Head CoachJim Boeheim Quotes - Iona
Syracuse Men’s Basketball
Syracuse vs. Iona
November 14, 2017
Carrier Dome, Syracuse, N.Y.
Head Coach Jim Boeheim
Opening Statement:
“I thought Iona played really well. They hit some hard shots. When we got a little separation, they made a really tough shot or two. But we kept our poise, we got down, we made some really good decisions. It’s always tough to play against a match-up (zone), but I thought we got into the lane.
“The player of the game was obviously Tyus (Battle). He made the plays that had to be made. I thought we got a couple of offensive rebounds, I thought Marek (Dolezaj) did a good job getting on the glass.
“We’ve got a lot to do offensively. It’s very difficult to play against a match-up (zone) early in the year – very hard. But we started off the game and we solved it. We got in, we missed four layups. We can’t do that. We made two or three really crucial bad turnovers that we’re not going to be able to do. But I thought we got our movement, we got Oshae (Brissett) a couple of spots. He hit a couple of big shots.
“I thought Frank (Howard) did some really good things today, but he made two or three turnovers that we can’t make. I give Iona a lot of credit. I thought they were really patient and really moved the ball.
“I thought Pascal (Chukwu) was good tonight. I think Iona’s a really good team, I think they’re going to win a lot of games, and probably be in the tournament at the end of the year. Overall, it was a good win for us. We are happy with it.”
Iona is projected to be an NCAA tournament team. Are you satisfied with the win?
“I think they have a really good team. I don’t care what people project. I think they have a good team, good players, and tough guys. I thought they forced us into some turnovers that we can’t make. Those are things that happen. They reach, they grab, and they get in there. They were physical. It was a really good game.”
Have you gotten what you expect out of Marek Dolezaj?
“He goes after the ball. He really hustles. Obviously, he doesn’t have his shooting yet. He works hard every day on his shooting. That’s still a long way away. But he’s going to try to go after it. Everybody talks about strength. When Hakim Warrick came in as a freshman he weighed 160 pounds and he was pretty good. He never weighed more than 180 pounds. Everybody talks about weight when they want to be negative. That has nothing to do with it. He’ll be fine. He’s going to keep going after it. He’s thin so he can move faster. You have to look at the positive side of things.”
What does the team need to work on after this game?
“Everything. We have a lot of work to do. We didn't get back well. The forwards didn't get back. The center didn't get back a couple times. You can’t let somebody beat you down the court. I can't stress enough that they played really well and I thought they made some tough 3’s. They banked one with a couple guys right up in their face. That happens. People are going to make those shots.”
Tyus Battle was huge tonight with a career high in points. How has he improved this year compared to last year?
“I think at the end of last year he was playing just like this. He is more confident and stronger. He knows what he has to do. Last year we had options. We had Andrew (White), Tyler(Lydon), and John (Gillon), who could all score for us. This year Tyus is the main guy. I think Frank (Howard) can do that. Frank got to the basket. I think Frank had a few plays where he could have pulled up. He never really played the point in high school. He played some but not much. It will take him a little time to get used to it. Tonight was a good step for him, I thought. He made a good move at the end of the half. He got to the basket. He had a couple of big 3’s in the first half. I think he is right there and can do better. I think he will do better. But Tyus is a guy that when they are playing man-to-man, he is hard to guard.”
Not just offensively with Tyus, but how have you relied on him and Frank Howard early on?
“I think it’s pretty obvious. We had 71 and they had (a combined) 43. We were obviously relying on them to carry the offense. I think Oshae (Brissett) is going to get there. He has started slow but I think he was 4-for-6 after his 0-for-3 start. He just needs to get started a little bit earlier. He has to get to the basket better. He has to get to the offensive glass better as well. He didn’t rebound too well tonight. But he is a freshman and he will get there. It will be slow steps.”
Concerning your defense, what have you seen so far in these first two games?
“We have a lot of work to do. We didn't get up a couple of times on the shooters and they made us pay. We didn't get back on defense and that’s inexcusable. These are all things that we just have to get better at. We have a lot of work to do, but that's not any surprise to me. We knew that coming in. They are fighting. I see improvement from our front-line guys already. I think Frank and Tyus are steady. I see improvement from Marek (Dolezaj) and our two big guys inside. We have to get Matt (Moyer) contributing more. He can't quite figure out where he can get his points. It takes time.”
Syracuse vs. Iona
November 14, 2017
Carrier Dome, Syracuse, N.Y.
Head Coach Jim Boeheim
Opening Statement:
“I thought Iona played really well. They hit some hard shots. When we got a little separation, they made a really tough shot or two. But we kept our poise, we got down, we made some really good decisions. It’s always tough to play against a match-up (zone), but I thought we got into the lane.
“The player of the game was obviously Tyus (Battle). He made the plays that had to be made. I thought we got a couple of offensive rebounds, I thought Marek (Dolezaj) did a good job getting on the glass.
“We’ve got a lot to do offensively. It’s very difficult to play against a match-up (zone) early in the year – very hard. But we started off the game and we solved it. We got in, we missed four layups. We can’t do that. We made two or three really crucial bad turnovers that we’re not going to be able to do. But I thought we got our movement, we got Oshae (Brissett) a couple of spots. He hit a couple of big shots.
“I thought Frank (Howard) did some really good things today, but he made two or three turnovers that we can’t make. I give Iona a lot of credit. I thought they were really patient and really moved the ball.
“I thought Pascal (Chukwu) was good tonight. I think Iona’s a really good team, I think they’re going to win a lot of games, and probably be in the tournament at the end of the year. Overall, it was a good win for us. We are happy with it.”
Iona is projected to be an NCAA tournament team. Are you satisfied with the win?
“I think they have a really good team. I don’t care what people project. I think they have a good team, good players, and tough guys. I thought they forced us into some turnovers that we can’t make. Those are things that happen. They reach, they grab, and they get in there. They were physical. It was a really good game.”
Have you gotten what you expect out of Marek Dolezaj?
“He goes after the ball. He really hustles. Obviously, he doesn’t have his shooting yet. He works hard every day on his shooting. That’s still a long way away. But he’s going to try to go after it. Everybody talks about strength. When Hakim Warrick came in as a freshman he weighed 160 pounds and he was pretty good. He never weighed more than 180 pounds. Everybody talks about weight when they want to be negative. That has nothing to do with it. He’ll be fine. He’s going to keep going after it. He’s thin so he can move faster. You have to look at the positive side of things.”
What does the team need to work on after this game?
“Everything. We have a lot of work to do. We didn't get back well. The forwards didn't get back. The center didn't get back a couple times. You can’t let somebody beat you down the court. I can't stress enough that they played really well and I thought they made some tough 3’s. They banked one with a couple guys right up in their face. That happens. People are going to make those shots.”
Tyus Battle was huge tonight with a career high in points. How has he improved this year compared to last year?
“I think at the end of last year he was playing just like this. He is more confident and stronger. He knows what he has to do. Last year we had options. We had Andrew (White), Tyler(Lydon), and John (Gillon), who could all score for us. This year Tyus is the main guy. I think Frank (Howard) can do that. Frank got to the basket. I think Frank had a few plays where he could have pulled up. He never really played the point in high school. He played some but not much. It will take him a little time to get used to it. Tonight was a good step for him, I thought. He made a good move at the end of the half. He got to the basket. He had a couple of big 3’s in the first half. I think he is right there and can do better. I think he will do better. But Tyus is a guy that when they are playing man-to-man, he is hard to guard.”
Not just offensively with Tyus, but how have you relied on him and Frank Howard early on?
“I think it’s pretty obvious. We had 71 and they had (a combined) 43. We were obviously relying on them to carry the offense. I think Oshae (Brissett) is going to get there. He has started slow but I think he was 4-for-6 after his 0-for-3 start. He just needs to get started a little bit earlier. He has to get to the basket better. He has to get to the offensive glass better as well. He didn’t rebound too well tonight. But he is a freshman and he will get there. It will be slow steps.”
Concerning your defense, what have you seen so far in these first two games?
“We have a lot of work to do. We didn't get up a couple of times on the shooters and they made us pay. We didn't get back on defense and that’s inexcusable. These are all things that we just have to get better at. We have a lot of work to do, but that's not any surprise to me. We knew that coming in. They are fighting. I see improvement from our front-line guys already. I think Frank and Tyus are steady. I see improvement from Marek (Dolezaj) and our two big guys inside. We have to get Matt (Moyer) contributing more. He can't quite figure out where he can get his points. It takes time.”
