St. John's University Athletics
POSTGAME QUOTES: St. John’s Men’s Basketball at Villanova
St. John’s Head Coach Rick Pitino, Daniss Jenkins and Joel Soriano spoke with the media following the Red Storm’s 81-71 win at Villanova on Saturday inside Finneran Pavilion
St. John’s Head Coach Rick Pitino
Opening statement…
“Obviously it was a great road win for us. Offensively, we were very efficient, especially in the first eight minutes of the game. We never relented because we kept attacking the basket, which was beautiful to see, and we played great defense, by in large we did an outstanding job there. [Joel] Soriano and Daniss [Jenkins] have been playing fantastic basketball. Joel is so much fun to coach because probably, there isn’t a more likable human being on Earth. He is so much fun to coach because his attitude is tremendous, it’s always about winning. It’s never about him, it’s always about the team. We had to bring in new players and thank God he stayed, because he is the captain. Daniss is as good as it gets, with the exception of the play these two guys ran where DJ took on the big guy. Other than that, it was an awesome performance from our guys.”
On today’s win over Villanova…
“You know it’s a great win for us because we are getting better. I try to make sure we don’t get too high, but celebrate a great victory. We don’t get too low after a loss. It was a really good win. I don’t look at the past too much. I’ve always believed that the past you both cherish and you learn from it, but you don’t live in it and the future will take care of itself if [Joel and Daniss] keep playing like that. We just take care of this game and now we have a tough Providence game. I’m just proud of our guys. Totally focused in on beating Villanova.”
On the improved defense…
“With the exception of [Daniss Jenkins], we recruited all offensive basketball players, and we are trying to teach them defense. It’s really difficult when you have all defensive players, and you try to teach them offense. When you have gifted offensive players, the defense is just hard work and paying attention to scouting. Now, they are all becoming a good defensive team. They are mixing up their zone with their man. They are mixing up their presses. They are an intelligent group.”
St. John’s guard Daniss Jenkins
On his relationship with Joel Soriano…
“This summer I couldn’t practice so I would just watch. It was really tough on me and tough on my teammates too because I was seeing things out there. I was just trying to be around as much as I could be, talking with the guys. … I’m like an annoying little brother. I’m always saying something to make him annoyed and sometimes it’s the truth, but I know it will make him feel some type of way. I really think Joel embraced that because he knows I’m always going to bring the best out of him and I think that’s what really pushed our relationship to what it is today. We always try to bring the best out of each other. That’s my job as the point guard. I feel like I’m supposed to make everyone around me better. I used to watch St. John’s, but I didn’t know he was this good in person. When I started playing with him, I was like, okay, he has a lot more to give. I’m just trying to make him the best Joel Soriano he can be as well as the rest of my teammates.”
St. John’s center Joel Soriano
On his relationship with Daniss Jenkins…
“If I’m going to be honest, it's because of 2K. Since he got here, we just got to know each other more, we hung out and got food together. He knows my family and I know his, so I feel like I’ve known him for years. This is my blood brother. There is nothing I wouldn’t do for him and there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for all the guys on our team. Every single one of us I feel like is very close. The way we feel about each other, I feel like we have been together for four years and it’s only been a couple of months. But we still gotta keep growing, keep stacking these wins and not get too high or too low, just keep winning.”
On the development of Brady Dunlap…
“Brady is a fun guy to be around. In practice, I don’t think he misses. I’ll be honest with you, he takes some crazy shots, but he rarely misses. I’m just happy he is bringing it to the game. I feel like with him it’s a confidence thing, getting his feet wet in games and believing in himself, because we believe in him. He plays really hard, one of the hardest working freshmen and one of the hardest workers I know. I’m just happy everything is going well.”
Opening statement…
“Obviously it was a great road win for us. Offensively, we were very efficient, especially in the first eight minutes of the game. We never relented because we kept attacking the basket, which was beautiful to see, and we played great defense, by in large we did an outstanding job there. [Joel] Soriano and Daniss [Jenkins] have been playing fantastic basketball. Joel is so much fun to coach because probably, there isn’t a more likable human being on Earth. He is so much fun to coach because his attitude is tremendous, it’s always about winning. It’s never about him, it’s always about the team. We had to bring in new players and thank God he stayed, because he is the captain. Daniss is as good as it gets, with the exception of the play these two guys ran where DJ took on the big guy. Other than that, it was an awesome performance from our guys.”
On today’s win over Villanova…
“You know it’s a great win for us because we are getting better. I try to make sure we don’t get too high, but celebrate a great victory. We don’t get too low after a loss. It was a really good win. I don’t look at the past too much. I’ve always believed that the past you both cherish and you learn from it, but you don’t live in it and the future will take care of itself if [Joel and Daniss] keep playing like that. We just take care of this game and now we have a tough Providence game. I’m just proud of our guys. Totally focused in on beating Villanova.”
On the improved defense…
“With the exception of [Daniss Jenkins], we recruited all offensive basketball players, and we are trying to teach them defense. It’s really difficult when you have all defensive players, and you try to teach them offense. When you have gifted offensive players, the defense is just hard work and paying attention to scouting. Now, they are all becoming a good defensive team. They are mixing up their zone with their man. They are mixing up their presses. They are an intelligent group.”
St. John’s guard Daniss Jenkins
On his relationship with Joel Soriano…
“This summer I couldn’t practice so I would just watch. It was really tough on me and tough on my teammates too because I was seeing things out there. I was just trying to be around as much as I could be, talking with the guys. … I’m like an annoying little brother. I’m always saying something to make him annoyed and sometimes it’s the truth, but I know it will make him feel some type of way. I really think Joel embraced that because he knows I’m always going to bring the best out of him and I think that’s what really pushed our relationship to what it is today. We always try to bring the best out of each other. That’s my job as the point guard. I feel like I’m supposed to make everyone around me better. I used to watch St. John’s, but I didn’t know he was this good in person. When I started playing with him, I was like, okay, he has a lot more to give. I’m just trying to make him the best Joel Soriano he can be as well as the rest of my teammates.”
St. John’s center Joel Soriano
On his relationship with Daniss Jenkins…
“If I’m going to be honest, it's because of 2K. Since he got here, we just got to know each other more, we hung out and got food together. He knows my family and I know his, so I feel like I’ve known him for years. This is my blood brother. There is nothing I wouldn’t do for him and there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for all the guys on our team. Every single one of us I feel like is very close. The way we feel about each other, I feel like we have been together for four years and it’s only been a couple of months. But we still gotta keep growing, keep stacking these wins and not get too high or too low, just keep winning.”
On the development of Brady Dunlap…
“Brady is a fun guy to be around. In practice, I don’t think he misses. I’ll be honest with you, he takes some crazy shots, but he rarely misses. I’m just happy he is bringing it to the game. I feel like with him it’s a confidence thing, getting his feet wet in games and believing in himself, because we believe in him. He plays really hard, one of the hardest working freshmen and one of the hardest workers I know. I’m just happy everything is going well.”