Braking for Irish

DENVER – When Tony Bennett looks at tape of Notre Dame, Washington State’s opponent today in an NCAA East Regional second-round game, the WSU men’s basketball coach sees a team in transition.

Not one that is changing, but one that changes ends in a hurry. Not one singing a different tune, but one in rhythm on the offensive end.

“They are such a potent offensive team,” Bennett said Friday after his team’s practice at the Pepsi Center. “The way they run the floor they could have one of four or five guys that will grab the rebound and break out.

“They really run the floor hard.”

From 6-foot-8, 250-pound center Luke Harangody to 5-11, 193-pound point guard Tory Jackson, the fifth-seeded Irish (25-7) run at every opportunity. Their up-tempo style has led to an average of 61 shots and 80 points a game.

As a point of reference, the much-more methodical Cougars average 49 shots and 67 points every 40 minutes.

Most impressive, although the Irish like to push the ball, they have an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.4, second best in the nation – mainly because they lead the nation with 18.8 assists per game. The patient Cougars (25-8), who led the Pac-10 this season, have a 1.3 ratio.

“I think it’s important for us to run on makes and misses as much as we can, not necessarily … to force transition, but to make them change ends,” Notre Dame coach Mike Brey said. “I think one of the advantages we had (in the Irish’s 68-50 win over George Mason) was our opponent was fatigued.

“I thought we really looked fresh running last night. That could be an advantage for us.”

With a roster that only goes eight deep and usually features less, Washington State’s goal is simple: Make the Irish play a half-court game.

“If we let them get out, get easy baskets in transition, get running, it will be very difficult,” Bennett said. “I think that battle, who can kind of settle into their game, will have an advantage.”

Bennett’s players get the message.

“Transition defense is crucial,” reserve guard Nik Koprivica said. “If we do pretty good and don’t let them get easy buckets, like layups, I think we have a pretty good chance to beat them, because I don’t think they are really good in set offense.

“They aren’t a team that likes to play defense for 35 seconds. They like to get turnovers, gamble to get the ball, so I think with our patience, they aren’t going to like that.”

It’s the last piece WSU wants to exploit.

“You always look at your team and ask what gives you the best chance to play against the best and be successful,” Bennett said. “You try to be as sound as possible (on both ends of the court).

“On the defensive end, if we can be set and (make) people take quick shots or get impatient, that definitely plays into our hands. The same thing offensively, if we can be sound.”

“We’ve been in games in (the Big East Conference) where we’ve had to grind it (for) 40 minutes,” Brey said. “I thought we’ve concentrated and not gotten frustrated and been focused.”

If the game becomes a half-court affair, the Cougars know they will have to concentrate on Harangody, the Big East’s player of the year.

“Looking at Harangody on film, he’s another animal,” Daven Harmeling said of Notre Dame’s leading scorer (20.7) and rebounder (10.3).

“He’s a brut (and) just relentless. Tremendous size and skill. … It’s going to be a tough matchup.”