St. John's University Athletics
Pregame Quotes: St. John's vs. Notre Dame
1/14/2013 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 14, 2013
Head Coach Steve Lavin
On changes to the starting lineup:
"We'll definitely look to play different combinations. The thinking is to bring these guys along, getting guys minutes and experience. I have to look at how we best develop this group of really young kids. That's the way I teach things where yes, there's the short-term and we've got Notre Dame and then DePaul on the road, but then there's this objective of how we gradually grow this group."
On the team's strategy when defenses are limiting D'Angelo Harrison:
"For me it's defense, because defense creates your offense and defense gets you more possessions and easy scoring opportunities, so it takes some of the burden off any one player. When we play well, we create points off of stops and shutouts and we get out in the open court. It's also tied to rebounding, with second chances and put backs, rebounding and defense go hand in hand. You can't really be a good defensive team if you don't rebound at the end of the possession."
On shutting down the high-powered Notre Dame offense:
"[Notre Dame] is a great 3-point shooting team and they pass the ball as well as any team in the country. To me, that's what really jumps out, that they're so effective shooting the 3 and so effective passing the ball. Teams like Louisville and Syracuse may have the talent, but Notre Dame has both talent mixed with outstanding 3-point shooting and great passing. They really enjoy finding teammates for open looks."
Sophomore guard Phil Greene IV
On playing through his hip injury:
"It affects me. I can play through it though. It's nothing that can really stop me. I can feel it on my jumpers and when I'm trying to get in the lane but, with rehab, it gets better every day."
On other players stepping up when D'Angelo Harrison is slowed down offensively:
"Everyone has to step up. We're all Division I athletes and are here for a reason, so we just have to play with confidence. Everyone has to take shots when they're open and not pass on the easy ones. We all tend to pass up open shots, and then you get down on the shot clock and someone has to take a contested look. We have to take the easy shots that we have."
On the test the guards of Notre Dame present for the St. John's backcourt:
"Notre Dame has great guards. They have a lot of good shooters. Their guards do a good job of getting into the lane and kicking out to the shooters. We have to be ready to defend. This game is going to be big on the defensive end. We just have to play hard."
Freshman forward/center Chris Obekpa
On winning BIG EAST Rookie of the Week:
"It's a great feeling. It gives you the motivation to keep doing what you're doing. You don't have to be a great scorer; just do what you do best and the light will shine on you."
On matching up with Notre Dame's Jack Cooley:
"My teammates have been pushing me. God'sgift [Achiuwa], JaKarr [Sampson] and Orlando [Sanchez] push me every day. They bring the same energy, so that won't be a surprise for me."
On the importance of getting a win against Notre Dame:
"It's a tough league. You don't want to dig a hole too deep that we'll have to climb out of. We need to win this next game and then keep going from there."
