St. John's University Athletics
Pregame Quotes: St. John's vs. Seton Hall
1/22/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 22, 2014
Head Coach Steve Lavin
Opening Statement:
"We've played competitively in our last three BIG EAST games but came up short. We've made progress from the Georgetown game, but unfortunately you don't always get the outcome you want to have. We feel our team is competing hard but just coming up short."
On Seton Hall:
"Seton Hall is playing really good basketball. The balance is what really jumps out. [Eugene] Teague's improved play and work down low, [Brian] Oliver shooting the ball so well, and [Jaren] Sina and [Sterling] Gibbs ability to playmake and shotmake. They have a nice balanced attack now that they're at full strength."
On what the team has been focused on in practice:
"The two biggest areas we've focused on has been rebounding and the free throw game. It comes down to opponents getting to the bonus, and also on the flip side how often we get to the line and convert."On the team's identity:
"Our focus is to get better on both sides of the ball. Looking at the last three games, we've gotten better, we just haven't won."Junior Guard D'Angelo Harrison
On the team's morale:
"The last couple of practices have been hard and the team spirit is good. I don't like where we're at, but I like where we're at mentally as of right now. It's hard to be in this situation. With this group we're going to get it together, and we believe that, so that's what we're going to do."
On the close losses:
"We've been working a lot on executing late in scenarios for games. We've cleaned that up. The last couple of games we've been right there. It's good to know we've been creeping at the door."
On what needs to be done as a team:
"Everything we've been doing is good. Nobody feels like it's anybody's fault. We're a good group and I like that. Everyone has stayed positive through this 0-5 series that we've been dealt. We've had great practices and we're ready for Seton Hall."
On stepping up in the locker room:
"We've had a couple of meetings, with the coaching staff and without. We put it all out on the table and everyone had something to say. You have to play hard for the man next to you, always, no matter what."
Sophomore Center Chris Obekpa
On his performance the past few games:
"You can't fix the past. You just have to move on to the next one. We're getting ready for the next game and we have to win. We have to get ready for Seton Hall and that's it. I know I can do better, so I'm going to keep working on it, try to bring my best and do whatever I have to do to get the team the W."
On motivating the team:
"You don't need any more motivation after a stretch like this. You lost games. We have to stay hungry. I hate losing, so that's really enough motivation for me."
On the team:
"It's a good team and we have every piece. We just have to figure out that rhythm. I think we're good now because we needed that one win and we got it. I think we're on the right track now and we just have to keep working."
On playing minutes:
"We just play basketball. We leave the minutes up to the coaches to do, that's their job. Our job is to take whatever minutes we have and go on the floor and give it our all."
