it’s just all about our communication.”
Do people talk to you? Do you guys have your own signals?
“Definitely, because I know sometimes both people are open. I remember one time, Baye [Keita] was open with the lob and Brandon [Triche] was open up top and I saw Brandon, but Baye was a better play so the next time maybe I’ll go to Brandon instead of Baye. I just try and pick apart the defense and do the best job I can.”
Dajuan Coleman, Freshman, Forward
What’s exciting about this season, it’s so early in the year, but what are some of the exciting things you’ve had already this season?
“I just like the competition. Going out there every night and grinding, that’s what makes it fun. I love winning.”
Things seemed kind of dead until you guys got that little rush and got things going. What was it?
“Every time we make a stop or anything, we always try and pick each other up so we can have a turning point and go up big, so every little opportunity we make sure we’re picking each other up so we can keep going and try and get a blowout.”
DaJuan, just talk about what you thought of your game tonight.
“I feel I’m getting more comfortable every time I get out there. I feel more comfortable even facing up, taking mid-range jump shots – I think I did pretty well.”
What’s something that you’re really focused on working on to get better?
“Every time I step on the court, I want to lead the team in rebounds because I know the points will come.”
