St. John's University Athletics
Pregame Quotes: St. John's vs. Georgetown
2/15/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Feb. 15, 2014
Head Coach Steve Lavin
On the team's progress:
"We want to stay the course in terms of continuing to get better with each practice and game. As we get deeper into the season, the significance of each game multiplies because there is more at stake. There won't be a dramatic change from what we've done to this point that has allowed us to be successful, yet we will always make adjustments as we see fit to put our team in the best possible position to be competitive and win games."'
On the last meeting with Georgetown:
"We didn't play well in any aspect and we were at a low point in the season. From that point forward we've begun to climb the hill. Since the second half of the game we've been competing at a high level."
On Rysheed Jordan's limited media availability:
"We make choices in the best interest of both individual players and the team. At this point, we want Rysheed to be 100 percent focused on his studies and improving as a basketball player."
On Georgetown's style:
"Georgetown traditionally plays good defense combined with a methodical ball control offense allowing them to limit opponent scoring."
Freshman Guard Rysheed Jordan
On Thursday's performance against Seton Hall:
"In the beginning we had a slow start so in the locker room at halftime we all talked about what the problem was and came out and started rebounding and playing defense. We did a couple of good things but we need to keep getting better at rebounding."
On his elevated play:
"Every game I'm just learning more and getting more comfortable. As I get more comfortable I'm able to help my team out."
On Sunday's upcoming game against Georgetown:
"It's going to be crazy in there plus it's Georgetown so it's payback. We're going to go out there and play hard to try and get that W. We have to just keep continuing on our winning streak."
Junior Forward Sir' Dominic Pointer
On the first matchup vs. Georgetown:
"We were down 30 at halftime. We only scored 16 points and that's not us. We didn't play any defense. We started off the game slow and there was no catching up when they got up. It was a completely different team a month ago. We had issues playing on the road and we were in a drought early in the season."
On St. John's struggles against Georgetown:
"They are a good team that executes plays and rebounds very well against us. If we can matchup with them in rebounding and shut down their guards from scoring, I think we will be alright."
On Sunday's game:
"We are more ready. Like I said in the beginning we are a completely different team from back then. We are going to go out tomorrow and play our hardest. If they beat us, they beat us. But they are not going to win because they played harder than us. We really want to win to keep our streak going."
Junior Guard D'Angelo Harrison
On Georgetown:
"They do a good job with their scouting report on us. They try to limit our catches and when we do catch it, they bring the whole team on us. We have watched film on them and we see how they play, so we are ready for them and we are going to make adjustments."
On Georgetown's aggressiveness:
"It just comes along with playing in the BIG EAST. St. John's - Georgetown goes back so there are natural things that are going to occur during the game, and that's just basketball. It could happen to any team, especially in a game like this that's so physical. It's going to be a good one."
On preparing this game:
"I prepare for it like a regular game. I go through my routine doing the same things before the game with the rest of the group and then we get out there and play our game. It doesn't matter if it's Georgetown or anybody else but we just make sure we are locked in."
Sophomore Forward JaKarr Sampson:
On Georgetown:
"They are a very aggressive team and a lot of teams in the BIG EAST are. That is one of their keys and that is how they win a lot of games. They just go out there with a very aggressive mindset and a very high level of intensity and we are just going to have to match it."
On how his play has improved since first matchup against Georgetown:
"I've just been playing better defense and letting the game on offense come to me. I like to get myself going on defense because I know my offense is going to come along. Once I get myself going on defense I know how good I can be."
