MEN'S BASKETBALL: Humphrey leads Irish in Hawaii
By ANDREW SOUKUP
Associate Sports Editor
Don't make Ryan Humphrey sit out two games ever again.
In his first three games back from serving an NCAA suspension, Humphrey averaged 23.6 points per game en route to being named the MVP of the Hawaii-Pacific Thanksgiving Classic.
The 5-0 Irish defeated Hawaii-Pacific 98-58, Tennessee-Chattanooga 97-84 and Monmouth 85-48, as they won the Thanksgiving Classic.
In addition to Humphrey, the Irish placed three other members on the All-Tournament team. Matt Carroll, David Graves and Chris Thomas each secured a spot on the 10-person squad.
Interest for the tournament was not very high, as the Irish, the tournament's biggest name, only drew about 1,250 people for each game.
In the championship game against Monmouth, Humphrey led all scorers with 21 points. Graves and Carroll each added 15 points for the Irish, who led 36-23 at halftime.
The Irish shot 54 percent from the field while limiting the Hawks to just 32 percent. Notre Dame also held a 48-26 rebounding edge.
Against Tennessee-Chattanooga in the second round, Humphrey and Carroll paced the Irish with 20 points apiece. Thomas and Harold Swanagan each added 19 points, and Graves chipped in 13. All five members of Notre Dame's starting lineup played at least 34 minutes.
Notre Dame only led by six points at the half, and Tennessee-Chattanooga held a one-rebound advantage despite both Graves and Swanagan recording 10 rebounds apiece. The Irish shot 57.4 percent from the field and 66.7 percent from 3-point range.
In the tournament opener against Hawaii-Pacific, Humphrey scored 26-first half points en route to a career-high 31 point performance. He added 10 rebounds to record his first double-double of the season.
Graves had 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting and Carroll chipped in with 15 points.
Thomas was only 1-10 from the field, connecting on a three pointer, but he recorded a career-high 13 assists and didn't turn the ball over.
Notre Dame's next game is Wednesday night when the Irish host Army. Game time is 7:30 p.m.
All Sports Stories for Tuesday, November 27, 2001
