Coach Boeheim Quotes - Boston College
Head coach Jim Boeheim
Postgame Quotes
Syracuse vs. Boston College
Jan. 14, 2017 | Carrier Dome
Opening statement:
“You know, it is all defense. For us it was in the first half, it was strictly just the defensive effort. We did it a little bit on the road, had some good ones against Connecticut and South Carolina for a lot of the game but our offense was bad in those games. I think our defense is getting a little better, I think offensively, we didn't have a great offensive game but we still had a good game and I think our offense can still get better. I think it was a defensive effort today. That was the thing tonight.”
What was the difference tonight?
“Just the intensity, the effort, aggression. Being more aggressive, more activity. We didn't allow them to get in the post a lot and throw it out to open shooters except for two occasions that we left guys open and they made it. They are very good shooters and they make it but still shot 36 percent, so you know they are still pretty good from the 3-point line. Good shooting team -- we did a better job of being there.”
What do you think the difference was for Tyus Battle?
“I thought he was patient. I thought we were more patient and when we are there are more opportunities. Much more patience -- we move the ball better. With the defense, keeping them occupied and then you go. I thought he was terrific tonight and played well. His best game.”
How important is Tyler Lydon to this team?
“Everyone is important to this team. We can't win without any of those guys. I thought Frank (Howard) did a great job tonight. Our point guards struggled in the first half, but second half they bounced back and had eight points, nine assists. I'll take that. Everybody is important on this team. Taurean (Thompson) got us off to a nice start, a couple nice shots early. He's just not ready defensively, just out in the middle, struggling out there but he is getting better. We are better with (Tyler) Roberson and (Tyler) Lydon in our defense. That was a big key. I though Frank did a good job coming off the bench but we need everybody. Andrew (White III) hit a big bucket in the second half. We weren't getting much done and he helped us get in there. We need everybody on this team. There is no one guy.”
Did intensity tie into focus?
“I don’t know. I think it is a little bit of everything -- overall movement, execution, movement. We had two great defensive games and then went to Virginia Tech and probably played one of our worst games. Second or third worst defensive games. There’s a lot so it is hard to pick one or two. They know how to play the defense, there is no secret, they proved it, proved it early in the year, in some of those games, but we played good defense. Some games we don't. I think some of it is because of the four new players and one sophomore that start so I don't think you can over emphasize that but I think it is a huge part of why we are where we are. The fifth-year players, the first-year players, I count them as first-year players in what we do. I think we are getting better but we are still not there. We have a lot of work to do. We’re supposed to win home games but we dominate like this then we can certainly play better wherever we are playing. Usually you squeak out a game or two at home -- that is not the same. It’s not the same when you play like this. Again, we have a long ways to go, a lot of work to do, one play at a time and we'll see what happens down the road. We have a lot of work to do.”
Are DaJuan’s knees an issue?
“You know, he will say he is fine in practice but when you're watching him in practice he isn't moving, he isn't jumping. He is going say he is alright but I am not seeing it. He wants to play and he will say it. I am watching him every day but I am not seeing it. I think I told him in the locker room today there may be some games that he may. He practices every day, he is working. We have to get him in there and see what he can do for us. He just isn't moving well in practice and we just have to go by that.
I think the one thing that is interesting is that Frank (Howard) had his best practice probably since the very beginning of the year and I thought he was very solid out there tonight. I thought he had a really good first half defensively and a nice drive. I thought he was good. He is going to have to play. We need another guy there. So, we'll see what happens.”
What stands out to you about North Carolina?
“Well they are probably one of the best teams, three or four teams in the country. They are a fantastic team, a lot of veterans, big guys, veteran guards. I think they put up a bunch of points today and they are really good. They will be a great challenge.”
Postgame Quotes
Syracuse vs. Boston College
Jan. 14, 2017 | Carrier Dome
Opening statement:
“You know, it is all defense. For us it was in the first half, it was strictly just the defensive effort. We did it a little bit on the road, had some good ones against Connecticut and South Carolina for a lot of the game but our offense was bad in those games. I think our defense is getting a little better, I think offensively, we didn't have a great offensive game but we still had a good game and I think our offense can still get better. I think it was a defensive effort today. That was the thing tonight.”
What was the difference tonight?
“Just the intensity, the effort, aggression. Being more aggressive, more activity. We didn't allow them to get in the post a lot and throw it out to open shooters except for two occasions that we left guys open and they made it. They are very good shooters and they make it but still shot 36 percent, so you know they are still pretty good from the 3-point line. Good shooting team -- we did a better job of being there.”
What do you think the difference was for Tyus Battle?
“I thought he was patient. I thought we were more patient and when we are there are more opportunities. Much more patience -- we move the ball better. With the defense, keeping them occupied and then you go. I thought he was terrific tonight and played well. His best game.”
How important is Tyler Lydon to this team?
“Everyone is important to this team. We can't win without any of those guys. I thought Frank (Howard) did a great job tonight. Our point guards struggled in the first half, but second half they bounced back and had eight points, nine assists. I'll take that. Everybody is important on this team. Taurean (Thompson) got us off to a nice start, a couple nice shots early. He's just not ready defensively, just out in the middle, struggling out there but he is getting better. We are better with (Tyler) Roberson and (Tyler) Lydon in our defense. That was a big key. I though Frank did a good job coming off the bench but we need everybody. Andrew (White III) hit a big bucket in the second half. We weren't getting much done and he helped us get in there. We need everybody on this team. There is no one guy.”
Did intensity tie into focus?
“I don’t know. I think it is a little bit of everything -- overall movement, execution, movement. We had two great defensive games and then went to Virginia Tech and probably played one of our worst games. Second or third worst defensive games. There’s a lot so it is hard to pick one or two. They know how to play the defense, there is no secret, they proved it, proved it early in the year, in some of those games, but we played good defense. Some games we don't. I think some of it is because of the four new players and one sophomore that start so I don't think you can over emphasize that but I think it is a huge part of why we are where we are. The fifth-year players, the first-year players, I count them as first-year players in what we do. I think we are getting better but we are still not there. We have a lot of work to do. We’re supposed to win home games but we dominate like this then we can certainly play better wherever we are playing. Usually you squeak out a game or two at home -- that is not the same. It’s not the same when you play like this. Again, we have a long ways to go, a lot of work to do, one play at a time and we'll see what happens down the road. We have a lot of work to do.”
Are DaJuan’s knees an issue?
“You know, he will say he is fine in practice but when you're watching him in practice he isn't moving, he isn't jumping. He is going say he is alright but I am not seeing it. He wants to play and he will say it. I am watching him every day but I am not seeing it. I think I told him in the locker room today there may be some games that he may. He practices every day, he is working. We have to get him in there and see what he can do for us. He just isn't moving well in practice and we just have to go by that.
I think the one thing that is interesting is that Frank (Howard) had his best practice probably since the very beginning of the year and I thought he was very solid out there tonight. I thought he had a really good first half defensively and a nice drive. I thought he was good. He is going to have to play. We need another guy there. So, we'll see what happens.”
What stands out to you about North Carolina?
“Well they are probably one of the best teams, three or four teams in the country. They are a fantastic team, a lot of veterans, big guys, veteran guards. I think they put up a bunch of points today and they are really good. They will be a great challenge.”
