Kevin Keatts: "I Am Proud Of My Guys"
NC State head coach Kevin Keatts met with the media after the Wolfpack's 76-64 home win over Louisville.
NOTE: Click the video above to watch the interview.
Opening Statement...
“I am proud of my guys and here is why. This is always the toughest game to play, right before
Christmas. I wanted to keep them focused and it didn't matter who we were going to play. It’s
tough because we played an ACC team, even though it is a team that hasn't had a lot of early
success. I am going to give Kenny (Payne) a lot of credit, his team is still playing hard, even
though they don't have a great record right now. They will win a few games in the ACC if they
continue to play hard and compete. I thought the difference in the game, the second half we
came out with a lot more energy. I’m proud of the way we passed the ball. When you look at it,
we had 17 assists on 26 made field goals. The great thing about it, we had five guys in double
figures. I thought it was really, really good. I am happy and our guys get a chance to go home
for a couple of games and hang out with family and that is important to me.”
On the players saying he was a little vocal with them in his halftime speech...
“I would say a little. That is why I am hoarse right now. I am not hoarse from the game. I didn't
think we played hard enough in the first half. That is just not who we are. Not this particular
team, so I had a few choice words and we talked about it. I thought our energy level went up to
another decimal in the second half and our guys really got after it.”
On the starters being effective but the bench not producing...
“I thought we shared the ball. We didn't make some shots we would normally make. I didn't think
Terquavion Smith was Terquavion Smith today. With that being said, we have to find ways to
win when our two leading scorers don't play great. Obviously, one of our bench guys now, DJ
Burns, has become a starter. So, as we continue to go we have to continue to develop someone
else off the bench.”
On DJ Burns playing over 30 minutes...
“Man, I am trying to get him - he played 33 - I am trying to get him to play 40. Now, if I can get
that guy to play 40 minutes you guys ought to get me a gift.”
On Burns offensive ability...
“He’s as gifted post-guy, scoring the ball, that I have seen in a long time. There is no traditional
center in basketbll anymore. To have a guy where you can throw the ball in and score inside
and get baskets that means a lot. He is talented. If I can continue to help him get better
defensively - I know that is a stretch - but we are going to continue to work on it. He is tough to
stop down there.”
On how much time the players will get off and how important it is for them to get away...
“They’ll be off the 23rd, 24th, and then Christmas and we’ll get them back on the 26th and we’ll
practice. It’s important. I encourage everyone in this room, just like I told the players, there’s
some person or bunch of people that made it possible for you guys to be where you’re at right
now. And what I told our guys was, when you go home, the easy thing to do is to hang out with
your friends, or to hang out with a girlfriend, but go see someone, put a smile on someone’s
face. You don’t know what other people are going through. And so I encourage you guys, the
same thing. If you get time over Christmas, make someone else smile. I think we forgot the true
meaning of Christmas and I know it’s about great gifts. I know my wife’s going to get great gifts,
but at the end of the day, it’s about family and so make it about family.”
On Casey Morsell’s three-point shooting...
“He’s worked really hard to become a really good three-point shooter and when he runs the floor
and he gets out and we can advance the basketball he’s usually very efficient from there. But
you talk about - and I’ve got about four or five guys that I call “workout warriors.” He’s one of
those guys. He stays in the gym and he stays working on his game. He’ll grab a manager when
we can’t work him out. But I’m proud of him because of the hard work that he’s put in to get to
this point.”
On what Casey Morsell is doing differently this season...
“I just think he’s getting comfortable. I know that sounds weird because he’s been here a couple
years, but he played in the system, a very good system, that was completely different then the
way we play. And so I think he’s starting to realize how to play fast and to be able to score that
way.”
On when Isaiah Miranda will be ready to play...
“I don’t know. I’ll be honest with you, hopefully, we’ll see if he’s ready for the Clemson game. I
would say maybe Clemson, maybe Duke. And the toughest thing for him right now is his head is
spinning. We’re throwing so much at him. This kid was in high school last week. And so trying to
figure out ball screen coverages, knowing plays, getting in shape. Believe it or not, you guys will
laugh when I tell you this - DJ Burns is in better shape than Isaiah right now - Now that won’t
last, but he is. I’m serious because Isaiah couldn’t play 33 minutes tonight if he had to, that's
why.”
On the consistency of this year’s team compared to last season...
“I love all of my guys from last year, we just were so undermanned, we just didn’t have it. But
this group, because of (the) Bahamas (trip in the preseason), because they hang together off
the court, we’re building a great culture inside of this group by itself and they hold each other
accountable and they’re friends off the court and certainly I think that’s paying off in wins.”
On watching the team come together and grow this season...
“I think that’s the key word “grow.” We would’ve lost a week ago, we would’ve lost the Vanderbilt
game because we couldn’t finish the game. We grew in that game. And then obviously when we
needed to have baskets, I think we did a good job tonight, but that’s because we trust one
another and they trust each other. It’s really fun to watch when you’ve got a bunch of guys that
like each other and they feel like playing together.”