Kevin Keatts: "We Were Able To Finish The Game"

NC State head coach Kevin Keatts met with the media after the Wolfpack's 79-65 win over Central Conn. State.

NOTE: Click the video above to watch the interview.

Opening Statement...
These 8:00 games always present something for you. I thought our guys did a really good job in the second half where we came out and played with a lot more energy.

In the first half we were really flat, never had a lot of energy... Cam Hayes was cramping a little bit... I thought we never really got comfortable in the first half and in the second half our guys were focused and locked in. 

We were able to finish the game.

How impressed are you with Dereon Seabron’s start to the season...
I’m impressed with him in the manner I am with Manny Bates. Those guys don't have to look for offense to get offense. They do something special, they play hard.

He plays the same way that he plays everyday in practice. He doesn’t do anything out of his comfort zone. He plays hard, he rebounds the ball, he’s athletic, and he makes sense.

I think that's what has helped him become a really good basketball player. He understands who he is. A lot of times as a basketball player when you understand who you are and how to play, that’s when you will be successful.

 More on Seabron...
When I told him he could rebound the ball and push it in transition, he started to become a heck of a rebounder... jokingly, he's been really good going to the glass. We've needed that with this team. We don't have that one dominant rebounder but I keep saying he can be that guy.

Just 11 turnovers tonight, another low number. Do you feel like that can be a strength of this team?
It's always tough when you're a pressing and running team because the ball is in so many different people's hands.  We’ve done a really good job of taking care of the basketball and I'm happy with that.

We try to go in having 10 or less turnovers, and I'll give one or two extra because of how we play.   I’m not pleasantly surprised, but I am happy we’re taking care of the ball.

More on transition offense...
I came into the season saying I wanted to run more, but to run more we had to become better at defensive rebounding. Give Seabron credit. He’s a reason why we can get out in transition, he's rebounding the ball so well.

It is encouraging to see Terquavion still scoring through three games?
He's a scorer and hes' a shooter, he can make shots. Scorers score, but those guys aren't afraid of the moment. They love the moment.  He and Breon too.

I keep telling everyone what's special about those guys is they've been in this situation before.  They've won six state championships... they look forward to these moments.

What’s the next step, next few hours ahead of Oklahoma State?
You know we’re getting some ice cream. I have a lot of young kids who have never had ice cream and they reminded me we are on the road.

We need rest. We’ll wake up in the morning, it’s an 8:00 game, and we'll present to those guys stuff on Oklahoma State.

We'll meet and go over our gameplan before some type of shootaround tomorrow.