Student-Athlete Quotes - Miami
Syracuse Men’s Basketball
Syracuse vs. Miami
January 4, 2014
Syracuse, N.Y. – Carrier Dome
Student-Athlete Quotes
Rakeem Christmas, Junior, Center
You came out more aggressively, was that the mindset you took going in to the game?
“Yes. We tried to come out strong and we made big plays and it got our team going. When we make big plays, everything gets going and we turn our defense up.”
Is there ever any panic involved? What are the huddles like during the time outs?
“We just keep our heads calm and whatever Coach (Boeheim) tells us to do, we are going to do. If wants us to rebound, we rebound. “
How much more confidence are you getting on the offensive end?
“I’m getting a lot of confidence. I’m getting a lot of passes and posting it big, so I just want to get big and post the ball up strong.”
In a time like this where Trevor Cooney isn’t making shots do you want to call for the ball more? Is there more of an emphasis to get the ball to you in those situations?
“Yes. We trust Trevor to take his shots because we can still get the rebound. We are just trying to get the ball to the post and from there go high-low or pass the ball back in to C.J (Fair) to take the shot.”
Jerami Grant, Sophomore, Forward
As far as Miami slowing you guys down and making you play a different type of game, how does this help you moving forward?
“It definitely helps because we are going to see different types of defenses. Just playing against a different type of team is good for us.”
Can you talk about how strong the team was at the end of the game?
“We’ve been strong all year at the end of the game. We turn up our defense and we play better than we do throughout the whole game.”
Not having Trevor Cooney out there making those shots -- how much does it change for you inside?
“It changes our offense a lot as far as the drive to the basket. It was a little tough today but I’m just glad we got the win.”
What did you learn about yourself going forward that you’re going to take positively from this game?
“Just that we can win. We can win tough games. We’ve been doing it all year. Going forward this just helps our confidence.”
Tyler Ennis, Freshman, Guard
How frustrating was it playing against their matchup zone?
“You have to pick your spots a little bit more. It took a while to get going in the second half and we are just happy that we pulled it out.”
When your offense is struggling like that, how do you guys maintain your composure and keep from rushing shots or making bad decisions?
“We just know that we are going to get good shots. Coach reminds us all of the time in practice -- we want to push the ball but when we have to slow it down we know how to execute plays.”
Starting conference play, did it feel a little different out there today?
“It was a little bit slower than usual. It was a low scoring game, but every team in the ACC is good, so with Miami, they might not have the best record, but they are a tough team.”
C.J. Fair, Senior, Forward
Can you tell me your thoughts on the first game in the ACC, an ugly game, but a game you guys pulled out?
“It was definitely an ugly game but we were fortunate to pull it out. Give a lot of credit to Miami. They did a good job getting good shots, holding the shot clock down, making us work on defense. They had a solid match-up zone and we could not really get anything going.”
What did you think about Rakeem Christmas’ defense and rebounding down the stretch?
“He made some big-time rebounds and intercepted some passes. He had an offensive rebound and put back, which was crucial. He came up big when we needed him.”
In a game where Treveor Cooney’s off, what kind of pressure does that put on the rest of the guys where the points had to come from somewhere else?
“In this type of game it puts a lot of pressure on other guys, but if it was more of a fast-paced game, I do not think it would have been that big of an adjustment. Since this was a dog-fight type of game, we were not getting a lot of second-chance possessions. He just had one of those off nights and it was tough to get everyone else going.”
How difficult is it when the other team is winding the shot clock down 35 seconds every possession?
“It is tough to have to play defense that long, especially when they get a rebound or score, period, and then we come down and take a quick shot and have to get back on defense. We could not really get anything going like that.”
The ACC is supposed to be a little more fast paced. Did this feel more like the BIG EAST than the ACC, what kind of game did you guys give us today?
“It had more of the feel of a BIG EAST game, something like Cincinnati, but Miami is a big physical team. It was a battle and I think it is going to be the same way when we go down there later in the season.”
Syracuse vs. Miami
January 4, 2014
Syracuse, N.Y. – Carrier Dome
Student-Athlete Quotes
Rakeem Christmas, Junior, Center
You came out more aggressively, was that the mindset you took going in to the game?
“Yes. We tried to come out strong and we made big plays and it got our team going. When we make big plays, everything gets going and we turn our defense up.”
Is there ever any panic involved? What are the huddles like during the time outs?
“We just keep our heads calm and whatever Coach (Boeheim) tells us to do, we are going to do. If wants us to rebound, we rebound. “
How much more confidence are you getting on the offensive end?
“I’m getting a lot of confidence. I’m getting a lot of passes and posting it big, so I just want to get big and post the ball up strong.”
In a time like this where Trevor Cooney isn’t making shots do you want to call for the ball more? Is there more of an emphasis to get the ball to you in those situations?
“Yes. We trust Trevor to take his shots because we can still get the rebound. We are just trying to get the ball to the post and from there go high-low or pass the ball back in to C.J (Fair) to take the shot.”
Jerami Grant, Sophomore, Forward
As far as Miami slowing you guys down and making you play a different type of game, how does this help you moving forward?
“It definitely helps because we are going to see different types of defenses. Just playing against a different type of team is good for us.”
Can you talk about how strong the team was at the end of the game?
“We’ve been strong all year at the end of the game. We turn up our defense and we play better than we do throughout the whole game.”
Not having Trevor Cooney out there making those shots -- how much does it change for you inside?
“It changes our offense a lot as far as the drive to the basket. It was a little tough today but I’m just glad we got the win.”
What did you learn about yourself going forward that you’re going to take positively from this game?
“Just that we can win. We can win tough games. We’ve been doing it all year. Going forward this just helps our confidence.”
Tyler Ennis, Freshman, Guard
How frustrating was it playing against their matchup zone?
“You have to pick your spots a little bit more. It took a while to get going in the second half and we are just happy that we pulled it out.”
When your offense is struggling like that, how do you guys maintain your composure and keep from rushing shots or making bad decisions?
“We just know that we are going to get good shots. Coach reminds us all of the time in practice -- we want to push the ball but when we have to slow it down we know how to execute plays.”
Starting conference play, did it feel a little different out there today?
“It was a little bit slower than usual. It was a low scoring game, but every team in the ACC is good, so with Miami, they might not have the best record, but they are a tough team.”
C.J. Fair, Senior, Forward
Can you tell me your thoughts on the first game in the ACC, an ugly game, but a game you guys pulled out?
“It was definitely an ugly game but we were fortunate to pull it out. Give a lot of credit to Miami. They did a good job getting good shots, holding the shot clock down, making us work on defense. They had a solid match-up zone and we could not really get anything going.”
What did you think about Rakeem Christmas’ defense and rebounding down the stretch?
“He made some big-time rebounds and intercepted some passes. He had an offensive rebound and put back, which was crucial. He came up big when we needed him.”
In a game where Treveor Cooney’s off, what kind of pressure does that put on the rest of the guys where the points had to come from somewhere else?
“In this type of game it puts a lot of pressure on other guys, but if it was more of a fast-paced game, I do not think it would have been that big of an adjustment. Since this was a dog-fight type of game, we were not getting a lot of second-chance possessions. He just had one of those off nights and it was tough to get everyone else going.”
How difficult is it when the other team is winding the shot clock down 35 seconds every possession?
“It is tough to have to play defense that long, especially when they get a rebound or score, period, and then we come down and take a quick shot and have to get back on defense. We could not really get anything going like that.”
The ACC is supposed to be a little more fast paced. Did this feel more like the BIG EAST than the ACC, what kind of game did you guys give us today?
“It had more of the feel of a BIG EAST game, something like Cincinnati, but Miami is a big physical team. It was a battle and I think it is going to be the same way when we go down there later in the season.”
