Jon Scheyer on NC State: "They Had a Pop to Them"
No. 2 Duke head coach Jon Scheyer met with the media following the Blue Devils’ 74-64 win over NC State Monday evening.
NOTE: Click on the video in the player above to watch Scheyer’s press conference. An abbreviated transcript is provided below.
Opening Statement
Look, obviously, that was a hard fought game. Credit [NC] State with the way they came out. They had a pop to them. They shot the ball incredibly well. For us, it was just understanding the mental preparation. We couldn't do anything physical yesterday, and so I thought we weren't ready for the game that it was going to be, and that's on me. I have to prepare them better and get them more ready. With that said, I thought, that stretch into the first half and the beginning of the second half our defense [helped]. That's happened to us a few times where you're down or you need a spark, and what Sion James did there at the end of the first half [was huge], and obviously Cooper [Flagg] had plays throughout, but the defense, to me, told the story. [Flagg had] 27 second-half points. We went zone again. I didn't expect that, but obviously that was a big thing for us again tonight. I'm just really proud of our team. I think it's a special effort. They have special character because clearly we didn't have our best stuff throughout, but just the way we battled, I thought it was big time. I'm really happy and proud of our guys.
On Duke’s offense getting stymied in back-to-back games…
We knew coming in [that] Wake and State both were one and two in our league in steals and being disruptive. For us, not many teams have taken away options and passing lanes like that. We have to work out to help them better with understanding what's next. We have to be better in playing unscripted. Cooper manufactures a lot of stuff for us, but we have to help, just our team in general, move together when the main thing is taken away. Give them both credit. Also, it's harder to score when you miss some shots too. That was not typical of how we shoot the ball. I thought they did a good job taking away looks, but also we have to just be better. There were a few plays we actually turned the ball over. We have finishes. You just have to be stronger and play through contact in the paint. I have to help them better which I will this week with that.
On Trey Parker…
He didn't change [the game] a little bit; he changed a lot. I mean, holy smokes, man. He was quick, and the way he was shooting it was a little bit different. Their strength has been attacking the basket, playing in the paint, mid-range, pull-ups and all of that. Tonight, they were banging in threes. I thought then we got too spread, so then they started driving us again. He's quick. He's good. I was really impressed with what he did tonight. He’s a very good player.