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 Friday, March 10
Inside the Locker Room: Kenny Inge
 
 March 10, 2000

We knew Virginia would make a run tonight because they are a good team, but when they did we didn't start pouting, we just kept playing. We covered each other and we went back to what was working well and we weathered the storm.

Inside the Locker Room
Throughout Championship Week, ESPN.com and FANSonly.com are presenting an inside look into the ACC tournament from some of the league's top players, including Kenny Inge of North Carolina State. For more on the ACC, visit the conference's official web site.

We came in at halftime and didn't really talk about losing the big lead. We were still up by nine and we just wanted to hold it. We stuck to the game plan and pulled away.

The key to tonight's victory was keeping them off the glass. We made some good stops too and they got some rebounds, but when we kept them off the glass, that's when we made our runs.

We knew we had to match their intensity or they would have blown us out of the gym. In order to play a team like Virginia, you have to fight tooth and nail. I think everyone on our team knew that from our starters to the people coming off the bench. That's what pushed us over the edge.

It was real important that I personally get going like this, but as a team we did a real good job. My knee's been hurting for the last few days, but this is the ACC tournament, so you just suck it up. For me to have a game like this, it really lifts my spirits and now I think I am ready to go and move on.

I can't tell you how much it helps to have Ron Kelley back in there. He helps the team so much. Just having him in there brings a whole different presence. Me and Damon (Thornton), we bring certain things to the table, but when he gets in there it's a bigger body, he's got post moves, plus he can shoot. He just opens everything up for the whole team.

We really haven't thought much about our last lost to Maryland since it happened. Now that everybody is going to be bringing it up, I remember the bad taste I had in my mouth after that game. We feel good heading into this game with Maryland, because the last two games we have played a full 40 minutes and are pressuring real well. We just need to keep our composure this time. Rebounding will be the key. We need to keep Lonny Baxter off the boards and that's the biggest thing.
 



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