St. John's University Athletics
QUOTES: ST. JOHN’S MEN’S BASKETBALL MEDIA AVAILABILITY
St. John’s Men’s Basketball Head Coach Rick Pitino, senior forward Zuby Ejiofor and senior guard Oziyah Sellers spoke with the media after the Red Storm’s Selection Sunday watch party at Carnesecca Arena.
Head Coach Rick Pitino
On being a five-seed and going out to San Diego:
“I thought half the staff thought we were a 4 and I thought we were a 5, so I'm not surprised at the seeding. The first opponent that we'll play is very tough, and if you get to the second round, you're going to — you'll have a packed house, but it'll be all Kansas fans. They will pack the place, and we'll have maybe a few hundred people. That's about it. But that's the breaks in the game. I've been to Portland and Arizona and went to a Final Four. It's not ideal traveling to the West Coast, but you deal with it and you, you just make the best of it.”
On his initial feelings of facing Northern Iowa…
“We’ll study them tonight. Just by their scores, they play everybody tough. They have a senior-led team. They have four guys in double figures. They shoot a very high percentage from three. They don't turn it over a whole lot. They get an average of 15 assists per game.”
On getting guys ready for their first NCAA Tournament...
“The pressure that was on us the last month of the season going into Seton Hall, knowing we had to win on the road to share the championship, and then having to play the opening round against Providence and then play Seton Hall and then play Connecticut. The pressure was enormous because of the teams we were playing, and they responded great in all the games. So, we're playing good basketball, and that's the only thing that matters right now.”
Senior Forward Zuby Ejiofor
On being inducted into the St. John’s Ring of Honor next season…
“I was stunned. [Coach Pitino] was talking about guys like Walter Berry and Chris Mullin, and the list goes on and on. I was never really expecting my name to be called, honestly. But it’s truly a special moment. I’m really just entirely grateful for that recognition, and I’m going to be telling my family pretty soon.”
On his reaction to being a five-seed…
“My thing was, it really doesn’t matter where we play. California, obviously good weather, [I’ve] never been in California, really excited to be there for the first time. So, no matter where we play, we’re going to go out there and compete hard and try to win.”
On how non-conference play prepared the team for the NCAA Tournament…
“We had a tough schedule in the non-conference this year. A lot of opponents, great opponents, that got us ready for this moment. Battled through adversity, learned a lot of lessons about ourselves and throughout these matchups. And we’re truly excited. This is going to be the first opportunity for these guys to feel the thrill of the NCAA Tournament. It’s entirely different, and the guys are ready for it. And nobody wants to lose in the first round. You want to keep going. It’s entirely different.”
On cutting down the net with Coach Pitino after winning the BIG EAST Tournament Championship…
“Well, it was his idea. He came up to me and told me all about it, that we’re going to do it together. And [there’s] no doubt in my mind that, I’m up for it. Truly [a] special moment, my family was in the crowd as well. They got some videos, pictures [and] they acted like fans. But like I said, truly a special moment for me, my family and the fans. Everybody knows the kind of relationship that I have with Coach Pitino these past two years. So really blessed to have the opportunity.”
Senior guard Oziyah Sellers
On experiencing the NCAA Tournament…
“Obviously, I came here to win games and keep playing and still be playing here in March. So, to have this opportunity, it’s amazing. I only experienced the tournament my freshman year and I didn’t really play like that, so to actually feel like a real part of it this time is exciting and I’m ready. I’m excited.”
On being a five-seed and going out to San Diego:
“I thought half the staff thought we were a 4 and I thought we were a 5, so I'm not surprised at the seeding. The first opponent that we'll play is very tough, and if you get to the second round, you're going to — you'll have a packed house, but it'll be all Kansas fans. They will pack the place, and we'll have maybe a few hundred people. That's about it. But that's the breaks in the game. I've been to Portland and Arizona and went to a Final Four. It's not ideal traveling to the West Coast, but you deal with it and you, you just make the best of it.”
On his initial feelings of facing Northern Iowa…
“We’ll study them tonight. Just by their scores, they play everybody tough. They have a senior-led team. They have four guys in double figures. They shoot a very high percentage from three. They don't turn it over a whole lot. They get an average of 15 assists per game.”
On getting guys ready for their first NCAA Tournament...
“The pressure that was on us the last month of the season going into Seton Hall, knowing we had to win on the road to share the championship, and then having to play the opening round against Providence and then play Seton Hall and then play Connecticut. The pressure was enormous because of the teams we were playing, and they responded great in all the games. So, we're playing good basketball, and that's the only thing that matters right now.”
Senior Forward Zuby Ejiofor
On being inducted into the St. John’s Ring of Honor next season…
“I was stunned. [Coach Pitino] was talking about guys like Walter Berry and Chris Mullin, and the list goes on and on. I was never really expecting my name to be called, honestly. But it’s truly a special moment. I’m really just entirely grateful for that recognition, and I’m going to be telling my family pretty soon.”
On his reaction to being a five-seed…
“My thing was, it really doesn’t matter where we play. California, obviously good weather, [I’ve] never been in California, really excited to be there for the first time. So, no matter where we play, we’re going to go out there and compete hard and try to win.”
On how non-conference play prepared the team for the NCAA Tournament…
“We had a tough schedule in the non-conference this year. A lot of opponents, great opponents, that got us ready for this moment. Battled through adversity, learned a lot of lessons about ourselves and throughout these matchups. And we’re truly excited. This is going to be the first opportunity for these guys to feel the thrill of the NCAA Tournament. It’s entirely different, and the guys are ready for it. And nobody wants to lose in the first round. You want to keep going. It’s entirely different.”
On cutting down the net with Coach Pitino after winning the BIG EAST Tournament Championship…
“Well, it was his idea. He came up to me and told me all about it, that we’re going to do it together. And [there’s] no doubt in my mind that, I’m up for it. Truly [a] special moment, my family was in the crowd as well. They got some videos, pictures [and] they acted like fans. But like I said, truly a special moment for me, my family and the fans. Everybody knows the kind of relationship that I have with Coach Pitino these past two years. So really blessed to have the opportunity.”
Senior guard Oziyah Sellers
On experiencing the NCAA Tournament…
“Obviously, I came here to win games and keep playing and still be playing here in March. So, to have this opportunity, it’s amazing. I only experienced the tournament my freshman year and I didn’t really play like that, so to actually feel like a real part of it this time is exciting and I’m ready. I’m excited.”