Keatts: "It Will Be A Very Tough Game"
NC State head coach Kevin Keatts met with the media to discuss the upcoming game against North Carolina.
Joel Berry said this is not a rivalry game...
Look, I know everyone is going to take what Berry said and run with it. He's been in the league a lot longer than I have. He's been in the league four years.
You can't make guys say it's a rivalry game if they don't think it is, and I respect it.
We're just excited about playing the game. We get a chance to play a really good basketball team on our floor.
Do you like another player giving your team extra fire?
I'm not even sure our guys know it. I'm being honest when I tell you that.
Our guys are locked into the moment. Obviously I know a lot of you guys have printed it, but we won't talk about it as a team. Rather he said it's a rivalry game or not, we still have to play the game.
What made the pick-and-roll so successful against UNC?
I thought we did a good job of coming off the screens and Omer was rim-running... we made the right reads... it's important to hit the film, and we take what the defense gives us.
Carolina is coming in with momentum. Do you think about that?
It's the ACC. I've learned this in the 11 games we've played. It doesn't matter if your opponent is coming off a win or a loss, it will be a very tough game.
They've been a very good program for many years. We have our hands full.
Do you think them coming off the emotional game gives you an advantage?
I don't think so... I don't think the game last night will have any bearing on this game. They are professionals and Roy does a great job with his team. They'll be prepared to play.
What did you like best about how you played in Chapel Hill?
We got out in transition, we moved the basketball, we were aggressive, and we shared the basketball.
We took great shots, and we made them.
Another double-digit assist game for Markell...
He's playing with a purpose. Assists is one of our winner stats and he's doing a great job of sharing the basketball. He embraces it. He loves passing the basketball. When you have a guy who is a willing passer and loves to do it, that's always good for your team.
He's playing well. I don't want to take it for granted.
If you win on Saturday the state championship is locked up.
It's not high school... it's not a state championship.
Wins or losses, you still have the ACC Tournament... I absolutely do not believe in a state championship. I believe in playing the next game and putting these guys in the best situation to succeed.
How did the guys react to Wednesday night?
They didn't like the way they played. We're turning the corner as a program because it bothers us when we don't play well. On the plane back you could hear a pin drop because I think everybody was disappointed that we didn't play well.
I think they are bothered about the loss.
Were there things you'll pay more attention to after the Duke game?
When you look at Carolina they've been one of the best rebounding teams in the country... they are very capable of making shots behind the three-point line and obviously they are great in transition.
Do you talk about how big another win like this might be?
I don't because I don't have that type of team. If I talk about NCAA and how important this game is, I think it will spook them. We're coming off two years ago five wins and last year four wins. We literally talk about the next opponent.
I think you can get to where you want to be by trying to win the next game.