Quote Center: St. John's Postgame @ Butler

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

St. John's Head Coach Chris Mullin…

On the injury to Shamorie Ponds:

"He seemed to feel okay before the game. I didn't think he was moving great, but he came in okay."

On the future of the program:

"We feel like the players we have, the five or six core players, have all improved individually. With a game like tonight, there's no moral victories, but we've been pretty close in seven of these 10 [BIG EAST] games. There are all different reasons for that, but I've been around the game long enough to know that if you have good health and talent, you do well. We've got some good talent, have to mesh them together, get some continuity, and things will turn."

On the game:

"18% [shooting in the first half] is probably going to put a little dent in your day. … I thought we had some layups, open shots, free throws, you name it."

On Butler's Kamar Baldwin's play:

"He's the leader of their team. He gets them out in the open floor and is dangerous pushing the ball in transition. He's probably the number one guy offensively to contain when he's out in transition. He has good experience and is a physically-strong player. He plays good defense. He's a really good player."