LOCKER ROOM REPORT: Wolfpack Players
Several NC State players met with the media after the Wolfpack's 78-71 win over No. 7 Auburn.
NOTE: Click each video above to watch a specific interview.
Junior Point Guard Markell Johnson
On the win...
“I think we take every game seriously. It doesn't matter if they're ranked or not. We just want to win. We're happy and glad we got the win tonight.”
On slowing down Auburn’s backcourt...
“They're great players. Maybe they had an off night, or maybe we did something. The whole week we just emphasized playing them really hard and running them off the three-point line. I think we did that.”
On defensive pressure...
“I think that drives our team. When we can get a live ball turnover, get down the court, run in transition, get open shots, and get to the basket, I think that helps us a lot.”
On the win placing the Pack in national conversations...
“I don't think we as a team really worry about too much national attention. We take care of our business and we work hard every day. When the opportunity comes to face teams like this, we're ready.”
Senior Guard Torin Dorin
On if NC State should be ranked...
“That’s above my pay grade. I let the powers that be decide that.”
On playing a ranked team...
“We come out every game wanting to win and wanting to play dominant. Anytime you see a team with a number in front of their name, you want to play extremely hard, and you want to win. I think it’s our competitive nature.”
On the defense...
“We work on pressure everyday, and that's the kind of identity we have. They are a great team, but we were able to impose our will a little more than them.”
On having multiple offensive weapons...
“It’s definitely good to have a deep team. Even if you have an off night like myself or CJ Bryce, you have guys that can pick up the slack for you and still win games. That’s the mark of a good team to have multiple guys that can come in and make a difference and make an impact.”
Sophomore Guard Braxton Beverly
On the game...
“It's fun. This is what you come to college to play for: to get the big wins and to play in front of big crowds. We try not to look at any team more than the other. We don't prepare any differently for any other team. We take it one game at a time.”
It’s nice and I think we learned a lot after that Wisconsin game. It was our first road game. We were right there with them, but just had a few things that didn’t allow us to get the win. I think it gave us a lot of confidence to show us what kind of team we have, and it carried over to this game.
I think it shows we definitely have a really good team. We are capable of doing really good things this year. We kind of feed off the doubt and we let people doubt us. We did last year and we had a great year last year. We’re doing the same thing right now.”
On the possibility of being ranked...
“I'm not going to say it’s a really important thing for us on this team. Ranked or not, we are what we are. Putting a number by our name doesn't really make us any better. We do that by putting in all the work behind the scenes in practice. However, that's one thing you dream of when coming to college, is to play for a team that's ranked in the top 25 and to be a team that everybody's buzzing about. I think were very capable of doing that and I think we're on the way to doing that right now.”
Sophomore Guard Devon Daniels
On the atmosphere...
“It was good. There was a lot of energy in the crowd, and the fans were great. It felt really good to just come out of here with a win.”
On Coach Keatts...
“In anything and everything, he wants the best out of you. It doesn't matter what it is-- he just wants to bring the best out of you.