Mike Brey gives promising update on Marcus Hammond's injury following Marquette loss

For Notre Dame, the Irish started the season with Marcus Hammond injured with a sprained MCL. At 7-3 (0-1) and coming off a loss to Marquette, Mike Brey knows that the Irish could use Hammond back from injury. Luckily, he had a positive update on Hammond’s injury following the loss.

“Marcus Hammond, he played 23 minutes. You know, he’s coming. There’s a great chance we get that darn brace off on Friday,” Mike Brey said.

“And he is a guard that can get in the lane and make some plays. He’s still feeling his way, and he’s still getting there, and we get that brace off of him and get him two good practices, he’s going to be really more of a key for us because he can get into the lane and make some plays.”

Marcus Hammond returned in Notre Dame’s loss to Syracuse to open ACC play. Since then, he’s worn a large knee brace while rejoining the lineup.

At the same time, Mike Brey knows that Notre Dame can’t solely rely on Marcus Hammond for scoring. The Irish need all their playmakers succeeding to beat a talented team like Marquette.

“I thought JJ [Starling] got into the lane and really made some plays for us, you know? Got to the rim a couple of times. It was tough for Dane [Goodwin], really to get going. They always put an athlete on him and really try to take him away.”

Notre Dame’s next game is on Sunday, December 18th, against Georgia.

Mike Brey was eager to get Marcus Hammond back

Mike Brey has been excited to get Marcus Hammond back this season. Prior to the Syracuse game, he spoke about how eager he was to get Hammond back.

“Oh yeah, no no, I think they want him back, man. I mean, you know, he was efficiency, point-wise, through 25 practices. He was leading us, not Nate Laszewski, not Dane Goodwin, not Cormac Ryan. He had more points than anybody,” Mike Brey explained.

“And, you know, he gives you another guy that can go and he can score and can shoot it. I think, as I watched this summer, I said five old guys and the two young guys, if we can keep that seven moving I think we got a chance. And so, we’re getting close to getting those seven together.”