Mike Brey Notebook: Virginia Tech
Notre Dame head coach Mike Brey spoke following an incredible 71-65 win over Virginia Tech in the second round of the ACC Tournament on Wednesday night.
On the win:
“Well, how about that one, huh? I've never been prouder of a group because they were thumping us pretty good because they're really hard to guard. But I thought in the second half, with the last 15 minutes, we got better defensively, and we made some adjustments offensively and were able to get scoring again.
“You know, it's a great group, man. They're just -- all the stuff they've been through, they're such tough dudes. And tonight you saw it, the toughness of hanging on in there. I don't know if I've ever been prouder of a team, in a game that really matters.”
On leadership:
“That's really been a key all year, too, in the midst of losing seven in a row, in the midst of all the tough stuff that we've had unbelievable senior leadership and a great class. They do the talking in the huddles now. I don't really say a whole lot. I didn't say much at halftime. I went in and said to them, y'all figure it out. They've had ownership of themselves for a long time, and that really helps us in tough moments.”
On adjustments:
“I thought to put 50 up in the second half was certainly a key. And, you know, one thing we did was get Matty off the ball, because they were doubling, and he couldn't see over the big double teams.
"We got ball screens early for TJ Gibbs and told him to just go downhill, and Matty played off the ball and got some stuff, and that really kind of jump-started us, and then we did improve defensively. I thought we were moving and we rebounded better.”
On NCAA Tournament bid:
“I've never been a big guy to campaign, but I think we really deserve to be in. And I don't want to hear about one of the best 68. When I have my guys back, we're a top-20 team, and I think people in that committee know that. I feel strongly that we should be part of it. We have another great opportunity to end all the drama of it tomorrow night, but we need to get some rest.”
On the matchup with Duke:
“I talked to them after the game last night, the Pittsburgh game, saying I'm excited to play Virginia Tech with you two back because we didn't have you guys against Virginia Tech. For a while there, we looked worse with those two guys back, but we salvaged it.
“But one thing, these guys wanted to play, and play in Cameron and play against Duke and they couldn't. So they're excited, and we're excited for an unbelievable challenge. Duke is playing really well right now.”