Head Coach Jim Boeheim Quotes
Syracuse vs. Cornell
Friday, November 10, 2017
Carrier Dome | Syracuse, N.Y.
Head Coach Jim Boeheim
Opening Statement:
“Tonight was a tough game. You watch him (Jimmy Boeheim) play his whole life and you are always pulling for two things: that he plays well and that his team wins. So I was only hoping for one of those tonight but when he started out I was a little bit worried.”
“Defensively, we did a good job. I thought the whole 40 minutes we were keying in on what we had to do on defense. Our offense is low on depth. We missed some shots that can we make, will make.”
“Geno Thorpe, he hasn’t gotten his rhythm and timing yet because of the time he missed, he needed to be at practice. But, he’s got the capabilities of scoring, which is something we need.”
“I thought we rebounded the ball pretty well. I thought the big guys were pretty good in the middle. I thought Tyus Battle was impressive and I think that’s important. I thought Frank Howard did a really good job with getting the ball to people and making plays. So again, our defense was solid and we still have a lot to do on offense. That’s going to take some time.”
How long does it take to shake any emotions associated with a game like this?
“I’m not playing, so it doesn’t matter what my emotions are. I just have to coach the team and I’m always hoping that my son plays well. I kind of just focus on the game, but I think he (Jimmy Boeheim) did well and put the ball up the floor. It’s hard to do that against our zone and I think he did that really well and made plays a few times. Some of his shots were in and out, but I think he played well.”
You've indicated stressing defense this season. Did you change practices at all to focus more on certain things?
“I don’t think we did anything that different. We may have had a shade more emphasis on our basics, but the offensive timing we did the same as we have. I think we’re just more athletic, longer, and willing to commit. If we had been similar to last year, on that first play, Cornell would have had a dunk. Instead we had a block on a pretty incredible athlete. We didn’t have that before.”
What are your thoughts on having some of best big men in the power five this year?
“Well it helps. It helps any defense. Size is important in basketball.”
Can you comment on the play of Matthew Moyer?
“There were a few times where he didn’t block out. He has to do that. There were a few times where he came out quickly. He can’t do that. He has to make those plays. He can make a shot if he gets one. He got a pretty good short jumper in there. He had a couple drives, but he has to get better at finishing those. He has to rebound and play defense.
“I think Oshae (Brissett) played good, defensively. He’s just not there yet. He has to finish when he gets to the basket. It’s more contact than he’s used to and he needs to be stronger going to the basket. We’ve got a lot of improvement, and that’s normal when you have a young team. But I’m really happy with Frank (Howard) and Tyus (Battle). Both of them were looking to try and make plays, and that was good. “
Frank Howard had four assists and one turnover. What did you like about the way he handled the ball?
“I think he did a good job. We limited those guys’ minutes, if they had played the last few minutes they would have had better numbers. But it was a good opportunity to play the other two guards. But I think Frank made some offensive plays. He played well on defense. We need to do a better job pushing the ball down the court.”
Friday, November 10, 2017
Carrier Dome | Syracuse, N.Y.
Head Coach Jim Boeheim
Opening Statement:
“Tonight was a tough game. You watch him (Jimmy Boeheim) play his whole life and you are always pulling for two things: that he plays well and that his team wins. So I was only hoping for one of those tonight but when he started out I was a little bit worried.”
“Defensively, we did a good job. I thought the whole 40 minutes we were keying in on what we had to do on defense. Our offense is low on depth. We missed some shots that can we make, will make.”
“Geno Thorpe, he hasn’t gotten his rhythm and timing yet because of the time he missed, he needed to be at practice. But, he’s got the capabilities of scoring, which is something we need.”
“I thought we rebounded the ball pretty well. I thought the big guys were pretty good in the middle. I thought Tyus Battle was impressive and I think that’s important. I thought Frank Howard did a really good job with getting the ball to people and making plays. So again, our defense was solid and we still have a lot to do on offense. That’s going to take some time.”
How long does it take to shake any emotions associated with a game like this?
“I’m not playing, so it doesn’t matter what my emotions are. I just have to coach the team and I’m always hoping that my son plays well. I kind of just focus on the game, but I think he (Jimmy Boeheim) did well and put the ball up the floor. It’s hard to do that against our zone and I think he did that really well and made plays a few times. Some of his shots were in and out, but I think he played well.”
You've indicated stressing defense this season. Did you change practices at all to focus more on certain things?
“I don’t think we did anything that different. We may have had a shade more emphasis on our basics, but the offensive timing we did the same as we have. I think we’re just more athletic, longer, and willing to commit. If we had been similar to last year, on that first play, Cornell would have had a dunk. Instead we had a block on a pretty incredible athlete. We didn’t have that before.”
What are your thoughts on having some of best big men in the power five this year?
“Well it helps. It helps any defense. Size is important in basketball.”
Can you comment on the play of Matthew Moyer?
“There were a few times where he didn’t block out. He has to do that. There were a few times where he came out quickly. He can’t do that. He has to make those plays. He can make a shot if he gets one. He got a pretty good short jumper in there. He had a couple drives, but he has to get better at finishing those. He has to rebound and play defense.
“I think Oshae (Brissett) played good, defensively. He’s just not there yet. He has to finish when he gets to the basket. It’s more contact than he’s used to and he needs to be stronger going to the basket. We’ve got a lot of improvement, and that’s normal when you have a young team. But I’m really happy with Frank (Howard) and Tyus (Battle). Both of them were looking to try and make plays, and that was good. “
Frank Howard had four assists and one turnover. What did you like about the way he handled the ball?
“I think he did a good job. We limited those guys’ minutes, if they had played the last few minutes they would have had better numbers. But it was a good opportunity to play the other two guards. But I think Frank made some offensive plays. He played well on defense. We need to do a better job pushing the ball down the court.”
