St. John's University Athletics
Pregame Quotes: St. John's vs. Marquette
3/6/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
March 6, 2014
Head Coach Steve Lavin
On the whole team being available against Marquette:
"This is the first time in a few weeks that everyone on our squad is available. We have dealt with a number of setbacks and challenges. We had a good week at practice, and we're looking forward to playing a high level game at Marquette to close out BIG EAST Conference play."
On Rysheed Jordan returning to action:
"Rysheed has had two consecutive good practices this week. He seems to be in a good place in terms of his frame of mind and being focused on basketball."
On the team overcoming challenges all season:
"This team has a remarkable resilient spirit. As a result, we're playing our best basketball at the right time of the year. To win 10-of-13 down the stretch, and 9-of-12 in conference play says it all. We've overcome the musical chairs of the past two weeks with Obekpa, Rysheed and Orlando missing games, and yet here we are at 19 wins. When I came to St. John's the goal was to elevate our basketball program into a consistent winner. We're not satisfied but we have made steady progress. Now we are looking forward to the Marquette game and the BIG EAST Conference Tournament. The objective is to continue to play a winning brand of basketball so we can position ourselves to do something special in March."
Junior Guard Phil Greene IV
On the Marquette being the biggest game
"Yea of course, we're looking to keep our chances alive to make the NCAA Tournament. It's a big one on the road at Marquette. We need this win just to keep our season alive."
On the upcoming game against Marquette:
"We're approaching this like winner takes all, as if it's our last game. We're going to come out hungry, ready to fight; just so that we can get the win, we just want to come out with a W."
On the team overcoming recent tragedies:
"That type of stuff brings us together as a family, we come closer when someone is hurting we embrace it and put our arm around them just to let them know that we are their family away from home just to let them know that we have them."
Sophomore Forward Chris Obekpa
On the upcoming game against Marquette:
"It's like every other game, every game is big for us. We're focused on the one game winning streak. We're focused on winning the game on Saturday and taking it from there."
On the new BIG EAST:
"It's the same basketball competition. It's still big east basketball. The new teams have come in and play good, played hard, it feels the same."
On the importance of making the NCAA Tournament:
"We have a great team, we have three seniors this will be the last time we play with them. Some of them didn't play last year. To make the tournament would be great, we just have to do it."
