LOCKER ROOM REPORT: Wolfpack Players
NC State forward Jericole Hellems and guard Terquavion Smith met with the media via Zoom following the Wolfpack’s 73-68 loss to Louisville Saturday afternoon.
Hellems led the Pack offensively with 18 points and four assists while also recording five rebounds and two steals. Smith, making his first career start, scored 17 points and tacked on three rebounds, two steals, and one block.
NOTE: Click on each player’s respective thumbnail to watch each interview in the player above.
Jericole Hellems
What have you learned from this team after fighting back from huge deficits in back-to-back games?
It just shows that we’ve got guys that don’t lay down and will do anything to win a ballgame. Like coach said, we’ve just got to start out a little earlier and execute on the things we need to do.
Are you surprised with how well the team is playing thus far?
I wouldn’t say surprised, but I’m just excited that we took so many hits and are still able to go out there and do what we’re supposed to do. It just didn’t fall our way tonight.
What did Smith do for the team today that worked as well as it did?
He shot the ball well. He just played his normal game. He’s a dog. He’s going to find a way to score the ball. He’s Terquavion. Y’all know his game.
How do you describe what this loss feels like?
It’s tough. Nobody likes to lose, especially knowing that this is the ACC Tip-Off, and we’re heading in the right direction. We’ll take what we got from the game and move on knowing that we’ve got another game to play.
Terquavion Smith
After falling behind early and rallying back in back-to-back games, what does the team need to do to get faster starts?
We’ve just got to not get outplayed. We’ve got to play harder than the other team. It’s the little things that matter, and that’s what we always preach about. It should change. We’ve got to box out, [fight for] 50-50 balls, and [do] stuff like that. It’s the little things that count.
What was the halftime speech like from Kevin Keatts?
He was preaching about fighting back, protecting PNC, and about doing the little things like boxing out, getting loose balls, and not letting them outplay us or play harder than us.
How are you feeling after your first ACC start?
I’m feeling good. I don’t come from a losing background, so I wouldn’t say I’m upset, but I’m kind of tight right now. I don’t come from a losing background. I feel like we’ve just got to bounce back, get in the gym, go harder, and fix the little things that matter.
You mentioned the little things. You were a solid free-throw shooter in high school but are struggling so far this season. Is that something you need to work on in the gym, or is it more of a mental thing?
I feel like it’s more mental. I shoot free throws every day after practice, but I feel like it’s more of a mental thing and [about] me relaxing and taking my time.
Were you guys feeling the effects from the four-overtime game against Nebraska?
No, I definitely wasn’t feeling that. We had rest days and days that we practiced. I really wasn’t feeling that. I was just playing my hardest, trying to get the W.
Did the fact that this was the ACC opener give the team an extra lift today?
It was important, but I treat every game the same. I go in every game with the same mindset regardless of who we play. I’m trying to win, trying to get to the tournament.
Even after this loss, do you feel good about where the team is thus far this season?
Yes, I definitely feel good about our team. We’re growing. We’re a young team. We’ve got a lot to learn. We’re a lot of freshmen, and we’re learning new things. I feel like we’re in a good position right now. As long as we take care of the little things and don’t let anybody outplay us, we’ll be fine. We’re definitely going to bounce back.