Student-Athlete Quotes - Wake Forest
Syracuse Men’s Basketball
Syracuse vs. Wake Forest
January 24, 2017
Carrier Dome, Syracuse, N.Y.
Andrew White III, Gr., G
What was the key to the 3-pointer you hit in the end of the game?
“The key is my teammates. They moved the ball around and it must have touched four guys’ hands. I play off of guys and get space in order to get open, but when you have unselfish teammates in crunch time, it makes it that much easier.”
You seem to be the safety valve in order to hit shots on the perimeter. Do you feel that responsibility?
“I’ve always put that responsibility on myself. My coaches call for it and that’s the way I play in practice every day. My teammates expect that of me and they always know where I am. I’m happy to be in that position, considering that my coaches trust me.”
Every other ACC game so far has been a double-digit game. Do you feel you learn more in these close games?
“This game was fun because it was crunch time and you could feel it in the air. You know the other team is going to make plays and you expect yourself to make plays. We grew a lot tonight because we were able to get over that hump, so later in the season that will be what defines us with the game on the line.”
Taurean Thompson, Fr, F
How clutch was the play down the stretch in order to keep the game close?
“At that point, every possession counts and, for the majority, I feel like we won them. We got key rebounds, key blocks and key three’s. Tyler Lydon and Andrew White both hit big three’s, which saved us.”
How comfortable are you in the pick-and-roll, considering how much you used that in the second half?
“The big man on Wake Forest didn’t focus on getting back, which opened me up a bunch of times. I call for the ball and make myself a presence to show that I am going to do something when I get the ball.”
How exciting was it down the stretch considering you played a big role in a game you needed to win?
“First half was a bit slow for me, but it wasn’t just me, it was a collective effort. In the second half, it wasn’t just me, it was Tyler (Lydon) and Andrew (White III) hitting threes, John Gillon getting steals and more. It was a collective group effort and I’m happy we got the win.”
Tyus Battle, Fr., G
Where is this team at right now considering you have four new guys who are still gelling together?
“It’s still up and down but I feel like we’re getting a lot better with it. We’re playing well at home, but we have to take it on the road and play better there. The road games are about our defense, so we have to bring the same mentality on the road as we do at home.”
You haven’t had a close game since UConn. What does it say that the first close game in ACC play, you were able to come out on top?
“We have grown as a team. We struggled offensively in the first half, but our defense and Andrew (White III) kept us in the game. We stuck together and pulled out a great comeback win.”
How nice was it to see the ball movement on Andrew’s late three considering you did not move the ball well against Notre Dame?
“It was nice. He was wide open after some good passes. That’s the way we have to play. I wasn’t hitting shots today, but we have guys that can make open shots that made shots today.”
John Gillon, Gr., G
I know it's a one-game-at-a-time situation, but nevertheless you are down to the final 10 games of the regular season. What is the state of the union in this room with 10 games to go?
“We can’t really lose anymore. We just want to win them all. We need to come with the same energy, even if shots aren’t falling. We just need to keep playing defense and we will be in the game.”
You were in the game late and you have a main responsibility as coach’s point guard. What were you thinking late in the game and in the other close games?
“I didn’t really think too much. I just knew that I had to make plays. I just told him that any time something happens just give me the ball and I will go make a play. Don’t even worry about that part of the game. I am going to do my job, get in the lane, get you guys open shots. Sometimes I get in the lane and pass it to somebody, and the defense will be off balance and I get the hockey assist and swing it to the next open guy. I was just trying to do my job when it came to that.”
You guys have not been in a close game since the Connecticut game. Were you guys interested in seeing how you might react if it came down to one?
“Yeah, I actually noticed we really haven't been in close games. We have either been winning by a lot or losing by a good amount. To suck it up and see what we are made of down the stretch, I think that gives us good experience in situations like that and it also gives us confidence to know that we can win those close games.”
Tyler Lydon, So., F
Coach has talked a lot about the four first-year guys as part of the starting five along with yourself. In their first close ACC game down the stretch, how do you think they responded?
“I thought they did great. Tyus (Battle) was aggressive and kept his head on the defensive end and fought over screens. Taurean (Thompson) played great in the middle and was active today. He came up with some great stops for us and was able to knock down some shots. It really came down to everyone being active and being ready to play and being clutch.”
You guys had hit them with a pretty good run and taken a six-point lead. It seemed like the whole crowd was happy but they came back and took the lead back. How did you guys react at that point?
“Once they got that back it was tough, with that little time left and going up six and they came back. I think everyone did a good job keeping their heads and staying composed during that time. John (Gillon )did a good job out their feeding us and Andrew (White III) was great for us tonight. Overall, everyone played really well.”
Do you guys feel you learn more from a win like this than from a blowout win?
“I think you find out what guys are made of in tough situations. Everybody played great and it was a great win for us.”
Syracuse vs. Wake Forest
January 24, 2017
Carrier Dome, Syracuse, N.Y.
Andrew White III, Gr., G
What was the key to the 3-pointer you hit in the end of the game?
“The key is my teammates. They moved the ball around and it must have touched four guys’ hands. I play off of guys and get space in order to get open, but when you have unselfish teammates in crunch time, it makes it that much easier.”
You seem to be the safety valve in order to hit shots on the perimeter. Do you feel that responsibility?
“I’ve always put that responsibility on myself. My coaches call for it and that’s the way I play in practice every day. My teammates expect that of me and they always know where I am. I’m happy to be in that position, considering that my coaches trust me.”
Every other ACC game so far has been a double-digit game. Do you feel you learn more in these close games?
“This game was fun because it was crunch time and you could feel it in the air. You know the other team is going to make plays and you expect yourself to make plays. We grew a lot tonight because we were able to get over that hump, so later in the season that will be what defines us with the game on the line.”
Taurean Thompson, Fr, F
How clutch was the play down the stretch in order to keep the game close?
“At that point, every possession counts and, for the majority, I feel like we won them. We got key rebounds, key blocks and key three’s. Tyler Lydon and Andrew White both hit big three’s, which saved us.”
How comfortable are you in the pick-and-roll, considering how much you used that in the second half?
“The big man on Wake Forest didn’t focus on getting back, which opened me up a bunch of times. I call for the ball and make myself a presence to show that I am going to do something when I get the ball.”
How exciting was it down the stretch considering you played a big role in a game you needed to win?
“First half was a bit slow for me, but it wasn’t just me, it was a collective effort. In the second half, it wasn’t just me, it was Tyler (Lydon) and Andrew (White III) hitting threes, John Gillon getting steals and more. It was a collective group effort and I’m happy we got the win.”
Tyus Battle, Fr., G
Where is this team at right now considering you have four new guys who are still gelling together?
“It’s still up and down but I feel like we’re getting a lot better with it. We’re playing well at home, but we have to take it on the road and play better there. The road games are about our defense, so we have to bring the same mentality on the road as we do at home.”
You haven’t had a close game since UConn. What does it say that the first close game in ACC play, you were able to come out on top?
“We have grown as a team. We struggled offensively in the first half, but our defense and Andrew (White III) kept us in the game. We stuck together and pulled out a great comeback win.”
How nice was it to see the ball movement on Andrew’s late three considering you did not move the ball well against Notre Dame?
“It was nice. He was wide open after some good passes. That’s the way we have to play. I wasn’t hitting shots today, but we have guys that can make open shots that made shots today.”
John Gillon, Gr., G
I know it's a one-game-at-a-time situation, but nevertheless you are down to the final 10 games of the regular season. What is the state of the union in this room with 10 games to go?
“We can’t really lose anymore. We just want to win them all. We need to come with the same energy, even if shots aren’t falling. We just need to keep playing defense and we will be in the game.”
You were in the game late and you have a main responsibility as coach’s point guard. What were you thinking late in the game and in the other close games?
“I didn’t really think too much. I just knew that I had to make plays. I just told him that any time something happens just give me the ball and I will go make a play. Don’t even worry about that part of the game. I am going to do my job, get in the lane, get you guys open shots. Sometimes I get in the lane and pass it to somebody, and the defense will be off balance and I get the hockey assist and swing it to the next open guy. I was just trying to do my job when it came to that.”
You guys have not been in a close game since the Connecticut game. Were you guys interested in seeing how you might react if it came down to one?
“Yeah, I actually noticed we really haven't been in close games. We have either been winning by a lot or losing by a good amount. To suck it up and see what we are made of down the stretch, I think that gives us good experience in situations like that and it also gives us confidence to know that we can win those close games.”
Tyler Lydon, So., F
Coach has talked a lot about the four first-year guys as part of the starting five along with yourself. In their first close ACC game down the stretch, how do you think they responded?
“I thought they did great. Tyus (Battle) was aggressive and kept his head on the defensive end and fought over screens. Taurean (Thompson) played great in the middle and was active today. He came up with some great stops for us and was able to knock down some shots. It really came down to everyone being active and being ready to play and being clutch.”
You guys had hit them with a pretty good run and taken a six-point lead. It seemed like the whole crowd was happy but they came back and took the lead back. How did you guys react at that point?
“Once they got that back it was tough, with that little time left and going up six and they came back. I think everyone did a good job keeping their heads and staying composed during that time. John (Gillon )did a good job out their feeding us and Andrew (White III) was great for us tonight. Overall, everyone played really well.”
Do you guys feel you learn more from a win like this than from a blowout win?
“I think you find out what guys are made of in tough situations. Everybody played great and it was a great win for us.”
