DJ Harvey Looking Forward To Getting Back In Irish Rotation
With the injury to senior forward Bonzie Colson, freshman wing DJ Harvey was set to see an increase in his overall workload.
Harvey’s minutes were even more amplified when senior point guard Matt Farrell went down shortly after Colson.
The freshman responded the first game without Colson scoring a career-high 17 points on 6-of-9 shooting in 30 minutes during an 88-58 win over NC State.
Over the next three games against Syracuse, Georgia Tech and North Carolina, Harvey struggled shooting 21.2 percent (7-of-33), but was still gaining valuable experience playing almost 30 minutes per contest during the third stretch.
Then the injury bug found Harvey.
In the first half of a home matchup versus Louisville, Harvey went down with a knee injury that appeared more serious than what was later discovered to a bone bruise.
After sitting out the past four weeks (seven games), Harvey is gearing up for a potential return tomorrow after when the Irish travel to Chestnut Hill to take on Boston College in an import game for the team’s NCAA Tournament hopes.
It’s been a tough month for Harvey being a spectator while the Irish went 2-5 in the seven games he’s missed to date.
“It was rough sitting on the bench,” Harvey stated. “I knew I had to support my guys. I tried the best I could on the bench to support and instill confidence in my guys like they do with me.”
With about a month of no conditioning, getting back into game shape is the challenge for the freshman now.
“First day back on Monday, it was rough,” Harvey explained. “I’ve been working out with Tony Rolinksi with my conditioning and I feel like I’m coming along well … It’s going to take a little getting used to. I’ve been playing one-on-one with TJ Gibbs … I feel like I should be fine.”
Harvey was averaging 9 points and 5.8 rebounds in the four games leading up to his injury against the Cardinals. He won’t be in the starting group if he is deemed ready to play tomorrow, but Harvey is ready to get back to making an impact in his role.
“I feel like I can give scoring, rebounding and defense,” Harvey said. “Probably not going to get much minutes due to conditioning wise and not force things. But, we’ll see what happens … It’s been a long time since I played a college basketball game. I’ve just been excited to come back and play.
“I’m just trying to go out there and do my game and what I’ve been doing. I don’t need to go out there and try to force the issue. I know it’s going to take some getting used it. I’m looking forward to it.”
For an Irish team that hasn’t won a road game in its last five attempts, Mike Brey is certainly hoping to add the versatile Harvey back to the rotation tomorrow.
“He gives you flexibility because he’s another perimeter guy,” Brey explained. “When he was play we’re playing him as a stretch-four. He rebounds for us. He has the ability to score. Another offensive weapon who can physically rebound for us. I’m hoping we can get him into shape to help us Saturday.”
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