Syracuse Student-Athlete Quotes
Syracuse University Men’s Basketball
Syracuse vs. Loyola
November 25, 2014
Carrier Dome, Syracuse, N.Y.
Student Athlete Quotes
Rakeem Christmas, Senior, Center
Is there anything you do to try to balance your aggressive defensive style of play and limiting the fouls you pick up in the game?
“That’s something I’m trying to work on. It happens all the time, you just have to play through it. I don’t worry about it too much. I just go out there and play my game. I try to get above the ball and block shots. If I get it, I get it. If not, I try to get around and grab the rebound.”
You guys held their frontcourt without a point. Why do you guys think you were so successful shutting them down inside?
“We just try to get in front of them, make them take tough shots and then grab the rebound and get out on offense.”
Chris McCullough, Freshman, Forward
Rakeem [Christmas] is a pretty imposing force inside on defense. Do you ever notice guys rushing shots when they get the ball around him?
“Definitely, he’s a big body. A lot of people are scared of him because of his name and they know what he does - block shots and rebound.”
You guys completely shut down their front court, why do you think you guys were so successful with that?
“In the first half, I don’t think we played very good defense. In the second half, I think we really picked up the pace and played with a higher intensity. There’s little things we still need to work on though.”
Trevor Cooney, Junior, Guard
Chris McCullough has been in double figures in scoring every game. What is he doing that’s making him so effective?
“He gets great position down low. From day one we knew he was a great basketball player and we knew we had to get him the ball. When he gets the ball inside with good position, there’s not many people in the country that can stay with him. We just have to continue getting him the ball.”
What’s it going to take to get this team going from outside?
“We have to take better shots and take advantage when we get good looks. I rushed a couple today, I took a couple bad shots, but when I got a good look at the basket, I made the one. We just have to continue to find the open spots and take advantage of it.”
Syracuse vs. Loyola
November 25, 2014
Carrier Dome, Syracuse, N.Y.
Student Athlete Quotes
Rakeem Christmas, Senior, Center
Is there anything you do to try to balance your aggressive defensive style of play and limiting the fouls you pick up in the game?
“That’s something I’m trying to work on. It happens all the time, you just have to play through it. I don’t worry about it too much. I just go out there and play my game. I try to get above the ball and block shots. If I get it, I get it. If not, I try to get around and grab the rebound.”
You guys held their frontcourt without a point. Why do you guys think you were so successful shutting them down inside?
“We just try to get in front of them, make them take tough shots and then grab the rebound and get out on offense.”
Chris McCullough, Freshman, Forward
Rakeem [Christmas] is a pretty imposing force inside on defense. Do you ever notice guys rushing shots when they get the ball around him?
“Definitely, he’s a big body. A lot of people are scared of him because of his name and they know what he does - block shots and rebound.”
You guys completely shut down their front court, why do you think you guys were so successful with that?
“In the first half, I don’t think we played very good defense. In the second half, I think we really picked up the pace and played with a higher intensity. There’s little things we still need to work on though.”
Trevor Cooney, Junior, Guard
Chris McCullough has been in double figures in scoring every game. What is he doing that’s making him so effective?
“He gets great position down low. From day one we knew he was a great basketball player and we knew we had to get him the ball. When he gets the ball inside with good position, there’s not many people in the country that can stay with him. We just have to continue getting him the ball.”
What’s it going to take to get this team going from outside?
“We have to take better shots and take advantage when we get good looks. I rushed a couple today, I took a couple bad shots, but when I got a good look at the basket, I made the one. We just have to continue to find the open spots and take advantage of it.”
