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NC State Basketball

Kevin Keatts: "We're a Really Good Team When Everyone's Contributing"

February 1, 2023
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NC State head coach Kevin Keatts met with the media following the Wolfpack's 94-66 win over Florida State Wednesday evening.

NOTE: Click on the video in the player above to watch Keatts’ press conference.


Opening Statement

First of all, we beat a very good Florida State team. Leonard [Hamilton] has done a tremendous job with their program. One of the challenges with our guys was that I wanted to make sure that we didn't play the record, that we played the team. They’re way better than their record. With [Baba] Miller being out 16 games and obviously the injuries, they had some losses, but we played well tonight. I told our guys, “Other than the last five minutes of the first half, I thought we did a great job.” It was one of those great defensive nights. We just happened to make shots. Coming into the game, we wanted to do a good job of defending the three-point line. In their last couple games, against Clemson, they made 13 three-pointers and at Pitt, [they made] 10. They won the game at Pitt and very well could have won the game versus Clemson. I’m proud of our guys. It’s a quick turnaround, and we got to get ready for a game on Saturday

On what he saw in Terquavion Smith that made him pull him out…

I coached him. That kid's been with me, and he trusts me. I praise him, but I coach him. I wasn't miffed at him. I don't know what that is, but I coached him. I didn't like a couple things he did, and he allowed me to coach him and jump on him, and he responded in the second half.

On if he could have scripted a better first 10 to 15 minutes…

I called it that way. We played well. I thought we shared the basketball. I thought we came out aggressive. I thought, defensively, we were sharp, and we understood scouting reports and getting off to a good start. Our defense anchored and led us into some easy baskets.

On Greg Gantt making a three…

I can’t believe you’re challenging whether Greg Gantt can shoot a three. No, he’s worked on that shot for the last two weeks, and coaches told him, “You're going to get that shot.” I wanted him to take it. I was hoping he didn't pass it up. I think it was all net. I don't know if it was one of those nights because he made a three; we were playing well. I think he's putting a lot of work into it.

On how hard it is to coach with a 30-point lead…

It's a lot easier to play up 30 than down 30, I can tell you that. It’s tough keeping guys focused and everything else. Like I said, we played well tonight, and like I told you before, Leonard has been the golden standard about playing 10 guys with really good size. We just played really, really well tonight.

On this being the best start in ACC play in over a decade…

You can be really good, and you can have a losing record in this league. I would be lying to you if I knew where we would be at right now, but I will say we did a great job in the offseason addressing a lot of the issues that we had. We improved in a lot of areas, and these guys have really worked hard. I found out in the summertime, when we took them to the Bahamas, that this group could be really good if we stayed together. Obviously, it takes a lot of chemistry and guys believing in one another, but I'm happy. I told our guys I'm happy for them and where they’re at, but we just need to lock into the next game.

On getting back ramped up after going through a lull at the end of the first half and beginning of second half…

We started driving the ball. That was our game plan. I give FSU credit. They typically switch one through five. We were scoring and driving their five men, and then they started stringing, hedging ball screens, and doing different stuff with it. We had to make an adjustment. But I thought during that stretch, L.J. [Thomas] made a play. Breon [Pass] made a play. [Smith] started driving the basketball. One of the things I told him was to stop driving to look for fouls. I told him to go to score, and if he’s fouled, then that’s okay.

On if he intended to play Jack Clark when he warmed up tonight...

No. He might not even play until March. No, Jack is getting better. I wasn’t comfortable today. I didn’t think he was quite ready. I don’t know if he’ll be ready for Saturday. He’s got the groin, and he has had a couple days of practice, but he’s not ready to play the game on both ends the way we play.

On not turning the ball over…

We typically have the ball in our three best passers hands: Jarkel [Joiner], T, but also D.J. Burns. Those guys really handle the ball more than anybody, and they really have taken care of the basketball for us. It’s really good. When you don't turn the ball over, that's a really good thing for your team. I’m proud of where we’re at with them.

On it being a team effort tonight…

What I was impressed about tonight was, when you look at it, yes, T had the hot hand similar to D.J. at Wake Forest, but you know, D.J. with 15 and Jarkel with 14, Casey throws in 10, L.J. comes off and gives us seven... We're a really good team when everybody's contributing and when it’s spread out through everybody. Jarkel’s had a game with 30, and D.J. and T have had 32. Hopefully, somebody else will have 30 again and we win. I don’t like 30 and we lose. I like 30 when we’re winning.

 
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