St. John's University Athletics
Selection Monday Reaction Quotes: March 18, 2013
3/19/2013 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
March 19, 2013
Head Coach Joe Tartamella
On being receiving a bid to the NCAA Tournament for the fourth-straight year:
"You go into the whole day wondering who you are playing, we knew where we would play if we got in, which was another piece - Did we do enough The emotions all day were positive and happy. We had a good day at practice. For our players, I couldn't be prouder for our players going to the tournament four-straight times. For our seniors, Shenneika and Nadirah, to be able to finish their careers here going to four-straight tournaments is really is a testament to where the program is."
Continuing the success of the last four years:
"It's important on many levels. I think that for us to be hosting and be able to bring the game here was really important. I think that's something we are proud of at St. John's, to be able to host the 1st and 2nd rounds of the NCAA Tournament, but also to be in the tournament and playing there. The other level of that is for our players and the legacy that they get to leave behind, but also to continue the legacy as we move forward. This is something we've wanted to do as a program, to be able to go to the NCAA Tournament year after year and be a contender in the top 25 year after year which we know is not always easy. We look to continue that and that's why we are excited to play in the NCAA Tournament for the 4th straight year. As a first year coach I could not be happier with how we were able to finish.
Senior guard Nadirah McKenith
On last 10 days of preparation leading up to Selection Monday:
"It's been preparation to see if we were going to get picked to go to the tournament and we have just been going out there and trying to get better and preparing for whatever the tournament will bring to us."
Senior guard Shenneika Smith
On the team's achievements of the last four years:
"Going to the Big Dance. Being able to make history and go to the sweet sixteen, just being able to win a game in the Big Dance because a lot of people who make the tournament don't get that opportunity. Being able to make it 4 years in a row, being able to go to the sweet sixteen and now we get to host where our friends and family can come out and see us live.
