Coach Boeheim Quotes at FSU
Coaches Quotes
Florida State 80, Syracuse 77
Saturday, February 15, 2020
Donald L. Tucker Center
Tallahassee, Florida
Syracuse Head Coach Jim Boeheim
Opening Statement:
“It was a tremendous second-half effort offensively, we just couldn’t get a stop. We couldn’t rebound. We’ve been rebounding better but the rebound, that was the difference at the end of the game. They (Florida State) shot well from the three and we’re still not shooting very well there. But, it was a tremendous effort and they just got away at the end.”
When was the decision made about Elijah Hughes playing and what did you think, how did you think he played today?
“I thought he’d play. I didn’t think he’d be able to move like he did. But he was fine, he did a great job.”
What led to taking Buddy Boeheim out late in the second half?
“Yeah, he wasn’t shooting but, we need his threat in there. He ended up making the defensive play that turned it around, could’ve turned the game around. But, he just wasn’t making things. He did a good job on them defensively too.”
How big was the issue of size inside?
“Well, we’re big enough, we just didn’t rebound well enough. We have to rebound better. I think Quincy (Guerrier) had two. We’ve got to do a better job going forward. We’ve been better, but not today.
What’d you see from Bourama Sidibe today overall?
“They’re doubling, they’re leaving him and putting guards on him. They’re switching, so we’ve got a mismatch at the guard spot. We make the play and he’s there to rebound it and we’re not getting it against the guard. So, he’s got to make plays down there in those situations and he’s not doing it. Marek (Dolezaj) and Bourama (Sidibe) have to play better. Marek had spurts today but I think he’s better than he’s played the last couple games.”
Two straight 20-point games for Joe Girard. How would you assess how he’s played over the last two?
“He stepped it up. He shot the ball better today from the three. But, he’s stepped it up, he’s played extremely well. Florida State is a really good team. They’ve got a lot of guys that come at you hard. We had a very good chance to win today.”
What are your guys going to need to work on in terms of closing games out? What areas would you say?
“Our defense hasn’t been good down the stretch. We have closed out several games this year, close games. We’ve won four very close games that we have closed out. So, you’re not going to win all of the close games you have.”
Did you think at any point about moving Elijah Hughes to the two and trying to play a bigger lineup against their bigger guys?
“No. They’re (Florida State) not that big. And I think we get out there and they’re no bigger than we are. I don’t think they’re that big. The big kids are there but he’s hurt some on defense so we’re able to take advantage of him on defense. I don’t think they’re that big.”
Talking about the two seven-footers, it seemed like your guys planned when either one of them was in the game to go with the high ball screen with either Elijah Hughes or Joe Girard switched onto them.
“We just wanted to get them switched and then go from there. They switch everything so we’re trying to take advantage of that and we did accomplish that.”
Is that a mismatch you’d see on film?
“They switch everything so, you know, it’s there. You don’t have to see it more than once.”
Did you guys take advantage enough tonight?
“We scored enough. We got to get stops, we’ve got to rebound.
