St. John's University Athletics
POSTGAME QUOTES: St. John's vs. DePaul
2/18/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
St. John's Head Coach Chris Mullin...
On his feeling after the game:
"I'm happy for the guys in the locker room. They worked really hard. They're approach and attitude each and every day has been really impressive. So from that standpoint it's somewhat of a relief and somewhat justified that they got a win."
On the process:
"Losing close games, getting blown out, all those things are part of becoming a good team. There is not a team or a player that doesn't go through those stages. It's really the process of becoming good."
On how today's win helps the team moving forward:
"I know they're going to feel better, which is good, but it's like anything else we can't take this to the next game. We have to perform. I told them, recovery and rest tomorrow, and we have two days to prepare for Seton Hall. Our preparation and our approach doesn't vary."
On the team's overall play:
"Overall, everyone contributed at different times tonight. I thought we got off to a good start and played a good first half. The guys that started with a good game had a horrible start to the second half, so we subbed in those guys who didn't play as much in the first half and they came in and contributed when we needed it. So I thought everyone at different times in the game played well."
On Federico Mussini's strong second half:
"I always tell Federico to be aggressive. Ideally, I'd like him to become an active screener, play off the ball and become a shooter. Getting to the free throw line helped him [tonight], but I thought he was aggressive turning the corner."
On dealing with the losing streak personally:
"I knew the situation coming in here. The good thing is that we have a really good group of kids, which makes it much easier. When we come to practice I'm amazed at how much effort, energy and enthusiasm they give each and every day. It makes everybody come together."
Graduate Student Guard/Forward Durand Johnson:
On his feeling after the game:
"We got one. That's why I was smiling coming in here. We got it done tonight and it's a good feeling."
On what today's win means moving forward:
"It's the first step. We finally got a win under our belt. It feels good to be on the winning side for a change. We have to keep coming everyday and keep building off of it."
Graduate Student Guard/Forward Ron Mvouika...
On breaking the streak:
"It's about time. I knew we all had to stick together, just keep talking and have positive thoughts. We knew we were about to get one, but now we have to try and build on it. The season isn't over. As long as there are games left, we're going to go out there and compete and try to get some more. It feels great."
On his last game at Carnesecca Arena:
"It's my last game at Carnesecca, [Durand and Felix's] last game at Carnesecca so it was important for us to leave on a good note. Everybody was hyped about it and they wanted to give us that last gift so I appreciate all the young guys [for that]."
Freshman Guard Federico Mussini...
On a strong second half:
"I know I needed to stay focused and I wanted to help my team. We were playing good in the first half, but we knew we had to play with more energy, especially since we didn't start really good [in the second half]. So, I came off the bench and tried to provide some energy."
DePaul Head Coach Dave Leitao...
On St. John's in the second half:
"I have to give credit to St. John's. Every game they've played thus far they've played really hard. They just hadn't been able to find a win. I was really weary that this was a game St. John's could be successful at. They played hard and as a result they played well."
On the feeling of breaking a long losing-streak:
"I think when you haven't won in that long there is no better taste in your mouth, when you compete, than to win. There has to be euphoria, there has to be relief. There has to be smiles and joy because it hasn't happened in so long. If I could read his mind, I'm sure they will enjoy it, but build on it and move on to the next game."
On the rest of the season:
"We've got to do things better. Our execution and our game plan, both what we do every day and specific for this game, wasn't very good. When you don't do that and you play fragmented on either end you aren't going to be successful, particularly when a team plays as hard as St. John's did tonight."
