Quote Center: St. John's Postgame @ Creighton
COURTESY OF ST. JOHN’S RED STORM ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE
St. John’s Head Coach Chris Mullin
On his talk with the team yesterday before playing Creighton…
“We’re in good shape. Coming into [today’s game], we had ten league games left. We played a total game of basketball [tonight]. We had some tough stretches, tough breaks. ... I felt pretty confident that we were going to play a good game. I thought we executed really well defensively. Our transition defense was good. We guarded their three-point shooters well. We fought on the boards. We rebounded. … They went out and played great. We did talk yesterday about knowing where we are, where we’ve been, and who we are. … We had some tough games and we’ve played good ones. We’re capable. We’ve done it. We fall and bounce back. It’s what we do.”
On if tonight’s win was their best performance of the season…
“I thought we played a great game. All the other stuff, I never go backwards or forwards. … I prepare on getting my team prepared. Having them feel confident. Putting out a good game plan. Have some backup stuff ready and most importantly, have the team play with passion. I think the best thing was that they played for each other and they always have.”
On Bryan Trimble’s performance…
“He played great. I’m so happy for him. We want to give our guys minutes. Tonight he got his opportunity and he came through. He’s a tough kid. He plays the post well. He’s one of our highest IQ guys. He knows everything we do on offense and defense. Tonight he put together a great game. He was one of the best players out there for us.”
St. John's guard Bryan Trimble Jr.
On tonight's game...
"Whatever my team needed, I tried my best to take care of it. I made shots. I saw it in myself and being able to do that is a confidence builder."
On the team's performance...
"Sometimes we don't come out on top but every night is a must-win. We don't look past any games."
St. John's guard Shamorie Ponds
On what Head Coach Chris Mullin said...
"Resilience. We dropped a few games in a row and this game was an important win to start our three-game road trip."
On the team’s effort...
"We are back to playing our game and our best basketball. Everyone is involved and having fun."
On the recent negativity...
"We know what we are capable of. We don't have to prove to anyone out there. We are going to go out there and play our game. There is always going to be someone who has something good and something bad to say. We just have to stick to our game plan."
On in-game transitions...
"In the second half, we had a big lead. I wasn't trying to rush anything and get the best shot as possible."
On playing Duke...
"It'll be my first time there so I'm definitely excited."