St. John's University Athletics
Pregame Quotes: November 27, 2007 - St. John's vs. LIU
11/27/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 27, 2007
- Head Coach Norm Roberts
On what to expect from LIU:
"I think they play extremely hard. They are quick and really defend by getting in passing lanes. They are very organized on how they play offense. They get the ball to right guy at the right time. They are a good team that is 3-1 and playing well so we will need to play a good game."
On Junior forward Anthony Mason Jr. rejoining the team:
"I'm not sure how much he'll play, but I'm sure he will have a positive impact on us athletically, while adding more depth. He brings the ability to score and more versatility to our team, but we want to get him in there slowly as he gets his conditioning up and gets up to game speed."
On playing more of an up-tempo game:
"We now have more athletes. The reason we can run more is because we can defend. People probably think we run more, but a lot of it has to do with being able to score off your defense, rebounding cleanly, and getting out quickly. We have not done that as well over the past few years, but early on we have done a better job of that. We want to try and play out of transition if we can."
Freshmen forward Sean Evans
On how far the freshmen have come as a group:
"We have come pretty far since the beginning of training camp but there is still a lot we have to learn. We're doing pretty well and comprehending what they are giving us right now."
On contributing more:
"Coach talked to me and told me I have to learn to do thing fast but not in a hurry. The coaches have a bright future for me, but I have to learn to settle in and go from there."
On the adjusting to the speed of the game from high school:
"Adjusting has been a big change because in high school I could just get the ball and go. Now in college it is more slowed down to set up the offense. Things happen a lot quicker and you have to make a decision faster than you would in high school."
Junior center Tomas Jasiulionis
On telling the freshmen what to expect on the road:
"It is a big experience for them on the road. It will be the first time they will be going away into a hostile environment and it will be very different from our home games. They will be in a new place and on a different time schedule, but I'm confident that they will do well."
On what the freshmen must to do succeed:
"First they must learn to respect their opponents. In college, especially in Division I, any team is capable of beating another team. They need to play hard and practice to win the game."
On a possible 4-0 start:
"It will definitely boost our confidence and show everyone we are getting back to where we're supposed to be."
Freshmen Forward D.J. Kennedy:
On starting in four games this year:
I have gained a lot of experience. I was excited to start the first game and now I just take it one game at a time, learning as much as I can from all of the veterans. They have taught me to play in control and not to be nervous and just play the game the way I know how to play it."
On being sixth in the BIG EAST in rebounding:
"Rebounding is something that just comes in the flow of the game. I just go out and play hard and do whatever it takes for us to win. Rebounding is one of the big things for our team that we need help with so I try and do my best to do that."
On the difference from High School to college:
"The flow of the game is so much faster. You can't take any breaks or any plays off. In college, every play is a big play. After the first game you realize you have to be in shape and ready for in-game situations."
