SyracuseStudent-AthleteQuotes1.25.14
Syracuse Men’s Basketball
Syracuse vs. Miami
January 24, 2015
Carrier Dome, Syracuse, N.Y.
Rakeem Christmas, Senior, Center
How tough is it to make some of those pressure free throws at the end of the game?
“We do it in practice, we have to be able to do it in the game. Just have to go in there and be confident in yourself.”
What are your thoughts on your next game, playing in an atmosphere like North Carolina?
“It’s going to be a tough game but we can’t worry about the atmosphere. We just have to go out there and play.”
Trevor Cooney, Redshirt Junior, Guard
It seems like the team got a lot more aggressive on the boards, was that something you focused on?
“Yes, we need to rebound better for us to beat good teams and be in games you have to be able to rebound. We did a much better job in the second half with that.”
Seems tough to fight back from a double-digit deficit once, how hard is it to do it twice?
“It is really tough, but we couldn’t get that one bucket or stop that we really needed.”
Kaleb Josep, Freshman, Guard
Do you think the team needs to create more crunch-time situations in practice to help guys get over nerves down the stretch?
“I don’t think you can mimic a game situation, but I think it just comes down to repetition in practice so guys do feel more comfortable in the games.”
How even did this game feel throughout, because it felt like it could’ve turned at any point?
“It definitely could have gone either way. In games like this it comes down to the little plays like free throws and that three-pointer at the end of the shot clock.”
Syracuse vs. Miami
January 24, 2015
Carrier Dome, Syracuse, N.Y.
Rakeem Christmas, Senior, Center
How tough is it to make some of those pressure free throws at the end of the game?
“We do it in practice, we have to be able to do it in the game. Just have to go in there and be confident in yourself.”
What are your thoughts on your next game, playing in an atmosphere like North Carolina?
“It’s going to be a tough game but we can’t worry about the atmosphere. We just have to go out there and play.”
Trevor Cooney, Redshirt Junior, Guard
It seems like the team got a lot more aggressive on the boards, was that something you focused on?
“Yes, we need to rebound better for us to beat good teams and be in games you have to be able to rebound. We did a much better job in the second half with that.”
Seems tough to fight back from a double-digit deficit once, how hard is it to do it twice?
“It is really tough, but we couldn’t get that one bucket or stop that we really needed.”
Kaleb Josep, Freshman, Guard
Do you think the team needs to create more crunch-time situations in practice to help guys get over nerves down the stretch?
“I don’t think you can mimic a game situation, but I think it just comes down to repetition in practice so guys do feel more comfortable in the games.”
How even did this game feel throughout, because it felt like it could’ve turned at any point?
“It definitely could have gone either way. In games like this it comes down to the little plays like free throws and that three-pointer at the end of the shot clock.”
