Story and photo by Nicole Todd
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -
Syracuse University's Rakeem Christmas and Trevor Cooney were happy to talk with reporters at ACC Media Day on October 29th, but not about what just about everyone wanted to ask most - the NCAA investigation of SU athletics. Neither athlete would
comment, except for Christmas saying, "I don't even want to know."
The investigation story was expected to play out in Chicago Thursday and Friday with hearings that included Athletics Director Daryl Gross, Head Basketball Coach Jim Boeheim and Head Football Coach Scott Shafer.
The investigation story was expected to play out in Chicago Thursday and Friday with hearings that included Athletics Director Daryl Gross, Head Basketball Coach Jim Boeheim and Head Football Coach Scott Shafer.
Both players talked energetically about other things...
The Shooter
Trevor Cooney's success from three-point range will be a major factor for SU again this season and he doesn’t mind that. “I like being known as the shooter,” Cooney said. “If I shoot well, that opens the floor for everyone
to do well also."
In its first year in the ACC Cooney said the Orange proved that it belongs. "We bring a different type of basketball, which is good," he said. "I think we just add to what was already great." Compared to playing with the Big East Conference, "The ACC has tougher venues," he said.
The Big Man
"It's an honor to be in the ACC, " Rakeem Christmas said when asked what it was like playing against Duke and other top teams.
The 6'9" Christmas, as usual came across as relaxed and soft spoken but said that's not how he plans to play. This season he said that he wants to become more assertive to become a leader to be for the team.
"I want to become more vocal on the court," he said, adding that he knows he needs to work on his communication skills both on and off the court towards his team. The team is "always together, always a family," he said.
Orange rated Fifth
Concluding Media Day in Charlotte, the ballots came out and Syracuse was voted number five in the preseason poll with Duke taking first place. North Carolina followed then Louisville and Virginia. The poll was voted on from the media in attendance at the ACC Media Day. Last year the Orange was voted number two.
No Orange player was voted to the preseason All-ACC team. Marcus Paige of North Carolina was voted preseason player of the year.
With major players gone this season like Tyler Ennis, C.J Fair and Michael Carter Williams the Orange are in need of the new freshman and returners to step up. They won both exhibition games (Carelton and Adrian) in the previous two weeks.
Home Season Opener
The Orange have never played against the Kennesaw State Owls before. Kennesaw ended their season last year 6-25 and SU with 28-6.
The Orange take on Kennesaw State for their home season opener tonight on ESPN3 at 7 p.m.
"It's an honor to be in the ACC, " Rakeem Christmas said when asked what it was like playing against Duke and other top teams.
The 6'9" Christmas, as usual came across as relaxed and soft spoken but said that's not how he plans to play. This season he said that he wants to become more assertive to become a leader to be for the team.
"I want to become more vocal on the court," he said, adding that he knows he needs to work on his communication skills both on and off the court towards his team. The team is "always together, always a family," he said.
Orange rated Fifth
Concluding Media Day in Charlotte, the ballots came out and Syracuse was voted number five in the preseason poll with Duke taking first place. North Carolina followed then Louisville and Virginia. The poll was voted on from the media in attendance at the ACC Media Day. Last year the Orange was voted number two.
No Orange player was voted to the preseason All-ACC team. Marcus Paige of North Carolina was voted preseason player of the year.
With major players gone this season like Tyler Ennis, C.J Fair and Michael Carter Williams the Orange are in need of the new freshman and returners to step up. They won both exhibition games (Carelton and Adrian) in the previous two weeks.
Home Season Opener
The Orange have never played against the Kennesaw State Owls before. Kennesaw ended their season last year 6-25 and SU with 28-6.
The Orange take on Kennesaw State for their home season opener tonight on ESPN3 at 7 p.m.
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