Mike Brey Notebook | Duke Loss

Notre Dame basketball coach Mike Brey spoke following the loss to No. 21 Duke. 

On the loss:
"I think you have to give Duke credit. Obviously, they really got into a rhythm offensively and guarded us. I was disappointed in our defensive positioning most of the night. I thought we could sit down in a stance better. We never did that enough to really make it interesting every time we got it to five or two possessions. I don't think we really ever had five guys playing defense together. 

"Disappointing. I thought we could give it a better shot tonight." 

On the bad start coming off Kentucky win:
"That hurts. It's the first time we've been in that situation. Michigan State, we got out of the gate good. That's kind of new territory for us. 

"It's exhausting coming back, coming back and combing back -digging back. They have really gifted offensive kids, who every time you thought maybe we had a chance, somebody made a big shot. Give them credit. They made some big shots and big plays." 

On G Trey Wertz:
"You're from Charlotte, North Carolina and your first game is against Duke. I thought he really did everything we asked of him and got more comfortable in the second half. He actually may have been our best defensive guard, which makes it interesting as far as we can yank somebody of those three starters if they're not in a stance. I'm very pleased. 

"I am pleased about him getting minutes tonight and getting comfortable playing with our uniform on. He's going to be a big, big part of things moving forward." 

On disconnect on defense:
"I don't know. I told them after the game what was disappointing - we had a lot of drivers tonight and we didn't take our first charge until one minute left in the game. Nate took a charge. I'm disappointed in that. 

"I think that's something we really have to address and if guys minutes change or starters change for Saturday, we'll do what we have to do early in the season." 

On G Dane Goodwin:
"He's playing really well. He's been playing great for us. He tried to carry us tonight and kind of did. If Hubb and Ryan can't get into a rhythm, we're going to be in trouble. 

"I think I need to help them understand is if they sit down and defend a little better and maybe get something out in transition, it can jumpstart their offense. I thought disappointing offensive possessions affected us defensively." 

On veteran guys knowing this schedule isn't as easy as they might have thought after Saturday: 
"I don't think that. We talked about that. I think they know it's coming at us hard and we play a team Saturday who beat Ohio State, who we couldn't beat. It's coming at us fast. 

"I do like I have Nik (Djogo) and Trey. Matt (Zona) and Tony (Sanders) didn't play as much tonight because we kind of wanted to try that rotation of Nik and Trey. I like what Nik and Trey gave us. 

"Nik competed. Trey competed. I like I have those two guys to get some guys attention if they're not in a stance or doing what we need them to do. We kind of played that way in the second half. I think we had five guards in there for a while. We'll do that if we have to and we'll get the big guys out." 

On the large number of first half turnovers: 
"It does concern me. I talked a lot about our defense and not put our chest on people, but God, we had seven turnovers early and that puts so much pressure. 

"We don't have to force stuff. This group has learned when they move together and swing it a little bit, we get something pretty good. I thought at times we played a little bit like the Michigan State stretch just forcing some stuff. That's something to address tomorrow."