Quincy Guerrier’s big game in Syracuse’s win over Pittsburgh still not enough to satisfy Jim Boeheim

Syracuse, N.Y. – Jim Boeheim is loath to praise Quincy Guerrier.

Guerrier, the freshman forward with the type of physique the Greeks turned into statues, came off the Syracuse bench to score 10 points and grab eight crucial rebounds in the Orange’s 69-61 victory over Pittsburgh on Saturday at the Carrier Dome.

The 6-foot-7 Guerrier played with abandon, throwing his 220-pound body up against Pitt’s big men to get rebounds and running the court for a fast-break layup.

Guerrier turned in some of the game’s key plays, crashing the offensive glass twice in the game’s last 10 minutes for second-chance buckets.

And after it all, Boeheim had this say about Guerrier’s contributions, “Not enough. He’s got to do more.’’

Guerrier smiled a smile as broad as his shoulders when told of Boeheim’s critique. He said he hears the same from Boeheim in practice.

“Oh yeah. Oh yeah,’’ Guerrier said. “Every time. He’s yelling at me, but that’s what I like. That’s how I’m going to get better.’’

If Boeheim refuses to admit satisfaction, it’s because he knows Guerrier has so much more untapped potential.

“There’s more,’’ SU associate head coach Adrian Autry said. “Your son or daughter gets an 88 and it’s good, but you know that they’re capable of more. His talent is obvious. He can do more. He’s impacting the game now and he’s helping us win, but he’s got more in the tank.’’

Guerrier’s teammates were a bit more effusive in their praise for the high-energy freshman.

“He was a beast,’’ Syracuse junior Elijah Hughes said. “He got some key offensive rebounds and putbacks. He was just all over the place today.’’

Guerrier, a native of Montreal, came to Syracuse from Thetford Academy in Quebec. He had hoped to enroll at Syracuse at mid-year last season, but he didn’t quite qualify.

That resulted in him not playing for most of his senior year, which set back his development.

“He’s learning,’’ Boeheim said. “He hasn’t played organized ball in a long time. He’s learning the game. What he does well, he does well.’’

The Orange takes on the Panthers in a game on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020, at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, N.Y. — Syracuse forward Quincy Guerrier (1) in the lane during a game against Pittsburgh on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020, at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, N.Y. (Dennis Nett | dnett@syracuse.com)

In focusing on just what he does well, Guerrier has become a key contributor off the bench for Syracuse. He has played at least 17 minutes in the Orange’s seven ACC contests since New Year’s.

He is averaging 7.2 points and 6.1 rebounds in those seven ACC games while playing just 21.4 minutes per game. His 27 minutes played on Saturday was the most he has played all season.

“He’s just starting to scratch the surface,’’ Hughes said. “He’s playing with more confidence.’’

Again, Boeheim had a different take.

Boeheim delivered a barb about Guerrier’s struggles from the 3-point line. Guerrier missed the only three he took on Saturday and is now 3-for-22 on the season from beyond the arc.

“I think he’s going to make a three someday,’’ Boeheim said. “I’m not sure if it’s going to be in my lifetime, but he’s going to make one someday.’’

Boeheim also noted that Guerrier, who made two clutch free throws in the final minute in Syracuse’s 84-82 win at Notre Dame on Wednesday, had missed a pair of foul shots in the latter minutes of Saturday’s game.

“I’m just glad he made the two free throws at Notre Dame,’’ Boeheim said. “That might have been our miracle for the year.’’

Guerrier smiled again.

“He had a lot of high expectations for me this year,’’ Guerrier said. “I know I’m a freshman, but he had a big vision for me. I’ve just got play well every time, every day and keep working hard and, in time, I think I’m going to be really successful.’’

Autry said Guerrier needs to work on the unseen little things that make a difference in the game. He will miss a defensive read, which results in an open shot. He also has to learn about spacing on the offensive end of the floor.

In the actions speak louder than words department, Boeheim showed a lot of faith in Guerrier on Saturday.

When Syracuse center Bourama Sidibe picked up his fourth foul with 16:22 left in the game, Boeheim sent in Guerrier. The freshman played the rest of the way.

Guerrier thrived in the competitive atmosphere as Pitt clawed its way back into the contest.

“It was physical,’’ Guerrier said. “They were crashing the rebounds all the time. So me, Bourama and Marek (Dolezaj) had to fight to get rebounds today.’’

Guerrier scored seven of his points and hauled in five of his rebounds in the second half as the Orange desperately hung on to a lead that shrank from 20 points down to just three.

“I’m just building my confidence,’’ Guerrier said, “and showing Coach I can play.’’

Mike Waters is a reporter for the Syracuse Post-Standard and Syracuse.com. Got a comment or idea for a story? He can be reached via email at mwaters@syracuse.com.

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