Nov. 16, 2011
2011 Progressive CBE Classic
Notre Dame vs. Sam Houston State
November 16, 2011
Notre Dame Quotes
Notre Dame Head Coach Mike Brey
Opening statement…
“It’s been exciting for me with different guys not available, Tim Abromaitis, Eric Atkins, and Joey Brooks, to see other players get minutes and get more confident. I believe this week will help us down the road and I hope it will help us on Monday night in Kansas City. I was impressed with how we handled the ball as a team even though we didn’t have Eric out there. It’s something to build on and its time for us to get more confident before we play Missouri.”
On when he knew Eric wouldn’t play…
“We knew Eric wouldn’t play at noon today. No way. For him to gut it out the other night against Detroit was a lot of toughness. He was hurting and he just got worse. We’ve got to let it run its course and hopefully we’ll have him Friday, but I don’t know.”
On Joey Brooks not finishing the game…
“Joey was in the health center. He didn’t come to shoot around and then he got out of the health center and got dinged in the head and was a little dizzy. So we expect him to practice tomorrow.”
On Pat Connaughton, Jerian Grant, Tom Knight, and Alex Dragicevich…
“Pat really built on Monday night and he’s getting very comfortable being a key guy for us. Jerian Grant looks more confident every time he puts the uniform on and that’s always good for us. It’s good to see Tom Knight get in there. We’re going to need him to get a couple minutes and get into a flow. And I thought Alex Dragicevich having to handle the ball was solid. He didn’t turn it over but maybe one time and he handled the ball for us and was kind of our backup point guard. It’s some good stuff to build on.
On whether Connaughton is a “pleasant problem” to have in terms of the line up…
“It’s just good to see and I don’t see it as a problem. He’s going to play whether he’s starting or coming off the bench. Certainly you saw by the minutes the other night and how he got going that he’s going to be a key guy for us. It makes it competitive out there with Dragicevich, Grant, Brooks, and Connaughton, but were going to need them all throughout the year so I don’t want anybody jumping off the ship if the role changes a little.”
Tom Knight – Junior – Forward
On tying his career high…
“I think it’s tied for career high. But before it was like at the end of the game, so it feels good to get in there and contribute to the team in the meaningful moments of the game.”
On getting more playing time…
“It’s been something to get used to. First year, I got redshirted. Last year, I’d only get a minute at the end of the game. I’ve been waiting for my opportunity and I’m trying to do the best I can to make the most of it.”
On playing without both Tim Abromaitis and Eric Atkins…
“It was different. In practice you’ve got Abromaitis and Eric [Atkins] there. We’ve been preparing for not playing with Abro for a couple weeks, but Eric-we have in practice everyday. We knew it was going to be difficult playing without him but a lot of guys stepped up. Because of this, I think we’re going to be a stronger team.”
On Pat Connaughton’s play…
“Pat [Connaughton] is not playing like a freshman. He’s playing like a true vet out there. Since he’s gotten to campus, I’ve just been impressed. His shooting ability, his athletic ability-he comes in and helps the team in ever facet of the game. Coming in, you know he’s going to do something well for us.”
Jerian Grant – Sophomore – Guard
On adjusting to playing…
“I’m really just getting my legs under me, starting to play basketball the way I always did. I love to pass the ball. I feel like whenever I have to do, whatever I have to do, for my team to get the win, I can do it.”
On stepping up…
“Eric [Atkins] is really our only true point guard. So we knew we were going to have to get assists and ball handling from somewhere else and I was just ready to step up.”
On getting into a groove within the game…
“I knew I was going to have the ball in my hands for a lot of the game, and I was just ready to step up and make passes and make shots and handle the ball. At the end of the first half, I was just making passes and my team was knocking down shots. It got my confidence up-these guys are ready and ready to play.”
On his rising confidence…
“It’s just getting games under my belt and knowing my role on this team. Knowing how many minutes I’m going to play and knowing I can be out there and make a couple mistakes and Coach (Brey) is going to leave me in.”
Pat Connaughton – Freshman – Guard
On getting on a roll after his first made shot…
“It’s a confidence builder. When you make that second one, you relax, and then it’s just like playing basketball.”
On being surprised on what he was able to do today…
“Yes and no. Coming in, I didn’t expect to be doing this the first and second games of the year. Then again, my teammates believed that I could do this. They put me through the workouts and got me ready for this game.”
On not seeming to be phased by the college game…
“I’m not really phased at all. Playing against these guys in practice everyday is great because I’m playing with the best players in the country. So playing against the other guys is the same thing.”
On getting his first dunk…
“It was great. We actually had a competition on the team as to who was going to get the first dunk of the actual season. Jerian wanted it, but he gave me the assist, and I finished it off. Jerian’s a great player. He plays hard every night, and having his experience, even though he didn’t play at all least year, is going to be great for our team.”
Alex Dragicevich – Sophomore – Guard
On his first college start…
“Coach told me today, and it was kind of shocking. I didn’t think Eric was hurt that bad, but I stepped up and did what I needed to do. Obviously, Eric is a pure point guard and we need him, and we can’t wait to have him back.”
On having so many different starting lineups early in the season…
“I think we’re all sick right now. But it’s all about being ready. You’ve got to keep your body as healthy as you can, and do your best.”
On all of the bench players playing major roles on the team this year…
“Everyone learned form last year. Even Jerian, who sat out last year. Everyone also got game minutes in the summer, which really helped build confidence.”
On the 23-0 run for Notre Dame…
“We were finding guys, getting open and everybody was sharing the ball. Pat was knocking them down and the big guys did well in the post, so that also helped us out.”