LOCKER ROOM REPORT: Wolfpack Players
Markell Johnson, C.J. Bryce, and Devon Daniels met with the media after the Wolfpack's 113-73 win over Mount Olive.
NOTE: Click each video above to watch a specific interiew.
Point Guard Markell Johnson
On what the team wanted to accomplish today: “Being able to get out there and run through things was great - communicating with each other on the court and gaining more experience with leading this team with CJ (Bryce), (Devon Daniels) and I. I thought the game was good overall and a chance for the fans to be able to come out and see what we’re going to be like this year.”
On Manny Bates: “He was good as you all could see. You saw the blocks, the rebounds and catching lobs. He’s going to be really good this year. He’s always an energetic guy out on the court as he was today. That’s just who Manny (Bates) is.”
On the strengths of the team: “We’re going to be very good at getting out, scoring in transition and playing fast. We can score in many different ways, offensively and defensively. We’re a good defending team and that’s something we’ll rely on again so I’m very confident in our team this year.”
On being a leader: “I feel like I’ve grown a lot since freshman year when I wouldn’t talk on the court at all. But now being a senior, I’m the loudest one on the court trying to be more vocal with the guys and be the best leader I can be every day.”
On building confidence: “It is very important that we get our confidence up early in the season, especially with November 5 approaching and it being an ACC game against Georgia Tech. It’s important we are confident going into that game.”
Guard CJ Bryce
On players staying healthy: “We go hard every day in practice, so conditioning-wise it’s not that much on us as we always have guys ready to go off the bench. Even though we’re running a little short right now I think the guys are doing a good job of picking up the slack. Once everyone is back and healthy we’re going to be a very good team.”
On Manny Bates: “The energy Manny (Bates) brought for us today was great. He can score the ball, but he is also a very good shot blocker as you saw. His presence in the paint is huge for us right now especially with DJ (Funderburk) being out right now, but if we can get both of those two on the court it’s going to be huge for us.”
On the defense with Manny Bates: “We can get out in the passing lanes more, be more aggressive and take more gambles knowing that we have a guy like Manny (Bates) who can block shots. We still have to sit down and guard our man and area, but having his back there makes us more comfortable.”
Guard Devon Daniels
On confidence level going into the season: “I feel like we played a good game. We have things to work on. The other team competed hard. We’re going to watch some film and see what we need to do better.”
On scoring 20 points: “I trust the coaches and my teammates. We’re all playing together out there and we’re not shooting many forced shots. If I just stick to what I am doing, I think we’re going to be good this year.”
On things to improve on: “Boxing out. I don’t know how many offensive rebounds they had, but they had too many. Still have to work on getting back in transition and picking up the man. Little things like that make a big difference.”
On Manny Bates’ impact: “It helps us a lot. Last year we didn’t have a true big man and I think Manny brings us that. He protects the rim well, he rolls well and he helps us a lot.”
On the importance of the Georgia Tech game: “Really important. We want to start off the season well. We have been working hard all summer and we’re going to use this to get better and focus on things we need to win that game.”
On the game’s impact on playing as a team: “Really important. We’ve been working really hard this summer playing together and I think it shows. There weren’t many forced shots out there, so it shows us that we are on the right track.”
On what he likes about the team: “I like a lot. We’re close and the chemistry is building. We’re trusting in each other and the coaches more and I think that helps us a lot.”