Mike Brey Notebook | 3.2

Notre Dame basketball coach Mike Brey spoke on Monday afternoon.

On Wednesday's game against No. 7 Florida State: 
"There is a lot on the line. Certainly, we could use Wednesday for a lot of reasons. They're really good and I think they're a Final Four level team. We turned the ball over too much down there. We had a chance to win, but we probably were the worst we were with the ball as far as live-ball turnovers. They probably got five buckets on steals and easy buckets. 

"We have to deal with their defense because they are so athletic. They switch and get out. We're going to have to move them around a little bit. 

"We've played well against them here. It's the last week of the regular season and there's a lot to play for." 

On struggles against ranked teams:
"I don't know. Maybe they are just better than us right now. What's it 20 in a row we've lost? Did we ever have a stretch like that when we were an Independent? Oh, we probably didn't play that many ranked teams when we were an Independent. 

"That bothers me. We used to be able to pick them off enough to really put us in position. Given how we trended two years ago and last year, it's kind of who we are and if we're trending the right way - this would be an important one to show you're back in that territory." 

On getting a ranked win at home:
"It would be great. They've really done some neat stuff to get us in this position from 2-6. It would be another step for them to kind of feel good about themselves and feel like you're getting better and more confident in March.

"It's huge. There is no question about it. It's a fine line of preparation and I don't want them uptight. We have to wing it and go for it." 

On finishing 11-9 versus 9-11 in the league:
"It would give you great momentum going to Greensboro. If we could have a winning record in this league, it would be huge, especially after last year. One of the things I said after the Miami game was to try to get into that 5th spot. We have four teams that are locks for the NCAA Tournament. After that, we're wondering how this all shakes out. 

"If we could be fifth in the standing after being 15th last year and 2-6 - not only are you building on what you want to do this year, but you're building forward a little bit into the following season." 

On NCAA Tournament chances:
"They know exactly where we are. I gave them a state of the union. I won't give it to them this week. You have a one-game shot against a great team. 

"They know they have work to do. I think they've been really good at focusing on the moment to get to 9-9 from 2-6. There is going to be so much crazy stuff that will happen. Why not us get in the middle of it and be part of the craziness." 

On the trip back from Wake Forest:
"I think we were a little exhausted. They were down. There was no way we could really dwell on it. This group has great ownership of itself. We couldn't guard the big guy and then they made big threes. I loved that we came back and took the lead a couple times. 

"Our seniors have been really businesslike. I like how (Dane) Goodwin and (Nate) Laszewski played. It was the first time Goodwin played on the road like that. You're looking for some signs. 

"I know we have to win enough games to get in the NCAA Tournament, but I still like how some guys are getting better and more confident."