North Carolina
Ryan: We've got a team full of resilient guys
Cormac Ryan speaks to the media after an 86-70 win over Radford.
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Cormac Ryan speaks to the media after an 86-70 win over Radford.
Just, you know, give some fire and provide some energy in that way and, you know, it was, it was good. We hung in there and we were able to get it done. We've put a lot of togetherness and the chemistry you guys have had. But when you're trailing at home, that kind of gets put through the test a little bit. How do you feel that the response to that? I thought it was great. I thought it was great. I mean, we've got a team full of really resilient guys. Um You know, I was proud of the way we competed. Um And, and got out and, and listen, you're, we play Carolina, you're going to get everyone's punch, Radford's a good team. Um And so, you know, we got our feet under us, we were able to bounce back and I think it's, it's great, you know, early in the season to get tested at home show, how, you know, you can respond to adversity. And we did a good job tonight. You had that ice in the veins moment there with the crowd going crazy. I think it was in the second half. What was that, like for you, your first game here? Yeah, it was good. It was good. I think Harrison made a great pass across the court. Um, you know, I was able to knock down the three and usually I make threes and Dean Dome, everyone's booing, but now, uh it was good to hear the crowd on my side. So, um I was, I'm, I'm glad the shot went down. I think that was, you know, a good stretch for us in the second half. And so, you know, like I said that second half, we were able to kind of tighten up the screws on defense and that made a big difference, kind of being able to extend that lead. When I talked to you, you said one of the things that people I know different about your game here, the catch and shoot how so many of your shots were off the dribble at Notre Dame. You guys have a lot of dudes like this value having so many. It's super valuable. I mean, the three, the three point line, the three ball is, is a huge weapon and it will be a huge weapon for us. Um And then listen, when you're playing with the best big in the country and Armando Bacot, that's a, it's a great, you know, kind of dual threat to have guys who can shoot, catch and shoot, I think early in the first half, Armando kind of kicked one out to Elliott extra pass to me. Like that's, uh, it's hard to guard because he needs a lot of attention down there. Or else he's gonna go for 25 and 13 and, you know, as a shooter that's, that's all you can ask for is, you know, being, being with a guy who's a willing passer. Um, the whole team is, is willing passers and then being able to knock down shots. Oh, yeah, it's good. I got a lot less, I got some less bloody noses and not a lot of, not any bruises from him, but it's, uh, it's great. I mean, he's obviously had a tremendous game. We're gonna be seeing that from him all year. Um So, you know, I'm proud of the way he played and he gave us a big lift, given the path that you get to this point. Any, any emotions, any thoughts we have. Yeah, I'm, I'm excited, man. I'm blessed. I'm, I'm glad to, you know, still be a part of, of such a special program, such a special sport. Um I love playing basketball. It's a game I love and so anytime I get a chance to do it, I'm super excited. So running out of the tunnel, you know, I'm, I'm really excited for this season and, uh, you know, there's not a, not a better group, I'd wanna, you know, play my last season with Radford, gave the Irish game last year, three point game last year. Did, did you warn the guys at all tonight about that? We knew, we knew Radford was a good team. They won 21 games last year. So, you know, we were expecting, you know, to be in a, in a little bit of a dogfight. You know, they're gonna have a good year this year in their league. Uh, they've got a lot of good players, um, and listen, when you play for Carolina, you get everyone's best shot. And so we weren't surprised, I think, you know, we, we would have liked to defend a little better in the first half, but it happens and, you know, I'm proud of the way we responded in the second half.