St. John's University Athletics
POSTGAME QUOTES: St. John’s Men’s Basketball at No. 7/7 Marquette
St. John’s Head Coach Rick Pitino met with the media following the Red Storm’s 86-75 setback against No. 7/7 Marquette on Saturday at Fiserv Forum
St. John’s Head Coach Rick Pitino
Opening Statement…
“I don’t have much to say. We realize that our defense is not great, so we have been trying to pick up our offense. We did a great job in the first half and in the second half, our defense was very porous, just by attention to detail. We are very disappointed. We’ll get on with Providence and move forward.”
On how the team came out after halftime…
“Well, [Marquette] came out and shot an open three, shot an open three and shot an open three. For no rhyme or reason in the zone, we didn’t pay attention to their personnel and it’s happened before. You know, they did it to us at our place, but when they shoot 52 percent from three, I don’t care how good you’re shooting the ball. You’re not going to win. Our defense has hurt us most of the season and tonight was no different.”
On opportunities the team has had but has gotten away from them…
“Well, that’s what happens in the first year when you’re not a disciplined defensive team. That’s what happens. It’s not going to happen in the first year. It’s not going to happen. I’m sorry, it's not. We’ll play hard and you’ll see some displays of brilliance at times, but it’s not going to happen because unless you have a mindset of guarding people on every single possession, it’s not going to happen and that’s not the mindset that they have. We’re improving offensively, but defensively we still have the same problems. It is what it is. It’s the first year. We are building a program and you gotta build a program on defense.”
Opening Statement…
“I don’t have much to say. We realize that our defense is not great, so we have been trying to pick up our offense. We did a great job in the first half and in the second half, our defense was very porous, just by attention to detail. We are very disappointed. We’ll get on with Providence and move forward.”
On how the team came out after halftime…
“Well, [Marquette] came out and shot an open three, shot an open three and shot an open three. For no rhyme or reason in the zone, we didn’t pay attention to their personnel and it’s happened before. You know, they did it to us at our place, but when they shoot 52 percent from three, I don’t care how good you’re shooting the ball. You’re not going to win. Our defense has hurt us most of the season and tonight was no different.”
On opportunities the team has had but has gotten away from them…
“Well, that’s what happens in the first year when you’re not a disciplined defensive team. That’s what happens. It’s not going to happen in the first year. It’s not going to happen. I’m sorry, it's not. We’ll play hard and you’ll see some displays of brilliance at times, but it’s not going to happen because unless you have a mindset of guarding people on every single possession, it’s not going to happen and that’s not the mindset that they have. We’re improving offensively, but defensively we still have the same problems. It is what it is. It’s the first year. We are building a program and you gotta build a program on defense.”