Jeremy Roach Press Conference Quotes

Duke Men's Basketball Player Quotes
January 8, 2021 -- Wake Forest Preview

FRESHMAN GUARD JEREMY ROACH

On if it was difficult to play against Boston College on Wednesday given what had transpired in Washington, D.C.:
"It's basketball. This stuff has been going on for however long. Nothing has changed, but we've got to keep continuing to push for change and social justice and racial equality. It's just crazy, but we play basketball, so we've got to focus on that."

On what the team's takeaway was from its win over Boston College:
"Just playing for 40 minutes. As you know, the beginning of the first half, we were kind of playing tired. [We] weren't playing like ourselves, trying to get our legs under us – we hadn't played in three weeks. A point of emphasis was trying to play 40 minutes. Late in the first half – I think it was three minutes left in the first half – we started playing, and then obviously in the second half, I got the quick, easy six points and then we turned it after that. But it really started on the defensive end and that's the key."

On how he is understanding his role on the team:
"We're still in the process of understanding our roles. I could be more aggressive, but I'm just trying to get guys involved, let all the guys eat and then my shots will come. But, not to force anything is a big thing."

On how much the defensive intensity was emphasized in the Boston College game:
"Our offense is going to start with our defense. When the guards are up and pressuring the ball, we're in the passing lane and getting steals, we're going to get easy buckets and more points on the board. We've just got to continue to pressure guys and make them turn their backs and get easy buckets in transition."

On the rotation of guards between him, DJ Steward, Wendell Moore Jr. and Jordan Goldwire:
"Whoever the five guys are on the court, that's who we're going to war with. It doesn't really matter who's in – me, DJ, J-Gold (Jordan Goldwire), Wendell – we're all going to eat. We're all going to have our nights. Saturday could be DJ's night, it could be my night, it could be Gold (Jordan Goldwire's) night, it could be Wendell's night again – it doesn't matter. We've got a bunch of guys who can hoop and play together."

On if the preparation was different with associate head coach Jon Scheyer as acting head coach:
"It's the same exact thing we've got to do. With Coach [Mike Krzyzewski] or not, we've got to prepare to win a game. When he comes back, we're going to listen to him. Right now, we're listening to Coach Scheyer, but once coach gets back it's going to be basically the same thing."

On how the team is preparing to face Wake Forest on Saturday:
"I haven't watched a lot of tape on them, but we've watched some of them. They haven't played a lot of games, like us. They're still trying to find their way. They're a good team, they play very hard, so I'm excited to play them."

On how the team has kept freshman Jalen Johnson involved while he recovers from a foot injury:
"Just keeping his spirits high. I know from past experience, it can be very tough. You want to bottle your emotions up, but you've really got to express your emotions, just be happy and be positive. That's the best thing you can do in that situation. Don't let the down days take you down. Make everything a positive thing. Even if you think it's the worst thing, just make it something positive."

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Jeremy Roach Press Conference Quotes

Players Mentioned

Jordan Goldwire

Jalen Johnson

Wendell Moore Jr.

DJ Steward

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Jeremy Roach Press Conference Quotes

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Players Mentioned

Jordan Goldwire

Jalen Johnson

Wendell Moore Jr.

DJ Steward

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