Head Coach Jim Boeheim Quotes - Texas Southern
Syracuse Men’s Basketball vs. Texas Southern
November 18, 2017
Carrier Dome
Syracuse Head Coach Jim Boeheim
Opening Statement
“I think when we really focus on defense, like we were to start the second half, we really did a good job of moving, keeping the ball in the middle, getting on shooters. When we got the lead, we got comfortable. These guys can shoot, everybody who we play can shoot. We got comfortable and then we let them get some shots and all of the sudden a 10 point (lead) goes away. It doesn’t matter who we have in the game, that should never happen. All these guys work every day, they work hard on defense. That shouldn’t happen. They (Texas Southern) did a really good job the whole game of being patient and moving the ball, and their big guy was right there and they made some really good passes to him down on the block. When we played defense, when we were all active and engaged, we played pretty good."
“Offensively in the first half it looked like we had never seen a zone before. In the second half we moved the ball, got it in the high post, then Marek (Dolezaj) made some really good passes to the low post and Ty (Battle) hit a couple of shots to get us some spacing. When we weren’t moving in the first half, Geno (Thorpe) made some really good plays, almost on his own. Then in the second half when we got him some good shots, he didn’t make them. The first half he kept us in there. That was good."
“They (Texas Southern) were very patient, they really moved the ball, took their time, and attacked our defense very well.”
This was the third straight game the team shot better in the second half. What are the reasons for that?
“We had better movement (in the second half). These two games, playing against zones, it’s a little hard to get going. We were a little more patient and got the ball inside better. Marek (Dolezaj) made some really good passes out of there and got people open shots and layups. Oshae (Brissett) was looking for his jumper instead of getting back to the basket more, which he did at the end. He has to see that earlier.”
Are you starting to see more of what you thought you’d see from Geno Thorpe?
“He was hurt and missed all of that time and I don't think he has the same push that he had earlier in the year off his foot. He was very good in the first half tonight.”
When was the last time you saw a spin move into a dunk like Tyus Battle did tonight?
“He can do that. He can do some of those things. He is a gifted athlete.”
What is Howard Washington’s role right now for the team?
“He’s a freshman and we have three experienced guards that are going to play the bulk of the time until he can get established. He’s played well in practice.”
Can you talk about Marek Dolezaj’s play tonight and whether his passing out from the post is something you want him to do if his shot is not falling?
“He’s not a shot maker. He missed a couple around the basket that he can make. He made some plays out of the post that really helped us. He goes after the ball better than anybody on our team. He really goes after it.”
You had five guys score in double figures tonight. How will that balance help the team moving forward?
“We need everybody to participate. We need everybody to be involved. That’s a good sign.”
November 18, 2017
Carrier Dome
Syracuse Head Coach Jim Boeheim
Opening Statement
“I think when we really focus on defense, like we were to start the second half, we really did a good job of moving, keeping the ball in the middle, getting on shooters. When we got the lead, we got comfortable. These guys can shoot, everybody who we play can shoot. We got comfortable and then we let them get some shots and all of the sudden a 10 point (lead) goes away. It doesn’t matter who we have in the game, that should never happen. All these guys work every day, they work hard on defense. That shouldn’t happen. They (Texas Southern) did a really good job the whole game of being patient and moving the ball, and their big guy was right there and they made some really good passes to him down on the block. When we played defense, when we were all active and engaged, we played pretty good."
“Offensively in the first half it looked like we had never seen a zone before. In the second half we moved the ball, got it in the high post, then Marek (Dolezaj) made some really good passes to the low post and Ty (Battle) hit a couple of shots to get us some spacing. When we weren’t moving in the first half, Geno (Thorpe) made some really good plays, almost on his own. Then in the second half when we got him some good shots, he didn’t make them. The first half he kept us in there. That was good."
“They (Texas Southern) were very patient, they really moved the ball, took their time, and attacked our defense very well.”
This was the third straight game the team shot better in the second half. What are the reasons for that?
“We had better movement (in the second half). These two games, playing against zones, it’s a little hard to get going. We were a little more patient and got the ball inside better. Marek (Dolezaj) made some really good passes out of there and got people open shots and layups. Oshae (Brissett) was looking for his jumper instead of getting back to the basket more, which he did at the end. He has to see that earlier.”
Are you starting to see more of what you thought you’d see from Geno Thorpe?
“He was hurt and missed all of that time and I don't think he has the same push that he had earlier in the year off his foot. He was very good in the first half tonight.”
When was the last time you saw a spin move into a dunk like Tyus Battle did tonight?
“He can do that. He can do some of those things. He is a gifted athlete.”
What is Howard Washington’s role right now for the team?
“He’s a freshman and we have three experienced guards that are going to play the bulk of the time until he can get established. He’s played well in practice.”
Can you talk about Marek Dolezaj’s play tonight and whether his passing out from the post is something you want him to do if his shot is not falling?
“He’s not a shot maker. He missed a couple around the basket that he can make. He made some plays out of the post that really helped us. He goes after the ball better than anybody on our team. He really goes after it.”
You had five guys score in double figures tonight. How will that balance help the team moving forward?
“We need everybody to participate. We need everybody to be involved. That’s a good sign.”
