Locker Room Report: Daniels, Bates and Moore on win over UNC

Devon Daniels, Manny Bates and Shakeel Moore all played vital roles in NC State’s 79-76 win over No. 17 UNC at PNC Arena Tuesday night. Daniels led the way with 21 points to go with five rebounds and three assists, Shakeel Moore posted a career-high 17 points in just 15 minutes on the court and Bates posted 14 points, seven rebounds and five blocks.

All three players spoke with the media after the game, here’s a full breakdown of everything they had to say: 

Devon Daniels

How important was starting fast and then seeing the young guys come off the bench and keep it going? 

That was huge. We got in a rhythm in the first half, right out the gates. I got in foul trouble. The energy, the effort never went down. Them boys came in, [Shakeel Moore], [Cam Hayes] and [Dereon Seabron], they picked it up. They kept it up. As soon as I got into foul trouble, there was no drop. This was really a team win and a team effort. 

How did it feel to have a game like this especially after not having a marquee nonconference game? 

With COVID and everything going on, it just shows you that basketball is basketball no matter where or when. We miss our fans. The fans would have been in here rocking, giving us even more energy. But, basketball is basketball. It can be taken away, so we are grateful to play. 

What did it mean to get a win over UNC?

I feel happy. Just during the game, I could feel the growth with this team. This was a whole-team effort. Even the guys who didn’t get in the game, we felt their energy on the court. We really stuck together. They went on some runs. They competed. They’re a great team, a great program. Even with all the young players, even with some guys sitting out, we came together and got the win. It’s huge. 

How big was Shakeel Moore’s shooting performance? 

Shak is a monster. He’s still getting his feet wet. He’s a freshman. He’s young, athletic. But the biggest thing with our freshmen is they have no fear. They weren’t scared of the moment. Those are North Carolina guys, so they’ve probably been dreaming about this game their whole life, and they really stepped up. I’m proud of them. 

What was the mentality of the team coming into this game? 

Getting back to the basics. The whole season coaches have really been harping on defense and getting on the boards. We’ve still got to clean it up on the boards, but our pressure and the way we came out with our energy in the first half really set the tone of the game. We weren’t afraid of shots. We weren’t hesitating. We were pressuring them, making it hard for their posts and their guards. That was the biggest thing, not waiting for them to punch us first. 

How big was your 8-0 run after UNC cut the lead to one? 

Honestly, I did not know that. I didn’t even know the game got to one point. I was really just in the moment, having fun, playing hard and trying to get a dub for Wolfpack Nation. If that’s how it went, if I got the hot hand at that moment, I’m glad I did. It’s not like I was searching for it. 

What was it like playing without fans? 

We all know how PNC gets. These fans consistently on a year-to-year basis are number one in attendance every year. The intensity, the energy that they bring into this place is magnetic. We definitely feel it. But, we feel their energy from home. They’re all tuned in still praising us. 

Manny Bates

How important was your play against Carolina’s front court? 

It was definitely important. Coach has been emphasizing to me these last three games not to go for every shot, to stay on the ground and wall up and just stay in the game as long as I can.

Were you doing anything differently to stay out of foul trouble?

Just stay vertical. I didn’t want to jump too much. If the ball was already in the air, then I could jump. But I didn’t want to jump too much this game.

Were you thinking about not fouling going for big defensive plays?

In those moments I wasn’t thinking about fouling, I just wanted to get the stop. That was my biggest thing. I try not to go into games focused on what refs are doing, but just controlling what I can control and trying to get a stop.

How important were the freshmen in this game? 

I’m extremely proud of my guys. Coach has been talking to the young guys about their opportunity, and today was their day. Shak showed out. [Dereon Seabron] came in and contributed wherever we needed. 

How quickly do games like this force young players to grow up?

You definitely have to mature early. This time last year, coach told me that I couldn’t be a freshman. I had to be a sophomore or junior. Just have that knowledge of what to expect in games like these. 

Shakeel Moore

How much did it mean to you to step into the spotlight? 

It meant a lot. Seeing the guys hoop early and take a lead, and then me being able to follow them coming into the game. It meant a lot for me. It meant a lot. 

How much did it mean to you to play in this rivalry game?

It was big, just because it was the first ACC game. It’s our rival. It was big for me to be able to step up, get the minutes and show out and show up.

Was this game personal for you and Cam Hayes going against another top freshman guard duo?

Pretty much yeah, it definitely was. Our senior year we played together on CP3, and we had seen those guys all summer. It wasn’t anything new to us. It was just keeping the chip on our shoulder and showing that we’re just as good guards as they are, if not better.

Did that chip on your shoulder fuel you in this game?

Definitely. I’ve always kept a chip on my shoulder. That chip got me to where I am today, and I’m never going to let it leave my shoulder. 

Was your big dunk a turning point?

Definitely a turning point. For our team, we’re big on energy, the defensive pressure and that type of thing. With me being able to hit shots, they started hard closing me. I figured one single pump fake and rip baseline, I could get that and show my athleticism there. 

Was playing in this rivalry something you always dreamed about?

It meant so much to me. Everybody talks about Carolina. Blue bloods this, and blue bloods that. It just meant a lot for me to be able to come in and handle what I can handle, and show coach that he can trust me out there playing defense and making plays for my team. It was just a big game for me. It felt good. It definitely felt good for me.

What did it mean to have a highlight dunk at PNC in this game? 

It meant a lot for me because it was the first ACC game, just got to bring the energy. I know I’m one of the energy guys on the team. It’s just my job to come in and bring that energy to the team.