LOCKER ROOM REPORT: Wolfpack Players
Several NC State players met with the media to discuss the Wolfpack's 69-67 win over Clemson.
NOTE: Click each video above to watch a specific interview of Dorn, Lockett, and Beverly. Quotes from Markell Johnson are included below.
Senior Guard Torin Dorn
On having Johnson back...
It was huge for us. We’ve been missing him since he’s been out, and it’s good to have him back. As our point guard, our floor general, it’s always good to have guys like that on the team.
On the team’s fight...
It speaks to our resiliency, and I think we’re a team that never quits, never gives up and plays to the end. That’s something that’s big and I think will help us down the stretch.
On Beverly exiting PNC Arena...
We haven’t discussed it, but I think he’s going to need some security to help him get out of here.
On Beverly’s contributions this season...
He’s been huge, and that’s something we've seen from Beverly since he stepped on this campus. I attribute his ability to shoot and make big shots to his work ethic and how hard he works at shooting. It’s invaluable for us.
On Clemson taking the lead...
They went on a run down low and scored a couple of buckets. It’s a game of runs, though, and we had to match their energy and intensity and find a way to win at the end, like we did.
On what this win means...
It’s huge. You always want to protect your home floor, especially in a conference like the ACC. It’s definitely huge for us coming off of a loss. You never want to lose two in a row.
On free throw defense against Clemson in PNC Arena...
I don't know what it is, but thank the fans I guess.
Senior Guard Eric Lockett
On using this momentum in upcoming games...
I feel like this just brought us closer together and it gave us momentum for the next few games. We're definitely going to start playing better and harder the rest of the season.
On how big the win was...
It's definitely a big win for us. We needed it coming off the Louisville game because you don't want to drop any games, especially games we know we should have won. We gave the game at Louisville away with our turnovers, so this win really helped us.
Sophomore Guard Braxton Beverly
On the final drive...
It just kind of happened. We have a good connection on the court. Coach Keatts didn’t draw anything up. He trusts us... he knows we’ll make the right decision.
On how his shooting day factored into the final shot...
I’m not saying I was going to make the shot, but you have to believe you’re going to make it.
On how this win helps the season...
It helps us out a ton. We were coming off of a tough loss that was not even two days ago. Johnson’s still working his way back with us, which will be a big help for us, of course. Defending our home court and getting this win should be big for us.
On how he felt near the end of the game...
I felt great, and credit to our fans who helped us with the free throw defense. Clemson missing a few free throws down the stretch really helped us. We believed and stayed together. It was great.
On who held him in the air postgame...
I think it was someone with long hair I couldn't tell who it was.
On Walker’s strength in the celebration...
He felt a little wobbly when he grabbed me and picked me up.
On his feelings after hitting the buzzer beater...
It's incredible. You saw the bench mobbing me after the game. It's incredible to get that kind of support from your teammates after hitting a big shot and getting a big win like we did.
On what it meant to win...
It's huge and it was just 48 hours after the Louisville game. We knew we had to battle back and get one here at home.
On playing at PNC Arena again...
It feels great. We knew we were tired. We knew it was going to be tough to get up because it was such a quick turnaround. We battled through, though. We've got a lot of tough guys on this team. We stay together, have each other’s backs and push each other through it.
On keeping the momentum going...
Like you said, we have another short turnaround. We've just got to get our rest in and get back in the gym. Virginia has a really good team, so we've got to get back and watch film, learn from this game and move on.
On Clemson missing the free throws...
It just felt good to get the win and defend our home court. It felt great.
On having Johnson back...
It was great. Makes our jobs a lot easier.
Junior Point Guard Markell Johnson
On free throw shooting against Clemson...
I really don't know what it is. It must be playing in here.
On his reaction to the final shot...
It was crazy. I actually saw Beverly traveling down the court. I just didn't know if Bryce saw him or not, and Bryce just made the right play.