Quote Center: St. John's Postgame vs. Molloy

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

St. John's Head Coach Chris Mullin…

On a slow start in the opening ten minutes of the game:

"I thought our energy was down. We were pretty reactive on defense and not the aggressor…counterpunching somewhat. With the type of team we are, we have to be the aggressor to set the tone and the pace. First and foremost, on the defensive end, but I thought we did a good job in the second half. You know you're not always going to play the way you want all the time, but we addressed it and made changes. I thought we did a good job of that last game…we played a good defensive first half, but not very well offensively. Defensively at the start of the half we were a bit lackadaisical, but we pulled it together. So they know the difference, and that's a good thing."

On sustaining the same energy throughout each game:

"That's why we try and create good habits. No one is going to deny that there are other factors that go into it, but as we move forward from here-on-out, we aren't going to have that ability to just rely on our athleticism and our talent…we are going to have to play together. We know what we have to do, and we know the type of team we can be when we put it together. I'm not going to make too big of a deal about that, but overall we did what we're supposed to do…they scored 21 and 22 points…Like I said, you are not always going to play well…but if you are honest with yourself, address your mistakes, and try to fix them in-game. Sometimes you have to wait, but if you can do it in-game…that's even better."

On whether a game like tonight keeps the team sharp:

"I'm not quite sure about the carryover, but that's also why you practice. You don't always carryover from practice, but that's why you keep at it. Whether it be practice, game, shoot around, or film session you have to have the same mindset. We've had some bad practices and then had some good games…that can happen as well. We fly tomorrow, have a good workout, have another good workout on Wednesday, and go play Thursday."

On finally playing outside of Carnesecca Arena at the AdvoCare Invitational:

"Tomorrow we are going to practice in Orlando and then we have our first game on Thanksgiving morning. I'm not really looking too far ahead or anticipating what we are going to feel…I know what we are going to do at practice and prep, then it's time to play."

Redshirt junior forward Marvin Clark II…

On locker room environment at half:

"Good environment, coach didn't get down on us. He just told us that we have to come out and pick it up, come out with a fresh start, fresh half and just play a lot better defense."

On the AdvoCare Invitational:

"First and foremost, it is the opportunity to bring home a preseason championship. It is definitely something that is on our minds and something we think about. How we play and how skilled and talented we are, we feel that we can play with anybody, but it is just a matter of coming out and bringing it from the jump."

Senior guard/forward Bashir Ahmed…

On the games played thus far:

"Any team, no matter who we are going against we have to bring it. Whether it is a big team or a small team we have to come out with the same intensity, the same mindset, and just play hard."

On the AdvoCare Invitational:

"I feel like we are ready, we have been working hard and I feel like we really needed this game, it was a wakeup call for us. Now we just have to go to Orlando and bring it."

Molloy Head Coach Charles Marquardt…

On playing a Division I BIG EAST team:

"I can't think of a better preparation. St. John's is the benchmark for college basketball in the area. We are only 15 minutes from here so we appreciate the opportunity that they gave us. The things that we struggled with were things we struggled with during the first four games, turnover control, foul shooting and catching rebounds at times. When you play a really good team it brings out the areas you are not as good at."