Mike Brey Notebook | Miami Loss

Notre Dame head coach Mike Brey spoke following a disappointing 62-47 loss to Miami. 

On the loss:
“I thought Miami’s defense really bothered us. We turned it over 14 times and we just couldn’t score. We couldn’t keep them in front of us either. If you score 47 points, you’re not going to win a league game. 

“I give Miami’s defense credit not us missing shots. We did miss some clean ones in the second half that maybe could have helped us rally. (Chris) Lykes just changes the game with his ball pressure. He just disrupts. I think they are a good team and have played an unbelievable league slate.” 

On offensive struggles:
“I thought we were going to have a really good offensive night. We had three threes in that run. We couldn’t get back into a rhythm. I give Miami’s ball pressure credit. We had some ball pressure and we rushed stuff. 

“Maybe they weren’t guarding us as hard early and then they woke up. I’d have to look at the tape. When they get out and athletically guard you, they’re tough to deal with.” 

On a big night for Miami guard Dejan Vasiljevic: 
“He’s a threat. We tried to play some zone against him and that helped us a little bit early. I thought he did a great job driving. He’s underrated as a driver. 

“They have men. They’re old. I thought some of the matchups with our young guys and they manhandled us at times. That’s been the story with us in this league. We’ve been picked on and treated us like the JV.” 

On Miami point guard Chris Lykes:
“He is just disruptive. He pressures the ball and he’s quick enough to leave his man and make plays. He disrupted our whole flow after the first four minutes. It’s almost like he was warming up early in the game and we got some looks. Then he was like ‘Now, I’m ready.’ The other 35 minutes we were searching.”