St. John's University Athletics
Pregame Quotes: Creighton vs. St. John's
2/5/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Feb. 5, 2015
Head Coach Steve Lavin
On the team's goals for the rest of the season:
"Every year our team's goal is to make the NCAA Tournament. We knocked off Syracuse at the Carrier Dome, and swept Providence who is near the top of the conference with Villanova so as a coach you recognize your team is capable of competing with the best. This is a team that got off to an 11-1 start, the best in 29 years at St John's which was special. Now we've hit a tough stretch in our league schedule, suffered some injuries and lost some tough games, but we're ready for the back nine. It starts against Creighton. We're going to have opportunities against good competition. That's the thing about the BIG EAST; every team you play provides the opportunity for a significant win."
On the importance of the next game against Creighton:
"We look at all of our home games as must wins. Every game the rest of the way will be critical to our team's objectives to play in the postseason and have an opportunity to do something special in March."
On parity in the BIG EAST this season:
"There is a razor thin margin for error in every BIG EAST game. The basic elements most often determine the winner or loser. It comes down to free throws, turnovers, key stops and finishing at the rim. Successfully executing the basic elements of play on both sides of the ball have resulted in wins for our team."
Senior Guard Phil Greene IV
On the mood at practice lately:
"Practice has been very good. Everyone is tied in together and focused, coach is still the same - amped and enthusiastic - trying to learn and get ready for each and every opponent. We just have to carry it over for the game. The energy is still high, we just have to sustain it."
On the outlook for the rest of the season:
"We're just taking it one game at a time. We just want to go on one-game winning streaks. Our attention is on Creighton right now."
On expectations of making the NCAA tournament:
"Nothing is given - we have to go take it. Like I said, starting with Saturday a win would do everything for us. It would put us on the right track and give us momentum heading into the next game. So right now we're just focused on the next game and getting one-game winning streaks."
Senior Guard D'Angelo Harrison
On the team's mood moving forward against Creighton:
"We lost a few games. Teams are going to lose games. Only one team is perfect. We just want to win this one, that's all that really matters. We know that, New York knows that. It's simple - we just got to win this game."
On what needs to be done going forward:
"We just haven't played very well as a team. We know the success is coming. We're only halfway through the BIG EAST. It's a tough league. We've just got to get on a little run. It starts with the next game against Creighton.
On if the team thought they were fated to go to the NCAA Tournament:
"Nothing is ever given to you. You have to go out and work for it. We're a dramatic team, so we're going to have a dramatic finish."
