COURTESY OF ST. JOHN’S ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT
St. John’s Head Coach Mike Anderson
On facing Seton Hall…
“Well, it’s round two. We played them [in January] at Madison Square Garden and it was a game that went down to the last couple of plays. Unfortunately for us we didn’t make a play. [Seton Hall] had guys step up and make plays for them whether it was defensively or offensively. Now we get the chance to play at Seton Hall’s place. They just had a big, big win last night on a last second tip-in by [Sandro Mamukelashvili]. He just [returned from injury] and it gives [Seton Hall] a big frontline. It’s going to be a great challenge, a great opportunity. I think we’ve been playing pretty good basketball. We just haven’t been able to finish games. We’ve been on the unfortunate side. Hopefully we can turn that. It’s going to be a tremendous challenge but it’s a great opportunity to play against a Seton Hall team that’s playing really well.”
On the team’s progression this season…
“We improve each and every month. We’re not the same team in January that we are right now. It’s a testament to the guys that come in and work extremely hard. They’re buying into what we’re trying to do. I think its needed if this team’s going to compete. I think it shows you the progression and development of these guys. You’re seeing the ultimate team. I think they still haven’t played their best basketball. [Marcellus] Earlington, who probably played a total of 30 minutes last year, all of a sudden now he’s thrust in the lineup. … I think that’s a big part of it. They have a chance to play. Going into BIG EAST play, we knew we were going to have to have those guys. We’re just trying to gain experience. They’re fighting, they’re scratching and they’re clawing. You look at [Julian] Champagnie’s evolution. You look at [Greg] Williams who didn’t even practice for most of this preseason with a back injury. So we’re getting guys who are really starting to step up. We have some pieces, so now we’re just trying to develop them so they can continue to become a team.”
On Myles Powell…
“I think he’s a phenomenal player. I remember him as a freshman, so just to see his development over the course of four years. The maturity, physically and of course his game has been taken to a new level. He’s that guy and wants to be that guy. He’s having a phenomenal year. The thing I like about him is he is the target but he’s willing to get other guys involved with the [Romaro] Gill kid you can see it. With the floor opening up now it gives him an opportunity to get a lot of easy buckets. Now you add [Sandro Mamukelashvili] to it, he’s a pretty good passer and he can shoot the basketball. Again, I think Myles Powell is a dynamite player. He plays with a lot of grit, attitude, and plays with a lot of confidence.”
