UNC-The Citadel Postgame Quotes

Press Conference Transcription vs Citadel
Dec. 13, 2022
Chapel Hill, N.C.
North Carolina 100 - Georgia Tech 59

The Citadel Coach Ed Conroy
Q: Opening Statement
Conroy: First of all, I credit to Coach Davis and Carolina, they were ready to play tonight I thought. You know, by the way they kept themselves in rhythm and they knocked down quite a few three-point shots, shot better than maybe they have at times during the year. But you know, I wasn't pleased with our guys. Obviously, we weren't competing on the backboard like we needed to win. We had a little bit of range there, what could be a little closer in the first half, we were still getting pounded on the boards and just weren't physical enough. And then just the ability to get out there and finish close-outs and get to their shooters obviously cost us. And that's what the margin was what it was.

Q: *On limiting UNC in transitions and boxing out*
Conroy: You know, I think that became the separation. There was a spell and we got it close, I thought we had four quick possessions where we were in character, how we wanted to play with our shot selection, we kept them out of transition. Certainly we didn't start the game that way. But you know, they got some run outs early, then we got too close. And that's what I thought early on. It was the rebounding that hurt us. And then the second half when we started competing a little bit on the boards. It was closed after the shooters.

Q: Any positive takeaways, big things you did like that your guys did that surprised you?
Conroy: You know, we're continuing to work on our versatility. And guys will play different positions. I think we have to do that to take advantage of some matchups. And we were able to put Jackson Price out there tonight. Probably a career-high for him. You know, and I know I think he hit you know, hit a couple or three threes. So we're going to space the floor that way we're able to play Stephen Clark some of the point, you know, and things that will help us going forward. I thought we did a good job of that. And it showed our work over the last 10 days. But we still have to become more physical basketball team if we're going to compete on the boards.

Q: How do you think these games and the non-conference will prepare you guys for the SOCON?
Conroy: I think they'll help us tremendously. I put together the arguably the toughest schedule in history, scheduled the most Divison I teams on the schedule. Certainly high level ones like you know, like Butler and North Carolina, Clemson things like that, College of Charleston. So we didn't want to shy away, we want to get right through that wall to get to where we want to get to and raise the standard of basketball for our program, our expectations in a mindset of what we can accomplish. So from that standpoint, you know, we will grow from this, we just saw, you know, one of the most storied basketball programs in the country and one that certainly has an amazing consistency, an identity, if you will, and the problem like we talked about. They might not be doing certain things as well as maybe a Carolina team in the past but you know, you know what's coming, you know, the transitions come and you know that the work off of on the boards is coming, you know, the commitment going inside out is going to be there. So, I have no doubt Coach Davis will get this team where they want to be and you know, I'm sure our team will grow from this experience.

North Carolina Coach Hubert Davis
Q: *On going deep in the first half*
A: I didn't have a plan to play 10 players in the first half. We needed a spark. In the first half, we needed energy and enthusiasm then. We needed it to come from the bench, and I was just going down the line to be able to find that. Jalen [Washington] came in and played really big minutes for us in the first half. I thought Dontrez's [Styles] minutes were terrific on both ends of the floor, not only offensively, but rebounding, and defending using his athleticism, I thought that was great. And said Seth [Trimble] and Tyler Nickel, I thought they played extremely well. And you know, one of the things that I have said is that, you know, we have depth on our team. And the great thing about it is when we need it, we have that ability to put guys in and to make impact plays on both ends of the floor, I was really happy to be able to get extended minutes for those guys, and that they stepped up and played extremely well.

Q: What has it taken for [Dontrez] to get the point where he is getting consistent minutes?
A: Well, one of the things that always tell the guys is with me, my foundation is you will always get a chance and an opportunity and not just one chance, you will get chances throughout the year. The thing that I can't control is when, where, how and the manner in which you'll get those opportunities and chances. The thing for them is their responsibility is when your numbers called, for you to be ready. And that's just a huge testament to Dontrez that when his number was called, he was ready. His practices the last week have been really good. His attention to detail, his effort, I've been really proud of him. And we put them in the game tonight, and I thought he was a huge difference maker for us in the first half, we were struggling to find some rhythm on the offensive in and he hit that three and then we were off and running. So I was very proud of Dontrez

Q: *On Tyler Nickel and practices*
A: I think all the guys are confident to be out there on the floor. You know, one of the things that I've talked about is when we were on the road, it's just, we're playing so many games and traveling and we couldn't practice. So now that we've been home for a week and a half, we've actually had time to practice. And I know that sounds simple, but it's really a big deal. You know, just having an opportunity to build habits to get out there and practice and find a rhythm. And also for me as a coach, to be able to coach that and to see that in practice as opposed to in the heat of a game, a one point game and the second half you know, it gives me confidence and gives them confidence. I really feel like being at home the last week-and-a-half has really helped us in terms of becoming a better basketball team because we've been here and we've been able to practice.

Q: What else has Tyler Nickel been doing in practices that has been coming along in some areas?
A: I mean, he competes. I never have to tell Tyler "can you go harder." He's a guy that always competes on both ends of the floor. A great example of that was in the second half. One of the things that I have been stressing is for us to have a presence on the offensive glass outside of Armando [Bacot]. We've always stressed the three, four and five, attack the offensive glass and Tyler did that. He didn't actually get the offensive rebound, but he kept the ball alive and actually led to him getting his first three in the corner in the second half. And it was because of that extra effort. That's who Tyler is knocking down at three but always making the extra effort.

Q: *In terms of execution*
A: Obviously, it's not a finished product, but it has, we have improved. I mean, in the week and a half that we've been here, we're playing better defense, we're rebounding better. We had 24 assists, so we're making the extra pass, we're shooting better. And so does that mean that we're exactly where we need to be? No. But I feel like we're moving in the right direction. And it's a great opportunity to play against a really, really good Ohio State team in New York City this Saturday. We're excited about the challenge.

Q: *On playing like a Carolina team*
A: Well, I mean, that's something that we've been emphasizing all season. But I feel like we've actually done it in the last couple of games. I know I mentioned after the Georgia Tech game, that three-minute period right before halftime that I felt like this is the first time that I looked and go, "Wow, they were running like a Carolina team." And I felt like we did that tonight. Everybody was running and we were able to get the three things that we were looking for in transition. We were looking for layups and dunks, we're looking for pitch ahead, wide open threes by our best three point shooters. And we're looking for deep post catches by our five men. And we were able to get all of them tonight because of our ability to run in transition.

Q: *On Seth and assists*
A: Yeah, [Armando and Seth] were playing buddy ball, I guess. But Seth does a really good job pushing the ball in transition. As I said, I feel like he's at the top of the list in terms of, you know, fast guards with the ball. One of the things that always tell Seth is, "Attack, attack, attack," because I feel like he has the athleticism and the ability to be able to get to the paint, get to the rim anytime that he wants to, especially in transition. It may result in a turnover, [but] I actually wanted him to be even more aggressive, because I think he understands how to make plays and get the ball to the right people. And so he did do a really good job finding Armando, but it was also Armando's effort, running the floor and getting in position to be able to catch that pass and be able to score and transition.

Q: *On cutting the cord from last year's team and how will he know when it is cut*
A: That's a great question. I don't know. I don't think about last year at all. The only thing that's on my mind is this team, these players, our locker room, our growth, our chemistry, our togetherness. I don't think about it [last year], and I don't talk about it at all. But that's a great question. I don't know.

Q: Is it the same for the players?
A: I don't know. They don't talk about it with me. And we don't talk about it. And I don't think that thinking or talking about last year is of any benefit at all. I drove here today and I looked out my front windshield. And I looked a couple of times at my side mirrors and a couple that my rear view. But the reason why I look briefly at my side mirrors in my rearview mirror was to keep me going forward. And so that's the proper place for where last year is and this is where we're looking, for now, we're looking straight ahead. There's no benefit of looking behind.

Q: *On playing in New York City*
A: It's significant and important for a number of reasons. Number one, you know, that's where Coach [Dean] Smith used to take us every year. I mean, we always, every year, played a game in New York. And I just remember playing in Madison Square Garden. And if we didn't play there, we played in The Meadowlands, where the New Jersey Nets used to play. So we always, every year, had a presence up there in New York. Number two, is that's where I started my NBA career. And I played there for four years. And just it's a special place for me. I haven't been back to the Garden since I retired from the NBA in 2004. So, to go back there again, the place where it all started for me personally as a professional is really exciting to me. And then also the four years that I was here at North Carolina, we always had three or four guys from New York on our team. They always had a nice chip on their shoulder. I like those type of guys. So I'd like to have a presence recruiting up in New York. And so those are reasons that every year as long as I'm head coach, the Tar Heels will be up in New York.

Q: Is there a memory from playing in MSG that stood out as a player in college or pro?
A: Well, there's so many memories. You know, I remember the first time that I played in Madison Square Garden my freshman year, and we were in the Preseason NIT. And it was the first time that I was ever in New York City. Coach Smith called me up to the front of the bus, I sat with Coach Smith, and he was pointing out all the buildings to me because I couldn't believe how big the city was. We ended up losing to Missouri in the semifinals. And then when we beat Indiana in the consolation game, and so that was my first time in the Garden. Then being there for years, playing for Pat Riley and Jeff Van Gundy, and in all those years, we were in the Eastern Conference Finals. And we got to the NBA Finals, we lost Houston in Game Seven and so I just have a lot of memories of playing with Doc Rivers and Patrick Ewing and John Starks and Charles Oakley and Charles Smith and some really good teams and unbelievable coaches that I was able to be around every day.

Tyler Nickel
Q: Can you speak on getting contributions from the entire team? I believe you guys had 40 plus bench points. On both ends of the floor you all brought it tonight. What was the difference?
Nickel: I think it's just going in knowing that we are trying to win but we are playing for showing what we can do, trying to show everybody what we can do, and show how we can help this team in any way possible. So I feel like the energy and effort that you can see with everybody coming off the bench kind of stems from that.

Q: You missed your first couple of threes, but you kept shooting and ended up with your career high. Was that you motivating yourself, or your coaches and teammates? What kept you shooting the ball?
Nickel: Shooters shoot, you know? Everybody has always told me that, so I'm not going to stop shooting after a couple of misses. If I get a good look, I'm going to shoot it.

Q: What does it mean to you to have this signature first moment with the Tar Heels.
Nickel: I mean, it was great. I think the best thing about it though was all my teammates being happy for my successes as well. That is one of the things about this team. Everybody is always so happy when other people do well. So there is just such a positive energy about everything.

Dontrez Styles
Q: What do you think it was that finally got you the opportunity you had tonight?
Styles: Just being more consistent in practice. That's the biggest thing. Every day just showing what I can do. Not every other day, but every day trying to be the best.

Q: For you guys as a whole, how important is it to have a little bit more of that depth. Obviously not just you, but Tyler had a good night, Jalen getting a couple more minutes. How important is that going to be for you guys this season?
Styles: I feel like we're a special group. One through 15, we all can play, even the walk-ons. Creighton Lebo, he's tough, he gives us trouble in practice on the scout team. So one through 15, we've all got good chemistry, we all can hoop. It's good having that depth, man.

Caleb Love
Q- "Tyler had a lot of open looks while you were on the court and you fed him for a lot of those. What kind of player is he and what kind of confidence do you have in him that if you give him an open look he's going to knock it down?"
Love- "He's got the most confidence on the team. He thinks every shot is going in."

Q- "More than you?"
Love- "Yeah for sure. Anytime I see him on the court I'm looking for him because he can shoot the ball and he does have that confidence. He's not afraid of any moment so once he got those looks he was knocking them down."

Q- "How much of it is you guys just focusing on you and not so much the other team? Playing to a standard, the good, the great, that maybe you guys weren't playing to earlier?"
Love- "It's definitely a factor for us not to just think about us but to think about the bigger picture. As far as you know, the good, the greatest passes help defense so once we buy into all of that you see us working on the court."

Q- "You were pretty open last week about saying you guys needed that [losses]. Do you think what we've seen these past two games is a result of kind of accepting what happened and having to do something about it?"
Love- "Yeah for sure. I feel like with anything you're going to go through some adversity or you're going to go through a bump in the road, and once you go through that it's going to build character. Once you go through it it's amazing to see what you will see when you get to the point you want to get to and say 'we just did that."

Armando Bacot
Q- "What did it mean to get that standing ovation for most double digit rebound games?"
Bacot- "It was great. It was a testament of my hard work and, I guess a lot of missed shots. My freshman year, we didn't make a lot of shots, or my sophomore year, really. So I think that really helped my stats."

Q- "What does it mean to be number one in that category now?"
Bacot- "It's great. It's something I never would have ever imagined if you would've told me anything as a kid. It's just great. I'm excited to have it."

Q- "Caleb said that Tyler Nickel has the most confidence on the team. Is that what you think?"
Bacot- "Nah. Caleb said that? That's crazy to think. I don't know about that one. He does have a lot of confidence. I would say probably he's second on the team. Caleb be trippin' on that."

Q- What was your impression on Tyler Nickel's performance?
Bacot- "I think he missed the first two and to just keep shooting and not be hesitant to shoot. Shooting is something that we need. He made shots. It's great that he finally got in the game and play for a long time and be able to play through those mistakes in a low-pressure game."

Pete Nance
Q- "Coach Davis cleared the bench too. How important is that morale-wise to get everybody moving?"
Nance- "It was awesome. Those guys work so hard and to see them get an opportunity is awesome. To see their hard work pay off. The 'Biscuit Boys,' they do a great job of preparing us for the games and as far as game planning goes, they do such a great job so it was great to see them get out there and see their hard work pay off. It's a tough position they're in but we are all so happy that they get to be in there."

Q- "Nickel, is he that good at shooting? He did well tonight."
Nance- "Man, he can shoot that ball. He's got the ultimate green light. We see what he does every day in practice so tonight was really no surprise to any of us. Just continue to encourage him to keep shooting because it can get hot as you saw tonight."

Q- "Tough schedule coming up, Ohio State, Michigan. Your thought and how well you guys are going to have to play to win those games?"
Nance- "Yeah those are two really good teams. We're excited though. Obviously, it is going to be really fun to play at the Garden and Michigan is a team I've played a lot in my career so just excited to be able to play those guys and excited for practice on Thursday. We're just really excited for them."

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University of North Carolina Athletics

Players Mentioned

Armando Bacot

Creighton Lebo

Caleb Love

Pete Nance

Tyler Nickel

Dontrez Styles

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