St. John's University Athletics
Pregame Quotes: St. John's vs. No. 9/11 Villanova
2/21/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Feb. 21, 2014
Head Coach Steve Lavin
On taking the decision out of the committee's hand:
"Overall, the message is that if we continue to accumulate wins we control our own destiny. A win in a game against a Top 20 opponent is significant because it builds our resume and is an indication that the team is playing at a high level during the home stretch of the basketball season."
On sophomore center Chris Obekpa's injury timetable:
"The doctors and trainers are pleased with the progress Chris has made. He was examined this morning and it went well. He had light activity this afternoon on his own and worked on some post moves."
Sophomore Forward JaKarr Sampson
On expectations of Rysheed Jordan returning to Philadelphia:
"We expect him to have a big game. No pressure on him. Just go out there and do his thing, facilitate, make open shots, create for others and play his game. Nothing different."
On Jordan not showing a lot of emotion during games:
"We know he has a lot of energy and fight in him. He's so poised and I think you need that in a guard, to be poised and so even all the time. His attitude always seems the same. You can't read his face, and I feel like that's good to have in a guard on the floor; someone who doesn't play in his emotion like that."
On how he changed his mindset throughout the season:
"I definitely went through a different mindset knowing I didn't have to score every bucket. I can do other things on the floor and not just being a scorer or a mid-range jump shooter. I can impact the game in many ways like rebounding. I can step up my defensive game, which I think I have done recently, finding other things to do if my shot isn't falling. Just don't let my offense affect the other things like rebounding and all the effort type stuff."
Junior Guard Phil Greene IV
On pressure of NCAA Tournament bubble talk heating up:
"No, we have the same mindset as always of playing each game like a championship. That's what has been helping us and that's been our focus. We just got to be ready and prepared and play every game like it's our last. It's been helping us through this winning streak."
On how excited Rysheed is for tomorrow's game:
"He can't wait. He said it's been a long time since he played in his hometown, so he just wants to go out and give it his all. He just wants to win."
