“He kind of got it out of me this summer,” Johnson said. “I never really talked to my teammates really (on the court)…

“He’s just real; he’s going to keep it real with you, no matter what. If he’s telling you something bad or something good, he’s going to keep it real.”

Wednesday’s game was as real as it gets, facing top-10 caliber opponent that makes its name on hard-nosed defense and hustle.

If there was ever a night for raw emotions, it was in a fast-paced streetfight that saw the teams combine for 35 fouls, 47 turnovers and 18 steals.

It was frenetic and physical, fast and furious; everything that Keatts wants out of his program, and down the stretch, everything he wanted out of his point guard as Johnson scored 19 points in the second half.

In all, it was his fifth time scoring 15 or more points this season — something Keatts is encouraging. No doubt, Johnson’s defense is key for the Wolfpack, but the coach would like him looking for his shot, too.

“I want Markell to stay aggressive,” Keatts said. “I think he’s got a chance to be one of the best guards in the country when he stays aggressive, and for me, that’s on both ends of the floor.”