St. John's University Athletics
POSTGAME QUOTES: St. John’s vs. Boston College
St. John’s Head Coach Mike Anderson and Sophomore Forward Julian Champagnie spoke with the media following Monday’s 97-93 win over Boston College to improve to 3-0 on the season.
St. John’s Head Coach Mike Anderson
Opening statement…
“It was a game of runs tonight, and I am glad that we had this guy [Julian Champagnie] next to me in this particular game. Boston College is a really good basketball team and they had already played a couple of games. I thought that they were in a better rhythm than we were and it was on display. In the first half, they went up ten points and we had to calm our guys down because a quick lead like that can evaporate really quick. True to form, our guys got solid defensively. I thought that we were good defensively, and then once we got off of our heels, I thought we really started being in attack mode against their defense. We were sharing the basketball and we weren’t turning the ball over. We did a good job of keeping them out of the lane. I thought that was one of their biggest strengths; getting into the lane and kicking out to open shooters or driving to the basket and getting to the free throw line, so it was a good performance. Our bench played well, guys that started played well, and we are trying to bring this guy [Julian Champagnie] along slowly, but I guess that slow isn’t a word for him. I thought he played well; I thought Posh [Alexander] led the charge. We had multiple guys that played well; Vince [Cole], Isaih [Moore], Dylan [Addae-Wusu] took two big charges out there. Arnaldo Toro does all of the little things, Marcellus [Earlington], so this team has a lot of pieces and I just want to keep them coming together.”
On Julian Champagnie’s return to the lineup and performance…
“I thought that Julian, once he got that ‘aha’ moment out, you know, he got a layup right under the basket and pushed it out, and he was thinking there. Once he got that out of his system, he started hitting shots right in the middle of their zone and we needed him today against that zone. Then came the confidence, but before Julian went down with an injury you could see that he really improved over the summer in a lot of different aspects of how to play and how to become one of the better players on our team. It doesn’t surprise me, and it was needed. Last year, he was playing with near double-doubles every night going down the stretch and it was a welcome sight to have him out there on the floor and he can get better.”
On how he has seen the team grow in close games from last year…
“I thought that with the way we played last year we could win a game like this, but I think that early on, probably not. So, I think that speaks volumes to the core guys we have that came back, and are leading this team and of course, with the new talent that we have in place. We are just trying to become the best team that we can be, and I am excited. It was an exciting game, it was up and down the floor and both teams were making good and bad plays, but I thought in the end it got interesting down the stretch. For us to be in these close games early, that says a lot about our basketball team and that is without our fifth-year senior Rasheem Dunn out there. So, we are doing it with guys that haven’t played at this level and they are stepping up to the challenge while learning as they go.
Sophomore forward Julian Champagnie
On how it felt to be back on the court …
“It felt good to get back out there with my teammates. I think the biggest thing for me was to be out there with my team and pull off a W.”
On the significance on winning such a close game…
“It’s important for us to win every game. We go into games not worrying if a team is a high major or a low major. Every team is good and they all can play, so just getting a win, it was good for us just as good as getting the win against Saint Peter’s.”
Opening statement…
“It was a game of runs tonight, and I am glad that we had this guy [Julian Champagnie] next to me in this particular game. Boston College is a really good basketball team and they had already played a couple of games. I thought that they were in a better rhythm than we were and it was on display. In the first half, they went up ten points and we had to calm our guys down because a quick lead like that can evaporate really quick. True to form, our guys got solid defensively. I thought that we were good defensively, and then once we got off of our heels, I thought we really started being in attack mode against their defense. We were sharing the basketball and we weren’t turning the ball over. We did a good job of keeping them out of the lane. I thought that was one of their biggest strengths; getting into the lane and kicking out to open shooters or driving to the basket and getting to the free throw line, so it was a good performance. Our bench played well, guys that started played well, and we are trying to bring this guy [Julian Champagnie] along slowly, but I guess that slow isn’t a word for him. I thought he played well; I thought Posh [Alexander] led the charge. We had multiple guys that played well; Vince [Cole], Isaih [Moore], Dylan [Addae-Wusu] took two big charges out there. Arnaldo Toro does all of the little things, Marcellus [Earlington], so this team has a lot of pieces and I just want to keep them coming together.”
On Julian Champagnie’s return to the lineup and performance…
“I thought that Julian, once he got that ‘aha’ moment out, you know, he got a layup right under the basket and pushed it out, and he was thinking there. Once he got that out of his system, he started hitting shots right in the middle of their zone and we needed him today against that zone. Then came the confidence, but before Julian went down with an injury you could see that he really improved over the summer in a lot of different aspects of how to play and how to become one of the better players on our team. It doesn’t surprise me, and it was needed. Last year, he was playing with near double-doubles every night going down the stretch and it was a welcome sight to have him out there on the floor and he can get better.”
On how he has seen the team grow in close games from last year…
“I thought that with the way we played last year we could win a game like this, but I think that early on, probably not. So, I think that speaks volumes to the core guys we have that came back, and are leading this team and of course, with the new talent that we have in place. We are just trying to become the best team that we can be, and I am excited. It was an exciting game, it was up and down the floor and both teams were making good and bad plays, but I thought in the end it got interesting down the stretch. For us to be in these close games early, that says a lot about our basketball team and that is without our fifth-year senior Rasheem Dunn out there. So, we are doing it with guys that haven’t played at this level and they are stepping up to the challenge while learning as they go.
Sophomore forward Julian Champagnie
On how it felt to be back on the court …
“It felt good to get back out there with my teammates. I think the biggest thing for me was to be out there with my team and pull off a W.”
On the significance on winning such a close game…
“It’s important for us to win every game. We go into games not worrying if a team is a high major or a low major. Every team is good and they all can play, so just getting a win, it was good for us just as good as getting the win against Saint Peter’s.”