Syracuse Player Quotes - NC State
Syracuse vs. North Carolina State
February 11, 2020
Carrier Dome, Syracuse, N.Y.
Joseph Girard III, Fr., G
What changed there on the 15-2 run for NC State?
“They banked in a three and made some more shots than we did. We only had three 3’s and they had 11. Still, we probably could have and should have won, but we fought hard and have to learn to win those games.”
Earlier in the season, 3’s were your guys' strong suit. Do you think teams are guarding you differently?
“No. I'm just missing shots. Just missing open shots. Buddy’s doing a great job making shots, Elijah as well. And I guess that is pretty much it.”
What did you see out of Quincy tonight?
“He played well. That's what he's been doing, getting better each and every day and he's showing that in practice. He's got a really nice body that a lot of college athletes don’t have and he uses it well. So, he's getting better each and every day.”
Marek Dolezaj, Jr., F
What can you say about Joe Girard’s performance?
“It’s huge. He played great today, you know E (Elijah Hughes) is hurt today. We were supposed to win this game, but we lost and we have to get ready for Florida State.”
What do you learn from a game like this?
“We need to get ready for our next game. Florida State plays pressure defense like NC State. They press hard. We just need to look at the tape and prepare hard for Florida State and get ready.”
What do you do knowing more fouls are being called against you on offense?
“I am just trying to drive to the basket. If there’s a smaller or slower defender on me, just trying to go to the basket and be smart because if I don’t I’ll get offensive fouls. Just got to be smarter.”
Quincy Guerrier, Fr., F
You got a big chance now on Saturday to really boost the resume at Florida State. How can you bounce back from this?
"Tomorrow we got a day off -- got to take care of our bodies. On Thursday and Friday we'll practice well, stay positive, and go to Florida State with a positive mindset."
What did the extra minutes do for you as far as your growth?
"Build my confidence. I gotta show coach that I’m ready to play and I gotta keep working."
What did you see out of Joe tonight?
"He was aggressive. He was a little bit off from the three-point line, but he played really well. He was trying to make plays for his teammates, and going to the rim he was really aggressive. Defensively, he had a couple positive plays."
Buddy Boeheim, SO., G
How was he (Elijah) on the bench? He looked like he was being pretty vocal. How does that fire you guys up on the floor?
"It’s great. Elijah’s a leader on and off the court. He’s always supporting us, and just being vocal and getting in my ear if I’m struggling telling me to keep going. Just means a lot to have someone like that. He’s just great on and off the court."
Is it possible to describe how things change for you guys without him on the floor?
"No, I don’t think so. He’s just such a good player. He’s one of the best players in the country. He does everything for us. Makes plays, scores, and you just can’t replace him, but Quincy did great tonight."
I know there’s no moral victories in the game of basketball, but to be able to fight -- Joe putting up 30, Quincy putting up 16 -- what does it say about this basketball team to never give up?
"No matter what the circumstances are we’re gonna fight. Joe was tremendous tonight, Quincy was great, and just to be able to hang in with them without Elijah shows a lot about the character. I wish we could've won that, but we just have to look forward to Saturday."
