Kevin Keatts: "It Was What NC State Basketball Is All About"
NC State head coach Kevin Keatts met with the media following the Wolfpack's 104-100 win in quadruple overtime against Nebraska in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge Wednesday night.
NOTE: Click the video in the player above to watch Keatts’ press conference.
Opening Statement
I don’t know if I wanted this day to end. It’s been a good day. My team played extremely hard. We never doubted that we were going to win the game. There were so many ups and downs in the game. I think, with 10 minutes left in the game and we were down 14, you could see in their eyes during every timeout and every huddle that we were going to win the game. This was a great character win. It was the toughest win. It was what NC State basketball is all about. I thought Dereon [Seabron] was tremendous [with] a Big Ten/ACC Challenge record: 39 points and 18 rebounds. Not only him, I thought the guys that came in all contributed in a positive way. For a moment, we lost Cam Hayes. We lost Casey Morsell. Jericole [Hellems] fouled out, so we’re playing with babies, and I thought they did a tremendous job finishing the game. I’m super proud of these guys. Their fight was unbelievable. I thought our fans were really good. Those who came out, I really appreciate you. Our students did a tremendous job.
On Thomas Allen’s late entry into the game…
I knew we were going to have four overtimes, so I wanted to save him a little bit. It’s a rotation thing. He’ll work his way back in. Thomas Allen’s a good basketball player. He’s been battling a little plantar fasciitis in his foot, so he’s working his way back in.
On Seabron’s performance, point guard play, composure, and leadership…
His versatility is what makes him so special. We’ve played him one through four. Sometimes, he plays the big guard position. His speed, his ability to handle the ball, his ability to pass the ball, and his ability to get to the free-throw line… That’s what makes him special. He helps our team in so many different ways.
On this win being a momentum boost for the future…
I think so. I thought our guys played well. We certainly want to try and build on that, and these games are tough. We’ve talked about playing for NC State, but this is the one time that we’re also playing for our conference, too. I was proud of our guys.
On Ebenezer Dowuona’s performance and growth…
Ebe was tremendous with eight blocks. He’s had two games, back-to-back, where you could see him getting better. I thought he did a great job on the defensive end also. When he didn’t block shots, I thought he changed a lot of shots. He’s getting better, and I think his confidence will grow.
On Dowuona’s offensive game growing…
We want to bring him along, and we want his offense to come. It’s not a situation where we try to go into a game and throw him the ball 10 times. Right now, his best offense is on rim runs. His best offense is moving him around instead of throwing the ball to him with his back to the basket. He’ll get better as we move forward. He’ll get better throughout the season.
On the altercation that resulted in Hayes’ ejection…
I don’t know. [The officials] made a decision. We lived with the decision, and we moved on. I didn’t see it; I was facing the other way, and our guys were behind us, so I didn’t get a chance to see it. I’ll look at the tape. I didn’t really get an explanation. They went to the monitor. I trusted what they said and moved on.
On Seabron’s return from injury…
It was tremendous. The trainer came up to me and said he could go. I think what happened was he banged his knee, and I think he got a little bit scared. We’re certainly glad he could come back in the game.
On Seabron assuming a veteran leader role with freshmen surrounding him…
That’s big for him because he’s got to grow. He’s not a very verbal guy. He leads by example, and for him to be able to lead those guys is pretty tremendous.
On Morsell’s injury…
I don’t [know his situation]. He’s going to get an x-ray hopefully tomorrow. It’s his ankle.