PREGAME: Torin Dorn Talks UNC

NC State junior wing Torin Dorn met with the media to discuss Saturday's upcoming game against North Carolina.

You have a family history at Carolina. Joel Berry said this isn't a rivalry. What is your perspective?
I think Joel is entitled to his opinion.  For our fans, it's a very important game and a huge rivalry for our fans.

Any rivalry game comes from the fans. When those fans have a competitiveness... it would be considered a rivalry.

How big is a fast start tomorrow?  
It's important we get off to a fast start, especially coming off a game where we didn't finish the way we wanted to finish.

Coming in after beating their rivals Duke, do you think they will come in confident?
They had a great win last night, a lot of teams around the country had good wins.

Every game is a new game and every night in the ACC is a challenge.  They have to come in here and play us like after we play them we have to go play someone else.

Are you guys pissed about that Virginia Tech loss?
Guys are definitely frustrated. I think when we play angry we're a tough bunch. I definitely hope that carries over in a positive way to this game.

What can you take away from that game?
We have to compete every game. We have to come with that fire and passion to compete in the ACC.

How do you approach the matchups defensively?
Understanding what each guy likes to do. If I'm guarding Theo I'll play him to his weaknesses, and play Cam to his weaknesses. Even Luke, when I'm guarding Luke, use my quickness against him.

It's matchups.

How big is having large crowds?
It's super important for us. I've been on record saying we have the best fans in America. I love our fans... when guys come here our fans are rocking and rolling.

It really gives us a homecourt advantage.

What will it take to be successful?
It will take the same intensity as when we went over there.

Is it insulting when someone said it's not a rivalry?
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I didn't know about it until you guys told me.

Do you consider it a rivalry?
I consider it a very big game for us. I personally consider it a rivalry.

When you see what Williams does for them, what does it do for them?
With them shooting the ball the way they did it stretches the floor for them... we have to know that now and get out and run them off the line.

No two games are the same... is that your expectation?
Who knows? Last game was a slugfest, three's, big shots, this game might be a 65-64 defensive struggle.

We have to go and win whatever kind of game it is.