Syracuse Player Quotes
Syracuse Student Athletes
2012 NCAA Selection Show
March 11, 2012
Scoop Jardine, Senior Guard
What do you think about playing UNC Ashville in the first round?
It does not matter who we play, shooters or non-shooters , believe in our zone and we should be fine.”
Are there any experiences you can draw on after being a No. 1 seed in 2009/10?
“For the most part it is two different teams. We just have to play our basketball. We went 31-2 all season. We know what we are fully capable of doing. We just have to keep playing an elite brand of defense and playing at a high level.
“The only difference is back (in 2009/10) we were not healthy. We are healthy now. Everybody is healthy and we had two great days of practice. I think everybody is feeling great about our team.”
How much of a thrill is it to see Syracuse selected as a No. 1 seed?
“It is exciting because we work hard all year for this and this is a special moment for our team. You always want to see your name called for the NCAA Tournament. We worked hard all year to get a number one seed and we got it. Now we start 0-0 and we need to win six games.”
What goals does the team have for the first game aside from just emerging with a win?
“We want to play better. We always want to play better than we did in our last game. For the most part we have to be better because at times we can be beaten. We know we have to play our basketball, play as a team and we should be fine.”
Any areas in particular the team needs to improve?
“Defense, our effort, controlling the ball, and helping each other get better shots will be the most important things going into this game.”
What do you tell the other players about playing in the NCAA Tournament?
“Just play basketball. It is just another game and you do not want to put too much pressure on yourself. Do what we have done all year. We know what we have done to get to this point. Just play basketball and having fun doing it. I think we should be fine and the players know that."
What do you think about a potential matchup with Kansas St. in the second round?
“We are worried about UNC Ashville. If they take care of business and we take care of business then we will see (Kansas St.). But for the most part we will not even see that team till after the first game.”
Will playing in Pittsburgh help the team?
“No matter where we go our fans are going to support us. Pittsburgh is close to home. We have, hopefully, two great games down there. But it starts with how we play as a team. No matter who we play against we have to be better.”
Is playing in the East region going to be an advantage to this year’s team?
“(In 2009/10) we were out west, but it does not matter where you play. We just have to play better no matter who we are playing against or where we are located at. Like I said our fans are going to follow us. If we do the things we like to do on both ends, I think we should be fine.”
Talk about your mindset knowing this is your last NCAA Tournament.
“I am confident. Definitely. We had two great days of practice where we really got after it and each other. This is it for Kris and myself, we know that. So there is a sense of urgency. We have to go out there and beat these teams like we have done all year. I think we should be fine."
Kris Joseph, Senior Forward
Does this year feel the same or feel different than when the team was a No. 1 seed in 2009/10
“Kind of the same. Both years we worked all season to be a No. 1 seed. We deserved it and it is a great feeling knowing that your senior year you get to play as a No. 1 seed. But that could also be nothing if we go out there and lose our first game.
“It is just about us going out there and executing the things we need to execute on both ends of the floor and playing good basketball.”
Dion Waiters, Sophmore Guard
What are your thoughts on playing in your home state of Pennsylvania in the first round?
“It is going to be great. I know a lot of fans are going to come out and support us. We just have to be ready to go from the jump—that is the biggest thing.”
How does playing in the NCAA Tournament affect your play?
“I would have liked to win (the BIG EAST Tournament). We came up short. I think that prepared us for the (NCAA) Tournament. We do not like to lose and at the end of the day, it is win or go home now. Everybody has to bring their A-game.”
What are your thoughts on getting to play in the NCAA Tournament?
“It is a great feeling just going out there and playing in front of a big crowd. The NCAA has you prepare for it by practicing in front of the crowd. Just things like that you try and soak up. I am just happy to be a part of something like that.”
Fab Melo, Sophomore Center
What have the past two days been like at practice?
“We brought it hard. It was hard work and it is going to be great for us.”
What did last year’s NCAA Tournament appearance teach you?
“We learned that we can’t play along. We have to go. We have to go focused. We have to go to win it. That is why we work hard in practice.”
How confident is the team in its abilities to win the NCAA Tournament?
“We are confident. Every game is going to be tough. We are confident in our team and all that we can do.”
How does the regular season help prepare the team for the NCAA Tournament?
“It helps because we play a lot of games. We have played every style of game--games that we were behind and games that we blew them out. I think those kinds of games will help us in the tournament.”
C.J. Fair, Sophomore Forward
What did the team take away from the loss to Cincinnati?
“We learned to take one game at a time. We know every team from here on out will be tough. A lot of times we have gotten past teams simply because we are better than them. Cincinnati just came out there and came at us from the jump. With their style of game, hitting a lot of threes, they put the pressure on us.”
How exciting is this to go to the NCAA Tournament and be a major contributor to this team?
“It is exciting going to the NCAA Tournament. All eyes are on you. We are one of the best teams in the country and for me to be starting is like a dream come true.”
What was today like waiting around to find out who Syracuse was going to play?
“After practice it was fun (laughs). Waiting around, we did not know if we would get the number one overall seed or what. Watching the whole bracket come out, we are excited for the whole NCAA Tournament.”
2012 NCAA Selection Show
March 11, 2012
Scoop Jardine, Senior Guard
What do you think about playing UNC Ashville in the first round?
It does not matter who we play, shooters or non-shooters , believe in our zone and we should be fine.”
Are there any experiences you can draw on after being a No. 1 seed in 2009/10?
“For the most part it is two different teams. We just have to play our basketball. We went 31-2 all season. We know what we are fully capable of doing. We just have to keep playing an elite brand of defense and playing at a high level.
“The only difference is back (in 2009/10) we were not healthy. We are healthy now. Everybody is healthy and we had two great days of practice. I think everybody is feeling great about our team.”
How much of a thrill is it to see Syracuse selected as a No. 1 seed?
“It is exciting because we work hard all year for this and this is a special moment for our team. You always want to see your name called for the NCAA Tournament. We worked hard all year to get a number one seed and we got it. Now we start 0-0 and we need to win six games.”
What goals does the team have for the first game aside from just emerging with a win?
“We want to play better. We always want to play better than we did in our last game. For the most part we have to be better because at times we can be beaten. We know we have to play our basketball, play as a team and we should be fine.”
Any areas in particular the team needs to improve?
“Defense, our effort, controlling the ball, and helping each other get better shots will be the most important things going into this game.”
What do you tell the other players about playing in the NCAA Tournament?
“Just play basketball. It is just another game and you do not want to put too much pressure on yourself. Do what we have done all year. We know what we have done to get to this point. Just play basketball and having fun doing it. I think we should be fine and the players know that."
What do you think about a potential matchup with Kansas St. in the second round?
“We are worried about UNC Ashville. If they take care of business and we take care of business then we will see (Kansas St.). But for the most part we will not even see that team till after the first game.”
Will playing in Pittsburgh help the team?
“No matter where we go our fans are going to support us. Pittsburgh is close to home. We have, hopefully, two great games down there. But it starts with how we play as a team. No matter who we play against we have to be better.”
Is playing in the East region going to be an advantage to this year’s team?
“(In 2009/10) we were out west, but it does not matter where you play. We just have to play better no matter who we are playing against or where we are located at. Like I said our fans are going to follow us. If we do the things we like to do on both ends, I think we should be fine.”
Talk about your mindset knowing this is your last NCAA Tournament.
“I am confident. Definitely. We had two great days of practice where we really got after it and each other. This is it for Kris and myself, we know that. So there is a sense of urgency. We have to go out there and beat these teams like we have done all year. I think we should be fine."
Kris Joseph, Senior Forward
Does this year feel the same or feel different than when the team was a No. 1 seed in 2009/10
“Kind of the same. Both years we worked all season to be a No. 1 seed. We deserved it and it is a great feeling knowing that your senior year you get to play as a No. 1 seed. But that could also be nothing if we go out there and lose our first game.
“It is just about us going out there and executing the things we need to execute on both ends of the floor and playing good basketball.”
Dion Waiters, Sophmore Guard
What are your thoughts on playing in your home state of Pennsylvania in the first round?
“It is going to be great. I know a lot of fans are going to come out and support us. We just have to be ready to go from the jump—that is the biggest thing.”
How does playing in the NCAA Tournament affect your play?
“I would have liked to win (the BIG EAST Tournament). We came up short. I think that prepared us for the (NCAA) Tournament. We do not like to lose and at the end of the day, it is win or go home now. Everybody has to bring their A-game.”
What are your thoughts on getting to play in the NCAA Tournament?
“It is a great feeling just going out there and playing in front of a big crowd. The NCAA has you prepare for it by practicing in front of the crowd. Just things like that you try and soak up. I am just happy to be a part of something like that.”
Fab Melo, Sophomore Center
What have the past two days been like at practice?
“We brought it hard. It was hard work and it is going to be great for us.”
What did last year’s NCAA Tournament appearance teach you?
“We learned that we can’t play along. We have to go. We have to go focused. We have to go to win it. That is why we work hard in practice.”
How confident is the team in its abilities to win the NCAA Tournament?
“We are confident. Every game is going to be tough. We are confident in our team and all that we can do.”
How does the regular season help prepare the team for the NCAA Tournament?
“It helps because we play a lot of games. We have played every style of game--games that we were behind and games that we blew them out. I think those kinds of games will help us in the tournament.”
C.J. Fair, Sophomore Forward
What did the team take away from the loss to Cincinnati?
“We learned to take one game at a time. We know every team from here on out will be tough. A lot of times we have gotten past teams simply because we are better than them. Cincinnati just came out there and came at us from the jump. With their style of game, hitting a lot of threes, they put the pressure on us.”
How exciting is this to go to the NCAA Tournament and be a major contributor to this team?
“It is exciting going to the NCAA Tournament. All eyes are on you. We are one of the best teams in the country and for me to be starting is like a dream come true.”
What was today like waiting around to find out who Syracuse was going to play?
“After practice it was fun (laughs). Waiting around, we did not know if we would get the number one overall seed or what. Watching the whole bracket come out, we are excited for the whole NCAA Tournament.”
