Kevin Keatts: "It Was A Very Good Game For Us"

NC State head coach Kevin Keatts met with the media after the Wolfpack's 94-74 home win over Wake Forest.   

NOTE: Click the video above to watch the press conference.

Opening Statement...
It was a very good game for us overall. I’m very proud of our guys for that win. In the locker room, we were talking about the nine guys that got in the game and all nine contributed to the win.

Markell Johnson was special tonight, especially in the first half. When we were struggling to score, he rose up and made a bunch of shots. I thought he was really good; he had a career-high for him in ACC play.

I thought Jerciole Hellems came in and did a tremendous job. Obviously the same with him, a career-high 14 points in ACC play.

Torin Dorn has been steady; he had a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds.

It was one of those games where we were able to get out in transition because we rebounded and shared the basketball. We made shots. We’ve played pretty well in the last three games where teams have zoned us, talking about Syracuse, Boston College, and now Wake Forest. It is better to have a week off with a win opposed to a loss. We have got to take a couple of days off, and then try to stay sharp for our next opponent in Florida State.

On Markell Johnson...
He was locked in. The good side is that he is playing longer stretches. He is probably still a little bit sore, but the tell-tale sign for me is that he can play a little bit longer. I kept in him in the first half because he was playing well, where I would normally try and get him a break somewhere in there. I think he is getting back.

On the importance of TJ Warren’s night...
I brought TJ Warren into the locker room and told these guys what a special night this was. We talked before the game about TJ getting his jersey lifted into the rafters. I am proud of TJ; I obviously didn’t get to coach him, but I remember his days at Brewster, where he was a tremendous player.

When you look at TJ Warren, he wasn’t a top-10 player coming out of high school; he is a self-made guy. When TJ comes back into town every time he gets a break, and I look out at the Dail Center, it’s TJ Warren. He loves to play. You never hear about him having any problems off the court.

I told our guys “If you want to be like anybody, be like TJ Warren, because he is a special kid.” I’m excited we could win on the night he is getting his jersey lifted. I think it was a good night that Markell had on TJ Warren’s night.

On bench performance...
I love our bench. They have worked hard in practice. We are only dressing nine guys. The message to our team is that we want them to play as hard as you can for as long as you can. Then if you get your hand up, we will get you a break.

I’m excited to see Blake play because he is finally getting healthy and is getting back in the rotation, where he can definitely help us, especially on the defensive end.

Jericole was really good; I thought he was aggressive, was good at running in transition, and played great defense. He is a guy that will continue to get better.

On Jericole Hellems’ improvement….
I showed him all of his turnovers and told him if he keeps turning the ball over, he is not going to play. Freshmen hit the wall and go through peaks and valleys. He is no different than anyone else, but I think he is back playing good basketball now.

On Markell being the difference in the Wake Forest series...
Thank you for reminding me we lost at Wake. Markell was good and he was locked in. I don’t want to take credit away from Wake Forest for their win at Wake Forest because Markell wasn’t there because injuries are part of the game. But Markell was special tonight and that was the difference in the game.