Coach Boeheim Quotes - Pittsburgh
Postgame Quotes
Head coach Jim Boeheim
Syracuse vs. Pittsburgh
January 7, 2017
Opening statement:
“I felt like the key early was with so many switches, we had mismatch situations where John (Gillon) is trying to drive and get in the lane and find open guys and we hit open shots. The difference in the game was our defense. The first half was probably some of the best defense we’ve played since I can’t even remember when.”
“Tyler (Roberson) came in and blocked three or four shots. We were covering and staying in front of people. We didn’t give them really any easy looks. You can tell the difference in the second half because the same team that was 0-of-7 was 6-of-12 because we didn’t have the same coverage. Someone would rebound and throw out, which are hard to defend. I thought the key was being patient and spreading them out and trying to take advantage of Tyler Lydon down low against the guards with mismatches.”
“The defense in the first half and our ball movement when they went to the zone. We had Tyus (Battle) and Andrew (White III) open. John (Gillon) was really, really good and his floor game was just about as good as you could get. He was making plays and controlling the game. I thought he was great. One of the big reasons he’s in the game, when they don’t come up on him – he can make a three. I thought that was a huge difference in the game today that he got those shots and he can make those shots.”
“It was a really great effort. Pittsburgh is a tremendous offensive team. I think one of the best offensive teams in the country. They showed that in the second half. The first half, the defense was the difference.”
What was Tyler Roberson’s impact on the game today?
“He didn’t score in the first half and he was probably one of the key guys. He three or four blocks and six rebounds. I thought he slowed down a little in the second half, he wasn’t as aggressive as he was in the first half.”
What’s been the difference in John Gillon’s play the last two games?
“It’s getting used to the system and used to the players. That takes time. I told him a long time ago that he was going to play eight or nine minutes, but he never really relaxed in that situation. I think being familiar with the system and knowing he’s going to be in there is helping his confidence out.”
For someone like John Gillon, does it make a difference that he’s starting?
“No, you have to know you’re going to play and they’ve known that since the first day. In the early games, sometimes I’ll take a guy out for a mistake when we’re going to win by 20 anyway. Once we get into tough games, we’ll leave them out there and give them seven or eight minutes.”
Tyus Battle seems to have expanded his role, how has he done that?
“I think they left him open over there. In the second half, he didn’t get as many shots. He needs to be more aggressive when he gets his opportunities. When he got his looks over there, he shot the ball really well all year. He’s playing defense better, too. He can still get a lot better. It’s going to take time.”
Head coach Jim Boeheim
Syracuse vs. Pittsburgh
January 7, 2017
Opening statement:
“I felt like the key early was with so many switches, we had mismatch situations where John (Gillon) is trying to drive and get in the lane and find open guys and we hit open shots. The difference in the game was our defense. The first half was probably some of the best defense we’ve played since I can’t even remember when.”
“Tyler (Roberson) came in and blocked three or four shots. We were covering and staying in front of people. We didn’t give them really any easy looks. You can tell the difference in the second half because the same team that was 0-of-7 was 6-of-12 because we didn’t have the same coverage. Someone would rebound and throw out, which are hard to defend. I thought the key was being patient and spreading them out and trying to take advantage of Tyler Lydon down low against the guards with mismatches.”
“The defense in the first half and our ball movement when they went to the zone. We had Tyus (Battle) and Andrew (White III) open. John (Gillon) was really, really good and his floor game was just about as good as you could get. He was making plays and controlling the game. I thought he was great. One of the big reasons he’s in the game, when they don’t come up on him – he can make a three. I thought that was a huge difference in the game today that he got those shots and he can make those shots.”
“It was a really great effort. Pittsburgh is a tremendous offensive team. I think one of the best offensive teams in the country. They showed that in the second half. The first half, the defense was the difference.”
What was Tyler Roberson’s impact on the game today?
“He didn’t score in the first half and he was probably one of the key guys. He three or four blocks and six rebounds. I thought he slowed down a little in the second half, he wasn’t as aggressive as he was in the first half.”
What’s been the difference in John Gillon’s play the last two games?
“It’s getting used to the system and used to the players. That takes time. I told him a long time ago that he was going to play eight or nine minutes, but he never really relaxed in that situation. I think being familiar with the system and knowing he’s going to be in there is helping his confidence out.”
For someone like John Gillon, does it make a difference that he’s starting?
“No, you have to know you’re going to play and they’ve known that since the first day. In the early games, sometimes I’ll take a guy out for a mistake when we’re going to win by 20 anyway. Once we get into tough games, we’ll leave them out there and give them seven or eight minutes.”
Tyus Battle seems to have expanded his role, how has he done that?
“I think they left him open over there. In the second half, he didn’t get as many shots. He needs to be more aggressive when he gets his opportunities. When he got his looks over there, he shot the ball really well all year. He’s playing defense better, too. He can still get a lot better. It’s going to take time.”
