NC State Head Coach Quotes
Syracuse Men’s Basketball
Syracuse vs. NC State
February 11, 2020
Carrier Dome, Syracuse, N.Y.
NC State Head Coach Kevin Keatts, Head Coach
Opening Statement:
“What a game. I thought our guys did a tremendous job finishing the game. When you look at it, we had all types of adversity in that game. We had some adversity, we were in foul trouble, and they made some big shots at the end. When they took the lead, I think it was 64-55, we talked about getting some shots up and letting our defense create opportunities for our offense. I thought guys did a great job down the stretch. I thought our guys played like veterans down the stretch when you look at the fact that Markell Johnson came up with a big steal, Dereon (Seabron) played great defense, C.J. (Bryce) hit a big 3- pointer, and D.J. (Funderburk) coming back in the game changed everything. That rotation I had at the end – those guys really finished the game. So, I’m proud of these guys. It’s a really good road win playing against a good team with a unique style on their home floor.”
You guys showed your character tonight. What was your message to the team?
“I like to use real-life situations with these guys when I talk to them, so I talked about family. I said ‘listen in every family there will always be arguments and it’s about how you respond to the arguments. So if someone else is coming in trying to bother your family, then we all have to fight together, because we all play for NC State.’ We are getting to the point, especially in this game, where we’ve matured and really stuck together, even though we had some adversity. I didn’t think we handled the press particularly well at the end, didn’t make our free throws down the stretch, but we relied on our defense to finish the game.”
Can you talk about how with Elijah Hughes out, what you were able to do, and the focus being on Joseph Girard III and Buddy Boeheim?
“I think Girard made up for Hughes and Girard – he was good. If you had told me he was going to go 1-for-10 from three and have 30 points, I would’ve told you no way. That kid is a good player. He did a good job getting to the free throw line. He was 11-for-12. I take pride in us being the only team to make him miss one free throw, because he’s such a great free-throw shooter. It changes them a little bit, because they’re a team that doesn’t have a lot of ball handlers, so I thought we were able to pressure them a little bit more.”
Syracuse vs. NC State
February 11, 2020
Carrier Dome, Syracuse, N.Y.
NC State Head Coach Kevin Keatts, Head Coach
Opening Statement:
“What a game. I thought our guys did a tremendous job finishing the game. When you look at it, we had all types of adversity in that game. We had some adversity, we were in foul trouble, and they made some big shots at the end. When they took the lead, I think it was 64-55, we talked about getting some shots up and letting our defense create opportunities for our offense. I thought guys did a great job down the stretch. I thought our guys played like veterans down the stretch when you look at the fact that Markell Johnson came up with a big steal, Dereon (Seabron) played great defense, C.J. (Bryce) hit a big 3- pointer, and D.J. (Funderburk) coming back in the game changed everything. That rotation I had at the end – those guys really finished the game. So, I’m proud of these guys. It’s a really good road win playing against a good team with a unique style on their home floor.”
You guys showed your character tonight. What was your message to the team?
“I like to use real-life situations with these guys when I talk to them, so I talked about family. I said ‘listen in every family there will always be arguments and it’s about how you respond to the arguments. So if someone else is coming in trying to bother your family, then we all have to fight together, because we all play for NC State.’ We are getting to the point, especially in this game, where we’ve matured and really stuck together, even though we had some adversity. I didn’t think we handled the press particularly well at the end, didn’t make our free throws down the stretch, but we relied on our defense to finish the game.”
Can you talk about how with Elijah Hughes out, what you were able to do, and the focus being on Joseph Girard III and Buddy Boeheim?
“I think Girard made up for Hughes and Girard – he was good. If you had told me he was going to go 1-for-10 from three and have 30 points, I would’ve told you no way. That kid is a good player. He did a good job getting to the free throw line. He was 11-for-12. I take pride in us being the only team to make him miss one free throw, because he’s such a great free-throw shooter. It changes them a little bit, because they’re a team that doesn’t have a lot of ball handlers, so I thought we were able to pressure them a little bit more.”
