St. John's University Athletics
PREGAME QUOTES: ST. JOHN’S MEDIA AVAILABILITY VS. IONA
St. John’s Men’s Basketball Head Coach Rick Pitino, Bryce Hopkins and Ian Jackson met with the media on Thursday at the Janetschek Athletic Center Team Room ahead of Saturday’s matchup with Iona at MSG
Head Coach Rick Pitino
On Ian Jackson…
“Ian Jackson has improved immensely since he’s been here. Just like we did with [Daniss Jenkins], we have worked diligently to improve his assists, turnovers, and rebounding. We’re very happy with Ian’s improvement as well as Joson [Sanon]. Ian is going to start with Joson [against Iona].”
On the team’s defensive improvement…
“We’re getting better. There’s been about five or six guys that have become very good defensive players. [Last week’s win over Ole Miss] was two teams playing great defense, but that was by far our best defensive performance of the season.”
On where St. John’s stands nationally…
“There are six or seven teams that are playing great basketball right now. But, then there are teams, and I would put us in that category, that have a lot of growth ahead of them. We have a lot of growing to do. I think we can hang with anybody but the next step is being able to beat anybody.”
On Iona…
“I have tremendous affection for Iona, and I told them: ‘I’d love to play you.’ I’m hoping that the crowd is amazing so we can make it like a holiday game every year.”
Graduate student guard/forward Bryce Hopkins
On Ian Jackson…
“When we first got on campus, Ian was always a great player. His one-on-one bag has a lot in it. Where I’ve seen him grow the most is in his playmaking ability. The game slowed down for him as the season went on and as we went through more practices. He’s making his reads better as a point guard. That’s the biggest area of growth I’ve seen from him.”
On preparation for Ole Miss…
“The coaches put a big emphasis in the weeks prior to the game that prepared us for their playing style and on the defensive end in individual workouts and practice. The time we had to prepare for Ole Miss really helped us, and it’s only going to get better as the season progresses.”
On early non-conference challenges…
“It’s a good test for us to have those games early to measure where we are. ... We still have opportunities to handle business in the non-conference.”
Sophomore guard Ian Jackson
On earning a starting role…
“It means a lot. I feel like I put in a lot of work from practice to games, trying to be better every day and grinding every day. So, this is just a tip of the hat.”
On feeling more assertive…
“I definitely feel that. I feel like I’m getting more comfortable as the days go on. ... Against Ole Miss, I felt way more comfortable than I did in prior games. Shots didn’t fall but it’s part of the game. I definitely felt great.”
On areas of growth from North Carolina to now…
“I would say experience. I had the chance to experience different things at UNC. I’ve had the chance to gain experience in my short time here so far. Seeing different things, understanding the game more and seeing things through a different lens than I would have as a freshman is a big difference.”
On what he loves about being home…
“The biggest thing for me about being home is the chance to build something that’s bigger than Ian Jackson in the city of New York. To be able to build at St. John’s and be a piece to help progress the St. John’s brand and to do it in my area is great for me.”
On Ian Jackson…
“Ian Jackson has improved immensely since he’s been here. Just like we did with [Daniss Jenkins], we have worked diligently to improve his assists, turnovers, and rebounding. We’re very happy with Ian’s improvement as well as Joson [Sanon]. Ian is going to start with Joson [against Iona].”
On the team’s defensive improvement…
“We’re getting better. There’s been about five or six guys that have become very good defensive players. [Last week’s win over Ole Miss] was two teams playing great defense, but that was by far our best defensive performance of the season.”
On where St. John’s stands nationally…
“There are six or seven teams that are playing great basketball right now. But, then there are teams, and I would put us in that category, that have a lot of growth ahead of them. We have a lot of growing to do. I think we can hang with anybody but the next step is being able to beat anybody.”
On Iona…
“I have tremendous affection for Iona, and I told them: ‘I’d love to play you.’ I’m hoping that the crowd is amazing so we can make it like a holiday game every year.”
Graduate student guard/forward Bryce Hopkins
On Ian Jackson…
“When we first got on campus, Ian was always a great player. His one-on-one bag has a lot in it. Where I’ve seen him grow the most is in his playmaking ability. The game slowed down for him as the season went on and as we went through more practices. He’s making his reads better as a point guard. That’s the biggest area of growth I’ve seen from him.”
On preparation for Ole Miss…
“The coaches put a big emphasis in the weeks prior to the game that prepared us for their playing style and on the defensive end in individual workouts and practice. The time we had to prepare for Ole Miss really helped us, and it’s only going to get better as the season progresses.”
On early non-conference challenges…
“It’s a good test for us to have those games early to measure where we are. ... We still have opportunities to handle business in the non-conference.”
Sophomore guard Ian Jackson
On earning a starting role…
“It means a lot. I feel like I put in a lot of work from practice to games, trying to be better every day and grinding every day. So, this is just a tip of the hat.”
On feeling more assertive…
“I definitely feel that. I feel like I’m getting more comfortable as the days go on. ... Against Ole Miss, I felt way more comfortable than I did in prior games. Shots didn’t fall but it’s part of the game. I definitely felt great.”
On areas of growth from North Carolina to now…
“I would say experience. I had the chance to experience different things at UNC. I’ve had the chance to gain experience in my short time here so far. Seeing different things, understanding the game more and seeing things through a different lens than I would have as a freshman is a big difference.”
On what he loves about being home…
“The biggest thing for me about being home is the chance to build something that’s bigger than Ian Jackson in the city of New York. To be able to build at St. John’s and be a piece to help progress the St. John’s brand and to do it in my area is great for me.”