Interview with Mike Brey

[military_irish]

Good insight on Brey. Brey May Just Be Getting Started

On possibily taking the NC State Job. (Almost lost him)

Six years — are you trending the wrong way? It's all about survival. You just move on. Matter of fact,N.C. State offered me the job. I remember talking to (wife) Tish: What do you think? We love Raleigh-Durham, maybe we go back there. What the heck, it's been a great run here.

On "one and dones".

I remember Jack Swarbrick asked me, first month on the job: Would we be interested in a one-and-done? I said, sure. Absolutely. But the way that culture is, and how we do business — probably just not going to fit. So we're not going to waste a lot of time chasing down a one-and-done guy that's going to be here seven months. He's going to stay in a dorm, he's going to have to do stuff academically. And I get that. He needs to do basketball. I can't give him as much basketball.

What he plans to wear through out the tourney's. Got to love it.

The theme is, The Mock In March, baby. The Mock In March. We're going back to it.

 

[sportallyr]

Great article. The future of Irish basketball is exciting to think about and I am certain that we have the right guy to take this team to the next level in Coach Brey. Hope we make it to the BE championship game and then win a few games in the tourney.

 

[BGIF]

A Brian Hamilton (Oh No!) Article

...

The Irish coach spoke with the Tribune about his tenure, the borderline paranormal run his club made this year — and how, with top-100 talent en route, it might perfectly set up reaching the kind of heights his program has not reached. It's the mission that consumes Brey at a place he isn't leaving anytime soon.

...

Q. When do you think you came to the conclusion this was probably where you were going to be for good?

Nothing's changed. I remember (being asked) when I got hired, because Matt (Doherty) left after a year, they were so insecure around here: 'Well, how long are you going to be here?' Without saying 'Duke' — 'Would you go back to Duke?' I wasn't insulted, but I said, I hope I'm good enough to retire here. And I really firmly believe that's really never changed for me.

 

[CarrollVermin]

Serious question about Brey, and I should preface this by saying that I love what he has done at ND, but do you think that he has a realistic chance at winning a national championship while he is at Notre Dame?

 

[Ndaccountant]

Serious question about Brey, and I should preface this by saying that I love what he has done at ND, but do you think that he has a realistic chance at winning a national championship while he is at Notre Dame?

Not a knock on Brey, but odds are the answer is an emphatic no. I see no way ND can beat a team like UK this year. Yes, I know they upset Cuse, but that was a perfect storm. ND can beat a team like that once in awhile, but I don't think they could do it 4 times in a row (Nat Champ game, Final 4, Elite 8 and Sweet 16).

I look at Brey and say he should be measure by sweet 16's first. Once he starts getting there with some sort of regularity, than we can move on to Final Fours.

Nat champsionships are possible, but highly unlikey.

 

[NDOM]

Serious question about Brey, and I should preface this by saying that I love what he has done at ND, but do you think that he has a realistic chance at winning a national championship while he is at Notre Dame?

Ummmmmm. NO!

We have to worry about getting past the first 2 rounds before we can even think about that. But even if we got past the second round there is just no way we could win a NC!

 

[PADOMERNUT]

Serious question about Brey, and I should preface this by saying that I love what he has done at ND, but do you think that he has a realistic chance at winning a national championship while he is at Notre Dame?

I'm going to say no, but I am not sure anyone could given the current landscape of college basketball.

 

[CarrollVermin]

So if the answer is no, is that a product of him or Notre Dame?

 

[Ndaccountant]

So if the answer is no, is that a product of him or Notre Dame?

IMO, ND.

 

[PADOMERNUT]

ND isnt going to change the way they run their program. They won't for football, they certainly won't for basketball. Could we catch lightning in a bottle and make a final four? Sure. Who would have thought George Mason or VCU would. Fact of the matter is the one and done's dont want to look at Notre Dame. Heck, they don't go to class the second semester. That wont fly at ND. Now I am not saying only teams with one and dones win championships. But they certainly help, and its a decent size chunk of kids coming out of high school that we just cant touch.

 

[PerthDomer]

Brey's recruiting has caught fire. Look at the next class. Look at the class after that. This team cannot win an NC. Next year's will be better (not NC worthy). Atkins' senior year is gonna be fun...

 

[IrishLax]

Brey's recruiting has caught fire. Look at the next class. Look at the class after that. This team cannot win an NC. Next year's will be better (not NC worthy). Atkins' senior year is gonna be fun...

I'm sorry, but when Butler makes back-to-back NC game appearances and comes within a couple inches of winning one of them...... statements like you just made lose all credibility.

 

[PerthDomer]

That Butler team was much more senior ***** than this team, deeper, better shooting, etc. Given really good matchups we could do damage. But do you think we belong on the same court (neutral site) as any of the 1 seeds?

I'm usually accused of being overoptimistic about bball. we have the pieces to make a run going forwards. This team is a macguyver worthy project by Brey. We will not win the national championship this year though I'd love to be proved wrong.

 

[Buster Bluth]

Brey is exactly right that they are playing with house money at this point. They could lose in the first round and it would be far more than anyone expected this season.

2012-2013 looks like a big, big year. I think there's a 0% chance than Abromitis gets a sixth year, but they look to return everyone but Scott Martin and him, no? That is sweet. If this team could pull off a Sweet Sixteen run then excitement will be through the roof.

A possible lineup for 12-13:

G: Eric Atkins, Junior (12.4 ppg, 4.1 apg) 6'1 185lbs
G: Jerian Grant, Junior* (12.5 ppg, 4.9 apg) 6'5 195lbs
G: Pat Connaughton, Sophomore (6.9ppg) 6'5 210lbs
F: ?????
F: Jack Cooley, Senior (12.5 ppg, 9.5rpg) 6'9 250lbs

-- Alex Dragicevich (7.0 ppg) returns to backup the guards.

-- Garrick Sherman will be eligible, he started 17 games for Michigan State in 2010-2011 and is 6'10. This is huge, in my opinion.

-- Two of the incoming freshmen, Zach Auguste (6'10 C) and Cameron Biedscheid (6'6 SF) are bona fide studs. The third, Austin Burgett (6'8 F) isn't too shabby either.

It's going to be a great season.

 

[IrishLax]

That Butler team was much more senior ***** than this team, deeper, better shooting, etc. Given really good matchups we could do damage. But do you think we belong on the same court (neutral site) as any of the 1 seeds?

I'm usually accused of being overoptimistic about bball. we have the pieces to make a run going forwards. This team is a macguyver worthy project by Brey. We will not win the national championship this year though I'd love to be proved wrong.

Are we talking about this team or hypothetical future teams with Brey?

I don't think this team is getting out of the second round if they someone even get out of the first. Absolutely no depth in the front court + young streaky guards = early exit. Kentucky, Kansas, and UNC would absolutely destroy us. on the flip side, we could totally play with Michigan State, Duke, Syracuse, etc. With this team it's all about match-ups... and most top tier teams with multiple athletic big men would destroy us soooooo badly.

I thought we were talking about will Brey ever be able to compete for a NC and to that I think the answer is "yes" because really any team that makes the field can get hot with the right pieces. Sorry if I misunderstood the question. This team is going to struggle to win their 5v12 or 6v11 game though.

 

[NDPhilly]

I think Biedschied will start there. He is rail thin but at 6'7" I think he will be ok.

 

[IrishLax]

Brey is exactly right that they are playing with house money at this point. They could lose in the first round and it would be far more than anyone expected this season.

2012-2013 looks like a big, big year. I think there's a 0% chance than Abromitis gets a sixth year, but they look to return everyone but Scott Martin and him, no? That is sweet. If this team could pull off a Sweet Sixteen run then excitement will be through the roof.

A possible lineup for 12-13:

G: Eric Atkins, Junior (12.4 ppg, 4.1 apg) 6'1 185lbs
G: Jerian Grant, Junior* (12.5 ppg, 4.9 apg) 6'5 195lbs
G: Pat Connaughton, Sophomore (6.9ppg) 6'5 210lbs
F: ?????
F: Jack Cooley, Senior (12.5 ppg, 9.5rpg) 6'9 250lbs

-- Alex Dragicevich (7.0 ppg) returns to backup the guards.

-- Garrick Sherman will be eligible, he started 17 games for Michigan State in 2010-2011 and is 6'10. This is huge, in my opinion.

-- Two of the incoming freshmen, Zach Auguste (6'10 C) and Cameron Biedscheid (6'6 SF) are bona fide studs. The third, Austin Burgett (6'8 F) isn't too shabby either.

It's going to be a great season.

I've heard Scott Martin will likely get a 6th year. So for the first time I can remember we'll have legitimate depth and be able to play a ~9 man rotation with all legitimate players.

 

[DillonHall]

What about Abro in terms of a 6th year?

EDIT: nm, just saw Buster's post...oh well

 

[clashmore_mike]

What about Abro in terms of a 6th year?

EDIT: nm, just saw Buster's post...oh well

No


Edit: just saw your edit LOL

 

[PerthDomer]

I'm talking this team. I think we have a shot at doing something special tourney wise next year or the year after.

 

[Buster Bluth]

I've heard Scott Martin will likely get a 6th year. So for the first time I can remember we'll have legitimate depth and be able to play a ~9 man rotation with all legitimate players.

That's right, I forgot about Martin possibly getting a sixth year. That would be awesome.

A possible lineup for 12-13:

G: Eric Atkins, Junior (12.4 ppg, 4.1 apg) 6'1 185lbs
G: Jerian Grant, Junior* (12.5 ppg, 4.9 apg) 6'5 195lbs
G: Pat Connaughton, Sophomore (6.9ppg) 6'5 210lbs
F: Scott Martin, 6Y Senior (9.5 ppg) 6'8 225lbs
F: Jack Cooley, Senior (12.5 ppg, 9.5rpg) 6'9 250lbs

Notable backups:

G: Alex Dragicevich, Junior (7.0 ppg) 6'7 225lbs
F: Cameron Biedscheid, Freshman 6'6 200lbs
F: Zach Auguste, Freshman, 6'9 210lbs
C: Garrick Sherman, Junior 6'10 255lbs

That ain't bad.

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

I'm sorry, but when Butler makes back-to-back NC game appearances and comes within a couple inches of winning one of them...... statements like you just made lose all credibility.

Butler has such a better coach it's unbelievable. Stevens is the best young coach in the country. Brey is nowhere near his level.

 

[clashmore_mike]

Butler has such a better coach it's unbelievable. Stevens is the best young coach in the country. Brey is nowhere near his level.

wrong

 

[gkIrish]

That's right, I forgot about Martin possibly getting a sixth year. That would be awesome.

A possible lineup for 12-13:

G: Eric Atkins, Junior (12.4 ppg, 4.1 apg) 6'1 185lbs
G: Jerian Grant, Junior* (12.5 ppg, 4.9 apg) 6'5 195lbs
G: Pat Connaughton, Sophomore (6.9ppg) 6'5 210lbs
F: Scott Martin, 6Y Senior (9.5 ppg) 6'8 225lbs
F: Jack Cooley, Senior (12.5 ppg, 9.5rpg) 6'9 250lbs

Notable backups:

G: Alex Dragicevich, Junior (7.0 ppg) 6'7 225lbs
F: Cameron Biedscheid, Freshman 6'6 200lbs
F: Zach Auguste, Freshman, 6'9 210lbs
C: Garrick Sherman, Junior 6'10 255lbs

That ain't bad.

Sky's the limit for that team. Honestly probably the greatest pool of talent Brey will have had to work with in his time here.

 

[CTIDANDREW]

Butler has such a better coach it's unbelievable. Stevens is the best young coach in the country. Brey is nowhere near his level.

Stevens is obviously a great coach, but to say that Brey is no where near his level is pretty unfair.
Matt Howard
Gordon Hayward
Shelvin Mack
Are three very talented players
As much as some will disagree great players help make great coaches.

 

[JD Irish]

I don't know who he'd replace, but I'd fully expect Sherman to start next year. I almost want to say the same thing for Biedsheid, who will be ND's most athletic and talented player when he arrives this fall.

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

Stevens is obviously a great coach, but to say that Brey is no where near his level is pretty unfair.
Matt Howard
Gordon Hayward
Shelvin Mack
Are three very talented players
As much as some will disagree great players help make great coaches.

3 players don't get teams to the national championship. Butler had the ultimate team in 2009 and an amazing run in 2010. They are perfectly coached and constructed. I can't believe people are actually underrating Stevens. Hayward, Howard, and Mack were low 3 stars, and everyone else on those teams were 2 stars. Do you really think everyone missed on them? No, they were coached brilliantly.

 

[CTIDANDREW]

3 players don't get teams to the national championship. Butler had the ultimate team in 2009 and an amazing run in 2010. They are perfectly coached and constructed. I can't believe people are actually underrating Stevens. Hayward, Howard, and Mack were low 3 stars, and everyone else on those teams were 2 stars. Do you really think everyone missed on them? No, they were coached brilliantly.

I dont care how many stars they were coming out of H.S??? Luke Zeller was a 5 star for what it is worth... Stevens is obviously a very good coach. But talent makes coaches, those three players were VERY good. How good was the team this year without as much talent, but with the same coach? Oh, yes that is right not even close to qualifying to the tournament.

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

I dont care how many stars they were coming out of H.S??? Luke Zeller was a 5 star for what it is worth... Stevens is obviously a very good coach. But talent makes coaches, those three players were VERY good. How good was the team this year without as much talent, but with the same coach? Oh, yes that is right not even close to qualifying to the tournament.

Uhh because the stars talk about player development. Good coaches can do a lot with less while bad coaches waste 5 stars. This season was a rebuilding year which is normal for teams who lose 2 players surprisingly early. Stevens did a great job with this team with all teams considered, and next year's team should be pretty great again.

 

[military_irish]

Uhh because the stars talk about player development. Good coaches can do a lot with less while bad coaches waste 5 stars. This season was a rebuilding year which is normal for teams who lose 2 players surprisingly early. Stevens did a great job with this team with all teams considered, and next year's team should be pretty great again.

Brad Stevens has coached for 5 years at Butler. He has had two great years, two okay years with an exit in the tourney in the 1st and 2nd round. This year he has had a pretty down year for being in the HORIZON Conference. They are not even projected to make the tourney this year.

So after this year will determine how good he really is, if he doesn't get hired somewhere else. But he has two great years, but even last year they should have been beat by PITT in the second round but some crazy events happened and they went on a run.

He may be a "great" coach but any coach could playing in a weaker league and having some luck in the tourney. I cheered for them throughout the tourney I won't lie but I never thought they were the better team or better coached team on the floor.