Mike Brey Notebook: Feb. 1

Even though Jan. 3 was less than a month ago, it likely feels like an eternity for a Notre Dame program that has lost six of its last seven games since the 88-58 drubbing of NC State that occurred that night.

At that point, the Irish were 2-0 in league play while the Wolfpack fell to 0-2. Since then the two programs have gone in somewhat opposite directions. NC State followed up the loss to Notre Dame with wins over then-No. 2 Duke and then-No. 19 Clemson while entering the matchup off a big road against then-No. 10 North Carolina.

Notre Dame got big point-performances from sophomore guard TJ Gibbs (22), junior guard Rex Pflueger (16) and freshman wing DJ Harvey (17).

Even though the Irish did take down NC State already without senior forward Bonzie Colson playing at all and senior point guard Matt Farrell going down with injury in that game, Mike Brey and company know this matchup is going to be a lot different.

Farrell is a game-time decision while Harvey will be out and NC State guard Markell Johnson will be in the lineup for the Wolfpack after missing the first meeting. The sophomore guard is averaging 8.3 points and 12.3 assists over his past three games.

“I think Johnson is really a guy that can get into the lane and make plays for them and get people shots,” Brey stated. “They play even faster with him. This is a team that wants to play fast. We don’t necessarily want to get running up and down with them. They’re confident right now. They just beat North Carolina and I think they’ve won 5-of-7. They were dead in the water to Pittsburgh and came back in won.”

Brey and company hope to recreate some of that shooting (51.8 percent) and get back on track in the ACC.

“I thought we played really well,” Brey said of the first meeting. “We had great movement offensively. It was our best offensive night in league play and Matt only played 15 minutes. I watched the second half because I wanted to see how this group that I have now played.

“We really moved them around. We got some driving opportunities and some dump offs. They’re different and they’re playing better. They have their guard back — Johnson — who really makes them different.”

NC State is giving up 73.4 points per game this season, which ranks No. 218 nationally, but points still may not come easy for the Irish in this matchup.

“They haven’t been the best defensive team,” Brey explained. “But, sometimes who we are offensively against teams like that right now we haven’t been able to take advantage of that enough. Maybe we can on Saturday.”

Brey mentioned Thursday afternoon Farrell will be a game-time decision and how he performs in practice will determine his ultimate status for Saturday.

“He’s been shooting a little bit,” Brey continued. “We didn’t really go live with him. Today he’s going to try it probably not the whole practice. Been out shooting on his own. His lift looks better. He wasn’t able to life when he came back the first time. We’ll see how it reacts to a-half-practice and a whole practice tomorrow. Cut him loose Saturday and start if he’s feel good.”

Even if Farrell isn’t able to play much in the game, getting another body in the rotation could help what’s been a shorthanded Irish team over the past two contests.

“You’d have another guy that can make a shot too,” Brey said. “We’ve been getting some looks after some good movement, but you have a guy that’s a proven shot-maker. Just to substitute some guys out. Rex and TJ needed two days and they’re even nicked a little. They needed two days to get their energy. It’s hard to take them out of the game …”

Notre Dame’s losing streak is up to six games, and the Irish need a win in the worst way. Not only to get back on track towards an NCAA Tournament berth, but shoot a burst of energy throughout the group.

Even with the losses, the Irish remain a confident bunch.

“I think they are doing great,” Brey said of the team’s confidence. “Kids are amazingly resilient and older guys are even more resilient. If we had a team of more sophomores and freshman I think this would really affect them.

“This is a group that is older and I have been very realistic with them with our chances, where we stand and what we would have to do to get back in the picture of the NCAA Tournament. You can talk to an older group that way. They really digest it. I told them let’s see if turn the month of February and see if our karma can swing the other way.”

For Brey, the past few weeks have felt much like Bill Murray did in a 1993 classic.

“I told the staff that I know tomorrow is Groundhog Day, but I feel like I’ve been in ‘Groundhog Day’ for like three weeks quite frankly,” Brey laughed. “I’ve woke up every day with the same feeling.”

Notre Dame is averaging 66.3 points during the six-game slide while not shooting over 40 percent as a team a single time. In fact, the last time the Irish finished above 40 percent from the field as a group came against the Wolfpack.

But, the team isn’t going to go through a drastic overhaul offensively. Notre Dame is going to keep plugging away and hope February is much better in the department than January.

“We’re getting looks,” Brey explained. “I think fatigue is biting us a little bit sometimes when we get those looks. What we’ve tried to do to help ourselves offensively is offensive rebound. We couldn’t the other night as well as we have …

“The one thing that helped us against Virginia Tech was we got to the foul line … The offensive rebounding helps with that. If we can get some rebounds and outlets to get some easy buckets in transition.

“We’re kind are who we are in our motion and our movement. When guys have open looks, you have to let them keep taking them and hope it swings our way and a few go in.”

Gibbs is averaging 18.2 points during the past six games which includes four games without Farrell (19.8). Brey is looking to find a way to keep that momentum going for the sophomore once Farrell makes his way back into the lineup.

“One of the things I think we’d do Saturday is let Gibbs start with the ball in his hands and have Matt off the ball and let him get comfortable,” Brey said. “Once we substitute then bring Matt back to the ball … I think that could help [TJ] kind of jumpstart himself because he’s been so darn good …

“I don’t want to overanalyze it took much because they both play off each other really well. Maybe we start the game off that way and it helps both of them given their situation.”

Brey also provided quick updates on Harvey’s situation along with Colson.

“DJ Harvey is definitely out these next two,” Brey stated. “Maybe Florida State for is realistic. Bonzie has an x-ray on Monday which will tell us how the healing process is going.”

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