Student-Athlete Quotes - Southern Connecticut State
Syracuse Men’s Basketball
Syracuse vs. Southern Connecticut State
November 6, 2010
Carrier Dome, Syracuse, N.Y.
Student-Athlete Quotes
Frank Howard, Jr., G
You guys have pressed a lot in these two exhibition games. Do you think that’s because the half-court offense has been struggling or the press is something you will use a lot this year?
“I think it’s both. Coming out slow in the beginning shows our youth. We have guys standing around and not getting a lot of movement. That really affects our defense. The press jumpstarts us a little bit, but we’re getting out of the whole starting slow thing. That starts with Tyus (Battle) and me. We have to be more aggressive early. I’m not too worried. The young guys understand what shots to take, so it will be a process.
Can you be a pressing team, even with all the young guys?
“I think we can be a phenomenal pressing team. That could be our bread and butter. We always want to have that in our back pocket, but this year, that will be part of our identity. We’re athletic, long and have speed at every position.”
In terms of the half-court offense, what do you think is wrong?
“I think it’s a lack of knowledge in terms of the flow of the game, which is normal. If Tyus (Battle) drives and kicks to me on the wing, some of them get stuck, where they’re unsure where to move. When that happens, we take a lot of contested jump shots, and we struggle. We’re getting the movement as the games go on, and you can see that.”
Oshae Brissett, Fr., F
You struggled in the beginning of both exhibition games. What do you think you need to change to fix that?
“This game I felt more relaxed. It was a hard time getting the ball in the basket, but I wasn’t as nervous. The first game was my first game in the Dome and I didn’t know how to play, but tonight I was way more relaxed. Next game I need to find my rhythm early. It might not be the 3-point shot, but I’m going to attack the basket and calm down.”
Coach seems pretty confident that you are going to improve in terms of shooting, but now it seems like the defense is leading the offense. How do you feel about that?
“That’s what we’re trying to do – create steals and get transition buckets. In the second half, we were able to steal the ball and get easy points in the paint. That leads to open 3’s. That’s what we need to do, turn defense into offense.”
Getting on the offensive glass is something you are good at. How often do you focus on that?
I just want to grab the ball. It’s tough because Paschal (Chukwu) and Bourama (Sidibe) are down there and they are always hunting for the ball. I’m always looking for the put-back dunks or the ball to land in my hands and finish with contact.”
Bourama Sidibe, Fr., C
When you guys switch to the press, you’ve had success. What is your focus in the press?
“I just want to be in the right place. We have Paschal (Chukwu) and me to block some shots. We have to help the other players, because it’s not easy to work in the press.”
Coach says the key to the press is to have a shot blocker. Do you like that role in the press?
“I love blocking shots – since I was in eighth grade that’s what I do. In high school at St. Benedict’s we pressed the same way, so I already have an understanding of how to work in this press.”
You had 12 rebounds today. Tell me how you approach rebounding?
“I know sometimes I’m not going to get the ball down low to score, so the best way to score is to get offensive rebounds. I know that if they shoot from the corner it is usually going to go long, and when they shoot from straight on it’s going to bounce to either side. I position myself accordingly because of that.”
Tyus Battle, So., G
What do you think you could have done differently this game?
“Gotta be ready to play from the start. We were making shots but weren’t playing defense.”
What do you think of Sidibe and Brissett so far?
“They’ve been playing well. Sibide has been blocking shots and Oshae’s (Brissett) been scoring the ball when he’s open. They both have been playing great so far so hopefully that carries into the season.”
Is it a burden to be a leader as a sophomore?
“No, you have to lead sometime in life so I’ve accepted it. I’m happy to lead this team.”
Geno Thorpe, R-Sr., G
Do you struggle with both you and Frank (Howard) trying to lead the team offensively?
“We don’t struggle at all. I think me and Frank (Howard) at this point have a good chemistry. So we’re both out there trying to get the best look offensively and get the ball.”
Do you think your role moving forward is going to be to score the ball or move it?
“Whatever coach wants my role to be in order to be successful, that’s what I’m willing to do.”
Matthew Moyer, R-Fr., F
What can the forwards do to improve their play?
“We’ve got to move better on defense, especially playing from that forward spot. As forwards we’ve got to develop our movement.”
How do you feel the team played? Where do you think you could have improved?
“We’ve got to make sure we play hard all the time. Like I said, in the first half I should have played harder, got on the boards more. That’s definitely my fault. I thank Coach for staying on me and making sure I get the message across to take care of business the second half.”
Syracuse vs. Southern Connecticut State
November 6, 2010
Carrier Dome, Syracuse, N.Y.
Student-Athlete Quotes
Frank Howard, Jr., G
You guys have pressed a lot in these two exhibition games. Do you think that’s because the half-court offense has been struggling or the press is something you will use a lot this year?
“I think it’s both. Coming out slow in the beginning shows our youth. We have guys standing around and not getting a lot of movement. That really affects our defense. The press jumpstarts us a little bit, but we’re getting out of the whole starting slow thing. That starts with Tyus (Battle) and me. We have to be more aggressive early. I’m not too worried. The young guys understand what shots to take, so it will be a process.
Can you be a pressing team, even with all the young guys?
“I think we can be a phenomenal pressing team. That could be our bread and butter. We always want to have that in our back pocket, but this year, that will be part of our identity. We’re athletic, long and have speed at every position.”
In terms of the half-court offense, what do you think is wrong?
“I think it’s a lack of knowledge in terms of the flow of the game, which is normal. If Tyus (Battle) drives and kicks to me on the wing, some of them get stuck, where they’re unsure where to move. When that happens, we take a lot of contested jump shots, and we struggle. We’re getting the movement as the games go on, and you can see that.”
Oshae Brissett, Fr., F
You struggled in the beginning of both exhibition games. What do you think you need to change to fix that?
“This game I felt more relaxed. It was a hard time getting the ball in the basket, but I wasn’t as nervous. The first game was my first game in the Dome and I didn’t know how to play, but tonight I was way more relaxed. Next game I need to find my rhythm early. It might not be the 3-point shot, but I’m going to attack the basket and calm down.”
Coach seems pretty confident that you are going to improve in terms of shooting, but now it seems like the defense is leading the offense. How do you feel about that?
“That’s what we’re trying to do – create steals and get transition buckets. In the second half, we were able to steal the ball and get easy points in the paint. That leads to open 3’s. That’s what we need to do, turn defense into offense.”
Getting on the offensive glass is something you are good at. How often do you focus on that?
I just want to grab the ball. It’s tough because Paschal (Chukwu) and Bourama (Sidibe) are down there and they are always hunting for the ball. I’m always looking for the put-back dunks or the ball to land in my hands and finish with contact.”
Bourama Sidibe, Fr., C
When you guys switch to the press, you’ve had success. What is your focus in the press?
“I just want to be in the right place. We have Paschal (Chukwu) and me to block some shots. We have to help the other players, because it’s not easy to work in the press.”
Coach says the key to the press is to have a shot blocker. Do you like that role in the press?
“I love blocking shots – since I was in eighth grade that’s what I do. In high school at St. Benedict’s we pressed the same way, so I already have an understanding of how to work in this press.”
You had 12 rebounds today. Tell me how you approach rebounding?
“I know sometimes I’m not going to get the ball down low to score, so the best way to score is to get offensive rebounds. I know that if they shoot from the corner it is usually going to go long, and when they shoot from straight on it’s going to bounce to either side. I position myself accordingly because of that.”
Tyus Battle, So., G
What do you think you could have done differently this game?
“Gotta be ready to play from the start. We were making shots but weren’t playing defense.”
What do you think of Sidibe and Brissett so far?
“They’ve been playing well. Sibide has been blocking shots and Oshae’s (Brissett) been scoring the ball when he’s open. They both have been playing great so far so hopefully that carries into the season.”
Is it a burden to be a leader as a sophomore?
“No, you have to lead sometime in life so I’ve accepted it. I’m happy to lead this team.”
Geno Thorpe, R-Sr., G
Do you struggle with both you and Frank (Howard) trying to lead the team offensively?
“We don’t struggle at all. I think me and Frank (Howard) at this point have a good chemistry. So we’re both out there trying to get the best look offensively and get the ball.”
Do you think your role moving forward is going to be to score the ball or move it?
“Whatever coach wants my role to be in order to be successful, that’s what I’m willing to do.”
Matthew Moyer, R-Fr., F
What can the forwards do to improve their play?
“We’ve got to move better on defense, especially playing from that forward spot. As forwards we’ve got to develop our movement.”
How do you feel the team played? Where do you think you could have improved?
“We’ve got to make sure we play hard all the time. Like I said, in the first half I should have played harder, got on the boards more. That’s definitely my fault. I thank Coach for staying on me and making sure I get the message across to take care of business the second half.”
