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Notre Dame men’s basketball coach Mike Brey isn’t focusing on UCLA’s struggles.
The Bruins (3-6), off to their worst start since 2002-03, have dealt with one starting forward (Drew Gordon) leaving the team and the loss of another starting forward (James Keefe) to a dislocated shoulder.
Despite UCLA’s troubles to begin the season, Brey said the Bruins’ 100-68 victory over New Mexico State on Tuesday is an indication that they are righting the ship.
“I think they’re in a pretty good rhythm coming in here,” said Brey, whose 9-2 Irish play host to the Bruins at 2 p.m. today. “I think they are going to come in very confident in that they played their best game of the year and really got into an offensive rhythm Tuesday against New Mexico State.”
Notre Dame is playing its first game since an 87-85 home loss to Loyola Marymount a week ago.
The Irish gave up a double-digit lead they built in the first 5 minutes against the Lions and failed to inbound the ball in the closing seconds leading to Loyola Marymount hitting a game-winning three-pointer with eight seconds to play.
The Irish struggled defensively to keep the Lions in front of them, surrendering 42 points in the paint as Loyola Marymount shot 51.6 percent for the game.
“We had a hard time defending (Loyola Marymount’s) drivers and speed off the dribble,” Brey said. “That really hurt us, especially in the second half of the game. That is something, I think, that we will always have to keep an eye on. That’s an area where the Big East has a lot of teams like that.”
Defending the drive is also an area Notre Dame will look out for today against UCLA.
The Bruins are led by guards Michael Roll and Malcolm Lee, who are averaging 14 and 13.6 points, respectively.
“This is a group that is athletic. They can get to your lane and get into you,” Brey said.
“We got a heck of a challenge. We really do.”
