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Cormac ryan Coverage

The round two matchup between North Carolina and Michigan State in the NCAA Tournament is known by some as the "Kevin Guskiewicz game." Guskiewicz, who previously served as the chancellor of North Carolina, has started his new role as the president of Michigan State University.

Connections in UNC's next tournament game go straight to the top

North Carolina will have a favorable first-round game against a 16-seed. However, the Tar Heels have a difficult path to the Final Four, which includes a possible Elite Eight game against Arizona and former UNC guard Caleb Love.

UNC's path to the Final Four could feature a familiar face

RJ Davis and his UNC teammates

Cormac Ryan had 14 pts in the 92-67 win vs. Florida State

What sparked it first. It was our defense. I think we really ratcheted up our pressure. We were physical, we got every rebound and I think that defense is always how you start runs because in order to build a lead, you, you can't be trained in baskets. So we guarded really well towards the end of the half, got out in transition, got some easy ones and built a little bit of a lead and hold on to it when you, when you guys play at a level like this, how much, how much fun is it because you guys having a great time out there? Yeah, it's super fun. I mean, we, we love playing together always in the close ones in the, in the not so close ones tonight was fun and we want to have more fun tomorrow. You guys just, what was the key? I think just being physical. I mean, we've got a lot of guys who are talented rebounders. Um But at the end of the day, it just comes down to crashing the glass actually putting in the effort and going and then just being physical, we got a lot of defensive and a lot of offensive boards, sitting around watching and waiting for this game, how hard it was watching the team play and you guys weren't playing. We were just preparing and we've been preparing. We didn't know who we were playing until yesterday, which obviously is a little tricky. But once we found out we in on our personnel and our scout and we're ready, we're ready to play tonight and we're going to go home and take care of our bodies and come ready to play tomorrow. I was, I was, I was happy to see a couple go down. It's like they're long and athletic. It's sometimes hard to get good looks against them. I think getting out in transition helped us and we knocked out some shots.

Ryan: We were physical, we got every rebound

Cormac Ryan

Carolina has players that have grown and developed in Chapel Hill like RJ Davis and Armando Bacot, but this team wouldn't be complete without sixth year player Cormac Ryan.  Ryan is a two-time transfer and will only be able to play here one season, but it's already been an impactful one.  WRAL's Pat Welter sat down with Ryan to discuss his growing legacy, NYC roots and the haters.  

Welter: Cormac Ryan has already cemented a place in Carolina history and he's not done yet

WRAL's Pat Welter sits down with UNC guard Cormac Ryan to discuss his growing legacy, NYC roots, and the haters.  

And now they clear aside Ryan, what is his night? Six made threes for Cormac Ryan. So, Cormack, as you sit here today, do you think transferring to UN C was everything you hoped it would be? Absolutely. Absolutely. It's been a really amazing experience so far. Is Ryan people talk about your age a lot 25. I kind of feel like Armando Bacot likes the fact that you're older than he is. Yeah, I think he does too. I mean, we, we clicked from the, from the very beginning. Obviously, I played against him for a long time. I asked him if he thought you acted old. What do you think? He said he acts old? I'll say that he, he definitely does a lot of true stuff too. I don't know. I think he, I think he would say, yeah, but I also think like I've, I've got a lot of life and, and zest to me, like a little, a little youthful side for sure. And a great look ahead for Ryan. He will lay it in. I'm gonna talk to your parents in a couple of days. What kind of influence did they have on you, uh, they're, they're amazing, you know, I'm truly blessed to have, you know, a mom and dad who are just like the most supportive, loving, caring people in the world. Both of them played basketball. Both of them are tremendous athletes. I played soccer at Yale, um, where I went to college so I played, uh, Yale basketball. I played college basketball and love that. Cormick is the second of our five Children and, um, they were all sort of born and raised in downtown Manhattan. We grew up playing, you know, in Park Leagues, going up, you know, playing in the Bronx, playing in Harlem, playing in Brooklyn. Our parish church, Saint Anthony's on Houston Street had a school attached to it with a gym and father Joe, who was the pastor gave us the key to the gym. No doubt, the key to the Saint Anthony's gym was probably the most prized possession in the Ryan family. You go there after, after dark and, uh, shoot hoops into the wee hours of the morning Ryan with a steal and a chance for three. When you first got here, I started hearing some stories from some of the other players about your temper. I was, he's, he's psychotic. I love, I just love to play, I love to play hard. Um I feel like part of the reason I'm able to compete at this level is I work really hard, but I also have like AAA very serious competitive streak in me. Wow, Matt Ryan for three, the internet and social media, not always the healthiest environment for, for an athlete, but I feel like you're the kind of guy that, that could dish it back when needed. So I'm gonna read a couple of tweets that I found of some fans uh saying some things to you if that's OK. Yeah. How the beep is Cormac Ryan still playing in college? Dude Is a grandpa. I mean, listen, that's uh that's old material. I like this one. I will not hate tweet, Cormac Ryan. I will not hate tweet. Cormac Ryan. I will not hate tweet. Cormac Ryan. That's good. That's good. I think that uh he's fighting his urges now you must have hit some shots after he sent that tweet, he or she because the next one was, I'm sorry, Cormac Ryan, I'm sorry, Cormac Ryan, I'm sorry, Cormac Ryan and Cormac Ryan knocks down his third three the game. So you enjoy shutting people up. I do. I mean, I, I like again, I'm a, I'm a competitive guy. I've kind of been an underdog of sorts for my whole life and that's something that I take a lot of pride in and hits another one. You made the tournament once in Notre Dame and you go out and score a tourney record for the Irish. How much are you looking forward to getting back there? I can't wait, I can't wait. The, the NCAA tournament is like no other being able to, to get back there with this group is something I, you know, that's, that's why I came to Carolina is, is to win a national championship and to play in the NC A tournament and I couldn't think of a better group to do it with. So we're, we're all really excited.

Cormac Ryan has already cemented a place in Carolina history and he's not finished yet 

An unlikely hero helped North Carolina win at Duke on Saturday, and may have re-released the Blue Devils' dark side. Plus, Panthers fans are mad about free agency, NC State comes up short and more!

The Cormac Ryan Game, Panthers pessimism and a kangaroo stampede in the sports moments of the week

North Carolina's Cormac Ryan

UNC tops Duke in Battle of the Blues at Cameron Indoor Stadium

North Carolina's Cormac Ryan during the Tar Heels' 84-79 win at Duke on Saturday, March 9, 2024 at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, NC.  (Photo by Jack Morton)

North Carolina's Cormac Ryan prior to the Tar Heels' 84-79 win at Duke on Saturday, March 9, 2024, at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, NC.  (Photo by Jack Morton)

North Carolina's Cormac Ryan during the Tar Heels' 84-79 win at Duke on Saturday, March 9, 2024, at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, NC.  (Photo by Jack Morton)

Cormac Ryan had career-high 31 points for North Carolina. The Tar Heels beat the Duke Blue Devils, 84-79.

DUKE IS STILL A REALLY, REALLY GOOD TEAM. I THANK YOU, CARLY. LET'S GO. NOW. ALL WE SEE CASEY HANSEN PAT WELTER OUT THERE. GUYS. THIS WAS A TOUGH, TOUGH GAME ALL THE WAY AROUND. >> YEAH, WELL, JULIAN, IT ALWAYS IS RIGHT DAY TO CAROLINA DOESN'T EVER DISAPPOINT. BUT BETWEEN THESE 2 GAMES IS A CREDIBLE TAR HEELS LED ALL BUT JUST 16 SECONDS BETWEEN BOTH OF THESE 2 IN BOTH MEETINGS TONIGHT, THOUGH, THE DIFFERENCE FOR DUKE IS JUST THE LACK OF CONNECTIVITY ON OFFENSE. JUST LET IT GET AWAY FROM JUST A LITTLE TOO MUCH AT NIGHT TO REMEMBER LAST TIME THEY PLAN TO SHOP. WILL JOHN SHIRE CALLED OUT TO FOR THEIR LACK OF COMPETITIVENESS IN THAT GAME? I DON'T THINK. >> THAT WAS THE PROBLEM HERE TONIGHT FOR UNC. DEFINITELY THROUGH THE PARK FIRST PUNCH. THEY GOT OUT HOT AND THEY DID NOT LOOK BACK. LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THE HIGHLIGHTS HERE FROM CAMERON INDOOR STADIUM COACH K WAS IN THE HOUSE. I HAD A LITTLE BIT PLAYING HURT A LITTLE BIT OF A CAST ON HIS FOOT THERE. BUT UNC GOT OUT HOT FOR MATT RYAN FROM THE START. HE SCORED 28 POINTS HERE WHEN HE PLAYED FOR NOTRE DAME. HOW ABOUT A CAREER HIGH? >> 31 AND THIS ONE A GAME WAS ABOUT WITHIN 10 FOR MOST OF IT. BUT TO START THE 2ND HALF KYLE THROUGH A HOUSE KEY PUT TO CONNER ONE KC WITH THEN UNC TURN IT ON THE REST. THE WAIT. >> FOR MATT RYAN, 6, 3 POINTERS. THIS ONE IS THE DAGGER HAVING A DUKE FLOOR SLEPT THERE TO IN THIS ONE IS CAROLINA GOES ON TO WIN. IF THEY ALSO WIN THE ACC REGULAR SEASON TITLE OUTRIGHT. 84 79, THE FINAL. >> BUT WE WERE LOCKED IN. WE'VE GOT OFF TO A REALLY GOOD START UP THAT WE WERE TIED IN DEFENSIVELY. I THOUGHT. OBVIOUSLY WE'RE MAKING SHOTS, BUT I REALLY LIKED OUR PIECE IS REALLY THE STORY. THE WHOLE GAME FOR ME. YOU KNOW, THEY CAME OUT AND GOT A 15 POINT LEAD. >> WE ALL SCORE THE REST THE GAME. YOU KNOW, YOU KIND OF TO WON THE START OF THE 2ND HALF IN. I THOUGHT JUST FOR US, WE DIDN'T TAKE. WE TOOK SOME TOUGH SHOTS IN THE TOUGH SHOTS LED TO THEIR RUN ELSE IN TRANSITION. >> YEAH, UNC JUST KNOWN FOR THEIR DEFENSE ALL SEASON. CASEY, FOR THEM, IT'S BEEN ABOUT DEFENSE, REBOUNDING ENERGY AND EFFORT. THEY CERTAINLY BROUGHT IN THIS ONE TONIGHT. >> TALK ABOUT EFFORT, JOHN SCHOYER AFTER THIS GAME WALKS OVER TO THE STUDENT SECTION. HE TOLD THEM I'M SORRY, WE'RE GOING TO GET THINGS TURNED AROUND. WE'LL GET BACK TO IT MONDAY AS THEY GET READY FOR NOW. THE ACC TOURNAMENT COMING UP IN DC LATER THIS WEEK.

Cormac Ryan's career night fuels North Carolina's 84-79 win over Duke

North Carolina discusses how Louisville was able to cut the large Tar Heel lead to 5 points in the second half and how the team responded.

We definitely relax a little bit and you look up as a five point game and in games like this, you know, Louisville is a good, good ball club in order to, you know, come back into games like we did today. So, um, we definitely took our foot off the gas and didn't really, um, do I know there was a couple of stretches where we had bad shots and bad turnovers and wasn't really playing defense, um, not get grabbing rebounds so little stuff like that, we just got remain for a full 40 minutes. I think that's what the next step for us to be great. Um, I know we do a good job of doing it for 20 but it's all about the second half. So we got to combine a full 40 minutes for, in order for us to get to the next step. I know we could be definitely, every game won't be good. It's gonna be, it's a game of run, especially at this level and we just got to stay focused and we responded and that's all that matters. Well, I know how it got to 5550. We weren't playing any defense. We were in the huddle. I, I told them, I said they're shooting 90% from the field. I said, that's hard to do that by yourself in the gym with nobody guarding you. I said that this is the reason why they're in this position is because our lack of commitment on the defensive end. I said, if you want things to change, then we're gonna have to defend, we're gonna defend without foul and we're gonna have to rebound the basketball. But one of the things that I always tell the team is, you know, whether something good or bad happens, it, the only thing you really have control over is how you react and how you respond. And so when they cut it to five, I loved how we reacted and how we responded, we got stops, we didn't put them on the free throw line, we rebounded the basketball. Um, we got good shots on the offensive end, got to the free throw line, got into the penalty and, um, we played the type of basketball that got us an 18 point lead in the first half and then we were able to extend the lead and, and come away with the win mistakes, especially right out of the gate. I think we came out a little bit, um, lackadaisical and, you know, that's something that hasn't been the case in the past games in the past couple of games. And, you know, it's something we just got to remember is important is coming out hungry and, uh, playing with energy, especially at halftime. Yeah, I can't have that lull and, and mental errors and stuff like that. But, you know, we, we know what we need to work on and it wasn't anything new. It was just, you know, we had some, you know, miss assignments.

Hubert Davis   "We weren't playing any defense"

UNC coach Hubert Davis

Cormac Ryan speaks to the media ahead of a matchup with NC State

When, uh, you've played NC State before, obviously in your career. But like, what do you think it, it, it will be different tomorrow night over there, obviously? Like, what, what have you experienced before? And what do you think you'll experience, uh, tomorrow? Yeah, I mean, I've, obviously, I've had a lot of history in this league, you know, Planet C State at Notre Dame. I've heard it's different than playing at, at Carolina. Um, and so, um, you know, I'm expecting a, a great atmosphere, you know, and, uh, a fun game. Ok. On the note of the repos, see drizzle, tell me about that nickname. Uh, that's just, uh, that's something Harrison just kind of came up with and, you know, I love Harrison. He's got a lot of energy and so he's always kinda, you know, giving it light and he, uh, he gave me that nickname. All right, a slightly more serious question. Uh, Bacot was saying that today's practice, he was going to kind of talk to some of the newer guys, the transfers about what the NC State rivalry means to him into the program. Um, did he do that? And if so what did he share? Uh, I haven't spoken to him yet so we'll see kind of what his thoughts are. So, what is your expectation relatively like? Uh, you know, I mean, it's a, it's an important game for us, you know, we're three nil in the league, they're three nil in the league. Um, you know, we want to continue our, the way we've been playing, you know, playing physical, playing, you know, a lot of, you know, rebounding basketball. Well, um, and, you know, we wanna win this game and for a lot of reasons, but if none other than to just move to four in o in this league and stay in thee as far as the atmosphere goes. Have you, uh, experienced an environment where you're caught a lot of a, or unfortunately, I play a lot of basketball. I play a lot of college basketball. I've seen, uh, some of the greatest college basketball environments. So, you know, I, uh, I'm excited for it. I love playing in, in loud and rocks environments. So we'll see, uh, we'll see what they got K here, obviously, you know, as an offensive player or as a team on offense, you can get into a rhythm, you can get hot, you can sort of, you know, a tear. Do you think the same also applies for a defense? Because, I mean, defensively the last couple of games, it seems like you've been able to take it to a to another level and, and, you know, that's what's helped you win these games. Can you get hot defensively also? Yeah, absolutely. I mean, I think, uh, I think you can, um, and I think a lot of that is, um, it starts with preparation, obviously, it starts with kind of how you practice, how you prepare for a team, um, whether that's personnel, whether that's scouting and then a lot of it is just the mindset, you know, and, and that, that hunger, that desire to play defense, um that is something that similar to, you know, shots going in and making you feel confident, you know, you get a lot of stops in a row, you feel really confident and it kind of frustrates the other team, it upsets them, it disrupts them. Um and you can kind of build momentum off that. And so that's kind of how runs are built, you know, largely on defense, obviously, shots go in, but you gotta get stops to kind of go along with making shots and, you know, the more we can do that, I think the more successful that after uh last game Hubert was talking about how he liked some of the dialogue that was going on during one of the time notes, how a lot of you guys were facilitating that, uh I guess for you, how do you guys kind of embraced the, you know, things like those encore conversations uh amongst each other? Yeah. I mean, we've got AAA pretty experienced group and we've got a lot of guys who played a lot of basketball. Um, you know, myself, Armando RJ Harrison J Wit Pack, you know, like guys who are, you know, old veterans, you know, who have a lot of perspective, who've been in situations, you know, basically every situation you can imagine and so kind of being able to, to speak up and give our feedback to coach and, and to each other about what we're seeing and what we're feeling out there. I think that's a real strength um for us. And that's something that I think coach Davis has encouraged from us, especially the older guys to kind of step up and, and speak up when they think they, you know, see something or wanna make an adjustment or even just to, you know, get guys going. And so that's something that I feel really comfortable doing. I know a lot of other guys do too. And so continuing to do that in huddles on the court, you know, wherever possible is, is gonna be good for us. And then just a quick follow up that he was also saying today that, you know, he's, he's kind of noticed it happening a little bit more often, you know, maybe kind of the last few games. Would you kinda say that you guys have grown, I guess, more comfortable and, you know, kind of facilitating that as you guys have gotten to know each other a little bit better. Yeah. I mean, I think we, I, I think it's less so about knowing each other or feeling comfortable. I think we've always felt comfortable with each other. Um, and we've always been really close group, I think, you know, maybe the, in the last few games we've been on the road. And so I think being in those environments, um, you know, that kind of forces you to play with a certain edge play with, uh you know, a little bit more toughness, more hunger than maybe you, you would have at home. Um You kinda have to have that mentality on the road, especially in the AC C. So I think that could have something to do with. It seems like the group is having a lot of fun. How much does that have to do with most of you guys coming off, frustrating seasons last year wherever you were playing? Yeah, I mean, I think that's part of it, obviously, you know, everyone loves to win and everyone loves to be a part of, you know, successful teams. And so the more we do that, I think the more you'll see us smiling and I don't think that's a surprise. Um But I think we also just have a really good blend of personalities. You know, we've been saying that all year, I think this group is really connected um on and off the court and I think that's a huge strength for us. Um You know, it's, it's something that I've experienced throughout my entire life playing team sports is when you have that chemistry. Um You genuinely like the guys you're with, uh that translates like it literally translates to on the court play. Uh because, you know, you have a certain level of trust, you have a certain level of accountability and leadership, um especially, you know, when things get with, get tough. Um And that's what matters most. You, you tweak an ankle in the clip and how is it, was it the same ankle? And it is? Have you gotten the password? Hurt your lip on, on the junction? Yeah, it was the same ankle. Um Kind of one of the one of the tough things about playing a, a long college basketball season is if you get an injury, it's, you know, it's hard to get it back to 100% and so little re tweaks like that will happen. Uh It's something I've dealt with before. Um And so it's feeling good, Hubert, you just mentioned trust Hubert was talking about trust earlier when we talked, talked to him here a few minutes ago and he said he showed you guys an example of that in, in the NBA about some guys that were trusting each other and some of those comments on the defensive end. Can you sort of elaborate on the difference between being in a unit where you guys trust each other implicitly on the floor as opposed to maybe when there's not as much trust. Yeah, I mean, the example he uses uh is actually from one of my favorite players of all time is Kevin Garnett. Um I love KG. I love the way he, you know, plays with that fire and that edge. I think he's, you know, one of the best leaders and, and just energy guys of all time and obviously his skills speak for himself, but he talks about the Celtics with Doc Rivers and kind of their philosophy of called like Tu, which is, you know, like one of the, the ways he describes it is, you know, I'm where I to be because I know my teammates where he needs to be. And so it's kind of that chain reaction of being able to trust where your guys are knowing that they have your back and you have their back. Um It's, uh it's a pretty strong force that you can develop in a team. Um And so that's something that we've talked about from the beginning, you know, in the summer and something that we still continue to work on, I think we've got work to do, but it's something we've taken a lot of steps in the right direction towards doing. He went to trust and I'd asked him about maybe a common thread with you guys closing out, Oklahoma Pitt and Clemson and clamping down defensively. And scoring it up. He went to trust and said that's one of the, one of the co components that you guys have used in, in closing those teams out. Is that, is that what you've seen? Is it a matter of when you go out there and you have to clamp down and, and, and make a series of stops, you have to trust the other guys are gonna do their job. Yeah, I think trust is a big part of it. I also think just like hunger is a big part of it too. You gotta really be hungry to get those, those stops, make winning plays. Um, you know, I think being unselfish is a huge part of it and that's not just offensively. I think that's defensively as well. I think that's for guys who are playing or not playing. It's a, it's a team unselfishness of, I'm willing to do what it takes even if it means maybe it's not my turn to shoot, maybe it's not my turn to do this. Um, making those winning plays. Uh, where possible, that's how you win those games. Um, and it might not show up in the stat sheet. It might be, you know, a possession with two minutes, 30 seconds left and not a buzzer beater. But those are the possessions that win games, um, especially tough games, especially row games in terms of closing out those tough games. How nice is it to have someone like RJ, who, you know, you have a lead in the game, pass the ball and foul, he's going the line and you're playing confidence, extra two points. Like, what does that mean in terms of level confidence, like game? Yeah, I mean RJ obviously has been terrific and having a guy like that, you know, who's shooting so well from the line who's scoring the ball at such a great, you know, clip is such a weapon for us. And so, you know, we've got a great free throw shooting team that helps us late game. Um You know, we've got old guys that helps us late game. We've got playmakers, you know, like RJ, who can, you know, get you a basket or, or, you know, get a foul or, you know, do what it takes to kind of seal the deal. Um And so that's, that's something that we, uh, you know, we're fortunate to have them. We're, we're excited to kind of use it on for who I wanted to ask you about Paxson. And this is a dude that went from playing 35 minutes a game last year and 215 points a game to having to pick his spots. I think it's 10 minutes a game off the bench now. Like, how have you seen him navigate that? Not get his head down, keep his head up and be able to be effective like he was at Clemson because there's some huge moments there. Like, what have you seen him go about that. Yeah, I mean, Patton is like, we're, we're talking about trust, we're talking about leadership, we're talking about accountability, like he's all of that and, you know, I think that's a, a big reason why, you know, coach Davis recruited him and brought him here aside from the fact that he's a terrific basketball player and, you know, he's capable of making, hitting huge shots, you know, scoring the ball at a high level, like he can do all that, but he's a tremendous teammate. And that's something that I'm fortunate to have, you know, as a friend, as a teammate. And I know all the other guys that say the same thing. Um, you know, he hasn't flinched, he hasn't blinked once in terms of it's gotta be, you know, me or my shot or this. And um that type of attitude is contagious and, you know, I think, you know, guys like Pat and guys like Zayn, you know, they like coach Davis always talks about like you couldn't tell if they played 40 minutes or zero minutes. Um And I think that goes down the line for the entire group and so, you know, he's been tremendous example. Um but, and, and don't get it twisted like Pax is, is a heck of a ball player and he will make big shots has made big shots and will make more big shots for us. And to that point when you saw the three ball going in the other day, Rainbow over PJ Hall. Uh like, I mean, how did that feel? Uh We, I'll tell you it was no surprise because we've been seeing that every day in practice. He lights guys up. Um And so, you know, we were, I think we were all really thankful that it went in a huge shot. Um And then Seth hit the one right after and, you know, those are guys who we know how good they are. Um And you know, it was, it was no surprise at all. You got more places you guys have scored 100 this year and you've also had games like 6570 points like the last couple. How important is it for this team to prove maybe to itself that you guys can win when it's an up and down game and also when maybe the shooting's not there. Yeah, it's really important. You know, there is a lot that goes into winning a basketball game and sometimes you're scoring the ball at a really high clip. Sometimes you have to win it ugly and defensively and, you know, in the trenches as coach likes to say. Um And so I think the past couple of games have been a good example of how to do that. Um And it gives us confidence, knowing that we can do that and we're not a team that has to rely on scoring 90 or 100 every game that we can win and hold the team to 55 on the road. Um You know, that gives us a lot of confidence in us and our ability. Um And I also think that speaks to, you know, how good of a team we are because, you know, good teams find ways to win. Whether the shot's going down or not. Can you speak a little bit to the three minute drill? And the, I think Huber mentioned a score stop score uh drill that you guys do practice the late game. What's been the impact of that in terms of your confidence in those late game situations? Yeah, I mean, I, I just like the rest of practice, you know, the, the idea and the goal of practice is to prepare you for a game. And so that's one thing uh that we feel is, has been good for us is preparing in late game situations, preparing to get, you know, multiple stops and scores like consecutively build runs. Um And it's, you know, the same thing, we practice ball screen defense, you practice offense, offensive, execution, defensive, excuse you practice all these things because you wanna bring them to the game. And so, uh just like, you know, those other drills or practicing free throws practice and whatever, you know, you wanna practice, putting yourself in a situation where you have to kind of, uh you know, man up and get stops and win games the other day. It comes out o on, on what happened with the, the ankle? Did, did your arm just accidentally clip you on the way down? Because I don't, I don't know if you jumped and challenged it because Jalen was out there too. Right. Like, did he just get a piece of you and trip you up a little inadvertently? Yeah. I mean, I, I've seen the replay. I didn't really know what happened at the time. You know, I, I came down on his foot and just kind of caught an edge and tweaked it. Um, which, like I said, being an already tweaked ankle, it doesn't take much. Um, uh, you know, I don't think there's anything more than that. I think it was kind of a, we were all kind of tight in air space and landed on a foot. Um, I don't even know what the call was. I think it was a no call. Um, or I don't know what it was. You went down to the top. And so I think we did, I mean, me and Jalen did it. We did a good job contesting the shot and, you know, it was unfortunate that I laying on a foot. Thanks. Appreciate to go back. Thank you. We'll see you tomorrow.

Ryan: I've heard playing NC State at Notre Dame is different than at Carolina

Cormac Ryan 

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.

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