Garrett Kuk, Notre Dame Class of 2003 and the gentleman who offered to help get tickets for any Rakes readers, was at the game last night and wrote up a very nice review of what went down.  We watched some of the game on Loyola's very grainy feed, and I think it comes down to being a sloppy game, in a loud environment with a late start time that the Irish survived.  Mike Brey teams don't usually win with defense and rebounding, but that was the case Friday night in LA.  2-0 and onto bigger fish to attempt to fry in Hawaii.

Garrett's words are after the jump.

Before a rowdy, record-setting crowd of 4,534 at Gersten Pavilion, the Irish faced Loyola Marymount in Los Angeles.  While this was supposed to be a final tune-up for the Maui Invitational, it quickly became apparent that the home team would fight for all 48 minutes.  Loyola seemed content to slow the game down, make the Irish play defense for the full 35 second shot clock and retreat quickly on defense to
prevent run-outs in the transition game.

While ND's inconsistent play was at times frustrating, it was more along the lines the offense unable to find its stride.  Even LMU's torrid outside shooting keeping things close and the home crowd, I found myself expecting ND to run off a couple quick possessions with successive break-away baskets or three-pointers.  While these never materialized, it was nice to focus on widening the lead and I felt the
outcome of the game was never in doubt despite a tighter margin than I had hoped.

Sixty-five points may earn a victory in some Big East contests, but not with the recipe that brought a victory tonight.  Despite being in the bonus with 13 minutes to play in the contest, we probably left 15 points at the free throw line by missing on the front end of numerous one-and-ones.  There were a few times (especially in the first half)
when the extra pass would have yielded a wide open look from behind the arc, and the ball handling was not as crisp as I'm accustomed to seeing from recent Brey squads.  With superior athletes, I would have also preferred to see an extended aggressive press/trap defense, forcing LMU into quick decisions.

With all this criticism aside, this will be a very fun ND team to watch this year, especially when we have multiple players hitting from different areas of the court.  The Irish never trailed in the contest, and Harangody's workmanlike effort (9-17 from the field, 9-13 from the line, 17 rebs) is expected but should not be understated.  His defensive play is solid and he picked up two of his 3 personal fouls late in the contest.  I look forward to solid big man defense from him this season, knowing he does not get himself into foul trouble, and rarely meets an opponent that can force the issue on both ends of the floor to frustrate him.


SI Jinx:  Kyle MacAlarney was held scoreless in 36 minutes of play, tallying just two rebounds and four assists to go with four turnovers.  Let's hope he got that out of his system in time for a strong showing in Maui

Channeling Rob Kurz:  With Harangody and Jackson doing their best whirling dervish impression in the paint, we will need a combination of Hillesland, Zeller, and Ayers to pick up offensive rebounds for second-chance points.  At several points throughout the game, I expected tip-ins before realizing Kurz has moved on to the NBA.  We will need to replace his nonstop motor to clean up the offensive
boards.

You can't spell MVP without TJ:  Luke Harangody was clearly the best player on the floor on both sides of the ball tonight, but things Tory Jackson does displays his heart and place on this team.  As usual, fifty percent shooting from the floor, 7 rebounds, and 4 steals does not tell the whole story -- with MacAlarney scoreless, Jackson ensured momentum was wearing an ND jersey during a couple critical junctures in the second half to extend the lead or answer a big basket by LMU.

Glad to see you, Ty Nash:  This was my first look at Ty Nash, and I'm impressed with the flashes of talent.  Great defensive footwork staying in front of his assigned man, good vision passing out of the low block on offense.  He seems a bit unsure of his place within the offensive flow at times, but I hope his raw athleticism matures like a Russell Carter or Torian Jones over his career.

Knock on Hardwood:  LMU's Vernon Teel came up gimpy in the first half and  eturned from halftime using crutches, and a couple other Loyola players were seen limping during dead ball timeouts as well.  When the ball boys are wiping up the sweat between free throws using a Swiffer, I'm happy to have survived with a win and remain undefeated and injury-free.