ATLANTIC COAST CONFERENCE MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

March 10, 2021

Walker Kessler

North Carolina Tar Heels

Postgame Press Conference

North Carolina 101, Notre Dame 59

Q. I'm just sort of wondering were you aware late in the game there that you had set an ACC Tournament record for blocks?

WALKER KESSLER: I was not, no. I was not aware.

Q. When you hear that, what's sort of the first reaction?

WALKER KESSLER: You know, I guess it really hasn't settled in that much because I've always just blocked shots in high school. I'm sure later tonight when I'm laying in bed it'll settle in, I'm sure.

Q. What's the key to being a good shot blocker? You're pretty freaking tall, but other than that, what goes into it and your strategy blocking those shots?

WALKER KESSLER: Yeah, you stole my answer. I would say height has a big thing to do with it, obviously. I would say discipline, staying down, timing. Yeah, but height is probably the biggest factor for sure.

Q. Obviously you were close to a triple-double, which has only been done, if I'm not mistaken, two other times in Carolina's history. Was there any chance you would lobby Coach Williams to stay in to try and get two more blocks or did you not even know where your total was when you came out of the game?

WALKER KESSLER: If I wanted to sleep tonight in my bed, probably shouldn't have said anything to Coach, so I didn't. No, I mean, I wasn't really concerned about it. I was just happy to get the win.

Q. I believe you're technically right-handed but is there something about -- those blocked shots with your left hand, it seems like you're more comfortable measuring guys or going up with your left and blocking it. How does that work out for you with the left hand?

WALKER KESSLER: I just -- I don't really think about it, I just go get the ball. I guess there's a tendency of my left hand blocking more. I didn't really notice that, but good on you to catch that because I didn't.

Q. What was the mentality going into today's game knowing that Garrison was questionable? Armando said all three of you guys just looked at each other and said communication, which is what Garrison brings. You needed to step up. What was the process to get ready for tonight?

WALKER KESSLER: Yeah, I would agree Garrison is a very good communicator. He's a leader, he's a vet, very skilled player. And even without him -- with him we have the best front court in the nation by far, easily, and without him we all kind of understood that we've got to step up a little bit, like not one person has to do it by themselves. If we all step up a little bit, we can slightly make up for Garrison's absence, even though obviously we're not as good if Garrison is out.

Q. You almost had nine if a couple calls go a different way because you got the goaltending and then the 24-second violation that you kind of touched right as the buzzer is going. If you can redo that, any chance you want those back? I don't know what the record in an ACC Tournament game is, but I'm guessing nine probably sets it.

WALKER KESSLER: Yeah, that would be nice, but I'm not really too concerned about it. I just want to go win the tournament. That's the only thing I've got on my mind.

Q. I asked Day’Ron a similar question a few minutes ago, but obviously it's a big win for you guys tonight, but quick turnaround, Virginia Tech tomorrow night. Just kind of your thoughts on that and when the focus shifts for you to tomorrow night?

WALKER KESSLER: Yeah, Coach in the locker room said celebrate this win until midnight and after that, quick turnaround, got to get ready for the next game. And Virginia Tech is a very good team, so we've got to be ready.