Student-Athlete Quotes - NCAA Tournament Selection
Syracuse Men’s Basketball
NCAA Tournament Selection Press Conference
Sunday, March 17, 2019
Student-Athlete Quotes
Tyus Battle, Jr., G
How are you feeling?
“I’m feeling good. I’m close to 100 percent, so I’ll be ready.”
How does the experience last year help with this year?
“We’ve been through this situation before. When tournament time comes, we’ll be ready to play.”
Was there any surprise element this year being selected for the tournament?
“Me personally, I’m always nervous – especially after the last two years. But when you hear your name called it’s a sigh of relief. I’ll be ready to play. I can’t wait.”
Can you compare how you feel about the team this year compared with last year?
“We returned pretty much everyone. Everyone has Tournament experience now. I have it under my belt. I think last year was just tournament jitters. I think I was pretty excited about it. I think this year I’m more prepared and ready to go.”
When did the pain in your back subside enough for you to be able to practice?
“Today was my first full practice of running but it’s been getting better every day. It was just something where I needed time. It’s feeling a lot better now though.”
Frank Howard, Sr., G
How does the experience last year help with this year?
“It’s a huge importance this time of year. I’m glad we had that run last year, but it’s a new year. We’re focused on Baylor. We’ll go to Salt Lake City and get ready.”
Was there any surprise element this year being selected for the tournament?
“It leaks a little bit on social media, so we had an idea. But you never know.”
How does your big game against Duke in the ACC Tournament fuel your confidence?
“I’m very confident, especially as a team. We missed Tyus (Battle) down there. We all grew up. We’ll just be ready to go.”
How important was it for you as a senior to make sure this team got back to the tournament?
“That’s always been the goal from day one. We like to look at just the next game. We don’t like to look too far ahead, but it’s definitely always been in the back of our mind. We’re just trying to control what we can control and just go out and give everything.”
With your injury early in the year, are you where you wanted to be now?
“Yeah. Last week, that’s kind of how I felt coming into the year from the summer. I got back to where I need to and I’m just trying to help the team.”
What do you tell the newcomers, like Elijah (Hughes) and Buddy (Boeheim), about the tournament?
“I think those are two guys who are already seasoned in their own way. Buddy (Boeheim) is a guy who has been around for a while. Elijah (Hughes) saw everything last year and just couldn’t go on trips and play with us. It’s not like they’re just fresh meat out there. I’m confident they’ll be ready. Buddy stepped up and had some big games this past week and Elijah as well. They’ve performed all year so we’re not worried about them.”
What was it like to have this year where you didn’t have to worry about the bubble?
“It was definitely (a sense of relief). I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t. It’s been kind of nerve-wracking the last few years. It’s good that we got to have a good day at practice and ease our way in there and watch everything unfold. We’re focused on playing and just had to figure out where.”
NCAA Tournament Selection Press Conference
Sunday, March 17, 2019
Student-Athlete Quotes
Tyus Battle, Jr., G
How are you feeling?
“I’m feeling good. I’m close to 100 percent, so I’ll be ready.”
How does the experience last year help with this year?
“We’ve been through this situation before. When tournament time comes, we’ll be ready to play.”
Was there any surprise element this year being selected for the tournament?
“Me personally, I’m always nervous – especially after the last two years. But when you hear your name called it’s a sigh of relief. I’ll be ready to play. I can’t wait.”
Can you compare how you feel about the team this year compared with last year?
“We returned pretty much everyone. Everyone has Tournament experience now. I have it under my belt. I think last year was just tournament jitters. I think I was pretty excited about it. I think this year I’m more prepared and ready to go.”
When did the pain in your back subside enough for you to be able to practice?
“Today was my first full practice of running but it’s been getting better every day. It was just something where I needed time. It’s feeling a lot better now though.”
Frank Howard, Sr., G
How does the experience last year help with this year?
“It’s a huge importance this time of year. I’m glad we had that run last year, but it’s a new year. We’re focused on Baylor. We’ll go to Salt Lake City and get ready.”
Was there any surprise element this year being selected for the tournament?
“It leaks a little bit on social media, so we had an idea. But you never know.”
How does your big game against Duke in the ACC Tournament fuel your confidence?
“I’m very confident, especially as a team. We missed Tyus (Battle) down there. We all grew up. We’ll just be ready to go.”
How important was it for you as a senior to make sure this team got back to the tournament?
“That’s always been the goal from day one. We like to look at just the next game. We don’t like to look too far ahead, but it’s definitely always been in the back of our mind. We’re just trying to control what we can control and just go out and give everything.”
With your injury early in the year, are you where you wanted to be now?
“Yeah. Last week, that’s kind of how I felt coming into the year from the summer. I got back to where I need to and I’m just trying to help the team.”
What do you tell the newcomers, like Elijah (Hughes) and Buddy (Boeheim), about the tournament?
“I think those are two guys who are already seasoned in their own way. Buddy (Boeheim) is a guy who has been around for a while. Elijah (Hughes) saw everything last year and just couldn’t go on trips and play with us. It’s not like they’re just fresh meat out there. I’m confident they’ll be ready. Buddy stepped up and had some big games this past week and Elijah as well. They’ve performed all year so we’re not worried about them.”
What was it like to have this year where you didn’t have to worry about the bubble?
“It was definitely (a sense of relief). I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t. It’s been kind of nerve-wracking the last few years. It’s good that we got to have a good day at practice and ease our way in there and watch everything unfold. We’re focused on playing and just had to figure out where.”
