St. John's University Athletics
Pregame Quotes: St. John's vs. DePaul
2/9/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Head Coach Steve Lavin
On the options with the team's size:
"We utilize our small lineup as frequently as possible, but have the flexibility to go bigger with one of the nation's leading shot-blockers in the country in Chris Obekpa. Chris will continue to be an integral part of what we do this year. There are several options we can choose from with our personnel to make adjustments and play different styles. Overall, we were pleased with the chemistry of the lineups we put on the floor against Creighton."
On the win over Creighton:
"We hit the open man and got open looks at the basket because we had good ball movement. Creighton was trying to employ various collapsing defenses combined with heavy pressure on D'Angelo [Harrison] and Phil [Greene]. We were fortunate to find a nice offensive rhythm and flow."
On DePaul:
"You try and contain the best players in this league. Sometimes we are able to achieve that objective but at other junctures opponents cut loose and have good nights. We contained [Billy] Garrett, for the most part, very effectively, but he was able to get to the foul line late. When they get balanced scoring, like any team, it makes them more difficult to beat."
On Felix Balamou:
"The biggest thing is that he has missed the majority of the season with injuries. A number of ankle injuries over the past two years have prevented him from seeing more action. At practice recently he has been outstanding. I was impressed with his performance at the Butler game. He'll continue to get the nod as a starter for the foreseeable future." ​
Senior Guard D'Angelo Harrison
On coming back from his recent injuries:
"It hasn't necessary limited me. I just want to do whatever I can to help win the game. None of our guys use injuries as an excuse. If you are on the floor, you are there to perform and that's it.
On Rysheed Jordan:
"Before every game I tell him to stay aggressive the whole game. I'm surprised that they dare him to make plays because that's what he does well. He's going to thrive if defenses try to jam me and Phil [Greene IV] and he's going to have these numbers every game."
On Felix Balamou:
"He's just being Felix. He does a little bit of everything like [Sir'Dominic Pointer]. He's an energy guy. We need energy like that off the bench, whether he starts or comes off the bench. He's been performing really well in practice so Coach gave him the start and he played well."
On looking at the postseason:
"We just try and take one game at a time. We don't try to look too far in the future. We just have to beat DePaul and that's the main focus right now but the BIG EAST Tournament is [played on] our home court. I've never won a game in the BIG EAST Tournament and that's going to change this year."
Felix Balamou
On earning the starting role:
"It's just about waiting for the moment and being ready to play. I'm not really worried about myself, I'm worried about the team being successful as a group. I'm focusing on the team's success right now."
On what his focus is when on the court:
"Win games, no matter what it takes. Take charges, play defense, score, rebound, talk. Whatever it takes to make this team win the game."
Senior Forward Sir'Dominic Pointer
On the takeaway from the DePaul loss:
"We learned a lot from our DePaul loss. We had a lead and lost it. We didn't stick to the plan. If we play our game and do everything the coaches say we'll be fine."
On the remaining games this season:
"We have to win as many as we can. Everything else will be determined after that. We just have to play our game and win as many as possible. If we build and keep playing the way we have been playing, we should be fine."
On Felix Balamou:
"He's been performing well in practice. Felix's problem has been his health. Once he is healthy he is a good player. He's one of the most athletic people on our team."
On D'Angelo Harrison:
"D'Angelo is a tough player. He played through it. He's not the type of player that would go on the floor if he wasn't ready. I feel he played at his best ability to help the team be successful. We're in the BIG EAST, they scout him and found a way to stop him but he's playing really well now."
