QUOTES: Kevin Keatts Radio Show
NC State head coach Kevin Keatts held his weekly radio show last night at Jimmy V's Osteria + Bar. Here are some of his notable comments from the show.
On moving on from Wake Forest...
Obviously after the Wake Forest game we had to take a day off. We got in the gym today and concentrated on finishing plays. We started off so rough because we didn’t make shots. We had good looks.
Braxton Beverly had two great looks at the beginning of the game and as he missed it became a trickle down effect and we got in a big hole. We took a lot of shots when we were fatigued today and we worked on sharing the basketball.
On getting the ball inside when you aren’t shooting well…
They did a good job. They went to a zone and we got looks. When you have a team capable of making shots, you don’t want to take that ability away. My message was to stay the course, keep defending, and we’ll get back in the game.
We had a similar game last year, Pittsburgh. We got down 18 and came back. Similar situation, we got down by 22 and almost came back. Two similar games; we just didn’t get the same result.
On being comfortable falling behind early…
We don’t want to get used to that. The mindset is changing at NC State. We don’t believe we’re out of it because we can make shots and we’re a pressing team.
We don’t want to keep spotting teams a lot of points in the first half. There’s been a few games this year where we’ve gotten off to slow starts, but for the most part we’ve played well early.
On creating a sense of urgency early…
You have to share the ball and play the game inside out. You don’t have to score, but you have to get paint touches and then make the right play. We were out of sync.
For 15 games, Markell has started and we didn’t have him. It’s like losing your quarterback; it’s tough. We struggled last year without him until we learned how to play without him, that’s what happens.
On Markell Johnson’s return...
He's day-to-day. It would be unfair for me to say when he may return. It could be Saturday or it could be two weeks from now. He's day-to-day.
It literally comes down to when he feels comfortable he can get out there and play because I'll never put him out there unless I know he is 100%.
What does NC State lack when Johnson isn’t on the floor?
He's the one guy that can create for himself and others. The other guys can... Braxton can certainly shoot the ball, Devon Daniels and CJ Bryce are both great at getting to the hole, but Markell gives you both of them. He can get to the rack and also spray to shooters. Remember, he led the ACC in assists last year, but he can also go get you a basket. That's tough.
With Markell out it puts so much pressure on Braxton Beverly because he has to dribble the ball, shoot the ball, and pass the ball. He's a guy who really struggles more than anybody with Markell out of the game.
On Braxton Beverly playing off the ball…
He’s our most dangerous weapon off the ball as far as shooting. I like to get a good dose of him with and without the ball. It helps when we can take the pressure off him and he doesn’t have to run the offense.
On having confidence in Beverly’s shooting…
He’s a guy that could miss ten in a row and I feel like he’s going to make the 11th. The interesting thing is he thinks that too.
On his attitude…
He’s as mentally and physically tough as anybody. He’s been an underdog his whole life. He’s always been told he’s not big enough, not athletic enough, and he’s one of the best guards in the ACC because he brings it every day. He dives on the floor, he fights, he claws, he’s tough. He’s everything that I like about an NC State basketball player, you can rely on him every night.
On the shot selection after tying the game…
I didn’t like it and that’s what I told them. This team has to mature. You have to take chances when you’re coming back, but it’s a totally different game once you’re tied or ahead. You have to execute. Everybody thought we were still behind so they were making individual plays. We outscrapped them to get back in the game and then we didn’t do that anymore. Hopefully we’re never in that situation again, but if we are we’re prepared.
On leadership during games…
You have to have leadership from veterans and they have to know how to finish games.
On offensive rebounding…
The Wake Forest game is tricky because we missed so many shots. We’re one of the best teams in the country at getting to the glass. We do a tremendous job and we work on it every day. We have to limit other teams from getting offensive rebounds. We have to block out because we aren’t a big team.
On DJ Funderburk…
He’s playing well. He’s getting to the line, he’s active around the basket. He’s stepping up and making free throws, too.
On Funderburk’s ceiling…
He’s very skilled, he can step out to three. He’s got to add 20 pounds and stop getting chippy fouls. When he adds 20 pounds it’ll change the chippy fouls.
On Funderburk changing his body…
It’s a project for Pat Murphy but also for DJ. He has to eat the right stuff and take care of his body. He has to accept it and take care of his body.
On zone defenses…
I do think teams are going to zone because the shot clock is shorter and the fouls that are being called. You have to be good at what you do but it depends on the situation. If I get down to seven guys, we might go zone.
On being aggressive…
My first year at Wilmington I played 80% matchup zone. We pressed you back into a zone. We became really good about it, but it’s tough to teach. It’s basically man, you just switch everything.
On stats slipping in league play…
It’s expected. We play 18 games so you play 10-12 top 50 opponents. You can’t expect your percentages to be at a high level every game. Then they know who you are [and] take away your strengths so your percentages go down.
On tweaking things when you play teams twice…
You always have to tweak things because if somebody plays you well, you’re going to see that defense again. On an individual basis, if somebody struggles going to the left, you’re going to force a kid to go to the left again. I’m not calling it a copycat league, guys do their homework. Scouting is so advanced I can tell you the percentages a guy goes to the right or left and what he’s going to do when he does it.
On Notre Dame…
They’re very good on their home floor. They lead the ACC in three-point makes and can shoot it from every position.