What did an ACC Title & Final Four mean to NC State Legend TJ Warren? I caught up with the man who won the ACC Player of the Year Award in 2014 to get his take.
What was it like for you watching NC State go from the #10 seed in the ACC Tournament, to winning the Championship, to going to the Final Four?
I’m a second generation Wolfpack basketball player. Wolf blood runs through my veins, so to be able to witness a ride like that was truly amazing.
What did this run say about Kevin Keatts and these players? In what ways did you see them adapt, change or persevere?
I think that is speaks to the heart that the players have. As a 10th seed in the ACC tournament, it’s easy to pack it in and look towards the offseason, but they did the opposite. They bonded together over adversity and that’s what made them so endearing. Hard work in the face of adversity, that’s something that Wolfpack fans can relate to.
As one of the best players to ever wear the Red & White, what did this run mean to you personally?
As I mentioned earlier, NCSU hoops has been in my family for a long time, so it meant a whole lot personally. This run definitely took me back to some of the fond memories I have of putting on the Red & White and playing in front of a packed house at the PNC.
What was the most memorable moment for you?
I think Mike’s shot to tie the game at the end of regulation. It just felt like destiny at that point. Anytime you get to beat UNC and Duke days apart is special too.
How do you think this run can change things for the NC State Basketball program going forward?
I think that it puts us back on the national radar where we belong. After a magical run like that, I think it makes players want to be a part of that. A run like that reinvigorates a program definitely.
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Warren is 1 of only 6 NC State players to ever be named the ACC Player of the Year. In his Sophomore season, Warren was named a 2nd Team All-American by Sporting News and the AP. He averaged 24.9 points per game, which is the 5th best mark in a single season in NC State history. Warren scored 871 points that year, which is the most points ever scored in a single season by a Wolfpack player.
TJ was selected by the Phoenix Suns with the 14th overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft.
I was disappointed that Shaun Kirk did not get any minutes. That kid is the energizer bunny. He would have been really good in the 1st half when the team was getting out-hustled. Typical Gottfried with his limited rotation. This is why his guys are exhausted by tourney time. Also when Terry is shooting so poorly, maybe send someone else in there that can shoot?
I said it from the 1st exhibition game… that Markell Johnson is special. He’s exactly the type of guard that I would want leading my team. He’s unselfish, does not turn the ball over, has great court vision, is a pass-first PG, but can shoot the ball or take it to the rim when needed.
What was really surprising was the box score. Abu looked like he was struggling the whole game and he ends up leading scorer? I had to do a double take.
Abu never really looked comfortable in this one. I couldn’t believe it when I saw he finished with 25. I also was surprised that Johnson only had 9. It was a very loud 9, I guess. To me, he was the guy that made us go in this one and his play should take some pressure off of Smith and allow Gott some flexibility in our backcourt.
Gottfried showed once again that he can make adjustments at halftime but he’s still not a good in-game coach. He really needs to be able to make those offensive/defensive adjustments on the fly to be considered a good coach.
It was hilarious watching Gott’s face change from angry to a smile following that Markell to Dennis alley-oop.