tom in salem
Well-known member
http://www.redstormsports.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/121213aaa.html
Dec. 12, 2013
Head Coach Steve Lavin
On expectations heading into Sunday’s game:
“Syracuse is a good basketball team and it’s no surprise they are ranked No. 2 in the country. We’re aware that we have a great challenge in this matchup but we are looking forward to Sunday’s game.”
On the importance of Sunday’s game:
“We know it’s an important game, but at the end of the day it’s about staying grounded in process and development. This matchup for our fans and team is a big game, but what I’m most focused on is continuing to make incremental progress so we are better positioned to play our best basketball come March.”
On Sir’Dominic Pointer:
“Dom is one of those unique players that has the ability to disrupt opponents with his defensive prowess. He’s been our most productive player over the last three years based on his statistical data. Dom is a cut above everybody in terms of production at both ends of the court. I wouldn’t trade him for anyone and I think his future both here at St John’s and beyond is very bright.”
On Phil Greene IV:
“Phil’s three turnovers on the season is a rather remarkable statistic. In my career as a broadcaster and coach, I can’t recall a player who has only committed three turnovers in an eight-game stretch of play.”
On coaching a team with international players:
“From a coaching perspective with such a diverse collection of international players, something as simple as translation can be a challenge. On the flip side, each player has a unique story and background. I think our team’s diversity is a wonderful element. In the end, the common thread we all share is a love of competition and basketball.”
Junior Guard Phil Greene IV
On playing a No. 2 ranked Syracuse:
“It’s a great opportunity since they are the No. 2 team in the country. If we win, it will be good for our resume for the NCAA Tournament. It would be a big win for the University so I can’t wait. Sunday will be a great game. We are going to let our play do the talking.”
On playing a big game in Madison Square Garden:
“It’s just a different feeling. There are bright lights and a great crowd. As soon as you feel the energy, you’ll be ready to play.”
On the challenges Syracuse presents:
“They are good on the offensive glass. Sometimes their best offense is a second shot. They also like to play in transition and are a great, athletic team. It will be a challenge for us but we will be up for it.”
Junior Guard D’Angelo Harrison
On playing against Syracuse:
“This is why some of us came here. We know that Syracuse is a storied program, but so are we. That challenge that we have is great. I honestly can’t wait to play Sunday. “
On how much this game matters:
“We’ve played in a lot of big time games, but with the way that our team and their team are built this year this is the biggest game of our careers.”
On being a close-knit team:
“Europe had a lot to do with that. It was literally just us for two weeks. That made us that much of a closer group. Everybody likes each other.”
On playing a big game in Madison Square Garden:
“I still get chills walking in there. It’s such a blessing that we get to play in there. It makes it that much sweeter. It makes it that much better when we get to play Syracuse at the Garden too.”
On the momentum carried over from Saturday’s 104-58 win over Fordham:
“It gave us a lot of momentum for this game. That’s how we are supposed to play. We shared the ball. We need to sustain a high level of play.”
Junior Guard/Forward Sir’Dominic Pointer
On being named to the BIG EAST Honor Roll:
“It’s my first time ever being honored. It’s a great honor, but the goal is to make more. I had a good game against Fordham. I have to duplicate it and keep playing hard the rest of the year.”
On the importance of Sunday’s game:
“Right now, it’s the biggest game of the year. We didn’t start off our season exactly the way we wanted to. We wanted to be 8-0 or 7-1 but we’re 6-2. We need to get back on the winning track and keep it up against Syracuse.”
On how well St. John’s matches up with Syracuse:
“We match up with them well. We’re both athletic teams and have great players so I would say it’s an even match. The better team will win.”
On if St. John’s is “New York’s Team”:
“Whoever wins the game and plays the best can take that title. So far they have been ‘New York’s Team’ since they have been winning games. To take over New York, we have to win games.”
On what the crowd will be like for the game:
“I hope our fans come out and support us. The last couple years I saw a lot of orange shirts out there. Hopefully this year we see a lot of red shirts.”
On playing in Madison Square Garden:
“It’s great playing in Madison Square Garden with the energy and the history. Growing up, you want to play there as a kid. I wanted to make that my home court. I am lucky and thankful to be able to play there.”
On the challenges Syracuse forward C.J. Fair presents:
“He’s 6-8, he’s a good ball-handler and he can shoot the ball. He can shoot over a little guy and if you put a big guy on him, he goes around him. He’s a match-up problem. But our big guys can run and do the same thing. I pride myself on defense and being one of the best defenders in the country so I have to step up and take the challenge.”
Sophomore Forward JaKarr Sampson
On the team’s upcoming matchup against Syracuse:
“It’s always fun to play Syracuse. It’s always a packed house. It’ll be my first time playing Syracuse at The Garden so it’s going to be fun to see how it goes. Our coaching staff has been doing a great job with the scouting report and we have to work on attacking their zone.”
Dec. 12, 2013
Head Coach Steve Lavin
On expectations heading into Sunday’s game:
“Syracuse is a good basketball team and it’s no surprise they are ranked No. 2 in the country. We’re aware that we have a great challenge in this matchup but we are looking forward to Sunday’s game.”
On the importance of Sunday’s game:
“We know it’s an important game, but at the end of the day it’s about staying grounded in process and development. This matchup for our fans and team is a big game, but what I’m most focused on is continuing to make incremental progress so we are better positioned to play our best basketball come March.”
On Sir’Dominic Pointer:
“Dom is one of those unique players that has the ability to disrupt opponents with his defensive prowess. He’s been our most productive player over the last three years based on his statistical data. Dom is a cut above everybody in terms of production at both ends of the court. I wouldn’t trade him for anyone and I think his future both here at St John’s and beyond is very bright.”
On Phil Greene IV:
“Phil’s three turnovers on the season is a rather remarkable statistic. In my career as a broadcaster and coach, I can’t recall a player who has only committed three turnovers in an eight-game stretch of play.”
On coaching a team with international players:
“From a coaching perspective with such a diverse collection of international players, something as simple as translation can be a challenge. On the flip side, each player has a unique story and background. I think our team’s diversity is a wonderful element. In the end, the common thread we all share is a love of competition and basketball.”
Junior Guard Phil Greene IV
On playing a No. 2 ranked Syracuse:
“It’s a great opportunity since they are the No. 2 team in the country. If we win, it will be good for our resume for the NCAA Tournament. It would be a big win for the University so I can’t wait. Sunday will be a great game. We are going to let our play do the talking.”
On playing a big game in Madison Square Garden:
“It’s just a different feeling. There are bright lights and a great crowd. As soon as you feel the energy, you’ll be ready to play.”
On the challenges Syracuse presents:
“They are good on the offensive glass. Sometimes their best offense is a second shot. They also like to play in transition and are a great, athletic team. It will be a challenge for us but we will be up for it.”
Junior Guard D’Angelo Harrison
On playing against Syracuse:
“This is why some of us came here. We know that Syracuse is a storied program, but so are we. That challenge that we have is great. I honestly can’t wait to play Sunday. “
On how much this game matters:
“We’ve played in a lot of big time games, but with the way that our team and their team are built this year this is the biggest game of our careers.”
On being a close-knit team:
“Europe had a lot to do with that. It was literally just us for two weeks. That made us that much of a closer group. Everybody likes each other.”
On playing a big game in Madison Square Garden:
“I still get chills walking in there. It’s such a blessing that we get to play in there. It makes it that much sweeter. It makes it that much better when we get to play Syracuse at the Garden too.”
On the momentum carried over from Saturday’s 104-58 win over Fordham:
“It gave us a lot of momentum for this game. That’s how we are supposed to play. We shared the ball. We need to sustain a high level of play.”
Junior Guard/Forward Sir’Dominic Pointer
On being named to the BIG EAST Honor Roll:
“It’s my first time ever being honored. It’s a great honor, but the goal is to make more. I had a good game against Fordham. I have to duplicate it and keep playing hard the rest of the year.”
On the importance of Sunday’s game:
“Right now, it’s the biggest game of the year. We didn’t start off our season exactly the way we wanted to. We wanted to be 8-0 or 7-1 but we’re 6-2. We need to get back on the winning track and keep it up against Syracuse.”
On how well St. John’s matches up with Syracuse:
“We match up with them well. We’re both athletic teams and have great players so I would say it’s an even match. The better team will win.”
On if St. John’s is “New York’s Team”:
“Whoever wins the game and plays the best can take that title. So far they have been ‘New York’s Team’ since they have been winning games. To take over New York, we have to win games.”
On what the crowd will be like for the game:
“I hope our fans come out and support us. The last couple years I saw a lot of orange shirts out there. Hopefully this year we see a lot of red shirts.”
On playing in Madison Square Garden:
“It’s great playing in Madison Square Garden with the energy and the history. Growing up, you want to play there as a kid. I wanted to make that my home court. I am lucky and thankful to be able to play there.”
On the challenges Syracuse forward C.J. Fair presents:
“He’s 6-8, he’s a good ball-handler and he can shoot the ball. He can shoot over a little guy and if you put a big guy on him, he goes around him. He’s a match-up problem. But our big guys can run and do the same thing. I pride myself on defense and being one of the best defenders in the country so I have to step up and take the challenge.”
Sophomore Forward JaKarr Sampson
On the team’s upcoming matchup against Syracuse:
“It’s always fun to play Syracuse. It’s always a packed house. It’ll be my first time playing Syracuse at The Garden so it’s going to be fun to see how it goes. Our coaching staff has been doing a great job with the scouting report and we have to work on attacking their zone.”
