Dorn: "I'm Just Excited About The Guys We Have"

NC State redshirt senior guard Torin Dorn Jr. sat down with the media at 2018 ACC Operation Basketball.

What's in your mind talking to the younger guys about the four-guard setup...
You just have to make it your own... just because you are on the court as the "four-man" doesn't mean you have to have your back-to-the-basket and only pick and pop.  You can make any position on the floor your own.

Did CJ tell you guys anything after Keatts was hired... what to expect?
Definitely.

He was probably one of the most important guys last year in telling us what's going to happen because he knew.  We were kind of going into it blind with the new coach, but he knew so he was laughing like, "Yeah, you're about to be in for it."

He was definitely a guy that you could lean on and see what coach is thinking.

How has practice been with Braxton out?
He's only missed one practice so far, but it's definitely been like it's the next man up. That's how sports are.  Guys guys get hurt, go out with injuries, so it was just next man up to step up and fill those roles.

Everybody wants it to be their team and you've waited your turn. What are you exited about with leading this program?
I'm just excited about the guys we have and the potential we have as a team.  

I'm definitely excited to be in that role.  It's something new for me. I haven't been a super-vocal leader in my career, I'm more of a lead-by-example, do the right things and people will follow type of person, but moving into a role where you have to be a vocal leader has definitely been challenging, but it's something that I'm looking forward to this year.

I think it's something that, in terms of my maturation as a player and as a person, I needed.

What's the most difficult arena?
I would say UVA because I've never won there.

What is it about them?
They're very sound defensively and it's tough to score on them, and when you couple that with great fans, it's kind of tough to win there.

Do you guys still have that underdog feel to you?
Definitely.

We have a new team, so we don't have any expectations from last year carrying over.  We want to come into the season with this team and see what we can do.

Who surprised you the most of the younger guys?
I would say Jericole [Hellems].   He's a freshman that has come in and really accelerated his growth porcess.  He's been playing really well in practice, and we're definitely excited to see what he can do.

How is your role as a leader different than last year?
It's just a new role.  Personally I'm used to leading by example, working hard and people following my example and not having to be super vocal, but now it's being forced upon me to be vocal. It's challenging for me, but it's something that I'm definitely looking forward to and looking forward to stepping up to that challenge.