Coach Boeheim
Syracuse vs. Canisius
December 15, 2012
Boeheim Quotes
Carrier Dome, Syracuse N.Y.
Opening Statement:
“I think Jim (Baron) has done a great job with that group. His son (BillY) is an excellent player and their big guy inside is a good player. They have excellent ball handling. I thought the first half we just weren’t as good defensively as we need to be. We missed probably five or six free throws. We missed two or three lay-ups—you can’t do that, you just can’t do that. We were fortunate that our defense was good enough that we weren’t too far behind.
In the second half, within the first 10 minutes, our defense got better. I thought it [the defense] was really good—probably as good as it has been.
Offensively we executed better—we got better shots, we got in the lane better. I thought our guards controlled the game getting in the lane making plays. I thought that was the difference and our defense was good overall. We had a lot of long rebounds. Those are tough to get, we didn’t hunt some of those down, but that happens. Rebounding can be misleading or a lot of possessions were the ball just bounced out.
Offensively I thought we got better. We had a whole week of exams—you’re never as sharp or ready. I think a lot of that was Canisius was patient and took the time on the clock. We lost patience a little bit on defense, but in the second half we were more patient—when the clock ran down we stayed in a good defensive position and then they didn’t get anything. I think it was a good effort, a good game and I like their team. I think Jimmy (Coach Baron) has done a good job and they are a good team.”
What is your impression of Rakeem’s (Christmas) progress on the offensive end.
“He made a couple of really good post moves early. I think defensively he was a presence out there. He definitely has turned the corner. He is really playing well—he has really turned the corner and is going to be a big factor for us. I think DaJuan got some opportunities there and showed what he can do inside. We are still trying to get better on the defensive side with him. With these smaller teams it is hard to play the two big guys together. It’s really hard to do. James gives us so much of a threat on offense—we are not going to keep him out long periods of time.”
You are now on the eve of 900 wins -- can you talk about it?
“Nobody wants to believe me but I’m thinking nine and now I’m thinking 10. I know what happens, I know what is going on—that just does not matter to this team. Winning is the only thing that matters. They don’t care about how many wins. They care about getting the next win and that’s it. Everything else does not matter. I am happy I am still here—when I was 17 years old I almost went home in the first year (as a student at Syracuse). I am still here.”
Anything to Trevor not playing as much today?
“He got off to a bad start and Brandon (Triche) and Michael (Carter-Williams) are playing great. Trevor (Cooney) will bounce back.”
How much does the way Michael (Carter-Williams) distribute the ball make your entire team more successful?
“He’s the key. He is unselfish, knows how to get in the lane and knows where people are. He sees people, he makes creative passes and he understands the game.”
Will you talk about Billy Baron and his ability to make it to the rim in the first half?
“He is a good player. I was worried about him because his brother beat us in here and I didn’t want him to call his brother and say he beat us too. His brother was long range. Billy tried to make one of those too, but he wasn’t as good as his brother was when he was here. I think his brother made about eight of them if I am recollecting correctly. He is a really good player—he sees the game and understands the game. I like their team. I think they have a good team.”
It seemed like James (Southerland) improved in the second half?
“He is just trying to get in the spot. He had an unbelievable game at Arkansas. We would have never won that game without James (Southerland). He was phenomenal. He slipped out a little bit but he is fine. James will be fine—shooters are never good all the time.”
December 15, 2012
Boeheim Quotes
Carrier Dome, Syracuse N.Y.
Opening Statement:
“I think Jim (Baron) has done a great job with that group. His son (BillY) is an excellent player and their big guy inside is a good player. They have excellent ball handling. I thought the first half we just weren’t as good defensively as we need to be. We missed probably five or six free throws. We missed two or three lay-ups—you can’t do that, you just can’t do that. We were fortunate that our defense was good enough that we weren’t too far behind.
In the second half, within the first 10 minutes, our defense got better. I thought it [the defense] was really good—probably as good as it has been.
Offensively we executed better—we got better shots, we got in the lane better. I thought our guards controlled the game getting in the lane making plays. I thought that was the difference and our defense was good overall. We had a lot of long rebounds. Those are tough to get, we didn’t hunt some of those down, but that happens. Rebounding can be misleading or a lot of possessions were the ball just bounced out.
Offensively I thought we got better. We had a whole week of exams—you’re never as sharp or ready. I think a lot of that was Canisius was patient and took the time on the clock. We lost patience a little bit on defense, but in the second half we were more patient—when the clock ran down we stayed in a good defensive position and then they didn’t get anything. I think it was a good effort, a good game and I like their team. I think Jimmy (Coach Baron) has done a good job and they are a good team.”
What is your impression of Rakeem’s (Christmas) progress on the offensive end.
“He made a couple of really good post moves early. I think defensively he was a presence out there. He definitely has turned the corner. He is really playing well—he has really turned the corner and is going to be a big factor for us. I think DaJuan got some opportunities there and showed what he can do inside. We are still trying to get better on the defensive side with him. With these smaller teams it is hard to play the two big guys together. It’s really hard to do. James gives us so much of a threat on offense—we are not going to keep him out long periods of time.”
You are now on the eve of 900 wins -- can you talk about it?
“Nobody wants to believe me but I’m thinking nine and now I’m thinking 10. I know what happens, I know what is going on—that just does not matter to this team. Winning is the only thing that matters. They don’t care about how many wins. They care about getting the next win and that’s it. Everything else does not matter. I am happy I am still here—when I was 17 years old I almost went home in the first year (as a student at Syracuse). I am still here.”
Anything to Trevor not playing as much today?
“He got off to a bad start and Brandon (Triche) and Michael (Carter-Williams) are playing great. Trevor (Cooney) will bounce back.”
How much does the way Michael (Carter-Williams) distribute the ball make your entire team more successful?
“He’s the key. He is unselfish, knows how to get in the lane and knows where people are. He sees people, he makes creative passes and he understands the game.”
Will you talk about Billy Baron and his ability to make it to the rim in the first half?
“He is a good player. I was worried about him because his brother beat us in here and I didn’t want him to call his brother and say he beat us too. His brother was long range. Billy tried to make one of those too, but he wasn’t as good as his brother was when he was here. I think his brother made about eight of them if I am recollecting correctly. He is a really good player—he sees the game and understands the game. I like their team. I think they have a good team.”
It seemed like James (Southerland) improved in the second half?
“He is just trying to get in the spot. He had an unbelievable game at Arkansas. We would have never won that game without James (Southerland). He was phenomenal. He slipped out a little bit but he is fine. James will be fine—shooters are never good all the time.”
