Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/102697
"I definitely feel like I'm a well-rounded player, which allows me to play multiple positions and help my team out in several different ways. Now I'm starting to learn how to be the main guy on the team instead of a role player." After the Irish addressed backcourt needs with the 2013 class, head coach Mike Brey is on the hunt for big men in 2014. Current senior star forward Jack Cooley runs out of eligibility at the conclusion of this season, and Notre Dame needs to restock the cupboard when it begins play in the Atlantic Coast Conference either next season or the following year. Copeland is starting to pay close attention to conference re-alignment, and Notre Dame's move to the ACC is intriguing, especially since he's still waiting for offers from the Tar Heels and Blue Devils. But with plenty of time to build his offer list and narrow down his options, Copeland is Clawing Out Road Win The night of Jan. 7 was much more fulfilling for the basketball team than it was for the football program, which later in the evening was pounded by Alabama in the BCS National Championship Game in Miami. Irish head coach Mike Brey, meanwhile, got a gritty effort from his squad in a 66-60, come-from-behind victory at No. 21 Cincinnati, snapping a three-game losing streak at Fifth Third Arena. Junior guard Jerian Grant scored 19 points for the Irish, which shot 9 of 16 from behind the three-point line. When the Bearcats tried to shut down the perimeter, Notre Dame turned to senior forward Jack Cooley, who added 11 points and eight boards. Junior point guard Eric Atkins chipped in 10 points and six assists, sixth-year senior swingman Scott Martin put up more focused on finishing this prep season strong and really impressing in his last AAU go-around this summer. He explained how some relationships with college coaching staffs haven't blossomed and others have developed over time, and that he's impressed with Notre Dame so far, though he has much to learn about the program. He's made unofficial visits to North Carolina State, Georgetown, Florida State, Miami, North Carolina, West Virginia and Rutgers in recent months. Copeland plans to set up a couple of official visits soon, probably to FSU and Georgetown — schools he connects with on a weekly basis. "I never really thought about Notre Dame that much," he said. "It's definitely a good feeling to see Notre Dame, which is always one of the top teams in the country." — Wes Morgan 12 points, and sophomore guard Pat Connaughton chipped in 10 points and six rebounds. Cincinnati (13-3, 1-2) led by as many as nine points with just more than seven minutes to play in the first half, but back-to-back triples by Connaughton and Atkins nearly erased the deficit. The Irish connected on five straight three-pointers down the firsthalf stretch en route to a 32‑28 lead at the break. The Bearcats' Ge'Lawn Guyn knocked down a deep ball to regain the lead at 47-45 with 12:23 to play before Grant attacked the basket for four of Notre Dame's next five field goals and a four-point cushion. Cooley and senior center Garrick Sherman provided insurance in the paint, and a Martin three-pointer extended the cushion to 11 points with 5:08 remaining. ✦