St. John's University Athletics
PREGAME QUOTES: St. John's vs. Penn State
12/16/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
St. John's Head Coach Chris Mullin...
On the next two games:
"As the cliché goes we'll focus on Sunday and Penn State. It's a big game for us. [We're] looking forward to getting our groove back. We've got some guys healthy, back in the lineup and [we want to] have a good performance."
On returning to Madison Square Garden:
"Our guys are looking forward to it. It's a treat. Every basketball player loves to play at Madison Square Garden, [but] it's important you prepare. Just because you walk in there doesn't mean you perform well; you have to stay focused. Our preparation will be good and hopefully we'll go out there and have a good performance."
On Penn State:
"They're a similar team to us. When they play well, they are really good. They're on the younger side. Their roster is young like ours, so I think it'll be an evenly matched game."
On the status of Marcus LoVett:
"He practiced yesterday, so hopefully he'll continue to progress."
On Shamorie Ponds' play last week:
"He had a great week. I thought he got a little run down physically and looked a little tired on Sunday, but that's what happens when guys go down. He's really stepped up and performed at a high level. He's really figuring things out."
Sophomore Forward Kassoum Yakwe...
On returning to Madison Square Garden:
"I think it's going to be great. Whenever we play there it's a great feeling. A lot of people come out to watch us and to support us and it's always fun playing in The Garden. I think it definitely hypes us up. The fans get crazy during the game and it's been good to be able to play there."
On the last two non-conference games and the start of BIG EAST play ahead:
"The most important thing is that we play and practice hard leading up to each game. We need to play together and play as hard as we can."
On being part of the top shot-blocking duo in the nation with Tariq Owens:
"Defense is most important to me and most important for this team. We've been working on our defense. Each and everyday we work really hard on the defensive side."
Freshman Guard Shamorie Ponds...
On playing at Madison Square Garden for the first time as a member of St. John's:
"It's going to be a great feeling, but I'm going to be a little nervous when the game first starts. It's a big arena, bright lights, but I'm really excited to go out there with the Red Storm."
On winning a PSAL Championship his last game at Madison Square Garden in high school:
"I think the best part was being able to get my first win at The Garden. I just want to repeat that feeling, winning in The Garden, because it was an unreal feeling. I want to go out there, lead this team and make sure we win."
On the last two non-conference games and the start of BIG EAST play ahead:
"We always just have to take things game by game. We aren't going to rush anything. We'll study up on our next opponent and take things from there."
On the team practices going into Penn State:
"The thing we worked most on was moving the ball, especially how we played at Tulane. Mostly everybody was in double figures that game. We also need to step up on the defensive end. Our offense will come, but in order for us to win games we need to get good defensive stops down the stretch."
