Mike Brey Notebook | Oklahoma Loss
Notre Dame head coach Mike Brey spoke following the 85-80 loss to Oklahoma at Madison Square Garden in the Jimmy V Classic.
On the loss:
“Credit to Oklahoma. They were shooting the heck out of it tonight. I know they had shooters, but they really shot it well. I’m proud of our group with all the new faces — first road game on this stage and throwing some young guys in there. I thought we battled and gave ourselves a chance.
“I think it’s something for us to grow from. An older team played older tonight. Oklahoma is an older group and earned it.”
On the second half:
“We scored in the second half. We have been searching offensively. For us to put 80 on the board, I’m looking for some silver linings. We scored 44 in the second half and got into a good rhythm. We were throwing it into the post. You’re seeing it as I’m seeing it. It’s coming.
“It’s been neat to watch. Love that we fought and battled. We’re just not quite old enough to get over the hump in one of these.”
On offensive adjustments:
“I’m still searching. We’re throwing it into Durham the last couple games. He’s starting to do things, and I’m hoping the light bulb keeps coming on. Driving it and trying to get to the foul line. We haven’t shot it as well as I think we will, but the offensive flow is a work in progress for us.”
On downsizing in the second half:
“We kind of a went five guards for a while. We were trying to guard. They had shooters on the floor, and we were trying to switch everything. We gave up some twos during that time instead of threes. We were able to creep back in it.
“I told my assistants I don’t want to lose sight of throwing inside to Mooney and Durham. It’s blossoming as a strength of our offense.”
On Oklahoma guard Christian James:
“He’s a man. He’s really gifted. He’s a pro.”
On not having a ton of upperclassmen as in past years:
“It’s a big part of it. We’ve been blessed with a lot of upperclassmen in almost all my years until this year. You’re searching to get guys confident offensively. TJ is new to his role as a junior. I’m excited to see where he’s going. I have to be patient, keep teaching and let guys blossom.”