Keatts: "It Puts Things Into Perspective"
NC State head coach Kevin Keatts met with the media after the 103-71 win over South Carolina State.
(Opening Statement)
“We had a scary moment today. (We’re) very thankful that our EMS, our doctors, trainers, South Carolina State trainers did a great job. It’s a tough moment anytime you’re playing a basketball game and you look down and see one of the other players on the floor, and I’m happy to hear the young man is doing better. I don’t have a full report for you. We should get some of that later on. It puts things into perspective. Obviously basketball, in the time, becomes secondary to everything else. With that said, I thought our guys played a good basketball game, especially on the offensive end when you look at it. We had 41 made field goals and assisted on 31 of them. I think that’s a PNC record. I thought we got great contributions from everyone who came in the game. When you look at our post guys, I thought they did very well in the game. Omer (Yurtseven) and Lennard (Freeman) were very good tonight. I told the team at half time we had 25 points between the two of those guys and (to) continue to give them the ball. I’m excited. I know you all have been talking about how much we have been playing, but I’m excited we get a little break, even though it’s on the basketball court. Now, we need to focus on the reason why we are here, and that’s our exams for our academics.”
(On the emotion behind the situation with Tyvoris Solomon)
“It was tough. It puts everything in perspective, and at that moment basketball is not the most important thing. Our guys were really bothered. If you look at it, that could be one of your teammates. The decision to play came down to South Carolina State. I think what happened was once they found out their teammate was okay, we went back into the locker room until they decided to play.”
(On whether he’s been a part of such a situation before)
“I have never been a part of that exact situation, but unfortunately (I’ve) been a part of something as gruesome when we played in the Elite Eight when I coached at Louisville when Kevin Ware broke his leg. Nothing to that extent, but something similar to that.”
(On the team adjusting to his style of play)
“I think we are getting there. You all know this. As a coach, you are never satisfied. I think we are a long way away. My assistant coaches swear up and down we are getting to the type of system that we want run. I don’t think we are fast breaking enough. I know you look at the score and think, ‘Well, you scored 103 points,’ but I just want us to get out in transition a little bit more. I think on the defensive end, we are having some breakdowns, and I think the reason is because our group is new. I wouldn’t call it a young group but new as in playing together. “
(On comparing the start of today’s game to the slow start against Penn State)
“We’ve had three games here that I didn’t think we started well, and as a coach, I kind of focused on it the last couple of days, getting out in transition and trying to get some easy baskets. We wanted go inside early to take away the pressure from the outside, from the guards, and give those guys credit. I think at one time it was 22-5. I think we did a great job getting off to a good start.
(On Torin Dorn’s improvement as a rebounder over the course of the season)
“I’m happy with him. I’ve challenged him. When you’re playing small basketball, especially when you got a guy like him playing that big guard or power forward spot, for him to be able to rebound the basketball the way he is, he’s doing a great job there.”
(On Omer Yurtseven’s shooting efficiency this season)
“He’s getting better. I told you guys before, Omer is a student of the game, and he’s starting to listen more. He’s understanding how to score. He’s understanding how to stay on the floor, and I was very happy with him.”
(On the decision to keep playing)
“Not from my standpoint because if the other team felt comfortable to play, then certainly we would. If it was on our end and if it was something that we had to address, it would’ve been more of our decision, but a lot of times you’ve got to go with the other team, especially if they were in the situation.”
(On the extra time off in between games this week)
“We need it. We’re a little banged up, and I hope I can get some guys healthy a little bit. We need some time right now. If I had to say it, I’ll probably take off the next couple of days and then get back in the gym and concentrate on us for a couple of days and then work on our next opponent for Saturday.”
(On speaking to the South Carolina State Coach)
“I didn’t want to get into the exactly what I said, but I wanted him to know that they would be in our prayers and the young man would be in our prayers, and we’d be there for them.”
(On the importance of the EMT workers and medical trainers who responded)
“I think everybody involved did a great job. I thought our EMT was great. We’ve got doctors that jumped in. I thought their trainer did a great job, and ours did too. It was a team effort, and I’m so excited to hear that the young man is doing well.”
(On Braxton Beverly’s development)
“I think his (early) struggles were because he hadn’t played basketball. As you guys know, it’s a tough deal. I put him on the court probably two hours after he first found out he was going to be eligible by the NCAA. So it’s going to take a little time. Anytime you don’t play or get a chance to play in a game, you can’t simulate that in practice, and I think he’s starting to play good basketball.”