Student-Athlete Quotes - Cornell
Syracuse Men’s Basketball
Syracuse vs. Cornell
November 10, 2017
Carrier Dome, Syracuse, N.Y.
Tyus Battle, So., G
How has the defense been these past few games?
“I think the defense was the best it’s been out of the three games (two exhibitions, one regular-season). We are going to make a lot of improvements as the season goes on – that is just how it goes. This team has some really good defenders, man-to-man defenders and zone defense defenders, so it should be good.”
Do you have any relationship with Jimmy Boeheim? Was the dynamic weird having your coach coaching against his son?
“Yeah, it definitely was a weird dynamic. He (Jimmy) did well out there. He had some floaters and made some tough shots. I think he did well.”
Is there an overall better feeling about this team after the two exhibition game wins and the win tonight?
“Yeah, I was never worried about this team. We are good. We are a really good defensive team – we just have to prove it. People are counting us out but we aren’t listening to any of that. We know we are going to be good and we are going to beat some teams.”
Oshae Brissett, Fr., F
Were you a lot more confident tonight with your shot compared to the exhibition season?
“That just comes from confidence from my coaches. They tell me to shoot the ball and don’t be hesitant. That’s what I did in the first exhibition game and I was nervous and didn't know what to expect. Now, the game is coming easier to me. Now I just need to learn how to play within the system and slow down.”
You got through your debut jitters and got the victory. How does it feel to get out there for the first time and truly get the feel of starting the season off?
“It feels great. The team is amazing. I love my team. We played amazing today. Obviously, we had a few slip-ups here and there. Overall, I think it was a good team win. We played amazing defense. We just need to keep growing more and more every game.”
That dunk you had created a lot of energy even though you guys were winning. Talk about how you build off of that and try to take that from your teammates.
“That’s what we have to do. We have to get dunks because that’s what hypes us up. We just need to make highlight plays to get the team awake. When we do that the game will come easy and we will get more defensive stops and more buckets.”
Frank Howard, Jr., G
How does it feel to get a nice win on opening night?
“It feels good to get a good one under our belt. We had a lot of good defensive rotations today and that’s what we are trying to hold our hat on this year. Our defense is going to spark our offense. First half we got a little stagnant when we were going 1-on-5 and taking tough shots. That’s not our tempo. We want to get up and down. That’s mainly on me and our defense. We gave up some buckets. If we can get stops and if they can get the ball to me, we can push. That’s our game.”
The offense seems like it is flowing better than in the exhibition season. Do you agree with that?
“We are in the era now where everyone wants things so fast. We have guys that are 18 or 19 playing in their first game. Everything is going to come together easily. I’m still getting back in rhythm. Geno [Thorpe] is still getting his legs back. We are still getting back on the same page. Every game you can see the growth of each player. We are still learning and we are trying to get better.”
How do you feel about your performance tonight?
“I think I did a C+ job today. I think the second half tonight is where I need to be the whole game. I need to control the game, control the tempo, and not take so many tough shots. I need to put myself and my teammates in better situations. We are still learning the offense and the movements. I’m just here to push the ball, control the game, and lead.”
Matthew Moyer, R-Fr., F
How do you keep your energy up 100 percent of the time?
“Just focus. It’s about every single possession. Coach constantly preaches to me to focus on every single possession, to think about every single possession, and to value every single possession. If I do that, I think I can be very successful.”
What did you concentrate on most last year when you were sitting out?
"Just working on my game so when I get the opportunity to catch and shoot I make it. My shot will fall. My jump shot will fall. I know it will. It’s early and I’m still getting used to the depth perception of the Dome. My shots will fall and I’m just working on all the parts of my game. I know I can go out there and get 10 rebounds every game. I know I can do that. But I’m focusing on a lot of the other stuff that nobody sees.”
How did you take coming out of the game in the first half tonight?
“It was the best thing for me. I had 10 rebounds tonight. I also had a few steals. Those are the categories that Coach wants you to fill. Those are winning plays. Those are things that help you win games. I know my job. I’m going to score more here and there. I’m not worried about that. My job is to go out there and be the junk yard dog. I need to get every single rebound and get every single loose ball. I just need to go out there and be controlled-crazy and just get the job done. I need to help us win games.”
Bourama Sidibe, Fr., F
Where do you see the whole team going?
“I think we’ve got a shot to do well the rest of the way. We can find a way that we can win.”
Geno Thorpe, Gr., G
You seem to be the guy that always gets guys going, despite missing some shots. Is there anything to that?
“Yeah, I think it’s something that all basketball players go through, coming into a new spot, trying to break the ice.”
Did you put any pressure on yourself?
“No, I just try to come out and play my game.”
Syracuse vs. Cornell
November 10, 2017
Carrier Dome, Syracuse, N.Y.
Tyus Battle, So., G
How has the defense been these past few games?
“I think the defense was the best it’s been out of the three games (two exhibitions, one regular-season). We are going to make a lot of improvements as the season goes on – that is just how it goes. This team has some really good defenders, man-to-man defenders and zone defense defenders, so it should be good.”
Do you have any relationship with Jimmy Boeheim? Was the dynamic weird having your coach coaching against his son?
“Yeah, it definitely was a weird dynamic. He (Jimmy) did well out there. He had some floaters and made some tough shots. I think he did well.”
Is there an overall better feeling about this team after the two exhibition game wins and the win tonight?
“Yeah, I was never worried about this team. We are good. We are a really good defensive team – we just have to prove it. People are counting us out but we aren’t listening to any of that. We know we are going to be good and we are going to beat some teams.”
Oshae Brissett, Fr., F
Were you a lot more confident tonight with your shot compared to the exhibition season?
“That just comes from confidence from my coaches. They tell me to shoot the ball and don’t be hesitant. That’s what I did in the first exhibition game and I was nervous and didn't know what to expect. Now, the game is coming easier to me. Now I just need to learn how to play within the system and slow down.”
You got through your debut jitters and got the victory. How does it feel to get out there for the first time and truly get the feel of starting the season off?
“It feels great. The team is amazing. I love my team. We played amazing today. Obviously, we had a few slip-ups here and there. Overall, I think it was a good team win. We played amazing defense. We just need to keep growing more and more every game.”
That dunk you had created a lot of energy even though you guys were winning. Talk about how you build off of that and try to take that from your teammates.
“That’s what we have to do. We have to get dunks because that’s what hypes us up. We just need to make highlight plays to get the team awake. When we do that the game will come easy and we will get more defensive stops and more buckets.”
Frank Howard, Jr., G
How does it feel to get a nice win on opening night?
“It feels good to get a good one under our belt. We had a lot of good defensive rotations today and that’s what we are trying to hold our hat on this year. Our defense is going to spark our offense. First half we got a little stagnant when we were going 1-on-5 and taking tough shots. That’s not our tempo. We want to get up and down. That’s mainly on me and our defense. We gave up some buckets. If we can get stops and if they can get the ball to me, we can push. That’s our game.”
The offense seems like it is flowing better than in the exhibition season. Do you agree with that?
“We are in the era now where everyone wants things so fast. We have guys that are 18 or 19 playing in their first game. Everything is going to come together easily. I’m still getting back in rhythm. Geno [Thorpe] is still getting his legs back. We are still getting back on the same page. Every game you can see the growth of each player. We are still learning and we are trying to get better.”
How do you feel about your performance tonight?
“I think I did a C+ job today. I think the second half tonight is where I need to be the whole game. I need to control the game, control the tempo, and not take so many tough shots. I need to put myself and my teammates in better situations. We are still learning the offense and the movements. I’m just here to push the ball, control the game, and lead.”
Matthew Moyer, R-Fr., F
How do you keep your energy up 100 percent of the time?
“Just focus. It’s about every single possession. Coach constantly preaches to me to focus on every single possession, to think about every single possession, and to value every single possession. If I do that, I think I can be very successful.”
What did you concentrate on most last year when you were sitting out?
"Just working on my game so when I get the opportunity to catch and shoot I make it. My shot will fall. My jump shot will fall. I know it will. It’s early and I’m still getting used to the depth perception of the Dome. My shots will fall and I’m just working on all the parts of my game. I know I can go out there and get 10 rebounds every game. I know I can do that. But I’m focusing on a lot of the other stuff that nobody sees.”
How did you take coming out of the game in the first half tonight?
“It was the best thing for me. I had 10 rebounds tonight. I also had a few steals. Those are the categories that Coach wants you to fill. Those are winning plays. Those are things that help you win games. I know my job. I’m going to score more here and there. I’m not worried about that. My job is to go out there and be the junk yard dog. I need to get every single rebound and get every single loose ball. I just need to go out there and be controlled-crazy and just get the job done. I need to help us win games.”
Bourama Sidibe, Fr., F
Where do you see the whole team going?
“I think we’ve got a shot to do well the rest of the way. We can find a way that we can win.”
Geno Thorpe, Gr., G
You seem to be the guy that always gets guys going, despite missing some shots. Is there anything to that?
“Yeah, I think it’s something that all basketball players go through, coming into a new spot, trying to break the ice.”
Did you put any pressure on yourself?
“No, I just try to come out and play my game.”
