St. John's University Athletics
Pregame Quotes: St. John's vs. No. 1 Connecticut
1/24/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 24, 2006
Head Coach Norm Roberts
On playing the top team in the nation:
"We just have to stay focused on what we do and realize this is a great opportunity for us to play against a very good basketball team. Our guys are excited to play the top team in the nation. You don't always get these opportunities in a lifetime or career. So we just have to go in and be focused, be competitive and let the chips fall where they may."
On the match-up between St. John's and Connecticut:
"I think it will be two teams battling and getting after it. We are going to have to play a great game to be competitive against them. They're a terrific team and we're playing on their home court so we're going to have to be really focused."
On the team's three game win streak:
"I think success breads confidence. Over the last week or so, we have won three in a row and the reason why we have won three in a row is because we're not playing in any way out of the ordinary. We're playing the way we have to play. We are defending, rebounding, executing on offense and we're being aggressive on transition. That is why we're winning and we don't want our guys to lose focus on that. We are beating great basketball teams by playing the way we're supposed to play and sticking to what we're capable of doing."
Junior guard Daryll Hill
On the team's three game win streak:
"We're playing with more passion now. We are playing a lot harder and seeing what it takes to beat great teams. We are playing hard and playing together and that is why we're winning."
On St. John's latest win over Pittsburgh:
"I'm sure some people we're surprised that we beat such a good team. Some people probably think we're an alright team and some people think it was probably just a lucky game, but we feel that if we play hard against anyone, we can win."
On the game against No. 1 Connecticut:
"We have to focus on rebounding and playing good defense and the offense will come. We're not going to win on offense, we need to have solid defense and take care of the ball."
Sophomore guard Eugene Lawrence
On the team's confidence:
"I think our confidence is really high from these last couple of victories but Coach (Roberts) reminds us not to let it get too high. If we come out prepared and ready to compete, we'll have a good chance of beating Connecticut."
On the game against No. 1 Connecticut:
"We know we have to play harder than we have had to play before to beat the top team in the nation. But I think we are a better basketball team (then we were a few weeks ago). We've matured these last few games and grown together."
More on the game against No. 1 Connecticut:
"They are really athletic and have a good front line up but I feel that in college, if any team comes ready to play on any given night, there is no telling who is going to win."
