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Sitting here in the neon green seats, watching Notre Dame's open practice at the Joyce Center.
The Irish have mostly gone 5-on-5 in half-court sets as about 350 fans took in one of the only non-game opportunities to see the Irish this season.
About midway through it now, here's what stands out:
- Zach Hillesland (foot), Ty Nash (knee) and Luke Harangody (unknown) sat out, which gave multiple opportunities to sophomores Carleton Scott and Tim Abromaitis to showcase their abilities.
- Also saw a bit of walk-on Tom Kopko at point guard. As we type, he just hit a three-pointer in the corner over Scott Martin.
- Said this before, but Carleton Scott is the guy who stands out the most for us. He's athletic and can get in the lane.
- Pretty much every guy on the floor can make at least a mid-range jump shot. Considering the way the Irish play, this is not shocking in the least.
- Ben Hansbrough has some swagger to him. After hitting a three-pointer, he shook his head pretty confidently.
- Harangody, though, knows how to play the fans. He started talking to a little kid. It's one of the things the junior Player of the Year candidate enjoys the most about his fame -- making kids smile.
- Luke Zeller stayed in the paint for most of the practice, which is important because Notre Dame needs to find a rebounding presence with the departure of Rob Kurz. Zeller also looks a bit bigger in the arms than in past years and said he's been working on his post moves in the off-season.
- Dunk contest: Here's the best ones: Mostly laughter from the crowd. A couple good ones. Scott had full arm extension back and then slammed it forward.
- Scott Martin had good ups.
- Poor Tom Kopko. He can jump. But as he said while going up "I can't hold on to the ball."
- Scott also dunked one off the shot clock. He makes it look so effortless.
- Hansbrough tried reverse through his legs but just missed. So did Scott, but said the ball slipped.
- Tory Jackson still hasn't made a dunk.
- Ryan Ayers got the crowd clapping for Kopko trying the Jordan free throw line dunk one more time. He took off running from three-quarters court and on what must have been his eighth attempt at it, made it to a raucous ovation.
- Brey took a few minutes to talk to the crowd after as well, thanking them for showing up. Meanwhile, Luke Zeller put a small child on the rim. Fun stuff.
- As Brey was leaving, he laughed: "Worst dunking team in the country. Can't dunk."
