WATCH: Pack Players Talk Duke Matchup
NC State's Abdul-Malik Abu, Braxton Beverly, and Lavar Batts Jr. met with the media to discuss the upcoming game against Duke.
Senior Forward Abdul-Malik Abu
"At home, we want to take care of home court advantage. We feel like we have the experience so we just want to let that all come into play Saturday."
"For me, I don’t know how many more I have left. The atmosphere will be crazy but it is more so just going out there and doing it for them. They are coming out, they are going to cheer as hard as they can. They want to come out and see us get a win so in my mind, in my heart, I just want to do it for the fans."
"It can definitely take a game to different heights. When you have a huge crowd, atmosphere that kind of charges you up to do better than you are. Our fan base and our supporters, they are real important."
Freshman Guard Braxton Beverly
"The first year, coming in the ACC right off, you really don’t see too many freshmen guards playing a whole lot in the ACC so it has been a big change for us. We have been encouraging each other, working with each other, the coaches trying to get ready for night-in, night-out."
"I have a little bit. I watched a few games early this season. When everybody was traveling...whenever there was down time. I am more of just a fan of basketball and they were on TV so I got to watch them."
"It is something I am really excited for. It is going to be, from what I have heard from Lennard, Malik has been here through it, the atmosphere has been crazy It is something I am really excited for."
Freshman Guard Lavar Batts Jr.
"Everybody is going to have to be dialed in because you are not going to be able to hear anything. We are just going to come in focused. It is a big rivalry and we only play them one time."
"You have got to protect home court and that is what we are going to try to do. With us playing Duke with our first ACC opener at home, it is going to be a real big game."
"I actually come to the game they had Jahlil. They beat them at home, everybody stormed the court. I just hope we can bring that feeling again."