Opening Statement…
“It’s what we’ve been working for, getting ready to start off 2022-23 officially. We’re playing against a senior-laden team in Merrimack. They bring back four seniors, and it’s a team that’s picked to win its league. … We are going to get their best shot. I’m curious to see how our guys respond in a game setting. We’ve done the exhibition games, but they don’t count. It counts now. You’ve got the officials out there, the fans in the stands and the popcorn popping. Every game is a big game. Our guys are really excited to get going. They’ve been going against each other, and the practices have been competitive. It’s time to play someone else and see where we are.”
On the fit of the team…
“Having the chance to go to the Dominican Republic gave us a snapshot of the fit. Coming into practice, we’re trying to put guys into a position to understand a little bit more about what we have to get done. To me, this game is another test to see where we are. The exhibition games are what they were, and I thought we did what we were supposed to do. Now, the task goes to another level. I want to see us continue to build and get better.”
On what the team can improve on going into this season…
“I thought we were cautious last year in a lot of games. We had eight or nine games that were decided by six points or less. It was the little things, whether it be free throws or rebounding. I think the biggest key is being able to make plays. People think it’s all about offense, but sometimes it’s about the defense as well. I think we have more guys that can create and make plays for us. I believe the experience of guys going through it helps. Sometimes you have to go through it. Hopefully, our rebounding and defense is better. Those are the things that really have to be sure.”
On balancing the minutes between the starters and bench…
“I think the game will dictate that. We’ll see how the game goes. I was talking to Joel [Soriano] the other day, and he had 14 points and eight rebounds. He only played maybe 16 minutes. He was efficient. Obviously, our core guys are going to play the most. When the other guys get out there, if they have it going on, they will have an opportunity to play. I always feel that it will work itself out.”
Junior Guard Posh Alexander
On the addition of Andre Curbelo…
“I feel good. … Just to have him on the defensive side is going to be crazy. We are all playing 94 feet and for other teams to get past us it is going to be hard.”
On the newcomer he is impressed with the most…
“Every last one of them. Even the freshman impress everyone, the coaches and me included.”
Senior Center Joel Soriano
On the difference coming into his second year at St. John’s…
“I feel a little bit more comfortable, as I know what the team’s style of play is and what coach is expecting of me and of us. I am just trying to take it day-by-day. The season starts on Monday and I am just trying to take it one game at a time.”
On how he improved coming into this season…
“I feel way more confident than I did last year. That is because of my teammates and coaches talking to me. I think it’s up to you, how you perceive things, how you handle things, and when adversity hits you, just have to overcome it.”
On the impact of transfer David Jones…
“He can do a little bit of everything, defensively, offensively. He’s a very vocal guy when he’s on the floor. He can stretch the floor and rebound for us.”
On the locker room culture this season…
“We have a funny group. Everybody gets along with each other. We’ve never had a bad moment. Whenever any of us are down, we always find a way to bring one another up. It’s been great having our guys together and we are all just pumped.”
On the team’s biggest strength…
“I feel like it’s our unity. I feel like we are together. We will have to see when adversity hits, and how we handle it, but we are definitely unified as a group.”
