St. John's University Athletics
PREGAME QUOTES: St. John’s Men’s Basketball vs. West Virginia
St. John’s Head Coach Rick Pitino, Nahiem Alleyne and Zuby Ejiofor met with the media on Wednesday ahead of the Red Storm’s matchup at West Virginia on Dec. 1
St. John’s Head Coach Rick Pitino
Opening statement…
“I was in Morgantown [in 2009 with Louisville], we beat West Virginia to clinch the BIG EAST [regular season title]. It’s a very difficult place to play, we know that. We obviously are very familiar with their leading scorer [Quinn Slazinski]. We know it will be a tough game. They have a terrific center from Syracuse. They are not overly deep, but what they have is very good talent. I watched their game against Virginia, and they could have won that game, it went down to the last second. They play at a certain pace, and we have to be ready for it.”
On RJ Luis Jr.’s performance against Holy Cross…
“He really didn’t play well, according to the film. He scored, but he made a lot of defensive mistakes and made a lot of offensive mistakes. You all can see that he has a lot of talent. He followed his shot well, he has long arms, he dribbles and passes well.”
On how practice has been with extra days between games…
“It’s crucial. For us, to get ready for the BIG EAST, we are going to need to improve defensively and value the basketball better and they know that. One good thing about this team is they are very intelligent. You can show them the metrics on paper and they get it right away. They are embarrassed about it. They don’t like being last in 3-point [field goal percentage] defense. They don’t like being last in field goal [percentage] defense. They don’t like the fact that they are turning the ball over at an alarming rate.”
On team’s character…
“I am very fortunate - I don’t think too many coaches taking over a new program are going to have 14 young men like the quality of these guys. They are amazing quality. After the Charleston [Classic] games, two of our players, Drissa [Traore] being one, thanked the managers for the job they did on the trip. In 45 years, I’ve never heard a player thanking the managers. …From a personality standpoint, they are amazing young men.”
St. John’s guard Nahiem Allyene
On extra practice time this week…
“It’s been great for us. I feel that yesterday we had a really good practice. It had a lot of intensity and high energy. We are just getting more connected as a group. These practices have helped us gain more chemistry, just being more understanding of one another. We have a big assignment coming up with West Virginia and every road game is a battle. We are going to have to bring energy and communicate at our highest to come out with the dub.”
On sacrifices being made on the team to win…
“In the summertime, we were all trying to prove ourselves to the coaches on what we could do and on our abilities. Now we know what everybody is capable of. Zuby [Ejiofor] with a high motor, I can knock down the shot. Everybody can bring something different to the table which is great for our team because everybody can step up in big ways. I feel like it comes from the summertime and adjustments now.”
On what’s the focal point going on the road into a hostile environment…
“Like I said before, every road game is going to be a challenge because that’s their homecourt. ... For us, it’s just going to take high energy, communication, and just playing for each other. They might make their run and we just have to be prepared. Let’s just calm down and take every possession at a time. The focal point for us is the defensive end. We just have to worry about the defense, because we already know we have talented offensive guys. We’re going to figure it out on offense we just have to stay connected on defense.”
St John’s Forward Zuby Ejiofor
On facing Joel Soriano in practice…
“Typically, I just try to use my motor against him. It’s a little bit of back-and-forth. It’s great competition. I would say we complement each other pretty well and we always try to bring the best of each other through our play.”
On his progress this season…
“It’s just the mentality of staying ready whenever my name is called. I’m pretty sure that I’ve done a really good job of starting off on the defensive end, getting rebounds and blocking shots. It’s what any coach wants from the role players on the team. I’m just finding a role that suits the team well and that’s what I’m trying to excel on.”
On his high motor…
“I would say it comes from just trying to find a second wind. A motor is something that I’ve had ever since high school. I’ve been really working on my conditioning and just running the floor as fast as I can. It’s just an effort thing and as long as I can beat my opponent down the court, I’m going to get some easy buckets.”
On playing at WVU Coliseum…
“It’s a hostile environment and a really tough place to play. I was with [Kansas] when I played there. The crowd and the fans are all into it. It’s going to take a lot of teamwork for us to come out with a victory on the road.”
Opening statement…
“I was in Morgantown [in 2009 with Louisville], we beat West Virginia to clinch the BIG EAST [regular season title]. It’s a very difficult place to play, we know that. We obviously are very familiar with their leading scorer [Quinn Slazinski]. We know it will be a tough game. They have a terrific center from Syracuse. They are not overly deep, but what they have is very good talent. I watched their game against Virginia, and they could have won that game, it went down to the last second. They play at a certain pace, and we have to be ready for it.”
On RJ Luis Jr.’s performance against Holy Cross…
“He really didn’t play well, according to the film. He scored, but he made a lot of defensive mistakes and made a lot of offensive mistakes. You all can see that he has a lot of talent. He followed his shot well, he has long arms, he dribbles and passes well.”
On how practice has been with extra days between games…
“It’s crucial. For us, to get ready for the BIG EAST, we are going to need to improve defensively and value the basketball better and they know that. One good thing about this team is they are very intelligent. You can show them the metrics on paper and they get it right away. They are embarrassed about it. They don’t like being last in 3-point [field goal percentage] defense. They don’t like being last in field goal [percentage] defense. They don’t like the fact that they are turning the ball over at an alarming rate.”
On team’s character…
“I am very fortunate - I don’t think too many coaches taking over a new program are going to have 14 young men like the quality of these guys. They are amazing quality. After the Charleston [Classic] games, two of our players, Drissa [Traore] being one, thanked the managers for the job they did on the trip. In 45 years, I’ve never heard a player thanking the managers. …From a personality standpoint, they are amazing young men.”
St. John’s guard Nahiem Allyene
On extra practice time this week…
“It’s been great for us. I feel that yesterday we had a really good practice. It had a lot of intensity and high energy. We are just getting more connected as a group. These practices have helped us gain more chemistry, just being more understanding of one another. We have a big assignment coming up with West Virginia and every road game is a battle. We are going to have to bring energy and communicate at our highest to come out with the dub.”
On sacrifices being made on the team to win…
“In the summertime, we were all trying to prove ourselves to the coaches on what we could do and on our abilities. Now we know what everybody is capable of. Zuby [Ejiofor] with a high motor, I can knock down the shot. Everybody can bring something different to the table which is great for our team because everybody can step up in big ways. I feel like it comes from the summertime and adjustments now.”
On what’s the focal point going on the road into a hostile environment…
“Like I said before, every road game is going to be a challenge because that’s their homecourt. ... For us, it’s just going to take high energy, communication, and just playing for each other. They might make their run and we just have to be prepared. Let’s just calm down and take every possession at a time. The focal point for us is the defensive end. We just have to worry about the defense, because we already know we have talented offensive guys. We’re going to figure it out on offense we just have to stay connected on defense.”
St John’s Forward Zuby Ejiofor
On facing Joel Soriano in practice…
“Typically, I just try to use my motor against him. It’s a little bit of back-and-forth. It’s great competition. I would say we complement each other pretty well and we always try to bring the best of each other through our play.”
On his progress this season…
“It’s just the mentality of staying ready whenever my name is called. I’m pretty sure that I’ve done a really good job of starting off on the defensive end, getting rebounds and blocking shots. It’s what any coach wants from the role players on the team. I’m just finding a role that suits the team well and that’s what I’m trying to excel on.”
On his high motor…
“I would say it comes from just trying to find a second wind. A motor is something that I’ve had ever since high school. I’ve been really working on my conditioning and just running the floor as fast as I can. It’s just an effort thing and as long as I can beat my opponent down the court, I’m going to get some easy buckets.”
On playing at WVU Coliseum…
“It’s a hostile environment and a really tough place to play. I was with [Kansas] when I played there. The crowd and the fans are all into it. It’s going to take a lot of teamwork for us to come out with a victory on the road.”