St. John's University Athletics
POSTGAME QUOTES: St. John’s vs. No. 14/15 Villanova
St. John’s Head Coach Joe Tartamella spoke with the media following a 73-57 loss to No. 14/15 Villanova on Wednesday night.
St. John’s Head Coach Joe Tartamella
Opening statement…
“Villanova did a great job. They’re number 14 in the country for a reason. I thought we never got our footing. I thought we actually did a good job of staying in the game. We struggled to score, and they did a good job defensively. I didn’t think we played as hard as we could have at times, but they did a good job of taking us out of it. At the half, we felt pretty good, but when the third [quarter] started, we let the momentum shift. That’s where the game went. We have to do a better job of executing offensively. We had shots today that we’ve made but didn’t make [today]. At times, I thought we hurt ourselves with turnovers, some unforced and some forced. We have to regroup quickly and get ready for a road swing.”
On the tempo…
“I don’t think we dictated much of the tempo at all. I think they did. When they’re scoring on you, you can’t play quick. I thought we did a good job in the first game of getting out [and running]. I thought they did a better job of slowing the game down in this one. That’s where they went with it. We sped ourselves up in the half-court. I thought we did a good job of clawing back.”
On Maddy Siegrist…
“She’s so hard to stop in the flow of a game. She does so much for her team. What she’s done for the league, I don’t know if we’ll see another one like her as far as her staying power and what she’s done. I’ve been in the league for 20 years; I’ve watched players like Diana Turasi, Maya Moore and Breanna Stewart. They’re all different in how they play, but she’s as difficult to stop as anyone I’ve seen in my time here.”
On the BIG EAST…
“The league is filled with great players and great coaches, and it’s good to see the success that a lot of teams are having. Hopefully, there is a continued spotlight on our league, coaches and players. From top to bottom, we haven’t had a year where the competition is as high-level as this since I’ve been here. It’s difficult and our leagues has as many different styles as you can see.”
Opening statement…
“Villanova did a great job. They’re number 14 in the country for a reason. I thought we never got our footing. I thought we actually did a good job of staying in the game. We struggled to score, and they did a good job defensively. I didn’t think we played as hard as we could have at times, but they did a good job of taking us out of it. At the half, we felt pretty good, but when the third [quarter] started, we let the momentum shift. That’s where the game went. We have to do a better job of executing offensively. We had shots today that we’ve made but didn’t make [today]. At times, I thought we hurt ourselves with turnovers, some unforced and some forced. We have to regroup quickly and get ready for a road swing.”
On the tempo…
“I don’t think we dictated much of the tempo at all. I think they did. When they’re scoring on you, you can’t play quick. I thought we did a good job in the first game of getting out [and running]. I thought they did a better job of slowing the game down in this one. That’s where they went with it. We sped ourselves up in the half-court. I thought we did a good job of clawing back.”
On Maddy Siegrist…
“She’s so hard to stop in the flow of a game. She does so much for her team. What she’s done for the league, I don’t know if we’ll see another one like her as far as her staying power and what she’s done. I’ve been in the league for 20 years; I’ve watched players like Diana Turasi, Maya Moore and Breanna Stewart. They’re all different in how they play, but she’s as difficult to stop as anyone I’ve seen in my time here.”
On the BIG EAST…
“The league is filled with great players and great coaches, and it’s good to see the success that a lot of teams are having. Hopefully, there is a continued spotlight on our league, coaches and players. From top to bottom, we haven’t had a year where the competition is as high-level as this since I’ve been here. It’s difficult and our leagues has as many different styles as you can see.”