LOCKER ROOM REPORT: Wolfpack Players
Several NC State players met with the media via Zoom following the Wolfpack's 69-50 win over Campbell Saturday afternoon.
NOTE: Click on each player’s respective thumbnail to watch each interview in the player above.
Devon Daniels
Was the slow start due to getting adjusted? What did Kevin Keatts say at halftime that helped you on the 13-1 run to start the second half?
“Coach jumped on us in the second half, mostly harping on our energy. That’s a nice team over there. They compete hard. They run the Princeton offense to a T. We felt like we weren’t bringing our energy to the match, and we weren’t competing to the level we were capable, so we turned that up in the second half.”
What stat jumps out to you that made the difference for you tonight?
“I wanted to see Manny [Bates’] stat because Manny got the fastest to 100 [career blocks], and that’s a very big accomplishment. He’s been playing great the last two games. You can see it on his stat line: 4-for-5, six rebounds, two blocks. He really does it all, and I’m really proud of him for the way he’s playing.”
How crucial is it for you guys to have a player like Bates down low who can block shots and who you can feed on offense?
“It’s huge. During the summer, we all saw it. He was working on those hooks, getting more comfortable catching the ball, and playing at his pace down low. It’s starting to show now. We’ve had five games, but once he really starts to get into a rhythm and once we get our full team back, I think he’s going to keep shining.”
What did bouncing back from the Saint Louis mean to you before going into ACC play?
“For me personally, it doesn’t mean much. I just play game-by-game. I try to play to win. The main thing on Thursday was that it was our first game back in two weeks. Our mindset probably wasn’t where it should have been. Personally, my mindset wasn’t where it was supposed to be. We didn’t lock in and detail on that team as we were supposed to. We live in the moment. That moment is done. We reflected on it, learned from it, and got a win. Now, we’re on to tomorrow. We’re going to watch film and get ready.”
Was rebounding a point of emphasis for you tonight as well as for the team?
“The whole season, the coaches have been really on that plan for us. After Saint Louis, it was really huge. We’ve seen that we have to take that initiative and get tougher down low and start grabbing boards so we can get out in transition. If we don’t rebound, there is no fast break, and that’s part of who we are. As a whole team, we’re really focused on that area. I think this is the largest difference in rebounding on the season, so I think we’ve done a good job with that.”
In the second half, did you feel like the team finally found its rhythm heading into ACC play?
“For the second half, the last thing we said before we got on the court was, ‘For these first four minutes, let’s play as hard as we can. As long as we compete, play with energy on the defensive end, and start getting more rebounds to get out on the fast break, I think we’ll be fine.’"
How did it feel to be back in PNC Arena?
“PNC is nice. I love it. We love playing basketball, and we’re very grateful for this opportunity. We’ve all seen how it can be taken away at the blink of an eye, so we’re just trying to play every game to its fullest. The one thing we’re missing here is the fans. They bring a great energy. Their passion gives us something to play for on the court, but we’re going to have to make it on our own."
Jericole Hellems
Did you realize in the first half that you had to assert yourself with the rest of the team behind offensively?
“Not necessarily. I was just trying to do anything to help the team get back going and get some energy. I’m called the energy guy on the team, so whatever I can do to help the guys get going is what I’m going to do.”
How much better do you feel today after your performance as opposed to earlier in the week?
“I feel good that we won the game. My performance was okay. There are still some things I need to work on and get better at. I’m just trying to take it a game at a time and keep learning.”
How much have you seen Bates step up as a player?
“Manny’s just improving everyday. He’s getting better and adding that offensive game. He’s going to be more of a problem for anybody that’s on the other side.”
How did playing the small-ball big with four other guards around you?
“Like I said earlier, I’m just trying to figure out and fit in wherever I can help the team whenever we’re down a couple of people, especially our five-men. I’m trying to figure out where I can impact the game at different positions."
Manny Bates
Can you talk about the bench and the contributions you saw from guys like Shakeel Moore and Dereon Seabron?
“Our bench was great. We were a little sloppy in the first half, so for their energy to be as good as it was, it really helped us, especially in the second half.”
What does getting your 100th career block, the fastest player in school history to do so, mean to you?
“I’ve got good timing, I guess. This is just all the hard work that’s paid off, and it’s obviously paying off right now. I’m just grateful for this moment.”
How much do you feel like you’ve proved to yourself that you can be an offensive player, even with guys like D.J. Funderburk are off the court?
“I’ve already known that I was able to score the ball. It was just a matter of my role. Last year, it wasn’t really my role, so I wasn’t really worried about scoring. Scoring in the post often right now is definitely a confidence boost, but I just want to help my team whenever I can.”
What does having just nine guys available do for the team on the court? How is being able to win on a thin roster make you think about?
“We’re short-handed, so how much are we willing to fight to get wins like this? Our nine guys are all fighters. Everybody’s going to play defense.”
Was rebounding a point of emphasis today?
“It’s definitely been a point of emphasis for this game. We’ve struggled in the past with rebounding the ball, so for us to be able to rebound it as well as we did tonight, it was definitely a good push for us to win."