Locker Room Report: NC State
Several NC State players met with the media after the Wolfpack's 72-63 win over Wake Forest.
Sophomore Point Guard Markell Johnson
On Omer Yurtseven’s performance...
Omer’s a big key to our game. He’s very versatile and can play inside and out. He can knock down shots and also post-up, so he’s big for us.
On getting back into the flow of the game...
I’m back, and I feel a lot better.
On what he did to stay sharp during the break...
I just played basketball. That’s what I do, so I play ball every day.
Freshman Point Guard Braxton Beverly
On Omer Yurtseven...
It helps him we're sharing the ball, helping him get good shots. He doesn't have to back down, back down.
You had 32 defensive rebounds...
That's one thing we've keyed on, continuing to work hard defensively... do the little things. That's how we can be successful.
Omer has been huge for you...
He's been unbelievable. He's working hard in practice and it's showing.
Junior Wing Torin Dorn
On the thought of a loss being frustrating...
Any loss would have you frustrated, so every win is a great feeling.
On the key to holding Wake Forest scoreless in the final minutes...
We really just locked in and rebounded. We didn’t give up any second chance opportunities. We talked and just played as a team.
On where this game ranks among hard-fought victories...
In our other wins, I don’t think we were battling back in the ACC. This is one of our first wins where we were down and had to really battle back late to get a win.
Sophomore Center Omer Yurtseven
On what has allowed him to play so well the last few games...
I would say it’s just working hard. When you work hard, it kind of just comes to you, but at the same time, the coaching staff has been really active in making me work hard. I get shots up two or three times every day, and it works out for you if you keep working.
On how much more fun it is...
It’s amazing to be honest, especially to get a win. You can’t really describe how good it feels you just have to live it.
On what has changed for him...
I feel like I’m a big part of the puzzle, but every game I feel like somebody steps up. The last three games, I was the one, but you can’t make the game depend on one person. It wasn’t just me, Markell Johnson and Torin Dorn hit two of the most clutch shots of the game. I’m just happy that I was able to contribute to the win.
On the defensive rebounding...
When it comes to the defensive end, you have to rebound so that you don’t give up easy baskets. On the offensive end, you have to crash the glass to try and get some boards to get some easy buckets.
