VIDEO: Kevin Keatts’ Press Conference After NC State’s 100-49 Rout of UNCA

NC State head coach Kevin Keatts spoke with the media in his press conference after the Wolfpack’s 100-49 victory over UNC-Asheville tonight. The video is ABOVE, and a bulleted breakdown is BELOW.

• Thought we played extremely hard. Did we do everything right? Absolutely not. The mistakes we made, were because we were playing hard. I can live with those.
• I’m happy with where my team is right now. I think everyone that is in the game is giving me maximum effort.
• Thought we did a tremendous job getting out in transition.
• We pressured. Thought we took them out of everything they did.
• They are going to be a good team in their league. They have some really good young players.
• Very disappointed DJ Funderburk finally missed a shot. I knew it was coming. I told him he let me down, because I told everyone that he was going to go the whole year without missing a shot, so I was a little disappointed when he took that baseline jumper.
• Don’t have an update on Markell Johnson. He’ll be with the doctors tomorrow, and I’ll know more. I’ll tell you this…he was not diagnosed with a concussion. I don’t know what the end result will be.
• Devon Daniels settled in. Anytime you have a guy that’s a transfer, they want to play so well, because they sat out a year. In the first couple of games he forced a lot of things. I thought he relaxed. He was more comfortable. Thought he played off of his teammates, and I’m happy for him.
• Versatility. At times we had CJ Bryce playing the point guard position. Going to see all kinds of guys playing different positions.
• Last game I liked our amount of deflections, but not the total amount of steals. Tonight we had 13.
• Every time I looked down the bench, I saw players that were on the edge of their seat to get in the game. We’ve got plenty of guys that are eager to play. I don’t know that I’ve had a team where everyone is almost equal. I may not have a starting 5. It’s hard to not get Eric Lockett on the floor. DJ Funderburk on the floor. Jericole is playing really good basketball. Until we get Braxton settled in, he’s coming off the bench.
• When you look around the country, players that start games play 30-35 minutes. When you look at us, I don’t know that we have anyone averaging over 26 minutes. That says a lot about our guys character. They are unselfish.
• Thought our doctors and trainers did a great job getting Braxton Beverly back. I wasn’t surprised because CJ Bryce had a very similar surgery when we were at UNCW, and he was out for three weeks. Braxton gives us a different dimension. His ability to hit a three-point shot is just as effective as us getting out in transition and getting a dunk. He excites the crowd and gives energy to our team.
• At halftime we had 36 deflections, and we try to get 40 in a game.
• Ian Steere and I met on Monday. Had a great conversation. For me, it’s about what’s best for his future, and what he thinks is best. We talked about the pros and cons. Here’s the opportunity if you stay, because I think he would have been a good basketball player for us. Or if there’s another opportunity for you, I’ll be behind you and support you. We didn’t come to a decision at that time, or he didn’t. He told me he would call me later on that night. I was at my radio show, and he sent me a text and asked if we could talk, and I said absolutely. I called him on my break, and he told me he was going to look at another situation. I told him I appreciate you, and am thankful for everything you did, and thanks for even coming here for us. I wish him luck. At the end of the day, I think he was just looking for a fresh start.