Head Coach Jim Boeheim Quotes - Cornell
Syracuse Men’s Basketball
Syracuse vs. Cornell
November 20, 2019
Carrier Dome, Syracuse, N.Y.
Head Coach Jim Boeheim
Opening Statement
“I think that Cornell played really smart. They took the shot clock down. I think that they made three at the buzzer. They really did a good job in terms of controlling the tempo. Their matchup gave us some problems. I thought, like any zone, you have to make some shots. We had some really good looks and when you don’t make those, they do a great job of getting five guys back in the lane, so you aren’t getting any rebounds offensively. You have got to make shots in those situations. I thought Quincy (Guerrier), in the second time in there, did some really solid things. We know he can shoot. It was a big three. He can make that shot. Defensively, our interior defense wasn’t good. They got in the high post and drove it. We’ve got to be able to defend that better.
“I thought we did a pretty god job on their shooters for the most part, but Jimmy (Boeheim) got in the lane, and when he gets in there that‘s where he’s really good. And he got to the foul line. We have to be better on the interior defensively and offensively, when we do miss, we have to find a way to get something else. I thought that Joe (Girard III) played very well. He moved the ball. He had six rebounds, he got the ball to people. He just didn’t make his shots tonight, but that’s going to happen. Buddy (Boeheim) got a lot of really good looks because they are packed in there, and he struggled a little bit, but that’s going to happen.
“I thought Cornell played really well. They’re physical, they’re strong, and they could have won all of their first games. DePaul is the team that beat them – they’re just really good this year, athletic, and got all up and down on them. Cornell’s a very well-coached team, tough to play against. They’re smart, they’re tough defensively. they really are patient, move the ball, and I thought they did a great job against us. We just had that one little spurt when Quincy got inside, got fouled and then he hit the three, and that’s what gave us the separation.
“I think that Cornell played very well. They’re a good team and Jimmy played really well tonight. He’s gotten better every year he’s been there, and I thought that he had really good control of the game tonight on the offensive end. He did a great job.”
How confident do you feel in your depth at the guard position?
“We still have four guards so we’re not too worried. We had too many guards and now we have four. Elijah (Hughes) can swing back there. We use him as a guard now even with the last two plays he made -- the three and the drive for a three-point play. He’s good when he has the ball at the top, so we would use that. We use that anyway, but we could use that more. We’ve have to get Brycen (Goodine) comfortable. He’s tight, just really tight out there. I think Howard (Washington) will get an opportunity to play in the next game. We have plenty of guards.”
Are you worried about the team not getting to the fre- throw line that much?
“If you shoot a lot of threes, you’re not going to get to the free throw line. It’s as simple as that. There’s nothing you can do about that. We have to have a low-post game. To score, you have to drive, and you can’t drive against Cornell. Every time you drive, there are five guys. That’s why we were getting those open shots. If you don’t make them, then that can be a problem, but I think we’ll make them more often than not. Hopefully, that’s as bad as we’re going to shoot the ball from the three – 10-for-27.”
What did you think about Quincy Guerrier’s game tonight?
“He got to the basket twice, got fouled. That’s something he has to work on, trying to get in there. In the first half, he came out because of defense. He didn’t guard the right guy and they got an open three. He has to rebound. I think he will make threes – I think he can. I think it’s just a matter of time.”
Syracuse vs. Cornell
November 20, 2019
Carrier Dome, Syracuse, N.Y.
Head Coach Jim Boeheim
Opening Statement
“I think that Cornell played really smart. They took the shot clock down. I think that they made three at the buzzer. They really did a good job in terms of controlling the tempo. Their matchup gave us some problems. I thought, like any zone, you have to make some shots. We had some really good looks and when you don’t make those, they do a great job of getting five guys back in the lane, so you aren’t getting any rebounds offensively. You have got to make shots in those situations. I thought Quincy (Guerrier), in the second time in there, did some really solid things. We know he can shoot. It was a big three. He can make that shot. Defensively, our interior defense wasn’t good. They got in the high post and drove it. We’ve got to be able to defend that better.
“I thought we did a pretty god job on their shooters for the most part, but Jimmy (Boeheim) got in the lane, and when he gets in there that‘s where he’s really good. And he got to the foul line. We have to be better on the interior defensively and offensively, when we do miss, we have to find a way to get something else. I thought that Joe (Girard III) played very well. He moved the ball. He had six rebounds, he got the ball to people. He just didn’t make his shots tonight, but that’s going to happen. Buddy (Boeheim) got a lot of really good looks because they are packed in there, and he struggled a little bit, but that’s going to happen.
“I thought Cornell played really well. They’re physical, they’re strong, and they could have won all of their first games. DePaul is the team that beat them – they’re just really good this year, athletic, and got all up and down on them. Cornell’s a very well-coached team, tough to play against. They’re smart, they’re tough defensively. they really are patient, move the ball, and I thought they did a great job against us. We just had that one little spurt when Quincy got inside, got fouled and then he hit the three, and that’s what gave us the separation.
“I think that Cornell played very well. They’re a good team and Jimmy played really well tonight. He’s gotten better every year he’s been there, and I thought that he had really good control of the game tonight on the offensive end. He did a great job.”
How confident do you feel in your depth at the guard position?
“We still have four guards so we’re not too worried. We had too many guards and now we have four. Elijah (Hughes) can swing back there. We use him as a guard now even with the last two plays he made -- the three and the drive for a three-point play. He’s good when he has the ball at the top, so we would use that. We use that anyway, but we could use that more. We’ve have to get Brycen (Goodine) comfortable. He’s tight, just really tight out there. I think Howard (Washington) will get an opportunity to play in the next game. We have plenty of guards.”
Are you worried about the team not getting to the fre- throw line that much?
“If you shoot a lot of threes, you’re not going to get to the free throw line. It’s as simple as that. There’s nothing you can do about that. We have to have a low-post game. To score, you have to drive, and you can’t drive against Cornell. Every time you drive, there are five guys. That’s why we were getting those open shots. If you don’t make them, then that can be a problem, but I think we’ll make them more often than not. Hopefully, that’s as bad as we’re going to shoot the ball from the three – 10-for-27.”
What did you think about Quincy Guerrier’s game tonight?
“He got to the basket twice, got fouled. That’s something he has to work on, trying to get in there. In the first half, he came out because of defense. He didn’t guard the right guy and they got an open three. He has to rebound. I think he will make threes – I think he can. I think it’s just a matter of time.”
