Coach Boeheim Quotes
Syracuse vs. Central Connecticut
December 31, 2012
Coach Boeheim Quotes
Carrier Dome– Syracuse, N.Y.
Opening Statement:
“I thought today we shot the ball better. We made some shots. We struggled a little and then we made some shots. When the ball goes in the basket, it’s no secret that you play better. The game unfolds better. We hit a couple of threes and loosened some things up a little bit. We were able to get by and get into the lanes and make plays. We were more active on defense. We did a better job, I thought, rebounding second shots, particularly in the second half.
Again, I thought it was a much better offensive game for us. Our defense was pretty solid. You get through the nonconference season and you get to this position where we’re looking forward to starting the BIG EAST with Rutgers. They are off to a great start. We are looking forward to that challenge in a couple of days.”
Just your thoughts on the state of your team heading into BIG EAST play. Is it where you want them to be?
“We are right where we are. I think everybody is looking forward to the challenge.”
If you are going to have a team in a shooting slump, do you like it when they come out of it and its more than just one guy hitting like seven or eight shots?
“We have guys that can shoot. I don’t think that we’ve been in a slump. I think we are going to miss some shots. That’s just part of the game. You can take any NBA player -- I told the players this today in the locker room -- you take any NBA player you want. You can look at a two- or three-game stretch and they are going to shoot 25 percent. Any player you want -- Lebron (James), (Dwayne) Wade. Pick anybody. They are going to have a three-game stretch someplace where they shoot, 20, 25, 30 percent. It’s just the way it is and even more so in college.
Take the best hitter in baseball. He’s going to go 0-for-15 during the course of the season. It’s not a slump. It’s just reality. It’s just what it is. You just keep playing. In the long run, at the end of the day, the percentages will be what they are. They will be where they are going to be.
We have guys that are going to make shots. I think that’s important. I think that we do have capabilities of different guys to make shots from the perimeter and that’s a good thing. Some teams only have one guy that can make shots. We have a couple of different guys that can make shots and that’s going to be a good thing in the long run.”
How important do you think confidence wise it was for Michael (Carter-Williams) to reestablish on the outside?
“He’s made shots this year. He’s made big shots. He’s going to make some more. He’s going to miss some. The year will go on.”
What are you looking for from DaJuan (Coleman), Jim? When he catches it inside, would you prefer he tries to dunk more than he is now?
“It would be nice if he could. I would like to see that.”
It looks like he is catching it lower on the block, where you would want him to catch it.
“He’s not used to the big guys yet. They are bigger than he’s used to playing against. It will take time. When get against the really big teams, like the seven footers, it will be an adjustment for him. He hasn’t played those guys. The first year is a learning experience for any low-post player. It’s always difficult. If you are seven foot, it’s difficult. It takes time. He made some good plays. He’s going to make some bad plays. The important thing is, is that he gets back on defense and defends. That type of thing.
I thought the biggest jump today was Rakeem (Christmas). I thought he was the most active he’s been this year. I think in the long run, that’s going to be very important for us.”
December 31, 2012
Coach Boeheim Quotes
Carrier Dome– Syracuse, N.Y.
Opening Statement:
“I thought today we shot the ball better. We made some shots. We struggled a little and then we made some shots. When the ball goes in the basket, it’s no secret that you play better. The game unfolds better. We hit a couple of threes and loosened some things up a little bit. We were able to get by and get into the lanes and make plays. We were more active on defense. We did a better job, I thought, rebounding second shots, particularly in the second half.
Again, I thought it was a much better offensive game for us. Our defense was pretty solid. You get through the nonconference season and you get to this position where we’re looking forward to starting the BIG EAST with Rutgers. They are off to a great start. We are looking forward to that challenge in a couple of days.”
Just your thoughts on the state of your team heading into BIG EAST play. Is it where you want them to be?
“We are right where we are. I think everybody is looking forward to the challenge.”
If you are going to have a team in a shooting slump, do you like it when they come out of it and its more than just one guy hitting like seven or eight shots?
“We have guys that can shoot. I don’t think that we’ve been in a slump. I think we are going to miss some shots. That’s just part of the game. You can take any NBA player -- I told the players this today in the locker room -- you take any NBA player you want. You can look at a two- or three-game stretch and they are going to shoot 25 percent. Any player you want -- Lebron (James), (Dwayne) Wade. Pick anybody. They are going to have a three-game stretch someplace where they shoot, 20, 25, 30 percent. It’s just the way it is and even more so in college.
Take the best hitter in baseball. He’s going to go 0-for-15 during the course of the season. It’s not a slump. It’s just reality. It’s just what it is. You just keep playing. In the long run, at the end of the day, the percentages will be what they are. They will be where they are going to be.
We have guys that are going to make shots. I think that’s important. I think that we do have capabilities of different guys to make shots from the perimeter and that’s a good thing. Some teams only have one guy that can make shots. We have a couple of different guys that can make shots and that’s going to be a good thing in the long run.”
How important do you think confidence wise it was for Michael (Carter-Williams) to reestablish on the outside?
“He’s made shots this year. He’s made big shots. He’s going to make some more. He’s going to miss some. The year will go on.”
What are you looking for from DaJuan (Coleman), Jim? When he catches it inside, would you prefer he tries to dunk more than he is now?
“It would be nice if he could. I would like to see that.”
It looks like he is catching it lower on the block, where you would want him to catch it.
“He’s not used to the big guys yet. They are bigger than he’s used to playing against. It will take time. When get against the really big teams, like the seven footers, it will be an adjustment for him. He hasn’t played those guys. The first year is a learning experience for any low-post player. It’s always difficult. If you are seven foot, it’s difficult. It takes time. He made some good plays. He’s going to make some bad plays. The important thing is, is that he gets back on defense and defends. That type of thing.
I thought the biggest jump today was Rakeem (Christmas). I thought he was the most active he’s been this year. I think in the long run, that’s going to be very important for us.”
