St. John's University Athletics
POSTGAME QUOTES: St. John’s vs. No. 22/25 Xavier
St. John’s Head Coach Mike Anderson and senior center Joel Soriano spoke with the media following an 84-79 loss to No. 22/25 Xavier at Carnesecca Arena on Wednesday
St. John’s Head Coach Mike Anderson
Opening Statement…
“Obviously, we’re very disappointed with the outcome of this game. Let’s take nothing away from Xavier, but I thought we dug ourselves a hole in that first half. [Xavier] was making the plays in the first half. I thought the extra-effort plays went their way in the first half. In the second half, we were much better. Let’s give them credit. I thought we didn’t play great, but we fought until the end.”
On the first half…
“I thought we came out with great energy. We missed a lot of shots, and they had a lot of second-effort plays. I thought our defense, especially on the pick-and-roll, was not very good. On the offensive end, we have to able to make shots.”
On the defensive pressure…
“The object was to put the pressure on, [but] I thought they did a good job of handling it early on.”
On how the team can improve…
“In BIG EAST play, it’s more physical. We have to continue to match the physicality of the game. One of the things I was really glad to see was the guys coming off the bench. I thought they gave us some great minutes.”
On the message to the team before going on a 14-2 run in the second half…
“I told them that we still had time on the clock. I thought we played some of our better basketball. I thought we got engaged defensively. We made it difficult for them.”
Senior Center Joel Soriano
On the last 10 minutes of the game…
“We had a sense of urgency. … We didn’t want to lose and wanted to protect our home court. I didn’t bring that energy and that’s on me.”
On difference in play from beginning to end…
“We look at the game and the last ten minutes we were playing hard. In the first half and the first five minutes of the second half we didn’t bring it. It’s a quick turnaround and we have to get ready for Seton Hall.”
On St. John’s next opponent, Seton Hall…
“We have a quick turnround. Seton Hall is a very good team. ... They are a very well-coached team, and we have to come in with an attitude and execute against them.”
Opening Statement…
“Obviously, we’re very disappointed with the outcome of this game. Let’s take nothing away from Xavier, but I thought we dug ourselves a hole in that first half. [Xavier] was making the plays in the first half. I thought the extra-effort plays went their way in the first half. In the second half, we were much better. Let’s give them credit. I thought we didn’t play great, but we fought until the end.”
On the first half…
“I thought we came out with great energy. We missed a lot of shots, and they had a lot of second-effort plays. I thought our defense, especially on the pick-and-roll, was not very good. On the offensive end, we have to able to make shots.”
On the defensive pressure…
“The object was to put the pressure on, [but] I thought they did a good job of handling it early on.”
On how the team can improve…
“In BIG EAST play, it’s more physical. We have to continue to match the physicality of the game. One of the things I was really glad to see was the guys coming off the bench. I thought they gave us some great minutes.”
On the message to the team before going on a 14-2 run in the second half…
“I told them that we still had time on the clock. I thought we played some of our better basketball. I thought we got engaged defensively. We made it difficult for them.”
Senior Center Joel Soriano
On the last 10 minutes of the game…
“We had a sense of urgency. … We didn’t want to lose and wanted to protect our home court. I didn’t bring that energy and that’s on me.”
On difference in play from beginning to end…
“We look at the game and the last ten minutes we were playing hard. In the first half and the first five minutes of the second half we didn’t bring it. It’s a quick turnaround and we have to get ready for Seton Hall.”
On St. John’s next opponent, Seton Hall…
“We have a quick turnround. Seton Hall is a very good team. ... They are a very well-coached team, and we have to come in with an attitude and execute against them.”