St. John's University Athletics
QUOTES: 2022 BIG EAST Men’s Basketball Media Day
St. John's Men’s Basketball Head Coach Mike Anderson, senior center Joel Soriano, junior guard Posh Alexander and redshirt senior guard Montez Mathis spoke with the media on Tuesday at Madison Square Garden
St. John’s Head Coach Mike Anderson
On how he feels about his team heading into the season…
“I like the guard play and the perimeter play, and I like our forwards. I think we have some real quality depth there and now it’s a matter of going out and playing.”
On the competition in the BIG EAST this year…
“I think the league is going to be wide open. There are really good teams and a lot of good players coming back. There are really good coaches, it’s a great coaching league. With the transfer of some quality players coming in it takes it up to another level.”
On building off last season…
“I thought even last year we were really stepping up our game in the late months. We want to build on that. We left with an empty feeling and were not able to leave everything on the court. I think with this team this year we will leave everything on the floor.”
On the addition of the two transfers…
“This year’s team is going to be totally different than last year. This is a different dynamic. They have been through the wars of BIG EAST Basketball. Those guys are familiar with what we are trying to accomplish. The addition of Andre Curbelo and David Jones, it already enhances what we already have going on here.”
On being picked to finish sixth in BIG EAST Preseason poll…
“The predictions are what they are. … At the end of the day it’s not where you start, it’s where you finish. We want to be one of the top teams not only in this league, but in the country. We are going to control what we can control by trying to get better each and every day. Again, this team will find it’s identity and hopefully find it soon.”
On the identity of this team…
“I think its depth. It’s going to be an exciting team. A team with guys at different positions. We have guys that can score and it will be one of my more athletic teams. Depth-wise it’s going to be a big key. We may have eight starters. It’s that type of team.”
On his thoughts about where the team’s scoring production will come from…
“I think it will be spread out. My best team had eight guys averaging nine to 15 points. I don’t think these guys worry about scoring, they worry about winning. That’s the biggest thing. Whatever it takes to win.
“Our guys never stopped playing and it’s something that we will build on in the fall. I think we have the chance to have a special year.”
Junior guard Posh Alexander
On being selected Preseason All-BIG EAST First Team…
“I am excited that I got selected [Preseason All-BIG EAST First Team]. I appreciate everyone that voted for me and it’s an honor. But, I am just trying to go to practice everyday and get better to help the team.”
On the team’s focus heading into the season …
“This team is hungry, but we can’t really focus on that right now. We are just going to get at it every day and work hard at practice. Whatever takes place later on takes place.”
Redshirt senior guard Montez Mathis
On what the two transfers will bring to the team…
“I think it will impact this team a lot. David [Jones] with his scoring and rebounding and [Andre] Curbelo with his passing and defensive ability. Two great players that will help us get over the hump.”
On what the preseason ranking means…
“We already have motivation since we came together in May. We don’t pay a lot of attention to it. We just have to practice and get better each day.”
Senior center Joel Soriano
On how the preseason Dominican Republic trip helped the team chemistry...
“I think it helped a lot, especially for the new guys that came in. It brought us together on and off the court and it was definitely something that we needed.”
On the advice he gives to his younger teammates…
“A lot of work, a lot of patience and we will work hard, and try to get better each and every day.”
On how he feels about his team heading into the season…
“I like the guard play and the perimeter play, and I like our forwards. I think we have some real quality depth there and now it’s a matter of going out and playing.”
On the competition in the BIG EAST this year…
“I think the league is going to be wide open. There are really good teams and a lot of good players coming back. There are really good coaches, it’s a great coaching league. With the transfer of some quality players coming in it takes it up to another level.”
On building off last season…
“I thought even last year we were really stepping up our game in the late months. We want to build on that. We left with an empty feeling and were not able to leave everything on the court. I think with this team this year we will leave everything on the floor.”
On the addition of the two transfers…
“This year’s team is going to be totally different than last year. This is a different dynamic. They have been through the wars of BIG EAST Basketball. Those guys are familiar with what we are trying to accomplish. The addition of Andre Curbelo and David Jones, it already enhances what we already have going on here.”
On being picked to finish sixth in BIG EAST Preseason poll…
“The predictions are what they are. … At the end of the day it’s not where you start, it’s where you finish. We want to be one of the top teams not only in this league, but in the country. We are going to control what we can control by trying to get better each and every day. Again, this team will find it’s identity and hopefully find it soon.”
On the identity of this team…
“I think its depth. It’s going to be an exciting team. A team with guys at different positions. We have guys that can score and it will be one of my more athletic teams. Depth-wise it’s going to be a big key. We may have eight starters. It’s that type of team.”
On his thoughts about where the team’s scoring production will come from…
“I think it will be spread out. My best team had eight guys averaging nine to 15 points. I don’t think these guys worry about scoring, they worry about winning. That’s the biggest thing. Whatever it takes to win.
“Our guys never stopped playing and it’s something that we will build on in the fall. I think we have the chance to have a special year.”
Junior guard Posh Alexander
On being selected Preseason All-BIG EAST First Team…
“I am excited that I got selected [Preseason All-BIG EAST First Team]. I appreciate everyone that voted for me and it’s an honor. But, I am just trying to go to practice everyday and get better to help the team.”
On the team’s focus heading into the season …
“This team is hungry, but we can’t really focus on that right now. We are just going to get at it every day and work hard at practice. Whatever takes place later on takes place.”
Redshirt senior guard Montez Mathis
On what the two transfers will bring to the team…
“I think it will impact this team a lot. David [Jones] with his scoring and rebounding and [Andre] Curbelo with his passing and defensive ability. Two great players that will help us get over the hump.”
On what the preseason ranking means…
“We already have motivation since we came together in May. We don’t pay a lot of attention to it. We just have to practice and get better each day.”
Senior center Joel Soriano
On how the preseason Dominican Republic trip helped the team chemistry...
“I think it helped a lot, especially for the new guys that came in. It brought us together on and off the court and it was definitely something that we needed.”
On the advice he gives to his younger teammates…
“A lot of work, a lot of patience and we will work hard, and try to get better each and every day.”