St. John's University Athletics
POSTGAME QUOTES: ST. JOHN’S VS. HARVARD
St. John’s Men’s Basketball Head Coach Rick Pitino, Bryce Hopkins and Ian Jackson spoke to the media after defeating Harvard, 85-59, at Carnesecca Arena on Tuesday
Head Coach Rick Pitino
Opening statement…
“We do not panic. We do not pay attention to any nonsense about where we are as a team. We are just trying to get better each day. We know that by March, we believe we will be a good basketball team. We still have a long way to go and a lot of growth to make, but we are growing. We are practicing very hard. You can be disappointed that you lose a game, but I have not been disappointed one day with these guys because they give me 100 percent in practice. They play hard.”
On Bryce Hopkins’ development…
“Bryce [Hopkins] is highly intelligent. I do not have to tell him certain things. He knows it. When you come off any injury and you are not used to playing in a game, it takes time to get back into the action. He will get it. I do not doubt that for one minute. He has great skills. If he moves more, he will get more shots. I want him shooting the ball and thinking that he can make the next five or seven. He is very talented and he will become that alpha. There is no doubt in my mind.”
On Ian Jackson’s progression…
“Ian [Jackson] is improving every day. He has cut down on his turnovers and the last hurdle is learning to embrace contact on the glass. He learned about pre-switching tonight and then once a guy catches the ball, he has to learn to dog him and beat him to the spot rather than bumping him. I’m proud of Ian. I get on him hard because I love him. Going from a two guard to a point guard in a short window of time is not easy, but he is a great young man.”
On the lessons learned from the Kentucky and Auburn matchups…
“Against Auburn, all I could hear from their coaches was that they were punking us. I told our guys that when you are playing in most arenas the way Kentucky does and you hold them to 25 points [in the first half], that is embarrassing for them. They are going to come out at a new level and we have to match that level. That is a lesson for us. Pay no attention to the lead and come out in the second half prepared to defend at a high level.”
Graduate student guard/forward Bryce Hopkins
On his performance and approach…
“I think I did okay tonight. There is always room for improvement, but I was focused on what Coach [Pitino] was telling me. I wanted to come out with effort and not focus on scoring as much. I tried to focus on defense because that is going to lead to my offense.”
On embracing Coach Pitino’s challenge…
“That is what I came here for. I knew it wouldn’t be easy. Coach [Pitino] is a legend in the game and I came here to be pushed. He has coached great players and he knows what it takes to be great. Whatever he expects from me I am going to do it to the best of my ability. If that means changing my personality, I am going to do it. I am completely bought in.”
Sophomore guard Ian Jackson
On developing as a point guard…
“I think I am getting better every day and every week. I put in a lot of work on and off the floor, watching video and preparing myself to improve. My teammates have given me a lot of confidence to go out there and be the point guard and lead the group. I am feeding off their confidence and going out there and trying to get better.”
On the team’s mindset post Kentucky game…
“We are fine. We have a strong group of guys who understand that everything will not be perfect. We are focused on the next game and what we can do next. Nobody’s head is down. We want to win games and we are ready for what is next.”
Opening statement…
“We do not panic. We do not pay attention to any nonsense about where we are as a team. We are just trying to get better each day. We know that by March, we believe we will be a good basketball team. We still have a long way to go and a lot of growth to make, but we are growing. We are practicing very hard. You can be disappointed that you lose a game, but I have not been disappointed one day with these guys because they give me 100 percent in practice. They play hard.”
On Bryce Hopkins’ development…
“Bryce [Hopkins] is highly intelligent. I do not have to tell him certain things. He knows it. When you come off any injury and you are not used to playing in a game, it takes time to get back into the action. He will get it. I do not doubt that for one minute. He has great skills. If he moves more, he will get more shots. I want him shooting the ball and thinking that he can make the next five or seven. He is very talented and he will become that alpha. There is no doubt in my mind.”
On Ian Jackson’s progression…
“Ian [Jackson] is improving every day. He has cut down on his turnovers and the last hurdle is learning to embrace contact on the glass. He learned about pre-switching tonight and then once a guy catches the ball, he has to learn to dog him and beat him to the spot rather than bumping him. I’m proud of Ian. I get on him hard because I love him. Going from a two guard to a point guard in a short window of time is not easy, but he is a great young man.”
On the lessons learned from the Kentucky and Auburn matchups…
“Against Auburn, all I could hear from their coaches was that they were punking us. I told our guys that when you are playing in most arenas the way Kentucky does and you hold them to 25 points [in the first half], that is embarrassing for them. They are going to come out at a new level and we have to match that level. That is a lesson for us. Pay no attention to the lead and come out in the second half prepared to defend at a high level.”
Graduate student guard/forward Bryce Hopkins
On his performance and approach…
“I think I did okay tonight. There is always room for improvement, but I was focused on what Coach [Pitino] was telling me. I wanted to come out with effort and not focus on scoring as much. I tried to focus on defense because that is going to lead to my offense.”
On embracing Coach Pitino’s challenge…
“That is what I came here for. I knew it wouldn’t be easy. Coach [Pitino] is a legend in the game and I came here to be pushed. He has coached great players and he knows what it takes to be great. Whatever he expects from me I am going to do it to the best of my ability. If that means changing my personality, I am going to do it. I am completely bought in.”
Sophomore guard Ian Jackson
On developing as a point guard…
“I think I am getting better every day and every week. I put in a lot of work on and off the floor, watching video and preparing myself to improve. My teammates have given me a lot of confidence to go out there and be the point guard and lead the group. I am feeding off their confidence and going out there and trying to get better.”
On the team’s mindset post Kentucky game…
“We are fine. We have a strong group of guys who understand that everything will not be perfect. We are focused on the next game and what we can do next. Nobody’s head is down. We want to win games and we are ready for what is next.”