Student-Athlete Quotes
Syracuse vs. Eastern Michigan
December 3, 2012
Student-Athlete Quotes
Syracuse, N.Y. – Carrier Dome
Brandon Triche, Senior, Guard
Can you talk about the slow start and what you think played into some of the turnovers early in the game?
“We were a little tentative. Even in past years, we’ve always struggled playing against our own zone. Their length was deceiving and they were able to get in the passing lane so it took us a little while to adjust to it.”
Can you talk about the press you guys put on, and the energy that that gave the team and the difference that it made?
“We spend about twenty minutes on that every day in practice. So it is a weapon that we have. It’s not all the way man-to-man but we’re actually pretty good at it. We just need to speed the tempo up and get the offense going. I think they were throwing the ball down a little bit, and I think we struggle with that. Once we got a few buckets, we were able to be more energized on defense against steals like that.”
Do you feel that the way the game went early on the press was really needed to make that difference?
“I think we needed it, because we were all struggling. No player was playing well on our team. We just needed easy buckets to get everyone’s nerves to calm down. I think once we realized we were all struggling, we were all trying to rush a little bit, and try to seek shots. By playing hard on our press, we were able to get them in trouble a little bit and get easy buckets.”
DaJuan Coleman, Freshman, Forward
How has your confidence been?
“I just take it one game at a time, and just try to win.”
What about the rest of these guys? Do you think they’re over confident?
“I think it’s a good kind confident, not over confident.”
How has this been for you? Five or six games in...
“It’s been good. I’ve been good. I love college. I love playing, and I’m comfortable.”
Is it frustrating out there for you – to make the transition?
“A little bit. I think I got fouled a couple times down low, but they didn’t call it, so I just have to make a couple of adjustments.”
Coach said the team is going to go as far as you and Rakeem (Chirstmas) can take them, do you feel any pressure?
“I don’t think its pressure at all. I think it’s just motivation when your coach is looking at you to step up. That’s what you need to do, and that’s what I’m trying to do.”
Trevor Cooney, Sophomore, Guard
Do you feel like you turned a corner the last ten minutes of the game?
“When I was able to get that first one to go, as a basketball player – getting shots to go in is big. Once I was able to get that first one out of the way, it definitely took a relief off my back.”
Did the free throws help you?
“Without a doubt. When you’re able to get on the line and get some easy points, that just makes you feel that much better. It gets a nice rhythm into the game, a nice flow.”
How difficult has this been for you personally to miss all those three pointers when you’re the marksman?
“It would be easy to say that it hasn’t, but it definitely gets to you a little bit. If you let it really get to you, then you’re just going to be done. If you really let it get to you then you can’t play a sport like this. You just have to stay positive about yourself and believe that the next one is going to fall for you.”
Jerami Grant, Freshman, Forward
How do you feel you played and how do you feel the team played as a whole?
“I felt like the team came out a little slow, but after a little bit we picked it up, and we put the press on them. We definitely played well. As a player, I came out aggressive and I feel like I played well.”
What do you think you have to work on?
“We have to play hard the whole game and start out strong. If we jump on a team in the beginning, then it will be a lot easier.”
December 3, 2012
Student-Athlete Quotes
Syracuse, N.Y. – Carrier Dome
Brandon Triche, Senior, Guard
Can you talk about the slow start and what you think played into some of the turnovers early in the game?
“We were a little tentative. Even in past years, we’ve always struggled playing against our own zone. Their length was deceiving and they were able to get in the passing lane so it took us a little while to adjust to it.”
Can you talk about the press you guys put on, and the energy that that gave the team and the difference that it made?
“We spend about twenty minutes on that every day in practice. So it is a weapon that we have. It’s not all the way man-to-man but we’re actually pretty good at it. We just need to speed the tempo up and get the offense going. I think they were throwing the ball down a little bit, and I think we struggle with that. Once we got a few buckets, we were able to be more energized on defense against steals like that.”
Do you feel that the way the game went early on the press was really needed to make that difference?
“I think we needed it, because we were all struggling. No player was playing well on our team. We just needed easy buckets to get everyone’s nerves to calm down. I think once we realized we were all struggling, we were all trying to rush a little bit, and try to seek shots. By playing hard on our press, we were able to get them in trouble a little bit and get easy buckets.”
DaJuan Coleman, Freshman, Forward
How has your confidence been?
“I just take it one game at a time, and just try to win.”
What about the rest of these guys? Do you think they’re over confident?
“I think it’s a good kind confident, not over confident.”
How has this been for you? Five or six games in...
“It’s been good. I’ve been good. I love college. I love playing, and I’m comfortable.”
Is it frustrating out there for you – to make the transition?
“A little bit. I think I got fouled a couple times down low, but they didn’t call it, so I just have to make a couple of adjustments.”
Coach said the team is going to go as far as you and Rakeem (Chirstmas) can take them, do you feel any pressure?
“I don’t think its pressure at all. I think it’s just motivation when your coach is looking at you to step up. That’s what you need to do, and that’s what I’m trying to do.”
Trevor Cooney, Sophomore, Guard
Do you feel like you turned a corner the last ten minutes of the game?
“When I was able to get that first one to go, as a basketball player – getting shots to go in is big. Once I was able to get that first one out of the way, it definitely took a relief off my back.”
Did the free throws help you?
“Without a doubt. When you’re able to get on the line and get some easy points, that just makes you feel that much better. It gets a nice rhythm into the game, a nice flow.”
How difficult has this been for you personally to miss all those three pointers when you’re the marksman?
“It would be easy to say that it hasn’t, but it definitely gets to you a little bit. If you let it really get to you, then you’re just going to be done. If you really let it get to you then you can’t play a sport like this. You just have to stay positive about yourself and believe that the next one is going to fall for you.”
Jerami Grant, Freshman, Forward
How do you feel you played and how do you feel the team played as a whole?
“I felt like the team came out a little slow, but after a little bit we picked it up, and we put the press on them. We definitely played well. As a player, I came out aggressive and I feel like I played well.”
What do you think you have to work on?
“We have to play hard the whole game and start out strong. If we jump on a team in the beginning, then it will be a lot easier.”
