Student-Athlete Quotes - Binghamton
Syracuse Men’s Basketball
Syracuse vs. Binghamton
December 7, 2013
Carrier Dome, Syracuse, N.Y.
Student Athlete Quotes
CJ Fair, Senior, Forward
Is it tough to go out to a game like this after Indiana and now Binghamton, a school that you should handle, which you did?
“Of course it’s hard. You have to have mental preparation for the game and sometimes it doesn’t always happen the way you want. I think for us, they slowed us down by running zone and then we let them get some shots, some three’s and they got a little hot. Luckily, it wasn’t too bad of a deficit that we couldn’t come back. Once we got into the game we took control of the game.”
What about looking forward to playing in the Garden and playing an old BIG EAST game?
“I am excited. It’s always fun to play in the Garden (Madison Square Garden). We’re playing St. John’s. I heard they’re hard. We’ve got to be ready for whatever they bring. It will be an exciting game on both ends.”
Will you go through your shooting tonight. You had a couple early air balls and you seemed to overcome that.
“Yeah, I shot a couple air balls. Coach told me to be aggressive and as a player that’s what you do because sometimes you need confidence if you shoot a couple air balls. Once I saw a couple shots go in, I got into a rhythm and then I just kept shooting aggressively.”
Cooney had five three-pointers tonight, that’s actually the fifth time he’s done that this year. Can you just discuss how he’s been your most consistent offensive threat so far this year?
“He’s been making at least three three’s a game and for him to be consistent like that from the three point line is great for our team. He keeps the defense honest.”
Trevor Cooney, Redshirt Sophomore, Guard
How about the freshman? Those three guys haven’t really played much in the last four or five games, do you still see them working hard in practice? A game like this is important for them.
“Yeah, I’ve been in those shoes before and you just have to come out every day and work hard. I was talking with Ron Patterson about just being ready and coming out every day and working hard and just keep waiting for your moment because it’s going to come. He took full advantage of it today and he was great.”
Can you talk about MSG (Madison Square Garden)? Going there to the biggest arena, playing St. John’s?
“Going to New York City is always fun. Playing in the Garden is very exciting for everyone. We’re going there, playing St. John’s, it’s going to be a good time. But you have to be ready to play. St. John’s is a very good team and you just have to come ready to play. I know everyone is excited to go.”
How important is it to play in these old BIG EAST games?
“When you play in these rivalries for so long, with so many good programs, I think it’s good to keep those alive. I think it’s good that we’re playing them this year, and hopefully more next year.”
How good does it feel to make all those shots?
“It feels good. I’m just staying positive and when teammates are setting good screens for you and giving you an open spot, you just have to get it down and it’s easy from there. “
What did coach tell you with the slow start?
“He told us just to pick it up, especially defensively. We came out really flat, gave up a couple of three’s. Against anyone, you can’t do that. Our pressure really got us going and we were able to make them turn it over and get on a nice little run. But if you come out flat against anyone, that’s going to happen.”
Ron Patterson, Freshman, Guard
What do games like this mean to the freshmen?
“Just to show our coach we’re ready to play and when our number is called, give it our all, play every possession.”
How did you feel out there?
“I was comfortable out there, just hitting some shots and making some good passes, playing well on defense, rebounding.”
DaJuan Coleman, Sophmore, Forward
How do you feel about your performance?
“My main focus was just rebounding, scoring when necessary, and just getting the win.”
How much impact did the full court press have on the game?
“They (Binghamton) had the momentum, hitting three three’s in the first couple of minutes so we had to turn it around and start pressing to get the lead.”
What was the difference between your first and second half performance?
“(We were) just being more aggressive than the first half, getting the rebounds and scoring.”
How do you think the freshmen did tonight?
“They did pretty well, got a couple of shots, knocked down some big shots. It was good for them; they didn’t really play as much but just to get out there and start playing - it was good for them.”
Syracuse vs. Binghamton
December 7, 2013
Carrier Dome, Syracuse, N.Y.
Student Athlete Quotes
CJ Fair, Senior, Forward
Is it tough to go out to a game like this after Indiana and now Binghamton, a school that you should handle, which you did?
“Of course it’s hard. You have to have mental preparation for the game and sometimes it doesn’t always happen the way you want. I think for us, they slowed us down by running zone and then we let them get some shots, some three’s and they got a little hot. Luckily, it wasn’t too bad of a deficit that we couldn’t come back. Once we got into the game we took control of the game.”
What about looking forward to playing in the Garden and playing an old BIG EAST game?
“I am excited. It’s always fun to play in the Garden (Madison Square Garden). We’re playing St. John’s. I heard they’re hard. We’ve got to be ready for whatever they bring. It will be an exciting game on both ends.”
Will you go through your shooting tonight. You had a couple early air balls and you seemed to overcome that.
“Yeah, I shot a couple air balls. Coach told me to be aggressive and as a player that’s what you do because sometimes you need confidence if you shoot a couple air balls. Once I saw a couple shots go in, I got into a rhythm and then I just kept shooting aggressively.”
Cooney had five three-pointers tonight, that’s actually the fifth time he’s done that this year. Can you just discuss how he’s been your most consistent offensive threat so far this year?
“He’s been making at least three three’s a game and for him to be consistent like that from the three point line is great for our team. He keeps the defense honest.”
Trevor Cooney, Redshirt Sophomore, Guard
How about the freshman? Those three guys haven’t really played much in the last four or five games, do you still see them working hard in practice? A game like this is important for them.
“Yeah, I’ve been in those shoes before and you just have to come out every day and work hard. I was talking with Ron Patterson about just being ready and coming out every day and working hard and just keep waiting for your moment because it’s going to come. He took full advantage of it today and he was great.”
Can you talk about MSG (Madison Square Garden)? Going there to the biggest arena, playing St. John’s?
“Going to New York City is always fun. Playing in the Garden is very exciting for everyone. We’re going there, playing St. John’s, it’s going to be a good time. But you have to be ready to play. St. John’s is a very good team and you just have to come ready to play. I know everyone is excited to go.”
How important is it to play in these old BIG EAST games?
“When you play in these rivalries for so long, with so many good programs, I think it’s good to keep those alive. I think it’s good that we’re playing them this year, and hopefully more next year.”
How good does it feel to make all those shots?
“It feels good. I’m just staying positive and when teammates are setting good screens for you and giving you an open spot, you just have to get it down and it’s easy from there. “
What did coach tell you with the slow start?
“He told us just to pick it up, especially defensively. We came out really flat, gave up a couple of three’s. Against anyone, you can’t do that. Our pressure really got us going and we were able to make them turn it over and get on a nice little run. But if you come out flat against anyone, that’s going to happen.”
Ron Patterson, Freshman, Guard
What do games like this mean to the freshmen?
“Just to show our coach we’re ready to play and when our number is called, give it our all, play every possession.”
How did you feel out there?
“I was comfortable out there, just hitting some shots and making some good passes, playing well on defense, rebounding.”
DaJuan Coleman, Sophmore, Forward
How do you feel about your performance?
“My main focus was just rebounding, scoring when necessary, and just getting the win.”
How much impact did the full court press have on the game?
“They (Binghamton) had the momentum, hitting three three’s in the first couple of minutes so we had to turn it around and start pressing to get the lead.”
What was the difference between your first and second half performance?
“(We were) just being more aggressive than the first half, getting the rebounds and scoring.”
How do you think the freshmen did tonight?
“They did pretty well, got a couple of shots, knocked down some big shots. It was good for them; they didn’t really play as much but just to get out there and start playing - it was good for them.”
