Wednesday afternoon, Abdul-Malik Abu was asking N.C. State's assistant coaches whether they thought head coach Kevin Keatts would allow him to play. Abu had missed the Wolfpack's first four games after tearing a ligament in his right knee over the summer, and he was ready to return.
But it wasn't up to him.
“It was definitely coach's decision,” Abu said. “I was waiting on the big honcho to let me loose.”
“I asked the trainer right before the game, 'How did he look in warmups”'” Keatts said. “I don't know if he was good or bad, but he said he was good, so I decided to play him tonight.