Mike Brey Notebook: Seattle

Rick Kimball/ISD Bonzie Colson

Notre Dame cruised to its second win of the season in a 92-49 win over Seattle. Eight players scored for the Irish against a zone defense by the Red Hawks, but it’s that rotation that Brey has really liked early this season.

“What is so neat about this group is I like playing more guys because we still take care of the ball,” Brey said after the win. “A lot of times when you play more than 7 or 8 guys, your balls handling can hurt your assist to turnover ratio. We have a lot of guys that are great with the ball.”

While it’s just two games into the year, Brey is already getting positive results from sophomore Rex Pflueger, who had 12 points off the bench on Wednesday and defensive energy from Austin Torres. TJ Gibbs also chipped in 11 points against Seattle, but it’s the defensive presence of Notre Dame’s first three off the bench that has made life easy for the Irish.

“I love coming with Rex and Torres on the perimeter and as a big sub,” explained Brey. “TJ comes in to get in there and help us handle the ball. One of the things that has helped us defensively is keeping a fresh point guard to pick up the other team up ¾ court and to zig-zag them.

“I think has helped our half-court defense. We have worn a point guard down a little bit by keeping a fresh guy in to zig-zag.”

Against Seattle, sophomore sharp-shooter Matt Ryan hit three three-pointers and finished with nine points off the bench. Ryan is a guy Brey will look to get in the game more and more, as he gets healthy from a stress reaction in his foot.

“Matt Ryan, we have to get him in the game,” stated Brey. “He had two great days of practice and it really carried over. He is such a weapon for us and we need him. Then you’re looking at Burns and Mooney if you go that far.

“Some day’s I am on the Burn train and other days I am on the Mooney train. They have four years of eligibility and great attitudes. We have to keep them engaged because we will need them both. That’s kind of how we substitute.”

Leadership

One area Brey isn’t worried about this year is leadership. It took some time for Demetrius Jackson and Zach Auguste to get comfortable leading the team a year ago, but this year’s group hit the ground running.

“I thought it’d move quicker than last year’s group,” Brey said. “Given the makeup, especially the three captains, they were very ready to take over. Bonzie (Colson) was ready to be a voice. I’d even throw (Austin) Torres and Matt Farrell in there, even though they aren’t captains. They really lead and these guys have been around and in the program.

“We have a group of older guys that have really set a great tone. It’s a mature group. There is no drama man. They play and come in and work. It’s a group you feel good about taking through the next five months.

“We can take punches and we will take punches this year. They are all tough enough to hang in there.”

Farrell

Speaking of Farrell, the point guard is coming into his own, as he had 13 points and four assists against Seattle. However, Gibbs is right on his heels, but for now, Brey is rolling with the junior.

“I don’t think you can play around with that especially with how he delivered for us in March,” Brey explained. “He needed to know in June that this is his team. He and I are starting to develop more of a relationship that I have had with my guards. We have more room to grow and communicate, but I think he needs to be the guy.

“You love bringing TJ in because there is energy, he defends and he makes tough plays. I also like having them in together sometimes. There will be situations that them playing together is pretty good.”

D

Notre Dame held Seattle to just 29% from the field on Wednesday and the Red Hawks leading scorer entered the game scoring 19.5 points per game. However, Brendan Westendorf didn’t score 19 points at Purcell Pavilion, as he finished 0 for 8 from the field with 0 points on the night.

Brey feels his team is a smart team and that allows them to communicate, but also put themselves in good positons on the defensive end.

“Our basketball IQ is really high,” said Brey. “Eight of those scholarship guys are in the Mendoza Business School. We have some sharp dudes in the locker room and that has carried into the game. They are really too hard on themselves sometimes and I have to keep them loose. They know when they have made a mistakes.

“They have a mature way of talking to each other about getting help and no one feels insecure if they are confronted. I think that’s maturity.”

Shooting

On the night, Notre Dame shot 49% from the field, but a blistering 44% from beyond the arc. Seattle is a far cry from the competition the Irish will face in the ACC, but Brey is confident his team will score against better teams as the season progresses.

“I think that will be interesting to watch,” Brey said of his team’s shooting. “I always hang my hat on that we know what a good shot is. We pass, move and screen for each other. We know how to play on that end of the floor. We are going to have to work harder against good teams to get better shots. I am confident we can get good shots against better teams.

“Many teams will come out and really take away the three. I think we have the ability to put it on the floor. We will be ready to adjust as the game goes.”