Nov. 6, 2009

Recap | Box Score

Notre Dame Men’s Basketball
vs. Quincy Hawks (exhibition)
November 6, 2009
Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center • Notre Dame, Ind.

Notre Dame Head Coach Mike Brey

On how he thought his team played offensively…

“When you look at 18 assists and 10 turnovers, I think we were a little better with our decision-making and a little slower offensively, and that helped us. That’s the one thing we tried to do better and talk about since Sunday, and I think we did a good job of that. If we did not have anything really in transition, we slowed down a little bit and kept moving the ball. Our passing is really one of our strengths, so like we should do it, pass, because we can move some people around with it.”

On how he thought his team played defensively…

“I thought defensively we did a pretty solid job. We are still trying to get a feel for things. I think we move our feet pretty well and we are able to keep people in front of us. We also got some great transition things. If we can run that is one of our strengths because we can make decisions on the run and that is how we can break it open in transition.”

On how he thought Luke Harangody played tonight…

“I thought Luke did a fabulous job with his demeanor because they were full fronting and almost doubling him all night, so he is not going to get a lot of touches and you just cannot force it to him in the low post early in the game. He did a good job of rebounding, going to the backboard, kicking the ball out when he was doubled. In the second half we were able to feed him a little bit, but he was really poised the whole game. We can watch some film of this and learn and then try to get better for next Saturday. “

Notre Dame Players

Luke Harangody • Senior • Forward

On getting in a better offensive flow …

“We have a lot of guys that haven’t played a whole lot, only one or two years. We did a much better job setting screens to free up some shots and we were able to take advantage.”

On the team’s defensive adjustments…

“We started to get through their staggers and their double-low screens in the post. We were able to make adjustments and get out on their shooters and forced them to alter their shots.”

Ben Hansbrough • Senior • Guard

On Quincy’s talent…

“They are picked to win their league. We knew they had some good shooters, numbers 5 and 15. We just had to get out on them. They are a good team.”

On Notre Dame’s preparedness for the first game…

“I think we are ready. We took one step from the exhibition against Lewis, step by step we are definitely getting there.”

Tory Jackson • Senior • Guard

On the team’s shot selection…

“I was very happy with the shots we took. Our shot selection wasn’t bad, we had a lot of shots that were going in and coming back out. Eventually they started to fall. We just didn’t get discouraged.”

On where improvements can be made before the first game…

“I think personally I need to take better care of the ball. I had two turnovers again. I think that is something I definitely need to work on.”

Carleton Scott • Junior • Forward

On getting ready for the first game…

” I think we need to improve on our defense. We need to have more of a defensive presence on the court as a team. I think we are getting there. We have improved a lot as a team from last year.”

On what he looks forward to most…

“Just coming together. We have been working as a team since this summer and this new nucleus. The guys from last year left us in a good position through their leadership. We have terrific leadership.”

Tim Abromaitis • Junior • Forward

On returning from a redshirt last year…

“I am just excited to get out there on the court and help the team. I worked hard and it has been a while, but I am excited to get out there and enjoy it.”

“It gave me a lot of time to improve my game, to get stronger, quicker, better on defense. It isn’t something that I wanted at the time, but I am glad I did it and I think it will help me this year for sure.”

On improving not only as a player, but as a student of the game…

“It helped me to observe how people prepare and how they get into the game. I was able to watch the other teams and I will definitely carry what I learned into the games this year.”

Quincy Head Coach • Marty Bell

On what impressed him about this Notre Dame team…

“Just their poise, they are so well coached. The guys really understand their roles, and you need a good coach to make sure they understand those roles. (Luke) Harangody is a heck of a player – he can do it all. He really is a threat from half-court and in. The (Tory) Jackson kid is a good player and they have a good supporting cast in (Ben) Hansbrough. I think they are a very balanced team. Notre Dame also has some young guys who have their best days ahead of them after they get some games under their belt.”