St. John's University Athletics
POSTGAME QUOTES: NO. 22/22 ST. JOHN’S AT DEPAUL
St. John’s Men’s Basketball Head Coach Rick Pitino, graduate student guard/forward Bryce Hopkins and senior forward Zuby Ejiofor spoke to the media after defeating DePaul, 68-56, in Chicago on Tuesday
Head Coach Rick Pitino
Opening statement…
“This was a tremendous win for us because this was a very difficult game to play and we had to be the defensive team down the stretch. We made some really good offensive plays and good defensive plays. So, it was a rock fight, but you're going to get that in BIG EAST play.”
On the team’s momentum heading into Friday’s contest with UConn…
“Well, I just try to prepare every game as if it's our last. I told the team beforehand, I said, when you get into February, I've mentioned to my teams all the time, you play this game as if you're getting ready for the NCAA Tournament and you don't show up in the NCAA tournament and say, 'Okay, this is what we're going to do, you prepare now. This game we had to win to advance to UConn. So that was the message we had for them, you prepare in February for March and right now, I think we're playing with whatever style we have to play. Their will to win is great.”
On what’s stood out during the eight-game winning streak…
“We're not going to go undefeated the rest of the way. We're going to lose again, but the key is to learn why you lost the game, why in those four minutes you gave up threes, and Providence is as talented as any team in the BIG EAST. They can beat anyone. Connecticut found that out two different times. So, we're a hardworking team. We have a great will to win and tonight was an excellent win for us. It wasn't a game of beauty, but two defensive teams that got after it.”
Senior forward Zuby Ejiofor
On winning with defense on the road…
“That’s just who we are. I think the coaching staff does a great job of preparing us each and every week for the upcoming matchups. It’s our jobs to go out there and do whatever it takes to come out with a win. It wasn't pretty on the offensive end tonight, but I feel like everybody was committed, especially on the defensive end, especially in the second half to just pull away. Each possession, we're telling each other, just lock in and try to win each four minutes, and I think we did that in the second half.”
On this team’s will to win…
“It’s just the hatred for losing, honestly, and I think obviously it starts with Coach Pitino. But when you have a winning culture, everybody wants to be a part of that and I think that's exactly why these guys came to this program. We're trending in the right direction. DePaul was a great win, like I said but now we got to really just focus in on UConn and move on from there.”
On the importance of the game against UConn...
“We are not really just thinking about it as rankings. Obviously, yes, it's UConn on Friday night at MSG, what more could you ask for? Just two great programs going head-to-head with two great coaches. It’s going to be exciting and it's going to be a packed crowd, but all we can worry about is ourselves and preparing the right way, preparing like a championship team, as coach says all the time.”
Graduate student guard/forward Bryce Hopkins
On playing back home in front of family and friends…
“There were a few people that came out tonight. My family and friends from my high school, and from the high school team. It just means a lot to come back to where it all started, and me being in the place I am today. It all started here and it feels good to be back in Chicago and play in front of my own support system.”
On wanting the ball in the key moment…
“I feel like I don't try to force a lot of stuff. I just try to take whatever the defense is giving me. I try to do what our system wants and if it's open, I'm going to take it. If not, I'm going to look to make plays for my teammates. But I'm just trying to make the right reads at all times, make the right play.”
Opening statement…
“This was a tremendous win for us because this was a very difficult game to play and we had to be the defensive team down the stretch. We made some really good offensive plays and good defensive plays. So, it was a rock fight, but you're going to get that in BIG EAST play.”
On the team’s momentum heading into Friday’s contest with UConn…
“Well, I just try to prepare every game as if it's our last. I told the team beforehand, I said, when you get into February, I've mentioned to my teams all the time, you play this game as if you're getting ready for the NCAA Tournament and you don't show up in the NCAA tournament and say, 'Okay, this is what we're going to do, you prepare now. This game we had to win to advance to UConn. So that was the message we had for them, you prepare in February for March and right now, I think we're playing with whatever style we have to play. Their will to win is great.”
On what’s stood out during the eight-game winning streak…
“We're not going to go undefeated the rest of the way. We're going to lose again, but the key is to learn why you lost the game, why in those four minutes you gave up threes, and Providence is as talented as any team in the BIG EAST. They can beat anyone. Connecticut found that out two different times. So, we're a hardworking team. We have a great will to win and tonight was an excellent win for us. It wasn't a game of beauty, but two defensive teams that got after it.”
Senior forward Zuby Ejiofor
On winning with defense on the road…
“That’s just who we are. I think the coaching staff does a great job of preparing us each and every week for the upcoming matchups. It’s our jobs to go out there and do whatever it takes to come out with a win. It wasn't pretty on the offensive end tonight, but I feel like everybody was committed, especially on the defensive end, especially in the second half to just pull away. Each possession, we're telling each other, just lock in and try to win each four minutes, and I think we did that in the second half.”
On this team’s will to win…
“It’s just the hatred for losing, honestly, and I think obviously it starts with Coach Pitino. But when you have a winning culture, everybody wants to be a part of that and I think that's exactly why these guys came to this program. We're trending in the right direction. DePaul was a great win, like I said but now we got to really just focus in on UConn and move on from there.”
On the importance of the game against UConn...
“We are not really just thinking about it as rankings. Obviously, yes, it's UConn on Friday night at MSG, what more could you ask for? Just two great programs going head-to-head with two great coaches. It’s going to be exciting and it's going to be a packed crowd, but all we can worry about is ourselves and preparing the right way, preparing like a championship team, as coach says all the time.”
Graduate student guard/forward Bryce Hopkins
On playing back home in front of family and friends…
“There were a few people that came out tonight. My family and friends from my high school, and from the high school team. It just means a lot to come back to where it all started, and me being in the place I am today. It all started here and it feels good to be back in Chicago and play in front of my own support system.”
On wanting the ball in the key moment…
“I feel like I don't try to force a lot of stuff. I just try to take whatever the defense is giving me. I try to do what our system wants and if it's open, I'm going to take it. If not, I'm going to look to make plays for my teammates. But I'm just trying to make the right reads at all times, make the right play.”