Both the Syracuse Orange and Virginia Cavaliers chatted with attending media in Chicago yesterday, to discuss the road to the Elite 8, the game, and of course, the ACC-ness of how this has all shaken out.
We've pulled out the top quotes below, which were all captured by Syracuse.com's basketball Twitter feed.
Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim's not always seen as one for praise, yet had plenty of it to give on Saturday:
Boeheim on Lydon: "He's had a tremendous freshman year from the beginning until now.''
— Syracuse Basketball (@syrbasketball) March 26, 2016
Boeheim on Tony Bennett: "He's a great offensive coach and a great defensive coach. His last 3 years, he's had the best record in the NCAA''
— Syracuse Basketball (@syrbasketball) March 26, 2016
Boeheiim on fullcourt press: "Our press is great, usually for about two minutes. It turned the game yesterday.''
— Syracuse Basketball (@syrbasketball) March 26, 2016
Boeheim praises Cooney for going extra 10-15 feet to get to corner to make steal. "If he doesn't, the guy's got open 3-pointer.''
— Syracuse Basketball (@syrbasketball) March 26, 2016
Boeheim compares Brogdon to Klay Thompson. Plays well at both ends of the court and doesn't say much.
— Syracuse Basketball (@syrbasketball) March 26, 2016
While he appreciated the kind words from Boeheim, Virginia coach Tony Bennett had his own take on the compliments:
Bennett on Boeheim's praise of him: "He's buttering me up.'' Laughter
— Syracuse Basketball (@syrbasketball) March 26, 2016
If you've ever wondered why Malachi Richardson can take some poor shots at times, well... no one's going to be stopping him:
Gbinije on Malachi's confidence: "Malachi's naturally a confident guy. We don't have to tell him to keep shooting. He does that anyway.''
— Syracuse Basketball (@syrbasketball) March 26, 2016
Michael Gbinije also offered up what he felt was Virginia's biggest strength, based on his previous games against the Hoos:
Gbinije on what he learned from playing UVa: "Playing against them the first time, they're a very disciplined team. Gotta be smart.''
— Syracuse Basketball (@syrbasketball) March 26, 2016
Boeheim also couldn't help but use the platform to talk about his likes/dislikes:
Boeheim says he thinks the 30 second shot clock was good. He's in favor of 24 seconds.
— Syracuse Basketball (@syrbasketball) March 26, 2016
Boeheim thinks taking the timeouts away from the coaches was a horrific rule change.
— Syracuse Basketball (@syrbasketball) March 26, 2016
Boeheim said he would've been able to get a timeout when Cooney got steal in corner last night. "Single-worst rule change I've seen.''
— Syracuse Basketball (@syrbasketball) March 26, 2016
Boeheim also says when refs review a play, players shouldn't go to bench. That's a free timeout. "It hurt us in two games.''
— Syracuse Basketball (@syrbasketball) March 26, 2016
Uh-oh. Boeheim criticizes ACC's schedule. Says ACC would've had two more teams in NCAA tourney w/better schedule.
— Syracuse Basketball (@syrbasketball) March 26, 2016
Given his quality play through three games in this NCAA Tournament, Tyler Roberson -- and Boeheim's comments from a month back -- have resurfaced. It hasn't fazed the player, however.
Roberson on Boeheim's comments: "Right now, I'm not concerned about that. I'm just worried about Virginia.''
— Syracuse Basketball (@syrbasketball) March 26, 2016
And that's all anyone would expect from him or this team, given the run they've been on. Boeheim actually talks a little about winning this game and what it means:
Boeheim says not being in NCAA last year doesn't matter. "This is this team. They want to go to the Final Four.''
— Syracuse Basketball (@syrbasketball) March 26, 2016
Boeheim: "At Syracuse, we've had enough success that we feel we're going to win.''
— Syracuse Basketball (@syrbasketball) March 26, 2016
He also brings up his ill-fated Chicago Bulls tryout from many years ago.
Boeheim recalls being in training camp with Chicago Bulls. Rebounding for Bob Boozer. He made 27 straight jumps. "Hm, these guys are good.''
— Syracuse Basketball (@syrbasketball) March 26, 2016
Boeheim on Bulls' tryout: "Good thing I didn't make that team. It worked out for me.''
— Syracuse Basketball (@syrbasketball) March 26, 2016
Virginia's Tony Bennett expanded further on Syracuse's 2-3 zone during his time at the mic, diving into what makes it tick and how to play against it:
Bennett on SU's zone. You have to attack in different ways. You have to knock down shots. Right spacing and guys with right mindset
— Syracuse Basketball (@syrbasketball) March 26, 2016
Bennett says more experience with SU's zone "makes you respect it even more.''
— Syracuse Basketball (@syrbasketball) March 26, 2016
Bennett says good defenses are hard to break down. On SU's zone: "You can't just get one pass and shoot it.''
— Syracuse Basketball (@syrbasketball) March 26, 2016
He's also isolated SU's guards as a major concern for UVa's defense:
Bennett says looking at Syracuse, he sees triple-threat guards. Guys that can hurt you off the bounce.
— Syracuse Basketball (@syrbasketball) March 26, 2016
Bennett on defending Cooney: "With really good players, you gotta make them earn.'' Take away easy shots.
— Syracuse Basketball (@syrbasketball) March 26, 2016
He also had more to say on the strength of the ACC (rightfully so):
Bennett on ACC: So many styles. It toughens you up. You can't get experience unless you're going into tough venues.''
— Syracuse Basketball (@syrbasketball) March 26, 2016
Bennett on ACC: "If you can survive it, it'll prepare you.''
— Syracuse Basketball (@syrbasketball) March 26, 2016
Bennett on ACC scheduling: "I guess since I'm a younger coach, I don't have experience Coach Boeheim does.''
— Syracuse Basketball (@syrbasketball) March 26, 2016
Bennett hopes ACC's success might help get more teams in NCAA tourney in future.
— Syracuse Basketball (@syrbasketball) March 26, 2016
Bennett says ACC isn't a tip-toe league. It's a big boy league.
— Syracuse Basketball (@syrbasketball) March 26, 2016
Oh, and Virginia's Anthony Gill is getting married soon. Mazel tov!
However, Anthony Gill is looking forward to his April 8 wedding. "My fiancee won't let me forget it.''
— Syracuse Basketball (@syrbasketball) March 26, 2016