Mike Brey Notebook | 10.14
Notre Dame head coach Mike Brey spoke following Sunday’s practice, which was No. 11 of the fall.
On guard Rex Pflueger not practicing on Sunday:
“You didn’t see Rex today. He has a minor back thing. We were just being precautionary.”
On forward DJ Harvey:
“He’s done a fabulous job working to get himself back with our training and medical people. This was his third day, and he’s really moving. He’s not quite in shape, and you could see him get tired. I give him a lot of credit.
“It’s been since early February since he’s played basketball. There’s a lot to work with there. I think he was excited because the refs were here today and there was some scrimmage action. He’s moving great. I’m hoping we’re trending the right way and we sure look like we are.”
On Harvey’s weight:
“He’s lean. He’s down to probably 220. We wanted him lighter on that knee. He’s done everything we’ve asked. I’ve been proud of his attitude. That’s a mental burden not to be able to play for 10 months.”
On being cautious with Harvey:
“We didn’t take him out today. We let him rip. He’s eventually got to play on it. We didn’t go super long today because we had a couple of hard days but we’ll keep an eye on him. He doesn’t want to come out.”
On guard TJ Gibbs:
“He’s going to have to score for us. It’s then a matter of who we have in there for him to find guys. He has the ability to really score. The last game in the Bahamas, we were dying, and he had 25. He figured he had to go do stuff. There will be nights he has to go.”
On forward Juwan Durham:
“Durham needs the day-to-day work. I thought he was really good in the summer when we had him in a routine every day. In September when we were going once a week, I thought we had slippage. He needs to have the reps every day because he hasn’t had it in his background. He didn’t block many shots today but he has in practice, and he’s been active. He has a good feel.
“For those new guys, 5-on-5 is great for them because they are learning how to play together.”
On new faces:
“Our new guys aren’t afraid to step up to take a big shot, especially our guards. They’ve done that through their careers and in game situations here. For me, who are the right guys on the floor at the right time? That’s the big evaluation for me and the staff.”
On figuring out a rotation:
“I wish I knew more now. We do have a lot of bodies. We probably have too many. Eventually, you have to make decisions and shave it down. The competition is so good, and there are days we are trending one way and then all of a sudden we trend back the other. I have to keep an open mind and keep everyone engaged.
“Rex and TJ don’t play in a blue shirt much, and I rotate everyone else through with them to evaluate it.”
On freshman Chris Doherty returning to the team:
“He’s been great. He’s almost closed the gap and caught up from what he missed this summer. He’s in good shape and understands how we play. He’s been really good academically and plugged in. He needed the summer to handle some family stuff. His frame of mind has been awesome.”
On leadership:
“I’ve been very pleased with TJ, Elijah (Burns) and Rex. They’ve had more heavy lifting because of so many new faces than previous classes. I couldn’t ask any more of them. They had extra stuff because we went down to the Bahamas and had 10 practices.
“They really have done a good job getting our young guys ready and giving them confidence. They are high wired guys too. 90% of that makes them good. I want to make sure the other 10% isn’t directed at the official after a bad call. They are just high strung guys.
“All three of them have unbelievable voices, and that’s helped out a younger group.”
On new facility:
“It’s been great. It’s state of the art. I’m trying to figure out what to do with my practice plan. I went 20 years with only having two baskets in the gym, and now I have five baskets. I’m trying to figure out what else we should do to use those buckets. We shoot more free throws and do more footwork.
“The court is state of the art. It’s soft and really forgiving. We can go hard day-to-day. Not that The Pit and the arena are bad floors, but this one is even more forgiving. You can get more reps in and not feel like you’re wearing out the legs of your guys.”
On being different defensively in 2018-19:
“Our engagement is good. Everyone wants to guard and are involved. Our young guys come from programs where they were taught and coached. Pflueger and Gibbs will guard you. They’ll work and sit down in a stance.
“The thing that concerns me is we could put Martinas Geben on the post player, and he’d guard them. I think we’re still searching to see if Burns, (John) Mooney and Durham can guard that frontline guy. Our perimeter guys have great instincts. (Prentiss) Hubb is a little bit of a steal guy. Carmody and Goodwin get down in a stance and guard you. We know it can help us.”
On “secret scrimmage” with Cincinnati:
“Coming back on that bus ride in two weeks, I think there will be a little clearer picture for guys of where they stand. It’s great to play men and a group that guards you. We’ve never done this scrimmage, but it’s important to do it against this program.
“My hope is they beat us up. I wouldn’t be surprised if they beat us up because they are physical and tough. We need to go against someone else. It will be a great evaluation because there is toughness in that program.”