St. John's University Athletics
St. John’s Earns Bid to the NCAA Tournament
Chris Mullin and players speak with media after earning a berth to the NCAA Tournament
St. John’s Men’s Basketball Coach Chris Mullin
On NCAA Selection Show emotions…
“I was pretty confident. I had a positive mindset before we practiced today. I voiced my opinions to the players and things worked out. I am very grateful for that.”
On being selected to the NCAA Tournament…
“It’s about the university, the team, the student body, our fan base, and the people that support us. Historically, this is what St. John’s has always been. To get back to that point, I’m very happy for my players. We’ve gotten progressively better, taking small steps and this is a big step forward.”
On Initial reaction on the selection…
“I had never been through that before. I’ve been through a lot of tough losses and great wins, sitting at the [NBA] Draft but that was authentic emotion. They popped up so fast that I couldn’t see the screen. To me, that was a new experience. The guys will remember this.”
St. John’s junior guard Shamorie Ponds
On being selected to the NCAA Tournament…
“I’m excited to go out there and play. This is what we work all year for and we finally have an opportunity to take advantage of it. It’s a blessing. As it was winding down, I kept thinking, are we in? It definitely felt good to get in.”
On being last team selected…
“It definitely adds fuel to the fire. We should go in there with that mindset since everyone wanted to count us out. We have to prove everyone wrong and play St. John’s basketball.”
St. John’s redshirt forward Marvin Clark II
On getting into the tournament…
“It is most definitely a relief because we are in but at the same time I have to maintain my composure and stay poise because at the end of the day we have job to do. I am definitely ecstatic about getting this program back to the tournament and having another opportunity to play basketball. I am just thankful that my senior year isn’t over.”
On going into the postseason …
“We didn’t end the season the way we wanted to but this is a new opportunity. New life. In the tournament nothing is ever promised. Everybody has the chance to win and everybody is presented the opportunity to play and I feel like all we need is that one opportunity.”
St. John’s redshirt junior guard Justin Simon
On getting into the tournament…
“I was really just waiting the whole time until I saw our name on the board. Once I saw the matchup against [Arizona State] I was really excited. They beat us last year at the STAPLES Center so I am just really excited for that game.”
On how the season ended…
“We didn’t finish the year the way we wanted to but we are excited for a fresh start. In the postseason everybody starts out 0-0. We have an unbelievable opportunity to get a win in this tournament. Our goal is to move on to the next round and excited to take it game-by-game.”
St. John’s junior guard Mustapha Heron
On the team’s mentality…
“Not really nervous. We are just excited to go and play basketball in March. We just talked about how not many teams make it, just 68 teams. To be one of those is exciting.”
On the feeling going into March…
“Same feeling as November 6th. It’s a 0-0 clean start.”
On NCAA Selection Show emotions…
“I was pretty confident. I had a positive mindset before we practiced today. I voiced my opinions to the players and things worked out. I am very grateful for that.”
On being selected to the NCAA Tournament…
“It’s about the university, the team, the student body, our fan base, and the people that support us. Historically, this is what St. John’s has always been. To get back to that point, I’m very happy for my players. We’ve gotten progressively better, taking small steps and this is a big step forward.”
On Initial reaction on the selection…
“I had never been through that before. I’ve been through a lot of tough losses and great wins, sitting at the [NBA] Draft but that was authentic emotion. They popped up so fast that I couldn’t see the screen. To me, that was a new experience. The guys will remember this.”
St. John’s junior guard Shamorie Ponds
On being selected to the NCAA Tournament…
“I’m excited to go out there and play. This is what we work all year for and we finally have an opportunity to take advantage of it. It’s a blessing. As it was winding down, I kept thinking, are we in? It definitely felt good to get in.”
On being last team selected…
“It definitely adds fuel to the fire. We should go in there with that mindset since everyone wanted to count us out. We have to prove everyone wrong and play St. John’s basketball.”
St. John’s redshirt forward Marvin Clark II
On getting into the tournament…
“It is most definitely a relief because we are in but at the same time I have to maintain my composure and stay poise because at the end of the day we have job to do. I am definitely ecstatic about getting this program back to the tournament and having another opportunity to play basketball. I am just thankful that my senior year isn’t over.”
On going into the postseason …
“We didn’t end the season the way we wanted to but this is a new opportunity. New life. In the tournament nothing is ever promised. Everybody has the chance to win and everybody is presented the opportunity to play and I feel like all we need is that one opportunity.”
St. John’s redshirt junior guard Justin Simon
On getting into the tournament…
“I was really just waiting the whole time until I saw our name on the board. Once I saw the matchup against [Arizona State] I was really excited. They beat us last year at the STAPLES Center so I am just really excited for that game.”
On how the season ended…
“We didn’t finish the year the way we wanted to but we are excited for a fresh start. In the postseason everybody starts out 0-0. We have an unbelievable opportunity to get a win in this tournament. Our goal is to move on to the next round and excited to take it game-by-game.”
St. John’s junior guard Mustapha Heron
On the team’s mentality…
“Not really nervous. We are just excited to go and play basketball in March. We just talked about how not many teams make it, just 68 teams. To be one of those is exciting.”
On the feeling going into March…
“Same feeling as November 6th. It’s a 0-0 clean start.”