St. John's University Athletics
Postgame Quotes: St. John's 82, Penn State 89
11/29/2013 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Recap | Box Score | Notes | Photo Gallery 
| Photo Gallery
Nov. 29, 2013
Head Coach Steve Lavin
On the positive takeaways from the overtime loss:
"It was an exhilarating game and disappointing to lose in overtime, but there were a number of positive takeaways or elements that we can learn from. I thought the positives that jumped out were the 20 assists and only nine turnovers, with only one turnover in the second half while rallying from 15 points down. The climax of the run was the foul of D'Angelo (Harrison)'s 3-point shot, that turned it in to a four point play and tied it at 71. That jumped out, but also Max Hooper knocking down 5-of-8 from three. As a team, shooting 11-of-20 from three doesn't surprise anyone in our program, but because we've struggled in this early stretch it may surprise some. Some positives were the 3-point shooting, assist-to-turnover ratio, Max Hooper stepping up, our team rallying from 15 down, and being +9 on the boards."
On preparing for Georgia Tech with little turnaround time:
"As difficult as it is, we have to prepare for tomorrow's game. As I told the kids, there is no time to pout or wallow in self pity because we have our pregame meal at 10 a.m. and tip at 2 p.m. against a hungry Georgia Tech team. No one wants to go home 0-2, so we have to get ready."
Sophomore Forward Max Hooper
On 3-point shooting:
"It started to open things up for people on the floor because when there is a shooter on the floor, you have to tag the shooter at all times, if the shooter gets hot it can be dangerous. Phil (Greene) and D'Angelo (Harrison) were able to get some driving lanes and JaKarr Sampson was able to get some post touches and slashes to the basket because of defenders staying locked on me. I came in locked and loaded, and I think that was a big momentum change."
On playing time:
"Whether I play zero minutes, or 40 minutes, my mindset is the same going into each game. If that call comes from coach, I am ready to go, and come in to do what I do. If it doesn't, then I'm ready to go and work my tail off to get ready for the next game. It's all about my mindset, and staying consistent."
On the flagrant:
"I believe it was number 23, (Tim) Frazier. He was running towards his basket, I was trying to take the foul. We were two trains traveling in the opposite direction. I reached for the ball and momentum carried me."
Junior Guard Phil Greene IV
On the offensive tempo:
"It all starts on the defensive end. When we get stops and run-outs, it fuels our offense. If we can get easy transition buckets. It all starts on defense, when we lock up, get some stops, and rebounds. That's where our offense comes from."
