St. John's University Athletics
QUOTES: St. John’s Men’s Basketball Pregame Media Availability
Hall of Famer Rick Pitino makes his St. John’s coaching debut on Tuesday at 7 p.m. inside Carnesecca Arena
St. John’s Head Coach Rick Pitino
On Tuesday’s matchup against Stony Brook…
“This Stony Brook team reminds me of my Iona team last year. They have great size, three guys 6’11” or better, a lot of transfers who shoot the ball great. They are a lot bigger than us and they have been very impressive in two scrimmages. This is a tough opener because they are a strong mid-major team. [Stony Brook] Coach [Geno Ford] has said this is one the best Stony Brook teams he’s had. A lot of transfers, a lot of size, people that can shoot the basketball and put it on the floor. This is a very good basketball team.”
On team’s chemistry on and off the court …
“They are all getting to know each other’s strengths and weaknesses. They are getting to know each other as well as getting to know me and I’m getting to know them. I will say, most coaches brag about their players being good people. I haven’t come across, in my lifetime, 14 young men like this. When they ask if the players are any different [in] today’s [generation], yes, they are different. This group is so much better than anything I’ve ever experienced as young men. Their parents really have done a fabulous job raising them. They know how to act. They practice hard every day. I think Joel [Soriano] would say our practices are fun. The coaches have fun coaching them, the players have fun playing.”
On team’s capabilities…
“This team is not going to reach their potential until mid-January or early February, because we’ve had a brash of injuries and they are new to each other. Most of my teams don’t play well in the beginning with the exception of one or two teams in my coaching career. They always get better come league play in January and February. It takes time to learn all the different defenses, all of the offenses and these are 14 new guys learning each other, as well as learning a new system. We’re not going to look great early on, but we will give 100 percent of hustle. Fans are going to like what they are going to see from an intensity standpoint and a hustle standpoint.”
Senior Center Joel Soriano
On the emotions of starting the season tomorrow…
“This one is kind of different because it’s the start of a new era for our team in general. I think there has been a lot of emphasis on what we have to do, not just with this team but over the season in general, and how we need to improve. I think it will be a big test for our team, a big test to see where we are at. It’s also the start of the college basketball season and that’s very exciting. I’m very excited to get out there.”
On the mindset heading into this season…
“This is my last go around, so it’s a little emotional at that point, but I’m very excited for the season and what the season holds for us. I’m excited to get out there with my brothers and compete. Ultimately, the end goal is to win games, so we are going to do whatever is possible to win games.”
On his development as a player over the summer…
“This has been the toughest summer I have ever been put through in college basketball. It’s also the most I’ve learned as a player as to how to play basketball the right way. I have to give a lot of credit to Coach [Pitino] and to our coaching staff. I’m also just very excited to put everything I’ve been learning on display. I’m just trying to get better. This is the start of a new beginning. I’m very excited for what the future holds.”
On Tuesday’s matchup against Stony Brook…
“This Stony Brook team reminds me of my Iona team last year. They have great size, three guys 6’11” or better, a lot of transfers who shoot the ball great. They are a lot bigger than us and they have been very impressive in two scrimmages. This is a tough opener because they are a strong mid-major team. [Stony Brook] Coach [Geno Ford] has said this is one the best Stony Brook teams he’s had. A lot of transfers, a lot of size, people that can shoot the basketball and put it on the floor. This is a very good basketball team.”
On team’s chemistry on and off the court …
“They are all getting to know each other’s strengths and weaknesses. They are getting to know each other as well as getting to know me and I’m getting to know them. I will say, most coaches brag about their players being good people. I haven’t come across, in my lifetime, 14 young men like this. When they ask if the players are any different [in] today’s [generation], yes, they are different. This group is so much better than anything I’ve ever experienced as young men. Their parents really have done a fabulous job raising them. They know how to act. They practice hard every day. I think Joel [Soriano] would say our practices are fun. The coaches have fun coaching them, the players have fun playing.”
On team’s capabilities…
“This team is not going to reach their potential until mid-January or early February, because we’ve had a brash of injuries and they are new to each other. Most of my teams don’t play well in the beginning with the exception of one or two teams in my coaching career. They always get better come league play in January and February. It takes time to learn all the different defenses, all of the offenses and these are 14 new guys learning each other, as well as learning a new system. We’re not going to look great early on, but we will give 100 percent of hustle. Fans are going to like what they are going to see from an intensity standpoint and a hustle standpoint.”
Senior Center Joel Soriano
On the emotions of starting the season tomorrow…
“This one is kind of different because it’s the start of a new era for our team in general. I think there has been a lot of emphasis on what we have to do, not just with this team but over the season in general, and how we need to improve. I think it will be a big test for our team, a big test to see where we are at. It’s also the start of the college basketball season and that’s very exciting. I’m very excited to get out there.”
On the mindset heading into this season…
“This is my last go around, so it’s a little emotional at that point, but I’m very excited for the season and what the season holds for us. I’m excited to get out there with my brothers and compete. Ultimately, the end goal is to win games, so we are going to do whatever is possible to win games.”
On his development as a player over the summer…
“This has been the toughest summer I have ever been put through in college basketball. It’s also the most I’ve learned as a player as to how to play basketball the right way. I have to give a lot of credit to Coach [Pitino] and to our coaching staff. I’m also just very excited to put everything I’ve been learning on display. I’m just trying to get better. This is the start of a new beginning. I’m very excited for what the future holds.”