Coaches quotes

NC State coach Jim Valvano

“First of all, let me say that Terry Holland is a classy coach.  I think sometimes we think the competition is so fierce that we can’t be friends.

"What can I say that isn’t a clich.  We ran the court well.  All season long we’ve had that adversity of catching up.  But this game we came out the gate strong.

"Defensively we chased Othell Wilson.  He penetrates so well and can pull up and his the three-pointer, as he did at the end.

“I thought the two strips of the ball, especially one by Terry Gannon at the end on Sampson was a key down the stretch.  Overall, our defense did not want to give up the three-pointer at the end.

“Thee free throws down the end are tough shots.  We could have beaten Carolina a lot easier at our place if we had made our free throws.  But, Derek hit the ones he needed to with six seconds left.  We needed a senior to come through at that point and he did.

“As far as the NCAA tournament is concerned, I am concerned because we play a different style from what will be played in the tournament.  We are used to using the three-point shot quite a bit and have a good 30-second defense.  Now when you get down to Virginia in the second half by eight points you can say good-bye (in the tournament).  We will have to adjust our defensive and offensive concepts this week in our preparation.

“I can’t say this is my biggest win.  As I have said before big wins are relative.  When we beat Swarthmore College 72-49 when I was 23 in my first year of coaching I celebrated for weeks.”

Virginia coach Terry Holland

“First of all I want to say congratulations to State.  They played a tremendous game.

“No, I don’t think this is the praise that has alluded us during the Sampson era.  We have had a great season with a 27-4 record.  I don’t think that not playing Carolina was a factor.  It was a matter of probably being over enthusiastic in the tournament.

“We got the ball inside a lot.  I was pleased with that play.

"With Miller in the game we like to play him closer to the basket than Mullen and we worked it well inside.

“I don’t have any preference as far as the NCAA tournament site is concerned.  I will be just happy to be in the tournament.  I would like to play in Charlottesville.”

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