PREGAME: Malik Abu Talks UNC
NC State senior forward Malik Abu met with the media to discuss the upcoming game against North Carolina.
"Definitely. I have just got to keep working hard, keep grinding, doing what I can control and at the end of the day that is what it is all about.”
"I feel pretty good. Just keeping work hard and doing what I can control.”
"[I can control] my effort. There is a lot of things talent doesn’t require; being on time and doing the right things, doing what you are suppose to do.”
"I try to keep them prepared for these big games and big situations. They got a little taste of it at the PNC when we played Duke but on the road is a lot tougher and it is going to be a lot different. They are excited more so than anything. I don’t think they have any fear. They just want to go out there and show what they can do.”
"I think I won the first time [at UNC], me and BeeJay. I think we held them to the lowest scoring output they had at the time. I have been a part of some good wins so that would top of the resume if we get a win.”
"I don’t remember [last season’s trip to UNC} actually (laughing). I kind of blanked that one out but one thing I do remember is we have got to go out there and we have got to fight. Play with heart and intensity. Nothing is going to be easy and nothing is going to be handed to us.”
"They are a good program. They are a good basketball program. They practice everyday like we do. Iit is our job to go out there and put out the best effort and the outcome is going to be what it is.”
"I feel like we play inside-out, good things will happen. I call [Yurtseven] ‘Three-Seven’ because he is knocking down the three. He has been playing out of his mind. If we play inside-out with me, Omer and Lennard we feel like we have an advantage.”
"He comes in and he works hard everyday. I am not surprised. We are not surprised. He is a hard-working kid with all of the ability in the world. You are just finally getting to see that consistently.”
"The whole motivation is when you are down or trailing is just to work so hard everyday. Never let up. Despite if we are tired or not, we go hard. That is what motivates us and puts us through that wall is to get those wins.”