St. John's University Athletics
POSTGAME QUOTES: St. John’s Men’s Basketball at Villanova
Red Storm Head Coach Mike Anderson spoke with the media following a 73-62 loss at No. 14/12 Villanova
St. John’s Head Coach Mike Anderson
Opening statement...
“Well, I thought it was a tale of two halves, especially on defense for us. We allowed [Villanova] to really use the three-point line as a weapon, which is a strength of their basketball team. In terms of staying with our people [defensively], we didn’t do a good job of that. We did a much better job in the second half. Then you look at the free-throw line, we don’t make ours, they make theirs, so there lies a difference. We didn’t shoot the ball well on the road against a very good Villanova team. They’re outstanding at home, we know that. I’ve always thought their defense is really good. People don’t talk about [Villanova’s] defense, but it’s really good. I saw some things there at the end, our guys continued to fight and cut it down to nine. We ran out of time. They are a good team.”
On the struggles at the free-throw line…
“I think there are games we’ve shot it well and games we haven’t. We have some guys who have been shooting it pretty well. You look at Joel [Soriano], his numbers have been pretty good. Tareq [Coburn] is a very good shooter, [tonight] he went zero-for-three. It’s something we have to get in the gym and continue to work on.”
On cutting into the lead at the end of the game …
“We had opportunities in the second half. The lead was up to 20, but we were able to cut into it. All of a sudden we started making the extra pass, getting their defense to move. Their defense was strong and we were keeping it right there the middle. We were able to get the ball to the wings and attack the basket.”
On facing No. 17 Providence on at home on Tuesday…
“Looking forward to it and having Johnnies Nation come out to support. We haven’t had the chance to play at Carnesecca [Arena] in a while. We’re playing a team that got us earlier in the year, so we have to defend the home court.”
Opening statement...
“Well, I thought it was a tale of two halves, especially on defense for us. We allowed [Villanova] to really use the three-point line as a weapon, which is a strength of their basketball team. In terms of staying with our people [defensively], we didn’t do a good job of that. We did a much better job in the second half. Then you look at the free-throw line, we don’t make ours, they make theirs, so there lies a difference. We didn’t shoot the ball well on the road against a very good Villanova team. They’re outstanding at home, we know that. I’ve always thought their defense is really good. People don’t talk about [Villanova’s] defense, but it’s really good. I saw some things there at the end, our guys continued to fight and cut it down to nine. We ran out of time. They are a good team.”
On the struggles at the free-throw line…
“I think there are games we’ve shot it well and games we haven’t. We have some guys who have been shooting it pretty well. You look at Joel [Soriano], his numbers have been pretty good. Tareq [Coburn] is a very good shooter, [tonight] he went zero-for-three. It’s something we have to get in the gym and continue to work on.”
On cutting into the lead at the end of the game …
“We had opportunities in the second half. The lead was up to 20, but we were able to cut into it. All of a sudden we started making the extra pass, getting their defense to move. Their defense was strong and we were keeping it right there the middle. We were able to get the ball to the wings and attack the basket.”
On facing No. 17 Providence on at home on Tuesday…
“Looking forward to it and having Johnnies Nation come out to support. We haven’t had the chance to play at Carnesecca [Arena] in a while. We’re playing a team that got us earlier in the year, so we have to defend the home court.”