St. John's University Athletics
PREGAME QUOTES: ST. JOHN’S WOMEN’S BASKETBALL VS. NO. 1/1 UCONN
St. John’s Women’s Basketball Head Coach Joe Tartamella and junior guard Brooke Moore spoke to the media ahead of the Red Storm’s contest against No. 1/1 UConn at Madison Square Garden.
Head Coach Joe Tartamella
Opening statement…
“First of all, thank you guys for coming today. We don’t get to do this that often, so we appreciate the opportunity to speak to you guys about a game that I think has been in the making since probably 2004. I think that was the first time that we ever played a game at [Madison Square Garden], and to have our first standalone game is a big deal.”
On his appreciation for playing at Madison Square Garden…
“A lot of people don’t know how much goes into trying to put these things together. From [President Rev. Brian J. Shanley] on down to [Vice President and Director of Athletics Ed Kull] and our administration, the support that they’ve shown to have this game happen has been incredible. I think it shows the support and the connectivity from the top down to have this thing happen.”
On what it means to play at Madison Square Garden…
“It’s always been special to me as a New Yorker in terms of what The Garden has meant, not just for basketball, but for sports in general. Anytime you get a chance to play there and get in that elevator that all the greats have been in, to get to a locker room or dressing room, you get those goosebumps.”
On the matchup against No. 1/1 UConn…
“The impressive thing that I’ve always marveled at is how hard their teams play. Throughout games, it doesn’t matter what the score is, who they’re playing or what’s at stake. I think in a lot of games, those first five minutes are critical in terms of being able to manage what that feeling is like with the pressure that [UConn] can provide in those first few minutes.”
On his past success against UConn…
“I think our last game that we won there [in 2023] was the last one [UConn] lost in our league. Every team is so different. You have to believe that you can actually do it, and the teams that we’ve had that have done it in those two games, both on the road, have had that belief. And I think even our teams that competed with them over the years that we’ve had, have done that.”
Junior guard Brooke Moore
Opening statement…
“Sunday is going to be a really big opportunity for us. I feel like I’ve been marking it down on my calendar all year. It’s not only big for us, but it’s big for the program. Just being able to play against a great team in a great atmosphere. Madison Square Garden has just so much historic meaning behind it. So many great players, so many great moments have just been captured there. So, it’s kind of cool, really cool to share the floor and just be able to do that with my teammates.”
On the team’s mindset…
“We have a good mindset right now. I feel like the biggest thing for us is just having confidence and just believing in ourselves and believing that we can beat the number one team in the country. I feel like it’s just about having the right mindset, being confident, executing the plays and just worrying about what we’re practicing in the game plan.”
On Coach Tartamella’s message to the team…
“Really just being aggressive and just playing how we play. I’m not letting them dictate the game, really kind of like throwing the first punch. So, I feel like just playing how we play, being aggressive, just playing together and playing connected is the main point.”
Opening statement…
“First of all, thank you guys for coming today. We don’t get to do this that often, so we appreciate the opportunity to speak to you guys about a game that I think has been in the making since probably 2004. I think that was the first time that we ever played a game at [Madison Square Garden], and to have our first standalone game is a big deal.”
On his appreciation for playing at Madison Square Garden…
“A lot of people don’t know how much goes into trying to put these things together. From [President Rev. Brian J. Shanley] on down to [Vice President and Director of Athletics Ed Kull] and our administration, the support that they’ve shown to have this game happen has been incredible. I think it shows the support and the connectivity from the top down to have this thing happen.”
On what it means to play at Madison Square Garden…
“It’s always been special to me as a New Yorker in terms of what The Garden has meant, not just for basketball, but for sports in general. Anytime you get a chance to play there and get in that elevator that all the greats have been in, to get to a locker room or dressing room, you get those goosebumps.”
On the matchup against No. 1/1 UConn…
“The impressive thing that I’ve always marveled at is how hard their teams play. Throughout games, it doesn’t matter what the score is, who they’re playing or what’s at stake. I think in a lot of games, those first five minutes are critical in terms of being able to manage what that feeling is like with the pressure that [UConn] can provide in those first few minutes.”
On his past success against UConn…
“I think our last game that we won there [in 2023] was the last one [UConn] lost in our league. Every team is so different. You have to believe that you can actually do it, and the teams that we’ve had that have done it in those two games, both on the road, have had that belief. And I think even our teams that competed with them over the years that we’ve had, have done that.”
Junior guard Brooke Moore
Opening statement…
“Sunday is going to be a really big opportunity for us. I feel like I’ve been marking it down on my calendar all year. It’s not only big for us, but it’s big for the program. Just being able to play against a great team in a great atmosphere. Madison Square Garden has just so much historic meaning behind it. So many great players, so many great moments have just been captured there. So, it’s kind of cool, really cool to share the floor and just be able to do that with my teammates.”
On the team’s mindset…
“We have a good mindset right now. I feel like the biggest thing for us is just having confidence and just believing in ourselves and believing that we can beat the number one team in the country. I feel like it’s just about having the right mindset, being confident, executing the plays and just worrying about what we’re practicing in the game plan.”
On Coach Tartamella’s message to the team…
“Really just being aggressive and just playing how we play. I’m not letting them dictate the game, really kind of like throwing the first punch. So, I feel like just playing how we play, being aggressive, just playing together and playing connected is the main point.”