North Carolina State University Athletics
NC State-Florida State Coaches Quotes
2/27/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
NC State head coach Sidney Lowe
“We ran into a guard who was hot and played well. They controlled the game and our guards couldn’t handle it.
“Our starting five didn’t play well. The guys who came off the bench came in and picked up the slack. Trevor [
“We missed wide open shots and we can’t do that because then they go and get open shots. We need our guys to make those shots. They beat us on the boards too. Tracy [Smith] came in and did a really nice job for us.
“We seemed like we had good energy in the locker room, but when we began playing, we relaxed and got down on ourselves. The guys who came in off the bench came in fighting for us.
“JJ [Hickson] didn’t step up. He didn’t screen how he was supposed to. It’s one of those breakdowns and we can’t do that defensively against top teams and top players.
“We weren’t able to make something happen. They didn’t allow us inside and we couldn’t get that penetration. They played their personnel and played them well.”
“We realized that it was important to get an early start in the game and try to jump out to an early lead.
“I thought fatigue really set in for our team in the last 5-6 minutes of the game. I was pleased though that we probably played our best defense at the end of the game when we were fatigued."
On J.J. Hickson:
“He is a handful. He is big and strong and relentless throughout the game. He has a real passion for the game and plays with a reckless abandon.
“We had several steals late in the game that helped us win this game. Like I said earlier, I thought our defense late in the game really made the difference tonight."
