Nov. 1, 2006
Notre Dame Head Coach Mike Brey Quotes
On the team’s performance…
“I think it’s a good thing that we can come back tomorrow, get in the classroom situation, watch the film, and talk. I thought the first half our veteran guys really did a good job helping out.”
On the team’s defensive ability…
“The one thing we can do this year with Kyle and Tory is put good ball pressure on for the whole game. If we can keep a fresh guy on the ball, I think that really helps us.”
On the team’s offensive performance…
“I think we have to get a feel for everybody offensively and slow down. We’re excited to play, and we had a couple quick possessions with 15-second shots. We can learn to be a little more patient. It’s interesting to watch some young guys with the lights on; they’ll learn from that.”
On pushing the ball on offense…
“We ran pretty well. We saw Tory and Kyle pushing it all the time. We need to get a feeling for putting fresh guys in there so we can continue to run. I love the fact that we have another game coming here in two days.”
On the play of the freshman guard Tory Jackson…
“We’re very excited about our young guys. Tory’s brings energy. This is what he’s been doing in practice.”
Notre Dame Player Quotes
Senior Guard Colin Falls
On getting the first game under his belt…
Once you get out there. We were energized. It’s just time to go. It’s basketball season.
On finally getting to play a game after practicing during the off-season…
You put in so many hours-an unbelievable amount of hours over the off-season. We were pretty fired up.
Sophomore Guard Kyle McAlarney
On younger players who may have surprised him with their play…
No one surprised me. I think Joe and John, you know, they’re tough guys. They’re all really talented and they’re all going to help us out this year. Luke is down low. He’s going to help us a lot this year with his toughness, and his ability to score on the post. Tory-his ball pressure…I don’t think there is a guy in the Big East who can pressure the ball like that. I’ve been going against him every day, and he’s been making me a better player. I’m not surprised at all. We get to see these guys do this day in and day out.
Freshman Guard Tory Jackson
On preparing for the first game of the season…
We worked hard all summer, and just getting in condition. Some of the conditioning that we had made us a better-running team.
On his role on the team…
Basically, my role is to run the offense. When they’re on offense, to put pressure on the ball.
On fellow freshman Luke Harangody leading the team in scoring…
We [freshman] all can do anything. I don’t even look at him as a freshman. We all just look at each other as teammates.
Rockhurst Head Coach Bill O’Connor Quotes
On Rockhurst’s play against the Irish…
“I wish we had competed a little better against the Irish. I was impressed with their ability to shoot the ball and their intensity, possession by possession. I wish would have tested them a little bit better.”
On the play of the Rockhurst starters…
“Our starters were 7-for-26. When it goes that way, it sets a tone and I don’t think we were able to recover from that.”
On the atmosphere of Notre Dame…
“It was the first time that some of the kids had been to Notre Dame. They’re experienced now. This is real. I wish we had pushed the Irish a little harder. We’re not as bad as we looked, but the credit should go to the Irish for that.”
On the play of Irish starters…
“Their guard play was better than I initially thought. We knew Falls was a good player but McAlarney, even though he was only three-for-ten, I thought did a solid job for them. I do think they will have to continue to develop an inside game.”
On their knowledge of Luke Harangody…
“None, not a thing; but that 8-for-10 just stares at you.”