LOCKER ROOM REPORT: Wolfpack Players
NC State’s Marcus Hill, Dontrez Styles, and Dennis Parker, Jr. met with the media following the Wolfpack's 66-56 win over Coppin State in its annual Heritage Game.
NOTE: Click on the video in the player above to watch the players’ press conference.
On playing inside Reynolds Coliseum…
DS: It was great. It’s my first time playing here. The atmosphere was great. I enjoyed it all around.
DPJ: It’s a great environment. I was here last year. It’s always fun having one game a year to play in this legendary arena. It’s a great opportunity.
MH: It’s my first time. I loved it. It was definitely a great opportunity.
On the slow start…
DS: It was a very tough start for us. We’ve got to be better as a team, and we will be. It starts in practice. We’ve got to prepare like no other to be ready for Saturday.
If the Wolfpack underestimated the Eagles…
DPJ: I feel like we just came out sluggish. I wouldn’t say underestimate because we know every person at this level is good, regardless of their record. We looked at their size and decided to play softer than usual. Everything [that went wrong], we can fix up. It’s nothing major.
On battling injuries early in the season…
DPJ: It’s been a process. I had to stay patient. I hate for this to be the game, but I’m still getting back healthy. It’s about timing with the ankle. I’ve turned three of them, one twice and the other one. It’s a tough process to recover off of. I’m getting back comfortable with the game.
On seeing three-pointers fall…
DPJ: It felt great. I’ve been practicing that shot all summer, so I feel like my work is paying off.
On the areas to fix before facing Kansas…
DS: We’ve just got to go out there ready to compete. Kansas is a great team, and we’re a good team, too. I know we didn’t showcase that tonight, but we will on Saturday.
On settling into roles on the team…
MH: I feel like I’m getting more comfortable. My teammates are putting me in the right spots.
DS: I feel the same. I’m getting more comfortable. Each and every game, I’m doing that, so I’ve got to keep working to get better.