Kevin Keatts: “We Really Locked In”
NC State head coach Kevin Keatts met with the media following the Wolfpack's 70-62 win over Boston College Saturday afternoon.
NOTE: Click on the video in the player above to watch Keatts’ press conference. An abbreviated transcript is provided below.
Opening Statement
I thought we got back to what we had been doing the entire year on the defensive end. When you look at the Louisville game, we were not happy with the way we played defensively. I give credit to our guys for understanding that the best thing we've had going for us the entire year is being able to defend guys. Boston College has been playing well. Obviously, they have been unlucky the past few games and had played a total of five overtimes. For the last five games, they have been making 11 threes per game, and we wanted to do a good job [on taking that away]. I thought our guys were completely locked in on the defensive end from the start. I thought Jayden Taylor set the tone for us early and really got after those guys so we could come out with a win. It’s something to build on, and I’m excited about the way we played. We just have to continue to play that way and get better.
On how to not let recent losses affect upcoming games...
I challenged them a little bit. I always want to see what type of guys I have in my locker room. Even after Wednesday’s game, nobody took anything personal, and they all were committed to say, "Hey, we have seven regular season games left, and we need to take it one at a time." Brandon [Huntley-Hatfield] made a comment saying we were all about the last couple of days, we really locked in. Everyone has been on the same page. I even let them talk to each other so they could hold each other accountable for what they are not doing. Sometimes when you lose a game you wake up a little bit. We have lost a few, but most of them we have been close, we’ve been in the games. The Louisville game woke us up because we just didn’t like the separation of the game.
On D.J. Burns and D.J. Horne being courtside at the game...
I didn’t even know they were coming before the game. I looked up and saw D.J. Burns and D.J. Horne sitting courtside. It was great to have those three in the building, both D.J.’s and Casey Morsell. It reminds you that 7-9 months ago we just cut down nets as champions in the final four, it also reminds you that at one point a lot of people were down on that team and obviously we ended up winning nine straight games. I’m not making that prediction now but what I am saying is the basketball season is long, you're never out of it based on the situation. Just to see those guys is great inspiration, they look good! I wish I could have snuck them in the game a little bit at times, but we were able to win today without them.