Head Coach Kevin Keatts, Redshirt Junior CJ Bryce and Redshirt Sophomore Devon Daniels met with the media in the postgame press conference after NC State defeated Harvard 78-77 in the 2nd round of the NIT last night. The video is ABOVE and a bulleted breakdown is BELOW.

KEATTS

• What another incredible game. Our guys responded.
• Knew we were going to play against a very good team with a very good player on it, talking about Bryce Aiken. When I watched the Georgetown game, I knew those guys were really good.
  • The way they spread out, run a lot of ball screens, stay in motion, and have a legitimate post player that can score inside.
• Went into game saying we were going to have a chance to win the game if we played well against Aiken, and that he would have to have a bad percentage to get his points.
  • He took 18 shots with 19 points.
  • We were able to force him into 6 turnovers.

• So many guys played well. My veteran guys are starting to get it.

• Basketball in March is about the players and not the coaches. We can give you a game plan, but you are going to have to go out there and execute and play.

• I thought our guys made some tremendous strides, especially in the 2nd half.

  • Finished with 17 offensive rebounds and got to the free throw line. We didn’t make as many as I wanted to, but we were good and aggressive at the end.

• There was one segment that we gave up three offensive rebounds on the other end.

  • Finally, we stopped trying to out-jump guys and started hitting people. We aren’t the biggest team, so we have to rebound as a team and hit people. We started hitting people on the defensive end.

  • Our guys were aggressive on the offensive glass, and the rebounding really fueled us.

  • Wyatt Walker had a great offensive rebound and a kick out. A little bit about

• Devon Daniels played well today because he had 2 really great practices where he was as locked in as he has been since he’s been here.

• We talk all the time about how great it is in Reynolds, but I don’t want to cheapen our fans. At PNC they do a great job too. It gets loud in there and is a great place to play.

  • We are excited to have a chance to play on campus right now, but we have a tremendous fan base.

• I know a lot of people wanted us to be in the NCAA, but when we got chosen to go the NIT, everybody showed up for us, and we are happy about that.

• The 2 teams we have played could easily win a game in the NCAA, and so could we.

  • Played two teams that were champions in their leagues. When you get to the NIT and guys that were conference champions, you are playing against great teams. 
• It worked out for us because in our bracket the #1 seed was UNCG and they ended up losing. It is fortunate for us because we have another chance to play at home.

BRYCE

• It was a fun game. It’s just another game for us, and we’re glad to be able to move on and continue to play basketball.

• I feel pretty good (about his offensive performance), but that’s not what it’s all about.

  • I feel like I’ve really picked it up on the defensive end and on rebounding to help contribute to my team out there.

• They were 2 very competitive teams (Hofstra & Harvard). Everybody wants to win at this point. It’s still Division I basketball. I am just looking forward to the next game, and we know that Lipscomb is going to come out very competitive also.

DANIELS

• I just tried to stick to my principles (guarding Bryce Aiken).

  • I didn’t try to get my hands in there.

  • He is very crafty with his off arm.

  • I felt like when I forced him to his left, his weak side, and stayed down, I thought I did a pretty good job.

  • He’s a great competitor though, so it was fun.

• It’s March. Any of these games could be our last game, and I’m just trying to help the team win.

  • I focused on the scouting report, just trying to learn their team. 

• When it’s tournament time, it doesn’t really matter what conference the team comes from or what the name of the team is. Players are coming out there to compete; they’re artists. Every game we have to bring it.