St. John's University Athletics
POSTGAME QUOTES: St. John’s at Butler
St. John’s Head Coach Mike Anderson spoke with the media following Tuesday’s 76-73 overtime loss to Butler.
St. John’s Head Coach Mike Anderson
Opening statement…
“First of all, we have got a disappointed locker room in there. I thought that our guys played well enough to win, but we just didn’t finish. As I told them, we started off the game with a turnover and ended regulation with a turnover which came back to haunt us. Give Butler credit, I thought that they wanted it a little bit more than we did. It wasn’t because of our guys not playing hard or not playing the right way, they just made a couple more plays than we did. Even until the last shot of overtime, we had a chance to tie it up and had a couple shots at it, but just couldn’t knock it down. Just like our guys enjoy it until midnight, it has to hurt for a little, maybe until one o’clock, and then we will turn our attention and get ready for whoever we are going to play next. But again, we came here with the right mindset and were right there. Winning is not easy, especially on the road. I think it was our ninth [BIG EAST] road game, and they were just disappointed that they couldn’t finish it.”
On the last offensive play of regulation…
“I didn’t really see it. I thought we had the ball inbounded. We had another timeout if we needed, and I thought it was in, I couldn’t see it from where I was. The play was designed to get it in, and obviously make sure not to get a jump-ball because we knew they were going to foul us, and they had the possession. So, it was just a miscue. That is all.”
On if how close the game was makes it a more frustrating loss…
“We were right there. We made some big stops down the stretch, and Marcellus [Earilngton] got some big rebounds. Obviously, we fouled and had the ball again, so we kind of controlled it. But credit Butler, they didn’t give up. We have been in some games like this, so it was another one that we were in and they did what they are supposed to do, and that is to protect home court. But we will go back and watch some film to see what took place on that play because I was at a distance. I know what we wanted, and the most important thing was to secure the ball and not turn it over.”
On Dylan Addae-Wusu being featured in the offense late in the game…
“I think that he can go from north to south better than any guy that we have got. It seems like he makes good decisions and is strong around the basket and can finish. He got to the free throw line and made one and missed one, but that is the one that we got where we tied it up. I think with the way that the floor was spaced out and how hard they guarded some of the other guys, he had a mismatch. I think the more that we see him play, we are starting to see him make more plays down the stretch.”
On what his team can learn from this game…
“Teams are going to make a run back. We got the lead early-on and I think that when we get momentum, we have to continue doing the things that got us the momentum. I think we got away from it, came down and got quick shots up and gave them some momentum. In the second half we came back out, gathered ourselves, and the game went back-and-forth and we were up nine or ten at one point. But there was a lot to learn, especially when you have got the ball with nine or ten seconds left, you know they are going to foul. But even as we came out in overtime, we were in position, but then we had some turnovers there. Then [Julian Champagnie] went down-low and they took it, and that is how they got the three-point lead. Our guys didn’t quit, but they will learn from it. They are hurting right now, and they will learn from it.”
On how his team will respond…
“I told the guys that one game won’t make the season and one game won’t kill you. With that being said, let’s learn from it. We know that we can play better, so we just ran out of time tonight. Give Butler credit, they fought and scratched and clawed. [Aaron] Thompson did a good job of navigating as a senior and [Bryce] Nze, he is another guy who played well. Looking at the second half and down the stretch, we would make our defensive play and then they came up with every loose ball. That is what happens this time of year. The team that gets that extra loose ball, takes the charge, or makes the extra play triumphs, so we have got to be on that other side.
Opening statement…
“First of all, we have got a disappointed locker room in there. I thought that our guys played well enough to win, but we just didn’t finish. As I told them, we started off the game with a turnover and ended regulation with a turnover which came back to haunt us. Give Butler credit, I thought that they wanted it a little bit more than we did. It wasn’t because of our guys not playing hard or not playing the right way, they just made a couple more plays than we did. Even until the last shot of overtime, we had a chance to tie it up and had a couple shots at it, but just couldn’t knock it down. Just like our guys enjoy it until midnight, it has to hurt for a little, maybe until one o’clock, and then we will turn our attention and get ready for whoever we are going to play next. But again, we came here with the right mindset and were right there. Winning is not easy, especially on the road. I think it was our ninth [BIG EAST] road game, and they were just disappointed that they couldn’t finish it.”
On the last offensive play of regulation…
“I didn’t really see it. I thought we had the ball inbounded. We had another timeout if we needed, and I thought it was in, I couldn’t see it from where I was. The play was designed to get it in, and obviously make sure not to get a jump-ball because we knew they were going to foul us, and they had the possession. So, it was just a miscue. That is all.”
On if how close the game was makes it a more frustrating loss…
“We were right there. We made some big stops down the stretch, and Marcellus [Earilngton] got some big rebounds. Obviously, we fouled and had the ball again, so we kind of controlled it. But credit Butler, they didn’t give up. We have been in some games like this, so it was another one that we were in and they did what they are supposed to do, and that is to protect home court. But we will go back and watch some film to see what took place on that play because I was at a distance. I know what we wanted, and the most important thing was to secure the ball and not turn it over.”
On Dylan Addae-Wusu being featured in the offense late in the game…
“I think that he can go from north to south better than any guy that we have got. It seems like he makes good decisions and is strong around the basket and can finish. He got to the free throw line and made one and missed one, but that is the one that we got where we tied it up. I think with the way that the floor was spaced out and how hard they guarded some of the other guys, he had a mismatch. I think the more that we see him play, we are starting to see him make more plays down the stretch.”
On what his team can learn from this game…
“Teams are going to make a run back. We got the lead early-on and I think that when we get momentum, we have to continue doing the things that got us the momentum. I think we got away from it, came down and got quick shots up and gave them some momentum. In the second half we came back out, gathered ourselves, and the game went back-and-forth and we were up nine or ten at one point. But there was a lot to learn, especially when you have got the ball with nine or ten seconds left, you know they are going to foul. But even as we came out in overtime, we were in position, but then we had some turnovers there. Then [Julian Champagnie] went down-low and they took it, and that is how they got the three-point lead. Our guys didn’t quit, but they will learn from it. They are hurting right now, and they will learn from it.”
On how his team will respond…
“I told the guys that one game won’t make the season and one game won’t kill you. With that being said, let’s learn from it. We know that we can play better, so we just ran out of time tonight. Give Butler credit, they fought and scratched and clawed. [Aaron] Thompson did a good job of navigating as a senior and [Bryce] Nze, he is another guy who played well. Looking at the second half and down the stretch, we would make our defensive play and then they came up with every loose ball. That is what happens this time of year. The team that gets that extra loose ball, takes the charge, or makes the extra play triumphs, so we have got to be on that other side.