Quote Center: St. John's Postgame vs. Saint Joseph's

COURTESY OF ST. JOHN’S RED STORM ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE

St. John's Head Coach Chris Mullin…

On feeling following 10-2 start:
"I'm proud of them. They played really great defense these first 12 games, which shows you the commitment to each other. I think we have a long way to go too. We have a lot of improvements that we can make, so I think we've put ourselves in a great position."

On whether it's difficult to prepare a team to play in different arenas:
"Not from a coaching standpoint. It's the players who have to go out and play. I think they enjoy it though. It's great preparation for us because we are going to have a lot of tough road games coming up."

On improving throughout the season:
"I think we've shown our most improvement on the defensive end, and that's been consistent. Tonight was one of our better offensive games, but we still aren't entirely in our rhythm. I think from a coaching standpoint that's the ideal situation. We have really good scorers and really good shooters, and I think it's just a matter of staying confident, taking those rhythm shots, and I keep telling our guys that it will come. I really believe that. Last year, we were a pretty potent offensive team, and we added to that. We just have to keep our confidence, and keep the ball moving. As long as we get good shots, we are going to make them.

On upcoming game versus Providence and BIG EAST play approaching:
"We are not really going to talk about any future matchups yet. We are going to take a break now. When we regroup, we will get back to preparing for Providence. I think that's the best thing they've picked up from me. I don't look too far ahead. I focus on the next practice, and try prepare for what I think is going to help us win our next game. Whatever happens, we deal with the outcome and then move on.

Sophomore guard Shamorie Ponds…

On overall thoughts of the game:
"It was a tough one. We just had to execute down the stretch and listen to what Coach [Mullin] said, and just got it done."

On defensive play over the final minutes:
"That was the key for us. Coach preaches that every game to us. Our defense turns into offense. That's what we do, and we won it down the stretch."

On the absence of Marcus LoVett:
"I dominate the ball a lot now that he's out. He was our most-dominant ball handler. I just shifted over to the point guard position."

On feeling heading into BIG EAST play:
"We are going to take these next few days and rest our bodies, but we have to be ready to hit it hard. Our first game is Dec. 28 against Providence at home, so we just have to recuperate."

On playing in six-different arenas in six-straight games:
"I agree with what Justin said, it's one of the reasons I came to St. John's. Just going to other arenas and getting it done shows how close we are."

Redshirt sophomore guard Justin Simon...

On having a 10-2 non-conference record:
"I think defensively in all 12 games we've played well. All of the games we have won this season have been by defense. I think we're playing defense at a high level. Offensively, we are about to start clicking going into BIG EAST play."

On sticking together through adversity:
"We have a real-close group this year, everyone is really together, we don't get down on ourselves, we encourage each other, we have a great coaching staff that keeps us ready for adversity, and we are always ready to attack."

On being one assist shy of a triple-double:
"I was aware. One of our [graduate assistants] told me at halftime, but I just play to win. Shamoire [Ponds] and I played all 40 minutes, and like I said, we have a great group of guys ready to play, and I was just doing whatever it takes to win."

On playing in six-different arenas in six-straight games:
"That's a big reason why I came to St. John's. Playing on a big stage in different arenas has been amazing. It's been real amazing."