Mike Brey Notebook: Florida State Win
Notre Dame head coach Mike Brey spoke following the 84-69 win over Florida State on Saturday afternoon.
On the performance of his starting three guards:
“They were really good. I felt we looked like our program on the offensive end of the floor this week. The key was how we defended tonight. They average 80 in league play, and I thought our big guys on ball screens were really on attention to detail.
“We played two games where it’s gotten interesting in the second half, and we’ve made big shots. Assassin-like shots, which is who this program has been. We didn’t see it much in January, but that makes me feel good, and we might have a shot at this thing.”
On Rex Pflueger:
“With Matt back, he’s driving to kick to shooters, or he’s driving to get fouled. He’s not worried about his jump shot as much. It’s a really good niche for him on the offensive end, and he’s comfortable with it.
“We do know what he does on the defensive end. I’ve never seen a guy use more energy. He came in from warmups, and he looked exhausted in warmups. I almost want to tell him to do half of warmups.”
On Elijah Burns:
“It was a big night for Elijah Burns. He had a good weeks of practice. That 15-footer he hit was big. That’s all new territory for him. To see him grow in that atmosphere and that game was really good.”
On Matt Farrell:
“He has a great edge about him. That edge helps us believe. Him being back with TJ and Rex, they set a great tone.
“Matt keeps us confident. He was due. He was practicing well and played well on Tuesday. We’re out of the injury zone, and the guy is feeling good.”
On the run that finished the game:
“I think it was more poise. This group has been calm the whole way, even in January. They’re not freaking out, and I don’t talk to them like that to get them there.
“They talk like a veteran and poised group. Their poise helps them in those situations. We don’t panic.”
On TJ Gibbs offensive struggles:
“It didn’t impact him on the defensive end, and that’s where he’s grown. He’s learned that he’s going to play almost the whole game and eventually it’s going to come to him. We sprung him for a couple, but there’s great growth as he doesn’t get frustrated when he’s not making he shots.
“He can still be better there. He has some body language after a tough miss, but he’s come a long way.”
On North Carolina on Monday:
“You feel a lot better going down there in the rhythm we’re in. We left one on the table against them last time, and we didn’t have Matt. I’m taking a much more confident group into the Triangle this time.”
On keeping Burns moving forward:
“He should feel really good. When I talk to him tomorrow at the Dean Dome at our shootaround, I’m going to tell him I love how he’s playing and what he’s doing. It was a step forward for him.”