St. John's University Athletics
POSTGAME QUOTES: St. John’s vs. No. 6/7 UConn
St. John’s Head Coach Mike Anderson and senior center Joel Soriano spoke with the media following an 85-74 win over No. 6/7 UConn on Sunday at XL Center
St. John’s Head Coach Mike Anderson
Opening Statement…
“I thought our guys were trending in the right direction. We put 40 minutes together. I think that was some of the better defense we’ve played. In the second half, Rafael [Pinzon] came in and gave us a big punch. We saw what AJ [Storr] is capable of doing, but I think the guys that started out were big. UConn is a very good basketball team. We did a good job of attacking them and getting to the free-throw line. We got some of their key guys in foul trouble. The bench continues to play at a high level for us. Guys are starting to understand their roles. It’s a big win for us, and hopefully it’s just one of many to come”
On the offense…
“Obviously, we wanted to get into the lanes. We wanted the floor open. We wanted to utilize [Joel Soriano] in some ball screens, reverse the ball and get some cutters to the basket. I thought we did a good job of moving the basketball and when we had opportunities in the fast break, we pushed the basketball. We just tried to create mismatches. I thought our guard play was outstanding. We came in with a gameplan and our guys stuck to it.”
On AJ Storr and Rafael Pinzon…
“I think these guys are more ready now. They’re battle-tested. They’ve got the opportunity and they are taking advantage of it. In the second half, they were out there together and it was like a one-two punch. They know what they bring to the table. It all starts on the defensive end and they’re better defensively [now] than they were early on.”
Senior Center Joel Soriano
On what the win proves for the team…
“This game proves a lot. It shows what we can do when we play together and connected. It shows that if we hang on our hats [on defense] we do well.”
On how much defense means to the team’s success…
“We know what kind of team, players and coaching staff that we have. If we want to be good, we have to play defense. When we started BIG EAST play, we weren’t playing any defense at all. We are a team that feeds off defense and it gets everything going. When we play defense, we are a hell of a team to stop.”
Opening Statement…
“I thought our guys were trending in the right direction. We put 40 minutes together. I think that was some of the better defense we’ve played. In the second half, Rafael [Pinzon] came in and gave us a big punch. We saw what AJ [Storr] is capable of doing, but I think the guys that started out were big. UConn is a very good basketball team. We did a good job of attacking them and getting to the free-throw line. We got some of their key guys in foul trouble. The bench continues to play at a high level for us. Guys are starting to understand their roles. It’s a big win for us, and hopefully it’s just one of many to come”
On the offense…
“Obviously, we wanted to get into the lanes. We wanted the floor open. We wanted to utilize [Joel Soriano] in some ball screens, reverse the ball and get some cutters to the basket. I thought we did a good job of moving the basketball and when we had opportunities in the fast break, we pushed the basketball. We just tried to create mismatches. I thought our guard play was outstanding. We came in with a gameplan and our guys stuck to it.”
On AJ Storr and Rafael Pinzon…
“I think these guys are more ready now. They’re battle-tested. They’ve got the opportunity and they are taking advantage of it. In the second half, they were out there together and it was like a one-two punch. They know what they bring to the table. It all starts on the defensive end and they’re better defensively [now] than they were early on.”
Senior Center Joel Soriano
On what the win proves for the team…
“This game proves a lot. It shows what we can do when we play together and connected. It shows that if we hang on our hats [on defense] we do well.”
On how much defense means to the team’s success…
“We know what kind of team, players and coaching staff that we have. If we want to be good, we have to play defense. When we started BIG EAST play, we weren’t playing any defense at all. We are a team that feeds off defense and it gets everything going. When we play defense, we are a hell of a team to stop.”