St. John's University Athletics
POSTGAME QUOTES: St. John’s vs. UConn
St. John’s Head Coach Mike Anderson and junior guard Posh Alexander spoke with the media following a 95-86 loss to No. 18/23 UConn at Madison Square Garden on Saturday
St. John’s Head Coach Mike Anderson
Opening Statement…
“This was a game that was won in the paint. Second-chance points were a big difference in the game. When you talk about second-chance points, you talk about guys getting in foul trouble, which gives the opponent another opportunity to score. It was 27-16, which is a big difference. Connecticut is playing good basketball right now. Their go-to guys, [Adama] Sanogo and [Jordan] Hawkins, and the two guys that came off the bench [Donovan Clingan and Joey Calcaterra], were good for them tonight. Our guys didn’t let go of the rope. They kept fighting, scratching and clawing. They were fighting uphill the whole game and just came up short. “
On the team’s defense against UConn …
“They did a good job of taking care of the basketball early on. We had turnovers in the second half. You look at the difference in the game and that’s what took place. In second-chance points, we had turnovers in the first half that enabled them to score. I thought our pressure was good at times and others, not. Give them [UConn] some credit, too.”
On the emotional day from beginning to end…
“On Senior Day, emotions are going to be flying all around the place. In the first half, I thought that was the case. This ended up helping UConn more than our guys in the first half, I believe. As the game was going back-and-forth, whether it be the physicality or the calls that were made, you could see the frustrations on our part and theirs as well.”
On the outlook to the BIG EAST Tournament…
“… Our bench has been playing really well. I think we just have to play 40 minutes. Defensively and offensively, we have to share the ball. We’ve played everybody in the league. We can beat anybody and anybody can beat us.”
Junior Guard Posh Alexander
On what the seniors that were honored today means to him…
“I love them and it is like a brotherhood here. We all support each other no matter what. Montez [Mathis], Joel [Soriano], E [Esahia Nyiwe], I love them and it is a blessing to have them in the program. I appreciate them and wish them the best going forward.”
On difference between the first and second game against UConn…
“I feel like the first time we played them, we were more tough. This time, we started fighting back in the second half when it was too late.”
On his mindset going into the BIG EAST Tournament…
“We are just going to take it day-by-day. We are going to go to practice, get better and get ready for the BIG EAST Tournament.”
Opening Statement…
“This was a game that was won in the paint. Second-chance points were a big difference in the game. When you talk about second-chance points, you talk about guys getting in foul trouble, which gives the opponent another opportunity to score. It was 27-16, which is a big difference. Connecticut is playing good basketball right now. Their go-to guys, [Adama] Sanogo and [Jordan] Hawkins, and the two guys that came off the bench [Donovan Clingan and Joey Calcaterra], were good for them tonight. Our guys didn’t let go of the rope. They kept fighting, scratching and clawing. They were fighting uphill the whole game and just came up short. “
On the team’s defense against UConn …
“They did a good job of taking care of the basketball early on. We had turnovers in the second half. You look at the difference in the game and that’s what took place. In second-chance points, we had turnovers in the first half that enabled them to score. I thought our pressure was good at times and others, not. Give them [UConn] some credit, too.”
On the emotional day from beginning to end…
“On Senior Day, emotions are going to be flying all around the place. In the first half, I thought that was the case. This ended up helping UConn more than our guys in the first half, I believe. As the game was going back-and-forth, whether it be the physicality or the calls that were made, you could see the frustrations on our part and theirs as well.”
On the outlook to the BIG EAST Tournament…
“… Our bench has been playing really well. I think we just have to play 40 minutes. Defensively and offensively, we have to share the ball. We’ve played everybody in the league. We can beat anybody and anybody can beat us.”
Junior Guard Posh Alexander
On what the seniors that were honored today means to him…
“I love them and it is like a brotherhood here. We all support each other no matter what. Montez [Mathis], Joel [Soriano], E [Esahia Nyiwe], I love them and it is a blessing to have them in the program. I appreciate them and wish them the best going forward.”
On difference between the first and second game against UConn…
“I feel like the first time we played them, we were more tough. This time, we started fighting back in the second half when it was too late.”
On his mindset going into the BIG EAST Tournament…
“We are just going to take it day-by-day. We are going to go to practice, get better and get ready for the BIG EAST Tournament.”