St. John's University Athletics
Pre-game Quotes: Nov. 14, 2008
11/14/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 14, 2008
QUEENS, N.Y. -
Head Coach Norm Roberts
On heading into the game tomorrow:
"Our guys are excited to play someone else and are probably sick of beating up on one another in practice everyday so it's real exciting. LIU gave us a tough game last year and they are a talented, physical team that will give us a good test in our first game."
On the "starting seven":
"We will start out tomorrow with Sean Evans, Justin Burrell, Anthony Mason Jr., D.J. Kennedy and Malik Boothe. Really we have seven starters because Paris Horne can start for any one of those perimeter guys and he has played very hard in practice. Dele Coker can start for any one of our big guys. Our lineup will change with matchups or if somebody steps up in practice and deserves to get in there."
On the backup point guard duties:
"TyShwan Edmondson and Quincy Roberts will both have chances to handle the job. Both are combo guards but Ty has more court vision while Quincy is a better scorer. Depending on how the game is going and how practice goes, one of them will come in when we need them to."
Senior Anthony Mason Jr.
On the first game of the year:
"I am very excited and can't wait to start. I am ready for the buzzer to go off, see the fans in the stands and start the season. I am healthy now after not getting to start last season and playing with my ankle hurt all year. I just want to get out there and play."
On local foe LIU:
"Even though it's a non-conference game we have to treat every game the same. We can't take it lightly at all. You can't judge your opponent. You have to come into the game just as you would face anybody else, whether it's in the BIG EAST or not. It is important for us to come in and handle our business."
On being a leader scoring:
"I am ready to step up. It is not a lot of pressure to score a lot and I don't have to lead the team in scoring every night as long as we come out with the "W". I believe Justin and I will be the ones that have to score when we have to make something happen, but we have Paris and D.J. who have been working hard and we are all coming together after all of us played with each other last year. "
Sophomore Sean Evans
On getting the season started:
"I'm really excited for the season. The team is ready to get started. It is a fresh start and a new beginning. I have been working on my shot and getting the offense down. I am just excited to get out there."
On transitioning from football to basketball:
"I have been playing both sports my whole life and last year was the first time I could keep my focus just on basketball. This year is completely different. I am more aware and complete on the court and now know what I have to do when I am out there because I can just focus on one thing."
On gaining self confidence:
"My confidence has really come out now that I know I have my coaches and my teammates behind me. They know what I can do; I know what they want me to do and I know what I need to do in order to contribute to the win. In the offseason I talked with coach and realized that I just need to play my game when I am out there."
