An interview with Mason Plumlee after the Wake Forest win
You had that reverse dunk – It was a big momentum play and got the crowd excited. Do you have eyes in the back of your head to see the rim on a play like that?
No, Jon was telling me I kept missing layups so I decided to just dunk it. When you turn around they are more ready to block your shot so I figured I could sneak around them for the reverse.
I’ve come in for some pretty late-night workouts including last night and spotted you working out and getting shots up. Some of the guys in interviews say you are the team’s biggest gym rat. It’s rare to see a freshman come in from day one with such a great work ethic. Where does that come from?
I think spending time in the gym especially before games helps me stay focused. So the night before, I am thinking only about the game. I figure if I am in the gym, I can only be making progress. It helps and it is just where I want to be.
You seem to be playing your best basketball just as the season is getting tougher. Is that part of your natural progression as a freshman or are you stepping up your game for the tough ACC opponents?
The margin for error is slimmer when you play better teams so you almost have to step it up or else you won’t win. Everything just feels better when it’s a more competitive environment and you aren’t beating teams by 30 or 40.
In the first half, Kyle, Jon and Nolan weren’t scoring at their usual rate but the Plumlee brothers were dominating the paint, dunking, rebounding and making big plays (and you continued the strong play for 40 minutes). What’s that like sharing the big stage with Miles in a big win over Wake Forest?
When he does something well, I feel just as good. I feel even better for him than when I do something. It’s crazy for us. Also, there’s so much attention on Nolan, Kyle and Jon, it opens up rebounds and dunks for us off of passes and penetration. Even when their shots aren’t falling like usual, their presence always plays a big role.
What has been the biggest surprise for you about ACC games?
I didn’t realize how different the ACC was than every other game we played so far. Gonzaga, UConn and Iowa State were big games but the ACC is just different. There are more athletes, it’s faster, more physical. It’s a great conference obviously but I just didn’t expect it to be this much more competitive.
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