St. John's University Athletics
Pregame Quotes: St. John's v. Providence
3/1/2013 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
March 1, 2013
Head Coach Steve Lavin
Opening Statement
"I had a very productive meeting with D'Angelo [Harrison] yesterday. Naturally, with the player-coach relationship, I'm not going to speak to the particulars of the discussion. The good news is he wants to be a part of our program, and finish his collegiate playing career at St. John's. He's had a great career for us and has done some very positive things, but there are times as a coach where you have to send a message that you're acting in the best interests of a young person's future. There are different approaches as a head coach that you're going to take to try and get the best out of a player both on and off the court. While, naturally D'Angelo was disappointed with the suspension, it's going to be a good thing for him to get some distance from basketball. Sometimes when a person is removed from a team, there is clarity. He has a bright future, and we're grateful for all the things he's done so far at St. John's. I look forward to the day he returns to the team. He'll be able to earn his way back through a strong spring and summer. Even though he's suspended from the team, you can't forget the positive contributions he's made. It's just a coach's decision that it is in his best interests to take a timeout and get some distance from basketball. There wasn't one incident; it was something that needed to happen. I made the decision with both D'Angelo and our team's best interest at heart."
On how his discussion with D'Angelo Harrison went:
"Our relationship is good. We sat down and had a very productive, heart-to-heart conversation laying out the bright future he has and what's at stake. It's on me as his head coach to get him to become the full expression of who he's capable of becoming. At this point I haven't been successful, so that is why we're choosing to get some distance for D'Angelo right now. He was sincere and had conviction about wanting to continue and finish his career at St. John's and that was encouraging to hear."
On the reasons behind the decision:
"As the leader of this program, I have to make decisions that are very difficult. In the ideal world I don't want to lose a leading scorer in the home stretch of the season, but I owe it to the families of the kids I coach and the players themselves to try and get the best out of them. There are a whole range of methods you can use in coaching, and I used all of them. It's an endless search to try and get kids to maximize their ability. D'Angelo, like every other player in the program, is going to get that from me. As long as they are under my supervision, I owe it to them and their families to try and get the best out of them."
On whether the decision negatively affects the team:
"Coaching is a mystery. I wish I could project how we're going to play over the next couple of weeks. I can't make my primary focus only winning basketball games. Winning is a byproduct of doing things the right way. There is a culture you create in a basketball program through standards and expectations that have to be met. Every kid is different, but there are certain criteria that are the same for everyone."
Senior forward Orlando Sanchez
On his reaction to the eligibility announcement:
"I was so surprised. I didn't believe the decision. I started talking with Coach [Lavin] and he told me 'if I wanted to this year or next year?' I told him I wanted the full season next year to do something great."
On how Coach Lavin delivered the news:
"We were sitting in the locker room watching tape and he started talking about [my eligibility]. I was so surprised; I didn't believe him. I almost cried. Everyone started throwing water and getting it all over me. It's great to see your teammates congratulate you like that."
On the potential front line next season:
"It will be very strong. JaKarr [Sampson] can make shots and dribble well. If somebody doubles me, I can pass the ball to him. We are going to be great next year."
On his role with the team:
"I'm not sure right now because everything is happening so fast. I'm going to try and do everything I can to help the team win. We'll see next year."
Sophomore forward Sir'Dominic Pointer
On the reaction to the news of D'Angelo Harrison's suspensions:
"I was sad to hear that. We love him to death and wish him well. We want him to come back soon, but we're still in the middle of the season. Other people need to step up, take his minutes and make some baskets."
On how the team will deal with his absence down the stretch:
"I'm not worried about the impact. D'Angelo is our leading scorer, but other people are going to have to step up. We are all Division I basketball players, and we were recruited to come here to win."
On D'Angelo Harrison's eventual return to the team:
"He's part of our family, and it will be that way for the rest of our lives. We want him back and wish him well. Once Coach [Lavin] and him get things settled, we would love to have him back any time he's ready."
Sophomore guard Jamal Branch
On the reaction to the news of D'Angelo Harrison's suspensions:
"I was definitely shocked and a little upset because D'Angelo and I have a long history together in Houston. We all need to step up, rally as a family and move forward."
On how the team will deal with his absence down the stretch:
"We've got a great group of guys who are willing to work hard every day and compete. We're going to listen to what the coaches say and do what they want us to do."
Players Mentioned
Guard
/ Men's Basketball
Guard
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Guard/Forward
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Forward
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Friday, March 27
Thursday, March 26
Sunday, March 22