MEN'S BASKETBALL: Irish scorch Blue Demons, 82-55
ANDREW SOUKUP
Associate Sports Writer
When he was in the process of transferring to Notre Dame, Ryan Humphrey happened to turn on the television and see a replay of the 1980 Notre Dame-DePaul game.
In that game, DePaul was ranked No. 1 and carried a 25-0 record into the game against the Irish. But Orlando Woolridge made two free throws at the end of double overtime to give the Irish a 76-74 win.
Saturday afternoon, Humphrey made sure that the first game in seven years between the Blue Demons and the Irish was less of a rivalry and more of a rout. He scored 18 points and added 16 rebounds as Notre Dame rolled to an 82-55 victory in front of 6,860 at the United Center.
"Every time someone tries to play physical with me, I try to use my speed, and when someone tries to use their speed, I use my physicalness. I try to do whatever is needed," said Humphrey, who was named the player of the game. "Today it was speed."
Against a much more physical DePaul squad — the Blue Demons had three players over 6-foot-9 — the Irish relied on speed and quickness in the post. Humphrey got off to a hot start, finishing the first half with 14 points, 11 rebounds and four blocked shots, and Harold Swanagan added 16 points and 11 rebounds for his first double-double of the season.
"They just went inside and killed our guys," said DePaul coach Pat Kennedy.
"Humph and Swan just played so tough this game," Irish guard Matt Carroll said. "I just wanted to keep throwing it in there all day and let them keep scoring."
David Graves scored 14 points and Chris Thomas had 12 points and five assists.
"Our quickness was definitely a factor," said Irish head coach Mike Brey. "We didn't run by them in the full court, but in the half court, we were able to beat them to some loose boards and the offensive boards."
The Irish never trailed in the game. They jumped out to a 14-4 lead five minutes into the game and entered the locker room with a 15 point lead. In the second half, the lead stretched the lead to 32 points with just under two minutes to go.
Notre Dame shut down DePaul's perimeter shooters all day long. They held vaunted point guard Imari Sawyer to just two points — both coming off free throws. The Blue Demons only shot 29.6 percent from the field.
DePaul's frustration broke through with 12:55 left in the second half. As Thomas dribbled up the court, Graves ran by Sawyer and turned back to look for the pass.
Sawyer, who was down on his knees, reached up and punched Graves in the groin. As Graves fell to the ground in obvious pain, a brief confrontation ensued before Brey ran onto the court and pulled his players toward the bench. Sawyer was not charged with a foul.
"It was a blatant punch and it was a foul play," Graves said. "It was unfortunate it got to that point, but that's what our defense does — it frustrates people."
"That kind of fueled us a little bit more," Thomas said. "I didn't expect for them to do something like that, and even a ref said he was flabbergasted."
Despite the rout, both coaches were happy to see the rivalry between the two schools continue. Before the game, Brey and Kennedy talked about making the game an annual event.
"This is a great series," Brey said. "... It was great for me this week to read about the history, being semi-new to this place."
"I think it has the makings of being a heck of a game. Today was not one of them," Kennedy said. "We just broke down so quickly. Games like that get away early, and you just don't have the necessary tools and abilities to get back into it."
Note:
After Brey finished his opening statement at the post-game press conference, a hand shot up in the front row of the reporters.
"Can you get Ryan Humphrey the ball more?"
The question came from none other than Humphrey himself, who was waiting his turn to speak to the media.
All Sports Stories for Monday, December 3, 2001
