March 10, 2002

Recap | Box Score

2002 ACC Tournament on TheACC.com | All-ACCess

Duke Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski:
Opening statement: "I just want to congratulate Wake Forest. They played a sensational game. They are such a veteran, good team. Each of these kids (Mike Dunleavy, Carlos Boozer, Chris Duhon) made huge contributions, but so did our freshman, Daniel Ewing. His two threes were unbelievable, as was Carlos's (Boozer) rebounding, keeping balls alive. Chris's (Duhon) overall floor game was sensational. Mike (Dunleavy) had such a great first half and had us in position where we could have had a big lead. But we kind of squandered it towards the end of the first half."

On developing other players: "Our guys are trained to play a good number of minutes. I've never met a really good player who wanted to be taken out. Our guys are ok. They like to play ball. The TV time outs are so long you should get enough rest in between. And you are getting them ready for the NCAA's."

On N.C. State: "We have a very important game tomorrow. Our thoughts are only on what we are going to do tomorrow. We are playing a great team. N.C. State is having as good of a year as a team can have thus far. They have amazing leadership by those two seniors - Grundy and Miller. I admire them ultimately for what they have done."

Mike Dunleavy
On today's style of game compared to last evening's versus North Carolina: "I think that because we were playing up and down yesterday that we were really excited to come out and play a more traditional style of basketball. I think that is why you saw us early in the first half playing like we did. I guess that is why we came out so fired up today."

Carlos Boozer
On N.C. State offense: "I think they are a very talented team. They run a lot of cuts on offense and they are very athletic. I think we have to focus in on our defense. We need to limit them to one shot and then rebound. We just need to stay focused on the game."

On his foul trouble: "I just have to keep playing. I can't worry about my third foul since it is a big game and they (Wake Forest) are a great team. If I worry about my third foul then I will end up getting my fourth and fifth. I just have to keep playing aggressive and attacking."

Chris Duhon
On N.C. State offense: "They have a great offense. Everybody touches the ball. They make back door cuts and have great shooters. You can't over-help on one person. We have to stay focused, continue to communicate on the defensive end and good things will come to us."

Wake Forest Head Coach Skip Prosser:
Opening Statement: "Hopefully we can open this press conference better than we opened the game. It doesn't help to play Duke and go down 27-7 at the start. I was proud of the way our kids battled back-especially when we made a little bit of a run with three freshmen on the floor. They're very, very good, that spurt they had in the second half just buried us. Once we got down, we couldn't come back from it and I give Duke credit for that."

On zone defense: "I thought the zone helped us, but ultimately they're going to make shots. And, again, once they spurted, we were in trouble."

On whether Josh Howard's injury is a new one: "You'd have to ask the medical staff about that. Playing back to back nights didn't help. I think the most important thing is to focus on rejuvenation. We're on Spring Break this week, so I think our total focus can be on the national tournament and getting healthy mentally and physically to get ready for the national tournament. Josh's recovery would certainly be a part of that."