Head Coach Jim Boeheim Quotes - Old Dominion
Syracuse Men’s Basketball
Syracuse vs. Old Dominion
Saturday, December 15, 2018
Carrier Dome, Syracuse, N.Y.
Head Coach Jim Boeheim
Opening Statement:
“I thought they played a more physical game than we did. They got to the boards better. They made a couple big shots. We just did not finish around the basket. We have to shoot better than that. Tyus (Battle) can’t really do it by himself. We have to get him more help. We are just completely overmatched in the center spot now, no matter who is in there. We have to play better at that position.”
You’ve been a second-half team throughout the year. What happened today?
“We just play well offensively in the second half. We didn’t shoot well. We had some opportunities and we missed some shots around the basket. They were just a very good defensive, physical team. They are a very solid defensive team. We played very well in the first half. We had a breakdown at the end of the first half. We let their shooter shoot a three who never should’ve gotten that three and gave them some momentum.”
Why hasn't the team been making free throws?
“We aren’t making anything. That’s the bottom line. We missed so many key shots there. You have to stay ahead. You’re playing at home. You have to make those shots. You can’t miss 12 free throws. You just can’t do it.”
What did you do differently with B.J. Stith in the second half?
“He’s good in the middle. That was the difference. They kept him there. We can give him some of those, but we didn’t get to the corner. Paschal (Chukwu) gave them a three and then he gave them three shots from the corner because he didn’t get to his position. That was six points that we can’t give up in those situations. It’s very disappointing the way our big guys are playing. “
What can you take from this game?
“We haven’t played very well. You learn every night and we learned tonight we certainly didn’t shoot very well. We didn’t make our free throws and we weren’t physical enough. And we have to get more out of the center position to be successful.”
You’re getting a lot of offensive production from the small forward position. Do you want them to rebound better?
“No. We need to rebound in the middle. Our center has to be able to rebound better. I think, with our team, we have to all rebound. I think Frank (Howard) has to rebound, he got one. Three for Tyus (Battle). We have to get more rebounds from those guys.
“Rebounding wasn’t really that bad. Our defensive coverage on a couple of plays was bad. We missed some shots around the basket and we can’t miss in a game like this. We didn’t make a play down the stretch. We had a chance – we missed a layup, Paschal (Chukwu) had a tip, missed it. Elijah (Hughes) missed one around the basket. We just missed some shots that you can’t miss and win games. We’re not that good. We need to make those plays. We can’t miss 12 free throws and be successful.”
With Buffalo coming up on Tuesday, what will be the emphasis to get ready for that game?
“We need to get better. They are better. They are, I think, a top 10 team in the country. We are going to have to play a lot better than (today).
Syracuse vs. Old Dominion
Saturday, December 15, 2018
Carrier Dome, Syracuse, N.Y.
Head Coach Jim Boeheim
Opening Statement:
“I thought they played a more physical game than we did. They got to the boards better. They made a couple big shots. We just did not finish around the basket. We have to shoot better than that. Tyus (Battle) can’t really do it by himself. We have to get him more help. We are just completely overmatched in the center spot now, no matter who is in there. We have to play better at that position.”
You’ve been a second-half team throughout the year. What happened today?
“We just play well offensively in the second half. We didn’t shoot well. We had some opportunities and we missed some shots around the basket. They were just a very good defensive, physical team. They are a very solid defensive team. We played very well in the first half. We had a breakdown at the end of the first half. We let their shooter shoot a three who never should’ve gotten that three and gave them some momentum.”
Why hasn't the team been making free throws?
“We aren’t making anything. That’s the bottom line. We missed so many key shots there. You have to stay ahead. You’re playing at home. You have to make those shots. You can’t miss 12 free throws. You just can’t do it.”
What did you do differently with B.J. Stith in the second half?
“He’s good in the middle. That was the difference. They kept him there. We can give him some of those, but we didn’t get to the corner. Paschal (Chukwu) gave them a three and then he gave them three shots from the corner because he didn’t get to his position. That was six points that we can’t give up in those situations. It’s very disappointing the way our big guys are playing. “
What can you take from this game?
“We haven’t played very well. You learn every night and we learned tonight we certainly didn’t shoot very well. We didn’t make our free throws and we weren’t physical enough. And we have to get more out of the center position to be successful.”
You’re getting a lot of offensive production from the small forward position. Do you want them to rebound better?
“No. We need to rebound in the middle. Our center has to be able to rebound better. I think, with our team, we have to all rebound. I think Frank (Howard) has to rebound, he got one. Three for Tyus (Battle). We have to get more rebounds from those guys.
“Rebounding wasn’t really that bad. Our defensive coverage on a couple of plays was bad. We missed some shots around the basket and we can’t miss in a game like this. We didn’t make a play down the stretch. We had a chance – we missed a layup, Paschal (Chukwu) had a tip, missed it. Elijah (Hughes) missed one around the basket. We just missed some shots that you can’t miss and win games. We’re not that good. We need to make those plays. We can’t miss 12 free throws and be successful.”
With Buffalo coming up on Tuesday, what will be the emphasis to get ready for that game?
“We need to get better. They are better. They are, I think, a top 10 team in the country. We are going to have to play a lot better than (today).
