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Coach Scheyer, Players Meet With Media Ahead of NC State Game
1/3/2023 12:37:00 PM | Men's Basketball
DURHAM - Duke men's basketball head coach Jon Scheyer, along with players Dariq Whitehead and Ryan Young, met with media members ahead of Duke's ACC tilt at NC State on Wednesday evening. The Blue Devils and Wolfpack tip-off at 7:00 p.m. inside PNC Arena, with the game set to be broadcast on ACC Network. Wednesday's game marks the 253rd all-time meeting between Duke and NC State, with the Blue Devils looking for their 151st win in the series. Duke has won three straight and eight of the last 11 over State.
HEAD COACH JON SCHEYER
On areas of Dariq Whitehead's game that he expects to see in the future:
"I hope you've seen his playmaking and passing. He has great feel for the game, it comes easy to him. I think the next step, that you probably haven't seen yet, it's just his athleticism attacking the basket. He started showing it in the Florida State game, he's a guy for us, when he gets downhill, because of his passing, he can make a big impact attacking the rim. So, it's probably the next step just getting comfortable doing that. And he's been ready to shoot, he's been defending. But that area, and then I would just say his rebounding. He can be a guy that can really do it all on the floor. Those two things are probably next step for his evolution."
On what needs to change from the last road game to this upcoming road game:
"We know NC State, how dangerous they are and they're a really good team. And, you know, every one of these games you play, both teams really want to win very badly. I think you start with the way Wake Forest got in our paint, and that was a big deal for us. And more than anything, it was the focus. The intensity. The valuing of every possession. And whether we're home or away, that needs to be done. I thought we took a good step against Florida State, but it'll have to be at a much higher level to win on the road tomorrow night."
On how he's preparing the players for playing in an environment like PNC Arena:
"Yeah, for me, it's 'enjoy it'. You know, to be in those moments to play in an arena where everybody wants you to lose, that's what it's all about. Enjoy being in the moment, and no matter what happens from here or where we go, to enjoy this game. And enjoy it by playing well, obviously, that would be a good thing. But for us, I want these guys to enjoy this experience, enjoy this ride, and that means going into hostile environments and being ready to play."
On the impact that Jalen Blakes is bringing to the team:
"I think you guys have seen watching this the whole year, the impact that he makes just by his energy, defense, making others better, I mean he's been one of the best passers on the team, period. That's what we need every game. And if some games it may be, if it's 17, I'm all for it. And if it's two points, I'm all for it also. His impact is way beyond scoring, especially with the guys we have on this team. So, proud of him and his attitude, what he's done. And I'll take 17 tomorrow night, I'll take two, I'll take any of it with Jalen because of what he brings to winning on the court."
On how he keeps the team motivated and focused heading into the new semester:
"It's exciting for me. This is my first time going through it as a head coach. And for each of these guys, I don't think hunger is an issue, or motivating is as big of an issue, because we have a lot to prove. I'm proud of the start to the year that we've had, it's been really good. But there's more on the table for us. And we know the challenge that's ahead. I think individually, collectively, we still have a lot to do. So, for me, it's about – like yesterday's practice wasn't about motivating them to be ready. They were ready to practice. It was just about getting better. And I think if we can stack days, and continue to do that, and on top of 'alright, this week every day we practice, we play a game, let's get better'. And if that happens consistently, we'll be in a great position as the year moves along."
FRESHMAN GUARD DARIQ WHITEHEAD
On if he feels like he's up to full speed:
"I definitely feel like as a team we're, you know, coaches are putting in a lot of things to make sure the guys get comfortable with each other. With me and Dereck [Lively II] being out, the main thing is just getting comfortable with each other in practice, making sure, you know, we gel with the guys. We've missed a lot of time. So, I feel like that's just what we're trying to do right now."
On what he sees from NC State on film:
"They're a really good team. Have two great guards and it's just making sure we slow them down and make them a halfcourt team. They really like to get up and down in transition, so as long as we stick to the gameplan that Coach [Scheyer] provided, we'll be fine."
On what he did during break that allowed him to come refreshed:
"Just being around family sometimes, you know, always you get to hear just what you need to hear. When I went home, they told me what it was, and it was kind of like a reset button. I had to, you know, lock in and had to just put everything else aside. And coming back, I just had a different mindset, I was actually ready to get back from the break and ready to attack practices and just get going. … I feel like that's everybody's family, you got tough love somewhere. Even if it's not what you want to hear, everyone has family members where, you know, that just comes with it. … I have an Aunt Mercedes, she was telling me 'you're not the player that people say you are, right now you don't look great'. And that's just what I needed to hear. I often got caught up in a 'oh, I'm hurt, oh I'm coming off an injury'. But she just told me pretty much it was done with that. It was no more time for excuses. So, I just had to mentally prepare, mentally lock in and get ready to come back."
GRADUATE CENTER RYAN YOUNG
On what needs to be different for Duke compared to its previous road game:
"I think the obvious and overwhelming one is the energy from the start. And that's something that needs a big, you know, the next step that this team has to take. We're, like you mentioned, we're 0-1 on the road, we've won a few neutral site games, but it'll be a challenge for this team. This is my first time really playing for a team that has such a crazy home court advantage. And you know, we've been able to prove that we can play at home, and we can come out striking first. But that's something that can't take a drop when we hit the road and play teams in their environment. So, just got to be ready from the jump."
On how Duke's post rotation can help control NC State's perimeter scoring:
"Yeah, I think something that's been a strength for us the past few games has been our interior scoring, both on offense scoring and defensively we've been able to control the glass. And that's something that's got to remain constant moving forward, and especially against NC State, since they have that kind of perimeter shooting. But it'll be, our guards have done a tremendous job defensively, both the guys that start, come off the bench, so, you know, I have a ton of faith in them being able to take on a challenge. [NC State has] two really good guards that, you know, shoot at a high volume and shoot at a high percentage. But like I said, I think our backcourt defensively has been awesome so far, they've been terrific. And I'm sure they'll keep it going. Excited for their matchup."
To stay up to date with Blue Devils men's basketball, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeMBB".
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