Mike Brey: "Johnson Is Such A Killer"

Notre Dame head coach Mike Brey met with the media after his team's 73-68 road loss at NC State.

NOTE: Click the video above to watch the press conference.

Opening Statement...
We couldn’t get a rebound, and their physicality really hurt us in the second half.  Johnson is such a killer. I’m disappointed for us because I thought we played well enough to escape.

When you give up second shots like that it’s kind of hard to get out of there.  Give them credit, their physicality kind of got to us a little bit inside.

Johnson, he’s a great guard. He’s a killer. He makes plays.  

So disappointing because we were in position.  We have 16 more league games or something like that. 

Get me a drink [laughing].

D.J. Funderburk seemed to give you guys some problems...
We were in zone so it is a little hard to block out when you’re in zone, and he’s getting a free run to the rim. He’s such an athletic dude.   He has been playing well for them, and I was worried about him. He’s really good.

Their physicality on that backboard... I wasn’t worried going in and we held it off for most of the game until the second half.  The possession... we give up two offensive rebounds and then Beverly hits a three.  It’s like the basketball Gods were saying, “Now you don’t deserve to win.”

I told our guys, “You have to get that one.” It’s almost a foregone conclusion.

Funderburk is playing really well for them.  He’s a man.