Syracuse University Athletics

Head Coach Jim Boeheim
On the game:
“These guys here (Carmelo Anthony and Gerry McNamara) played like freshmen. They got frustrated a little bit and they (Oklahoma State) took advantage of it. I thought the difference in the game was our full-court pressure. We used it this year and it's been effective for us sometimes. I thought it sped the game up and we got some turnovers and we were able to dig ourselves back into the game."

"In the second half, we got a little bit better quality shots, although a couple Gerry made I'm not sure were all that quality. Once he got hit in the head, he started to play better. We just have to hit him earlier next time."

“This was a tremendous effort. To come back from 17 down against a very, very good team is difficult to do, especially with young guys. Our young guys have fought all year long. The one thing I'll give them credit for is they always fight hard." 

“Josh Pace came in and did a tremendous job, and Billy (Edelin) was terrific against their defense - getting in the lane and making plays. It was a tremendous comeback effort. We've had a lot of them this year. I'm very proud of these guys and the way they played." 

On using the press to get back in the game:
“It was the desperation press. When you're 17 down and not going anywhere, you do whatever you can as a coach to get your team back in there. Our pressure has helped us this year, but it has also hurt us. They were smart and they attacked us."

“I thought Jeremy had a good block on the first one that was called a foul, but he got a couple more and we got some steals. We had no choice - we had to change the game. For us that means full-court pressure and try to change the game. I thought they got playing faster and got out of their zone offense because they were very patient with the press. Generally, if they're not getting a lot of layups, the pressure is going to change the tempo of the game. I wanted to make them run and use their legs so maybe they weren't so energetic on the defensive end." 

Freshman guard Gerry McNamara
On the beginning of the game:
“Early on, they pressured us. We fell right into their hands. I rushed shots and didn't do what a guard is supposed to, which is get the team the ball.”

On taking the 3-point shot after getting hit in the eye:
“I don't think my right eye was working too good, so I used the left eye to shoot. I had to concentrate a little more. I got hit and I was a little wobbly, so I tried to get my legs into it a little more. I guess it just knocked some sense into me.”

On playing in Albany:
“That's big for us -- crowd support -- we're going back home pretty much. I think that's going to be big for us, playing those teams up there.” 

Freshman forward Carmelo Anthony
On his play:
“Oklahoma State is one of the toughest teams I've played all year. They hit me, they grabbed my jersey. They wouldn't let me get the ball early. They made me force shots up early. They made me play like a freshman, like coach said. The second half I said to myself that that wasn't my game."

On OSU:
“Team-wise they played me tough. Every time I got the ball they sent two or three people at me. I would make one move to get by one player and there would be another player I had to make a move on. I would say that is the toughest team we faced all year."