North Carolina State University Athletics
NC State-Maryland coaches quotes
1/29/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
NC State coach Jim Valvano
“It was an unusual kind of game. I didn’t think
“Rivers had his finest game by far. We were keying on Branch and Coleman. We had opportunities early, but we couldn’t cash in on them. Also, had we capitalized on our opportunities in the second half, we could’ve been in it. It was a case of missed opportunities for us. The new 3-point rule keeps you in the game. Gannon and McClain knocked in a lot of them for us.
“It’s a critical game for us at Georgia Tech next week. If we can get that one, the schedule turns in our favor. If we can get it together, we can still have a good season. That’s what I told our players.
“This game really belonged to Stevie Rivers. He was phenomenal. I told him so after the game. He worked my basketball camp last summer. I’m going to have to stop letting them do that. They just seem to play better against me after that.”
“I was real pleased with our play tonight. The defense was excellent. NC State is an excellent ball team. They have lost to some excellent teams. We rebounded well, shot well and played excellent defense. Steve Rivers was sensational. He was doing a great job in practice.
“We worked on the 3-point play this week. I still don’t like the 3-point play. It is ridiculous. I would not vote for it again. I am not interested in running up the score. I wanted to get the subs into the game.
“Tonight we moved
