St. John's University Athletics
Pregame Quotes: St. John's at Syracuse
12/5/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Head Coach Steve Lavin
On the rivalry with Syracuse:
"Naturally, certain games on your schedule have more significance and are more meaningful because of history between programs. This group is looking forward to the challenge of playing against Syracuse in The Dome."
On the matchup with Syracuse:
"I like our personnel. I think we match up well with Syracuse, not because we have equal size, but because we present challenges that they are going to have to prepare for. Just like we have to prepare for their strengths. It will be a high-level basketball game on the road in a tough environment."
On Myles Stewart:
"At this stage of his career, his value is not only making shots from long distance. His presence forces defenses to stretch which helps our offensive spacing in a number of positive aspects." ​
Senior Guard D'Angelo Harrison
On his last regular season game against Syracuse:
"We have not beaten them in eight years now, so obviously we are going to be amped for the game. This is a big game for us because you know they are going to do well throughout the season. This will be a big win for us if we get it. I'm looking forward to it."
On Syracuse:
"They are bigger than us, but just as big as Minnesota and Gonzaga so we will not see anything we haven't already seen this season. We just have to take care of the paint and we will be fine because they struggle from the outside."
On last year's game:
"I watched the Syracuse tape last night from last year and it was honestly stressful because we had that game. They just had big-time players who stepped up and made big shots. I don't want to lose to them anymore. Simple."
On playing at The Carrier Dome:
"I have played there before and it is a tough place to play. They are in a stadium, it's not like a regular basketball facility so you have to get used to it. Warm-ups will be key for us."
On Myles Stewart:
"I think he is a big part of the game plan this season. He had a great practice yesterday and hit a lot of shots. We do not view him as a walk-on at all. He listens to the older group, absorbs everything and is a great player. He will definitely help us this year with his 3-point shot."
Senior Guard Jamal Branch
On the last regular-season game against Syracuse:
"It's another great opportunity for us to do something that we haven't done in a while. We are pretty excited and we have been having some great practices."
On Rysheed Jordan and Chris Obekpa's first trip to The Carrier Dome:
"The biggest opportunity they have had this year was playing at The Garden and that was a big deal to everyone. I think Syracuse is just another gym, just another arena that we are playing in."
