St. John's University Athletics
Selection Monday Reaction Quotes
3/12/2012 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
March 12, 2012
Head Coach Kim Barnes Arico
On making her third consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament:
"It's a great feeling and I'm really proud of the kids and the program for being able to do it three times - that is a tremendous accomplishment. Not only to make the tournament three times, but also to get a No. 3 seed, it's really impressive. We have had a lot of quality wins and the ladies stepped up to the challenge."
On the team's experience:
"We talked about this today in practice. They're experienced, they're mature, and they've been there before. It's not about just getting there. That was our goal a couple years ago: just get to the Tournament. Now they want to do some damage, they want to make an impression upon the teams we play, and they want to move on."
On receiving the highest seed in program history:
"It's really different from what we've faced in the past, but this year we were faced with those challenges throughout the BIG EAST season. Every time we were faced with those challenges, we stepped up to them. Beating Connecticut on the road, beating Georgetown on the road, beating West Virginia late in the year, beating Rutgers both home and away - those games really prepared us for the types of team we will play in the NCAA Tournament."
Junior Guard Shenneika Smith
On returning to the NCAA Tournament:
"It's always great to get there - not too many teams have this opportunity. Even though we've gotten there two straight years, this year is even better. Da'Shena Stevens is a senior and Joy McCorvey and Centhya "CoCo" Hart went out with a bang, so why not Da'Shena? Getting a No. 3 seed is very special. We worked so hard during the regular season to get a good seed to finish strong and get a good seed so I'm looking forward to the Tournament."
On the differences in the style of Tournament play:
"It's a different kind of atmosphere. We have to keep ourselves together and make sure we work together and do everything together. It's going to be loud so we have to help point guard Nadirah McKenith out with the play calling. You're playing for something bigger than yourself, you're playing for a National Championship."
Junior Guard Nadirah McKenith
On making the NCAA Tournament all three years of her career:
"It's a great feeling going to the NCAA Tournament ever since I've been at St. John's. The team is getting better each year and it just feels great being in the Tournament for the third straight year.
On the experience factor:
"It's different now because we have experience of going to the second round and losing. So we're just trying to prepare and at least make it to the sweet sixteen this year. Experience is key on this team - we have a lot of key returners - and we're playing the best basketball since I've been here at St. John's. We had some key wins against some big name schools, it's been a great year, and we're going to have a great run in the NCAA Tournament."
