St. John's University Athletics
QUOTES: Chris Mullin Maui Invitational Teleconference
7/28/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Head Coach Chris Mullin...
On Lou Carnesecca's impact on him:
"Coach Carnesecca has influenced my life in so many ways. I've been thinking about coaching for a few years and I just felt that this is the place I could really have an impact, obviously with the basketball program, but also with young adults by giving them the foundation to better their lives. The lessons Coach Carnesecca taught me I use to this day. Every day when I am working these guys out, something comes out of my mouth or a thought comes to my head that I remember from Coach Carnesecca."
On the Maui Invitational field:
"The field is incredible. Obviously, with me being the rookie, we are going to be the underdog. These are teams and coaches I've watched scouting for NBA teams the last 10 to 15 years. They are all accomplished. I have great respect for all these coaches. For us, being a really young team is going make this a huge challenge, but I always felt, even as a kid, that the better competition makes you raise your level. So we're going to focus and prepare each and every day, not only to get better, but we're going to prepare to win. Now how that works out, we'll find out. It's a daunting challenge, but something we look forward to."
On how the tournament will help the team moving forward:
"I feel challenges are always good. It makes you focus. From a coaching standpoint, I think it's good to have [a challenging tournament] to get our guys focused. If we were having a shaky practice, Coach Carnesecca would say 'Listen guys, in a week you're going to be in Macy's window,' meaning Madison Square Garden. 'If you don't prepare yourself, you're going to get embarrassed.' So when you play on the big stage, whether it is Madison Square, Barclays Center, Lincoln Center or Carnegie Hall, you have to prepare. All the great performers put in the practice time so that's what we're going to do."
On the travel demands to Maui and how it will impact the team:
"Being fit mentally and physically always helps. It's November and there will be some nice weather [in Maui]. We will always keep the positive as the focus."
