Kevin Willard quote book: St. John’s

On Sandro Mamukelashvili and his play Friday:

“Oh jeez, I’m ecstatic with the way he played. We knew we were going to need him to be more of a point guard today just because of the way they play, they take you out of your offense. The great thing about Sandro is he can bring it up and he can create, and when he gets a head of steam downhill, he’s really tough. I love the leadership he took, he was talking great in our huddle. I just think as he’s getting in shape now and he’s getting comfortable with the role I’m asking him to do, I think he’s just growing into that player I knew he would be.”

On playing at a slower tempo:

“I think that was key, Zach. It was more getting them to play more offense in the half court, which is sometimes tough. I knew we handled their pressure okay because we have Sandro, we have Tak, there’s guys you can bring the ball up against and just not Posh (Alexander) or just not Greg Williams. Getting them to play in a half court is kind of your goal against them, because they’re so good in transition, they’re so good at creating defensive live-ball turnovers. I thought we did a good job, most of our turnovers were travels or charges, things that we have to clean up. But the pace, I really think, helped, especially for Shavar having to play the minutes he had to play.”

On stabilizing play after last week’s loss to Oregon:

“Absolutely. We played seven minutes with Bryce Aiken, and we were depending on Bryce to be a 20-25-minute a game guy at this point, giving Shavar a chance to move to the two guard spot a little bit at times. So to be 4-3 to play the schedule we’ve had to play and being without one of the better players in the league, I’m ecstatic at the way we’re developing, ecstatic at the way we’re continuing to grow and get better.”

On Takal Molson:

“I have to get Tak going a little bit earlier in the game. He seems to cruise a little bit in the first half, I think he’s trying to find his rhythm too much. I just need him to come out and be aggressive a little bit earlier in games, but I have a lot of confidence in Tak making plays. He doesn’t have a point guard, he usually has a small forward on him, which most small forwards aren’t used to guarding pick-and-rolls, aren’t used to guarding a dribble-drive guy. Tak’s a guy I have confidence in bringing the ball up the court, but at the same time, if I need to get a foul, he’s got a great knack of how to get fouled. Again, I think his biggest issue is he’s not in very good shape. He had a lot of — injuries really hurt him in the offseason, and he’s not nearly the player that I had seen last year when he was sitting out, so I think as he gets in shape, you’re going to see someone that’s even better and better.”

On Bryce Aiken and not wearing a suit during games:

“Bryce shot today a little bit, he looked okay. Again, the issue with Bryce is we’re battling — the ankle’s getting better, but we still have to get him reps to make sure that his knee is used to getting reps. That’s kind of the balancing act we have with him right now. I think he would be back if it was just the ankle, to be honest with you, Adam, but unfortunately, I’m just being super careful with the young man just because I’ve got to make sure he’s back. I miss wearing a suit — I know everyone else likes this, but I feel like I’m getting ready for, like, a 9:30 tee time when I get dressed for the game. I actually wish we’d go back to wearing suits. I have some nice suits and some nice ties I’d like to wear. I think I’d be more into that.”

On Shavar Reynolds:

“Shavar has been phenomenal. He’s been great, he’s working hard defensively, he’s taking a huge load. I’m asking a ton of him and against this team, to play 35 minutes and play the way he did, I thought he did a really, really good job. The biggest growth Shavar has to get is the mental tally of being a point guard at all times. You can’t let up, and again, he’s a guy that’s growing into a role. He’s doing a great job, I love his work ethic, and I can’t ask anymore than he’s giving us.”

On schedule changes and their impact on the players:

“It’s really not that hard, J.P., to be honest with you. The thing I’ve done with my guys is I’ve communicated to them 24/7 about every little thing that’s going on, and I listen to them. They want to play games. I want to coach, they want to play, so if they had told me, ‘Hey, we don’t want to play,’ then we wouldn’t be playing because I want to do what they want to do. I’m always that way. But I’ll be honest with you: I think the games have been phenomenal. These kids are playing their hearts out. I think the games have been more competitive than they were last year, and I just think all these kids are so glad to be back playing. It’s not easy, it’s hard and there’s going to be more cancellations, but I think the league has done a good job of building up — I only have three games in February, I went back and looked at it, I only have three games that are literally scheduled in February. So we have a ton of dates that we’re going to be able to work around and be flexible. The kids knew going in it was going to be a tough year, so I think the fact that they’ve prepared for this — I’ll tell you what’s tough mentally, it’s when you take the game from them — being on the bus when the NCAA Tournament’s canceled and dealing with 13 guys there when their dreams are ripped apart from them. I think we’re in a great spot, I think the league’s doing a great job, the referees have been phenomenal in traveling and doing what they’re doing. It’s not an easy time anywhere in this country right now, and I applaud all the kids playing their hearts out, because it’s been fun to watch.”