Keatts Presser After Win Over Jacksonville :: Bulleted

Kevin Keatts talks to the media after his Wolfpack beat Jacksonville 116-64. If you want to hear the full version, the video is above. Below are the cliff notes.

• Very proud of the effort. Best game team has played this season. Pleased with the 28 assists on 42 FGs. It shows they really shared the ball.
• Team made 19 3s. Been saying that this team fills it up in practice. Only a matter of time before it falls in the game.
• Tremendous job from all 9 guys that played. Had great passion and energy.
• Excited to have this type of game going into Christmas break. Giving guys a couple days off to clear their mind and come back ready for ACC play.
• Talked last couple days how important it was to win this one going into the break. Thought team was very focused and locked in.
• Didn’t talk to Al Freeman much about his shot or his offense. Said he was going to after Robert Morris but thought it best to just leave him alone. He was locked in, mad some shots. Real excited about this kid. Needed to see the basketball go in the hoop.
• Al Freeman took a nasty fall in practice. Didn’t know if he’d suit up. Give him credit. He did and he was great.
• 3pt shooting was great. One difference may have been that the team practiced in the PNC the day before the game. Going to try to do that as much as possible. Once first few went in, it seemed contagious.
• Happy to go into break 10-3. Would love to be 13-0, but with a new coaching staff, new players and a new system, very happy about where they are.
• Took day off after Robert Morris. Wasn’t planning on it, but thought they needed it. Then had one day prep for this one. Could tell who was going to play well by the practice.
• Batts is coming along. Starting to understand what Keatts wants as a coach. Playing hard on the defensive end, which is why minutes have increased.
• Good half-court defense. Showed team stats of where they are. Top 50 in the nation at stopping the 3. Teams shooting only 31% from beyond the arc. Last two games gave up 20 3s, which was bad. If we hadn’t done that we could be #1 there. Team took that to heart. Talked about it all game. Was not happy early when they hit a few but guys locked in a did their job. Excited about it now.