St. John's University Athletics
St. John's Basketball Media Day Quotes
11/2/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 2, 2010
St. John's Head Men's Basketball Coach Steve Lavin
Opening Statement:
"Well it's been a couple weeks now of practicing with the team. We're encouraged by the progress, and at the same time we balance that with the understanding that we have a really difficult schedule. It's the most difficult schedule of my career, 16 years in Division I coaching. But there really are some encouraging signs: the leadership and the fact that 10 seniors are so galvanized in their pursuit of trying to finish on a high note, which would be to play in the postseason, to play in the NCAA Tournament. So that part has been really been a positive. We're just starting to gear up for the exhibition game coming Saturday. The next thing you know, we'll be flying out west to play Saint Mary's, which I think is a great opportunity just to find out where we are. They are a quality team as you know, returning four starters from last year's Sweet 16 team that knocked off Villanova and they had some outstanding players that sat out and redshirted. So they have some newcomers which could even elevate their play this year. I thought it was vital that we play a tough road game before we step into the BIG EAST Conference play and if we didn't play Saint Mary's on the road, in a game like that, the way our schedule plays out, we'd be going to West Virginia, Providence and Notre Dame and to go into those situations without having prepared your players to play in a tough environment would really be a mistake in our preparation."
On the biggest difference from his last game at UCLA to his first game at St. John's:
"I think the one that really jumps out is the way in which kids communicate with each other and just the reliance on the social networking and the texting and working from their iPhones or their cell phones. Obviously, the information age and technology was well on its way when I stepped away in 2003 and went into broadcasting. It's just even more amplified now. So, it is just adapting and adjusting to that and, at the same time, wanting to really stress the importance that you can't really get away from the fundamentals of communication, eyeball-to-eyeball in person, and that type of connectivity is going to be critical if you're going to have success as a basketball team in terms of building camaraderie and building rapport. And even on a very functional, practical level, you've got to communicate on the court on defense and in the huddles. I'd say that's the one thing that kind of really jumps out. There's such a reliance on the texting and the social networking aspect."
On the Red Storm team and new coaching staff adapting to each other:
"That's a good point. That is what we're trying to do. Coach Roberts did an excellent job of stabilizing the program over the last six years and did some real positive things with this group of young people. So it's just being mindful and flexible to adapting to this particular team. As we go each day, we get a better sense and feel for their strengths, both individually and as a team. But that's the way the coaches that I had influenced and mentored me. Going back to mom and dad raising a family of six and being around Pete Newell, John Wooden and Gene Keady, the best coaches over their career have had propensity for flexibility: a flexible offense, a flexible defense, adapting and adjusting to your personnel. Not just year to year, but from October to April, over the course of the season there will be aspects of your team that maybe emerge and surprise you and other elements or dimensions that you thought were going to be strong that aren't as strong. Each day as a staff we meet before practice, we meet after practice and we sit down and talk about our personnel and things we can do offensively and defensively which will enhance or improve the odds of our team playing better basketball."
On his team's strengths and weaknesses:
"I'd say the strengths would clearly be experience. We have a group that's played together, so we can build and nurture the cohesive aspect and galvanize this group in their single-minded purpose to finish on a high note and go to the NCAA Tournament. That's a real plus. I also like our team speed. The concerns would be - and we talked about this from the start - that we don't have anyone on the roster that's had postseason experience. So at some point in this season, we're going to have to have a breakthrough win or a stretch of games that kind of becomes a critical intersection or crossroad in a season where your team develops real confidence. You can talk about it, you can have the buzz that we have with the program right now, and those are really good things. But at the end of it, in terms of the schedule we play, we're going to have to win some games. And then I think that gives you something to build on in terms of momentum because we don't have anyone that's won a postseason game on our roster. We talked right from the beginning: let's be honest, let's deal in realism. We were tied for 13th place last year. There's no positive spin on that. Now let's examine why we finished tied 13th and let's begin to work on those very specific areas so we can increase or expand the odds of being more successful. Those areas, right from the outset of practice, I put them on the board. It was free throw shooting: 65 percent. That's going to cost you if you're going to try to play a championship level of basketball. It was turnovers, which is empty possessions. An empty possession means we didn't get a shot on the rim, didn't give ourselves a chance to get fouled and didn't give ourselves a chance to get a second shot. When you don't give yourself a chance to do those things, you're not getting to the double bonus soon enough where you're shooting two free throws on every foul. Those were the key areas and the last was poor shot selection. Sometimes they were bad shots and sometimes they were quick shots. There's a difference between the two and you have to define those differences. Sometimes a quick shot is an open shot but it becomes a deflating play, it leads to run outs for the opponent and it allows a team to get back in the game that maybe you had a chance to put away. So right from the start, because with the buzz about the program - which we're encouraged by - the recruiting is going well, all our seniors are on track to graduate, but none of that's going to help us win games in a very pragmatic way. We every day in practice are trying to address those things, eliminate those things that cost us last year: free throw shooting, turnovers or empty possessions and the poor shot selection or shot discipline. So those are the weaknesses."
On his starting five:
"Well first off, starters are still in flux. We won't know that until we tipoff. We may at different times have different lineups based on personnel and who's emerging. But among some of the players early here who have jumped out, D.J. Kennedy. I'm impressed with his size and skill, the fact that he can play inside and out. He can help our team at the hub of the wheel, so to speak, offensively because of his versatility and size. We've really worked with him at trying to become the better player without the basketball. He's put up big numbers clearly with the ball in his hands. He can create his own shot. But we've talked about the John Havlicek principle: the perpetual motion and getting better conditioning and stamina working without the ball, coming off a screen, being harder to guard and not being a sitting duck. We want him be a better moving target, tougher to guard and helping us on the boards. We want to amplify his contributions at the defensive end of the floor.
"Dwight Hardy is as good a shooter as I've ever coached. Jason Kapono, from long range obviously had Reggie Miller range. But I'd say Hardy is right there with Kapono, if not better in certain ways off the bounce and creating. He reminds me a lot of Eddie House when he was at Arizona State before he put on the extra weight. But he's really impressed me with creating off the bounce. Hardy's not just a great shooter, but he's also playmaking well for us and can play some point guard at certain times when we go to different combinations."
"Malik Boothe gives us great energy, great leadership and pushes the ball so well in transition. He has excellent ball pressure and is just so tough. It's been impressive."
"We're going to need a number of players to have their career-best year for us to make a move, to climb the ladder in the BIG EAST and to try to turn some of those losses into wins in such a rigorous league. We're going to need players to step up and have their personal-best seasons and I think Justin Brownlee is capable of having a breakout season for us."
"Dwayne Polee needs to work on his stamina and his conditioning. His length, his size, his skill, his basketball intellect, his sense and feel for the game are really special and unique. We knew coming in that his athletic ability was right there at the top. He comes from a great basketball program, Westchester High School, coached by Ed Azzam - they're a basketball powerhouse in California. Dwayne has put on 10 pounds, but as he continues to put on some strength and some weight, he's going to be someone who makes big contributions, not just his freshman year, but down the line for our program as well."
On whether his veteran players or newcomer [Polee II] can effect the most change this season:
"I would say it's a combination of both. I think Polee brings a dimension that we didn't have last year because he's such a unique athlete and has versatility to play four spots on the floor. Then I think it's the players that have improved from the end of last season to the beginning of this season. If those particular individuals can have some breakout seasons, now you put that all together and you hope you will be more competitive. You hope to start that climb north."
On some of the high-impact veterans:
"I would say Dwight Hardy and Justin Brownlee are two candidates that kind of jump out from the end of last season to the beginning of this season. Hardy we knew was an excellent shooter, but his playmaking skills and the leadership he's providing of being more vocal in practices, talking and asserting himself on the game at both ends of the floor, defensively in our press and in our matchup zone, he's been very active and working hard and providing a lot of leadership for this team. Brownlee has had a nice run here of being disciplined and staying with all the demands that we've asked of him in terms of the weight room, the individual skill development and the two-a-day sessions in our practices. He's as gifted a player as we have on our team in terms of talent. He needs to be mindful that he's capable of imposing his will on the game, offensively and defensively. I think at times he's so unselfish, he's so low-key by nature and a such pleasant kid to be around, that he'll sometimes take a backseat to the other players. We need him to step up. He's capable in a given game of getting a double-double, helping you on the boards, helping you with his playmaking. He's someone else who can play four spots. Polee and Brownlee are the two guys who can play four spots on the floor."
On the challenging turnaround between the Saint Mary's game and the Columbia game:
"It is going to be tough. The next day will be our travel day and we'll get home late that night. So there's a day in between but because of the time zone change - 11 p.m. there is Nov. 15, but it's Nov. 16 here. There is a full day but it'll be tough. In the non-conference, whether you're playing in Puerto Rico or you're playing in Alaska or you're playing in Maui, there's always these unusual stretches where you're playing three games in three days or you're playing with great heat in the gym in Maui if the air conditioning's not on. So I think it also provides opportunity to find out about your team. When I scheduled the Saint Mary's game, No. 1, the priority was to play one game in a hostile environment before we go to West Virginia, before we go to Notre Dame, before we go to Providence, to give our kids an opportunity to know what it's like to go into a real hornet's nest and execute under duress in a tough environment. It also put us on national television right around the signing period, which I think is a real plus. Having been at ESPN, that 24-hour kickoff gets branded in a lot of ways on all the platforms from radio to dot com to the in-studio shows. I think that's a positive in terms of putting a little spotlight on St. John's and on the program. Our national television games against Duke and UCLA got moved later into the season. So I think the only nationally televised game that we have in November and December will be that Saint Mary's game."
St. John's Head Women's Basketball Coach Kim Barnes Arico
Opening Statement:
"Thank you everyone for being here. It's great to see everyone here. I know that there is a tremendous buzz around St. John's, around our campus and in the community with the positive things that are going on with both our basketball programs. We are really excited about it as well. As you know, our women's team has been ranked in the preseason. We are No. 14 in the country, which is something that hasn't happened here before. We are really excited and are trying to get something special going here this year on both the men's and women's side of college basketball at St. John's."
On what fans can look forward to in 2010-11:
"We have three of the best players in the country on our team with Da'Shena Stevens, a First Team All-BIG EAST player, as well as Shenneika Smith, who was a Freshman Second Team All-American last year, and Nadirah McKenith who was the only freshman candidate for the Nancy Lieberman Point Guard of the Year award. All three young ladies are really an exciting bunch to watch. We also have some great leaders in Centhya Coco Hart and Sky Lindsay, who play up-tempo, fast-paced and try to defend like crazy."
On what she contributes her recruiting success:
"We have great assistants. And St. John's University, who wouldn't want to come here? If you are a New York kid or a local kid and have the opportunity to play in your own backyard at a place like St. John's, have an opportunity to play at Madison Square Garden, the World's Most Famous Arena, and just be a part of something special, why not do it? The ability to play here, in front of family and friends, has given us the opportunity to get players like Shenneika Smith, who's from Brooklyn, and Da'Shena Stevens, who's from Connecticut and Nadirah McKenith, who's from Newark, N.J. In the past, players like that have gone to places like UConn and Rutgers. That's really been the turning point in our program."
On how big the talent gap is between St. John's and UConn:
"It will be interesting to see this year. They did graduate some fantastic players and they have a couple of injuries. Geno Auriemma is fortunate that he is able to get the top players in the country year in and year out. That's a credit to him and what he's been able to do up there at Connecticut. He's a Hall of Fame coach and an Olympic coach for a reason. He's been able to get the top 10 kids in the country every year to choose his program. Obviously, you can tell by the streak that he's had that he can keep that and be consistent at that level. He talked to me when we had another great run a few years back. He said, `Kim, you got here, but that's the easy part. Staying here is the hard part.' At that time, I said, `I'm just happy that we're here.' But now that we've had a few successful years in a row, you can appreciate what he's been able to accomplish. The level that he's been able to maintain there is just unbelievable."
On the support of the St. John's administration:
"The administration has been unbelievable. That was a commitment that they made to me when they hired me. That was nine years ago. The program had been down a long time. Nine years ago, a lot of things were being said that we were the worst of the worst programs in the country. It was not really in great shape. When they hired me, the administration said they were going to make a commitment to women's basketball, and do everything in their power to make sure we are successful. We are going to give you all the resources you need to be successful. They have really stood by that commitment and I think it improves every year."
On how a men's and women's program can feed off the other:
"I think it would be tremendous for us if they could be a top 20 program every year. You read all the articles about schools where their men's team is in the top 10 and the women's team is in the top 10. It really would help recruiting. Every great women's basketball player follows men's college basketball. They all know who the top players and programs in the country are. When we are talking to recruits, they know that our men's program has one of the top signing classes in the country. It really helps us that they do well. There is buzz around here and around the country. You pick up the newspaper and St. John's is in the paper every day. They are getting their players from all over the place. Our men's basketball program is going to take off. The more success they have will help us as well."
On this year's freshman class:
"Every year, most coaches in the country will tell you that freshmen are freshmen and they make freshmen mistakes. The freshmen that we had here last year were exceptions to the rule. Shenneika Smith and Nadirah McKenith are two of the best players in the country. They didn't have the typical freshman year. Obviously, that's how we won 25 games. They were able to do things that normal freshman don't. This year, my freshmen are freshmen. It's been a little hard for all of us, myself as well as the players. They are like, `Coach you are on these kids. This didn't happen last year.' That's true, because those two were really special. Their level was so far advanced that we didn't have those freshmen issues that we do now. The freshmen that we have - Keylantra Langley, Briana Brown, Zakiyyah Shahid-Martin - they are tremendous basketball players, but I think it's going to be an adjustment period for all of them."
On the transfers' contributions to practice:
"They are going to help a tremendous amount. Tesia Harris is a great guard. She can shoot the basketball, she extends our defense and forces us to have to defend every possession. Mary Nwachukwu is one of the tallest girls we have on the team. She forces us to be physical. She has a nice, smooth jump shot. She makes us better every day. I tell them not to think of this year as a break, but to use this year to become better basketball players."
On if the transfers represent a stepping stone for an even better season in 2011-12:
"One thing at a time. They are two tremendous players and they will really help us next year. I am always fearful of that. I can't look too far ahead. Then I get nervous about Da'Shena (Stevens) being a senior next year and what life is going to be like without her. The seniors that we have in Coco Hart and Sky Lindsay are great leaders. I was looking through our media guide and Sky, who was one of the first New York kids to decide to come to St. John's, has started every single game in her career. That's 99 straight games. That leadership and that consistency is going to be something that's not going to be so easy to replace. And Coco has played in a tremendous amount of games in her career. So those two young ladies have made a difference in our program. It's always hard to replace seniors. Mary and Tesia are two exciting players and they really help our recruiting class for next year."
On which player might have a breakout season:
"Amanda Burakoski actually has had a tremendous preseason so far. She's a sophomore from Brooklyn who has become very vocal. She had a tremendous high school career. Last year was an adjustment. She was a typical freshman last year. Now that she knows the system and has gotten her feet wet, I'm expecting her to really make an impact this year. I also think Eugeneia McPherson will make an impact for us."
On what impact the preseason ranking will have on the players:
"I've hidden all the papers because it's given me a stomachache. We are used to being the underdog. Last year, we came in after being picked 12th in the BIG EAST and we finished fourth. Our philosophy has always been one game at a time. Anything can happen. If we look too far ahead or start feeling too confident, we are going to get our butts kicked. Right now, we are just worried about Marist. I know we have some other tough teams on our schedule, but I don't know the order. I don't know who comes next. We just try to take it one game at a time and see what happens as the season progresses. It's a new beginning. Last year is over. We have to prove ourselves all over again. We aren't sneaking up on anyone. People know who we are. People know who Da'Shena Stevens, Shenneika Smith and Nadirah McKenith are. They will be double-teamed and face more physical play. They better improve their game for us to finish at that ranking."
Dwayne Polee II
On why he chose St. John's:
"Seeing that we had 10 seniors, they were all pretty good from what I saw on the film. Knowing Coach Lavin's background, I know he has what it takes to get to the tournament."
"Knowing that we were at the bottom of the BIG EAST and knowing Lavin's background and me being a winner myself, if we all come together again and pick each other up I know we can do something special this year."
On his adjustment to college life: "The campus and the students love you. The students are showing us a lot of love. It's a new era for St. John's basketball. The coaches are going to work you to death but at the end of the day they love you."
On what he has been working on:
"Just trying to get stronger - that's been my main thing right now and getting a lot of shots up. I've definitely been working on my shooting and ball-handling because I know I'm going to have to play on the perimeter."
Quincy Roberts
On his expectations for this season:
"As a team I'm expecting us to work hard stay focused and develop as a team."
On what part of his game he has been working on:
"I've been working on my jumper, staying low in my stance, my defense and just being a voice and not being quiet like I usually am."
On how excited he is about the great recruiting class:
"I'm not really looking that far ahead. Next year comes when it comes. I'm focused on this year and trying to be focused and prepared."
Paris Horne
On his expectations for 2010-11:
"We want to win. I want us to win. I want us to win the BIG EAST Tournament, get to the NCAA Tournament and go as far as we can go."
On how the team is different from last year:
"Everybody is locking in being focused for 40 minutes, being vocal by talking to each other, being unselfish and being intense on defense."
On he expects to contribute this year:
"Doing the same thing in previous years, slashing more and helping my team in rebounding. I'm going to look forward to rebounding a lot more this year. Still continue to play my defense, being thirsty. I kind of fell off of that last year. I'm going to look to play the passing lanes a lot more this year. And I'm looking to get my teammates better shots."
On Dwayne Polee II:
"It's been great. He's listening. He's locked in. Every day he comes and he's ready to practice. He goes through the freshman wall sometimes. He stays after for extra work and extra shots up. But he plays defense, blocks shots and plays the passing lanes with his long arms. He's learning and getting better every day."
Dwight Hardy
On his expectations for this season:
"Individually, I want to help my team on both ends on the floor the best I can. As a team I want us to make the NCAA Tournament and go far in the tournament. We have to start the season strong and it starts on the practice floor. We have to come out every day in practice and push each other to keep the competition high. If we can come out every day and push each other, I don't see why we won't be in the tournament."
On why Coach Lavin is excited about him heading into this season:
"Scoring, I've been putting the ball in the hole. My ability to talk on defense, lead the team in different directions in practice and put the team where it needs to be. No setbacks and no back steps."
On playing point guard:
"Last year when I was at the one, I wasn't that comfortable because it took away from my game. But I've been working at it. Coach Lavin wants me to be aggressive and score and he wants me to get my teammates involved and get them going. That will take the weight off my shoulders when I'm playing the one."
Zakiyyah Shahid-Martin
On why she chose St. John's:
"It was the coaching style. I like how they run."
Expectations for team and self:
"As far as the team, we are trying to get to the Final Four. As far as me, I want to get on the court, rebound and do the intangibles."
Centhya "Coco" Hart
On helping the freshmen adjust:
"I've been trying to be a leader and embrace them. I've been trying to show them that it's not as hard as they may think it is. I'm here for them and the team is so they don't have to be scared. We're sisters."
"I expect them to come in and push us. They can be a big help if Keylantra pushes Nadirah, Brianna pushes Sky and Z pushes me. When they come in and work as hard as us, it really makes us better."
Brianna Brown
On expectations for herself:
"As a team, we definitely want to get back to the NCAA tournament. They were there last year and, with my freshman buddies Key and Z, we want to help contribute and get them back to the tournament."
"I want to come in and help out. Whatever the coach asks me to do and ill do it."
On why she chose St. John's:
"I really like how St. John's runs their game they are a really up-tempo team. I'm used to that with my AAU team. We do a lot of transitioning and back-and-forth. That's what I really like about St. John's"
