Andy Rautins
How good did that run at the end with those two three-pointers feel?
It felt great. I'm glad that Coach (Boeheim) had confidence in me to call on me for back-to-back plays. We ran the play again a third time in a row and that opened things up in the lane. It got Rick (Jackson) a nice dunk. Just trusting our teammates as individuals is all we can do.
Are those three-pointers a product of how well you played in Kansas City?
I just had good looks, but I think this win is a product of Kansas City because we persevered in these past two games and I'm really proud of the guys for sticking it out.
There was a big difference from the first half to the second half in regards to the inside penetration. It seemed to free you guys up a little more.
Yeah, it was big. We didn't get that many good three-point looks in the first half. In the second half, we got some good looks, and in turn, that opened up the lane for us and we got in and we were able to make good plays around the basket.
Can you talk about how the crowd was tonight and how it influenced you?
Oh, the crowd was huge. I don't know how many there were, but it felt like there were 30,000 fans in here. We appreciate a great crowd and we appreciate Syracuse fans so much. They're the best in the country.
Coach (Boeheim) said this win was almost better than the two wins down in Kansas City. Do you agree?
Absolutely. Conditioning wise, we might have been a little bit down from the past couple of games. Having to come back late and play after an overtime game in Kansas City speaks volumes about our team.
What was the message at halftime and what changed for you guys in the second half?
We just got out there, played more aggressive and went to what was working for us. We want on a little run, because as you know, this is a game of runs. Then we capitalized on defense, holding them to just about a 30% field goal percentage. So it was a great effort by all of us.
How tired are you guys after playing six games in 12 days?
We're good. We don't get tired. We're ready for the next game.
Eric Devendorf
Can you talk about how the team came back as a collective group?
I guess that's just what type of game it was. I mean, we had four players in double figures again. That's just how it was. It was just one of those types of games. I don't think I took a jump shot or anything. It was just one of those types of games, I really can't explain it.
Did you say anything to yourself at the half about how you were going to change you play?
No, not really. I didn't really want to force the issue. I just wanted to let it come to me. A lot of guys stepped up tonight. Andy (Rautins) made some big shots and Jonny (Flynn), obviously. Paul (Harris) played well. That's just the way it worked out.
You guys were obviously tired from the number of games you played. The crowd today was really energetic tonight. Can you talk about how that helps you guys on the court?
First of all, it's just great to be back home in front of this Carrier Dome crowd. The support that they gave us tonight was unbelievable. Hopefully they can give it for the rest of the season and there's no doubt that they won't, but it was great to come back home and grind out a game against Virginia. They're a tough ACC team.
What about the defense of Virginia? They were up in your face early and they took Jonny (Flynn) out of it at the free throw line. How did you guy adjust to that? Did you expect them to play that way?
Oh yeah, definitely. Whenever you come to the Carrier Dome, you really have nothing to lose. People come in and play their hardest. The first half was tough. They came out and hit some big shots and one of them hit like an 80 ft. shot at the end of the half. That really gave them some confidence. I mean, we were down 13 against Kansas and we came back in the second half and stuck it out and got the win.
What did Coach Boeheim talk to you about at halftime?
The same thing when we were down by 13 at the Kansas game. It's kind of like we're a second half team to tell you the truth. A lot of times, myself and Jonny (Flynn) don't really get going until the second half. That's the way it goes sometimes. I'm just happy we got the win.
How tired are you guys right now? Do you feel pretty physically beat up?
I mean, that's just the way it is. It's college basketball. We just have to come out here and have a good practice tomorrow and get ready for Colgate.
Rick Jackson
Is that a product of the second half? Freeing up the shooting a little more?
Yeah, our guys drove and basically just jumped down and finished.
How important was it for you to come out here tonight and perform the way you did?
I t helped me a lot because I've been just kind of struggling the past couple of games trying to find my rhythm. But tonight, I found my rhythm.
Can you talk about how you guys approach the next two games against Colgate and Cornell?
We just take each of our games one at a time. We're not looking towards the future that much. We're just going to take each of them one by one and just try and win them.
Andy (Rautins) paid you a nice compliment. He said the difference tonight was that he couldn't tell AO (Arinze Onuaku) was not in the game. How nice of a compliment is that for you?
That's a nice compliment just to be out there with my teammates that have confidence in me. It was good to just be there, have that rhythm and feel good out there.
Did you ever expect that compliment would come so soon?
Yeah, I've been waiting for it to come for a couple games now. I guess I have to take it now.
Rick, can you talk about how tonight's crowd affected the way you guys played tonight?
That helped us a lot. The crowd made a lot of noise and they were cheering and rooting for us. When you get the crowd into the game; it really helps.
What does it do for you? How does it help?
I just keeps you going and keeps you playing hard.