March 1, 2010
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Head Coach Norm Roberts
On Syracuse:
“We’re capable of it. We have to play 40 minutes. Syracuse is a great basketball team and doesn’t make many mistakes. We need to make shots and defend their players inside. Everything they do stems from their big guys keeping balls alive. We have to neutralize their big guys. They want to get the ball inside. Dele Coker and Justin Burrell should start for us tomorrow in a big lineup.”
On playing in the Carrier Dome:
“Most of our guys have been there before. It is a great opportunity for us to play a No. 1 team. We need to use it as a great opportunity. There is no pressure on us. We have to go and play to the best of our ability and do the things we are capable of doing.”
On the current morale of the team:
“Coaches keep things a lot longer than kids do. We played our hearts out against Marquette last week and lost a close one to Pitt, but there is a lot of basketball left to be played. We are totally capable of beating any team in the conference that we play.”
On the Syracuse defense:
“People who play in a league with Syracuse understand. That zone leads to fast break and getting the ball out quickly. They are right into transition offensively from the zone defense they play. You can’t jack up 3-pointers because of the long rebounds. It sets them up for transition. They come at you fast, but there are things that we can do offensively and defensively to limit what they are able to do.”
Junior Guard Paris Horne
On playing the No.1 team in the nation:
“A lot of teams don’t get the chance to play a No. 1 team. When you get the chance, everyone gets excited at the idea. It is a great opportunity.”
On playing in the Carrier Dome:“Anybody can beat anybody on any given day in this league. We know we can win on the road and that’s why we came to the BIG EAST, to play in front of thousands of fans. I love playing at the Carrier Dome. It’s big and always loud. You just see orange in there. The odds are against you. I like being the underdog. It gets me pumped.”
On the Syracuse offense:
“They are a fast team and like playing in transition. They have the best 2-3 defense in the nation. We have to find gaps in their zone and rebounds. It is hard to rebound in a zone.”
On what it will take to win:
“We have to stick together to get another win. We have to continue to have great practices and continue to stay positive. With this team, I think we can do that.”
Junior Forward Justin Burrell
On the opportunity to play a No. 1 team:
“We’ve lost some heartbreakers and games that we shouldn’t have let get away. But a win would be exciting. Morale and spirits would be high after the DePaul game, heading into the BIG EAST Tournament.”
On team morale after the Pitt game:
“We are kids. We let things go faster. It hurts to lose. Everyone wants to win. But we have to keep our heads up.”
On the Carrier Dome:
“It is my second-favorite place to play, behind Duke. I love the Dome. I used to hear stories about it when I was a kid. It is a historic place and something to look forward to. The backdrop for shooters is tough, but you have to channel everything out. It is so loud in there, you can’t hear anything. It is intense with fans yelling. But that is what college basketball is all about. I came here to play high-caliber guys and I look up to the challenge.”
Freshman Guard Malik Stith
On playing in the Dome for the first time:
“I’ve heard that you can’t hear your teammates or what Coach says. We have to make shots against that zone. I’ve been looking forward to it all year, playing in front of 20,000 fans. I’m excited to play there.”
On the prospect of an upset:
“It would make up for a lot of losses. They are No. 1. It would be a great win for the program. Beating No. 1 would give everyone a lot of confidence going into the end of the season. It would be something to cherish.”
