St. John's University Athletics
POSTGAME QUOTES: St. John's vs. Wagner
St. John’s Head Coach Joe Tartamella, senior guard Unique Drake and redshirt senior guard Kadaja Bailey spoke with the media following an 80-51 win over Wagner on Wednesday afternoon
St. John’s Head Coach Joe Tartamella
Opening statement…
“They’ve done everything we’ve asked of them in terms of being able to compete with who’s in front of them. I thought we played great in the first quarter; then we got into this lull in the second quarter that affected our energy, but I was happy with how we finished the game. I thought we wore them down. I thought we tightened up and defensively and get to the line enough to manufacture some points. These games before Christmas are always tough, so you make sure you’re locked in, but I’m proud of them. To have the start that we’ve had, I couldn’t be happier for these players. They deserve it.”
On the best start in the school history…
“No question [it means something]. I’ve come to understand and appreciate all these moments because you don’t get them all the time. Is it special? Absolutely. Is it something to be proud of? Absolutely. These players have breathed life into everything we do. Unique [Drake] and Kadaja [Bailey] have been here, and it hasn’t always been easy. For those guys who have stuck it out and stayed the course, I know it means a lot to them. They should be proud of that. I’ve been doing this long enough to know it’s not easy. Anytime you can get that type of recognition or feel like you have a group that can accomplish anything, it feels good for a coach. Obviously, we have a lot to work on, but I take full appreciation of this moment.”
On the state of the team going into conference play…
“We’ve been in these games that have been so different. We’ve played physical teams, and we’ve played teams that are smaller and quicker. We’ve been able to be a lot more versatile than we’ve been. We’ve also been in games where we won by a larger, and we’ve had to come back in the fourth quarter of games. When you’re winning, it helps too because it helps breed that confidence that you know you’re going to be able to succeed at things when you need too. The biggest thing I can say, regardless of what happens, is that they show up to practice every day. They compete; they want to win, and they’ll do whatever it takes to win. Those are the traits you get excited about as a coach, and this team has shown that in the 12 games we’ve played.”
Senior guard Unique Drake
On the best start in program history.…
“It’s a blessing to overcome what we have and just to have accomplished what we have is really a blessing."
On the upcoming conference schedule ...
“We have to have a steady mindset and be ready for the next game. It doesn’t matter who are where we have to play, we just need to be ready for the next game.”
On being ranked 25th in the latest AP Poll…
“It’s unbelievable, we have overcome a lot and it is a blessing that we are here today as the number 25 team in the country."
Redshirt senior guard Kadaja Bailey
On the team reaching 12-0 for the first time in program history …
“It feels good, but there’s still room to work on every day."
On the upcoming conference schedule ...
“We just need to stay locked in and focused on what needs to be done [each game]."
Opening statement…
“They’ve done everything we’ve asked of them in terms of being able to compete with who’s in front of them. I thought we played great in the first quarter; then we got into this lull in the second quarter that affected our energy, but I was happy with how we finished the game. I thought we wore them down. I thought we tightened up and defensively and get to the line enough to manufacture some points. These games before Christmas are always tough, so you make sure you’re locked in, but I’m proud of them. To have the start that we’ve had, I couldn’t be happier for these players. They deserve it.”
On the best start in the school history…
“No question [it means something]. I’ve come to understand and appreciate all these moments because you don’t get them all the time. Is it special? Absolutely. Is it something to be proud of? Absolutely. These players have breathed life into everything we do. Unique [Drake] and Kadaja [Bailey] have been here, and it hasn’t always been easy. For those guys who have stuck it out and stayed the course, I know it means a lot to them. They should be proud of that. I’ve been doing this long enough to know it’s not easy. Anytime you can get that type of recognition or feel like you have a group that can accomplish anything, it feels good for a coach. Obviously, we have a lot to work on, but I take full appreciation of this moment.”
On the state of the team going into conference play…
“We’ve been in these games that have been so different. We’ve played physical teams, and we’ve played teams that are smaller and quicker. We’ve been able to be a lot more versatile than we’ve been. We’ve also been in games where we won by a larger, and we’ve had to come back in the fourth quarter of games. When you’re winning, it helps too because it helps breed that confidence that you know you’re going to be able to succeed at things when you need too. The biggest thing I can say, regardless of what happens, is that they show up to practice every day. They compete; they want to win, and they’ll do whatever it takes to win. Those are the traits you get excited about as a coach, and this team has shown that in the 12 games we’ve played.”
Senior guard Unique Drake
On the best start in program history.…
“It’s a blessing to overcome what we have and just to have accomplished what we have is really a blessing."
On the upcoming conference schedule ...
“We have to have a steady mindset and be ready for the next game. It doesn’t matter who are where we have to play, we just need to be ready for the next game.”
On being ranked 25th in the latest AP Poll…
“It’s unbelievable, we have overcome a lot and it is a blessing that we are here today as the number 25 team in the country."
Redshirt senior guard Kadaja Bailey
On the team reaching 12-0 for the first time in program history …
“It feels good, but there’s still room to work on every day."
On the upcoming conference schedule ...
“We just need to stay locked in and focused on what needs to be done [each game]."