Mike Brey Notebook | Pittsburgh Loss

Notre Dame head coach Mike Brey spoke following the loss to Pitt on Saturday.

On the loss:
“Give Pittsburgh credit. They made big plays to win the game. We were kind of in the routine we’ve been in all year. We just couldn’t make a shot or make a big play. It’s who we’ve been and I guess who Pittsburgh has been until today. 

“This league kind of breaks your spirit a little bit and you almost need some help. I loved that we fought back and we had our chances. This group has tried, but we’re a little young and a little thin to get over the hump.” 

On message to TJ Gibbs after missing a crucial foul shot:
“I just tried to get him to move on. I’ve been doing this a long time and guys have had a lot of big shots and they’ve missed shots. We dealt with it the other night with Nate (Laszewski). We’re just not a confident group. We can’t manufacture confidence and you have to win a little bit. We have not. 

“We wonder when it gets to those situations. I told him I love him and he’ll start and play 40 minutes on Tuesday.” 

On John Mooney:
“John Mooney was finally human. He’s really not been human. He’s been superman in this league. I thought today was the first day he looked a little fatigued and rightfully so because he’s almost carried us. That hurt us. 

“For us to have success against anyone, he has to score a little more for us. Pittsburgh did a good job on him. They double-teamed him and we had trouble against their zone. He couldn’t get touched because we had to play a little differently.” 

On Nate Laszewski:
“I’m really proud of that. I’m walking out of here feeling better. We lost and we’ve had a tough stretch. After Nate missed that free throw the other night and was devastated, to come back and play like that kind of tells you a little bit about this kid.

“We had three freshmen in the starting lineup and four freshmen on the floor. The walk-on played some. I’m proud of Nate and I hope he keeps playing that way as much as we have left.”