Dec. 30, 2009
Notre Dame Men’s Basketball
Notre Dame vs. Providence
December 30, 2009
Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center | Notre Dame, Ind.
Notre Dame Head Coach Mike Brey
On tonight’s all-around effort…
“We had 15 assists at halftime and we moved the ball well. We also had open looks in the first half. Jonathan Peoples, who came off the bench, was tremendous. Then in the second half we couldn’t get a run and couldn’t hit our free throws.”
On Tyrone Nash’s season thus far…
“He rebounds and handles the basketball so well. He set the tone early when we couldn’t get an offensive board tonight. When you can’t get offensive boards you can’t build that early confidence.”
On Luke Harangody breaking the school record for double-doubles…
“It wasn’t a great offensive game for him, but he was able to grab defensive rebounds and that was key. Sometimes you just have to fight through it and as a leader he can do that.”
On his 200th victory at Notre Dame…
“You know I have some great assistant coaches and we have had a fun run here. Even though our students weren’t here tonight we had a full house tonight and that helped us.”
Notre Dame Players
Ben Hansbrough | Sr. | G
On taking control of the game early…
“I think we came out hot. We were ready to play; we were prepared. It was our first BIG EAST game and everybody wanted to go out there and win this one. We wanted to start the BIG EAST off right. We got up by 20 points, and then in the second half we got a little bit more relaxed. We’re going to learn from that and get a little bit more of a killer mentality.”
Luke Harangody | Sr. | F
On a tougher second half…
“It was good for us because in the first half we could pretty much do whatever we wanted. You know, fifteen assists in the first half, but in the second half it was a little more realistic of how it’s going to be in the BIG EAST. That’s good for us.”
Tim Abromaitis | Jr. | F
On a great game by Jonathan Peoples…
“Jonathan Peoples played great. It’s really not a surprise for me because he’s a great player. He can shoot the ball, and I expect that out of him when he gets open.”
Providence Head Coach Keno Davis
On defensive match-up problems…
“Notre Dame is not the best team for us to match-up on paper with. We have done some things this year that have improved ourselves defensively at the three point line, but to be able to match-up well with a guy like (Luke) Harangody inside and stay out on perimeter shooters, it’s tough. It is pretty much like, pick your poison. I thought we had a pretty good plan coming in, trying to take the interior away and still have hands up on shooters.”
On newcomers first BIG EAST Conference game…
“Like I would expect, up and down. They would struggle in situations, I have really been trying to be positive with them seeing I have nine newcomers. Seven new recruits and two redshirts from last year. With these newcomers our chemistry is not in mid-season form yet. But I think in stretches we look like a pretty good basketball team, and to win on the road you can’t just play well for 20 minutes, you have to play well for 40 minutes.”