SOUTH BEND, Ind. — A week ago, Jack Cooley retreated to his father’s hotel room and was greeted by a TV, DVD player and meticulously edited game film, his dad chopping up tape to highlight every minute his son had played for Notre Dame.
High school and AAU film of high-production games also was included in the movie marathon. All of it underscored the sophomore backup was capable of more than just setting picks. This footage was a screen of a different kind.
“We were there for like 2 1/2 hours, analyzing every game, how I played, the goods and the bads,” the Glenbrook South product said. “It was really, really in-depth. It was really helpful. As you saw.”
Four days later, Cooley’s 10 points in eight first-half minutes kept Notre Dame afloat in what became an overtime victory against Louisville. When the No. 8 Irish visit South Florida on Saturday a reprise isn’t expected, but Cooley is reminded constantly his role can expand from just playing the heavy.
Still, it’s always a tricky balance to achieve in Irish coach Mike Brey’s hierarchy: Defer to the veterans that by design lead the club, but find the confidence to be assertive if needed.
“At times, we’ve nudged him to want more,” Brey said. “Certainly the other night … he keeps us alive. But we’ve seen spurts like that in practice.”
Coaches have encouraged Cooley. Ben Hansbrough, the team’s emotional fulcrum, has pushed him. Then there was the film buffering with his father.
And yet Louisville was Cooley’s first double-digit game since Dec. 22, and he had scored just 22 points, total, in Big East play before that. Patience, more than a nifty jump hook, remains his greatest asset.
“I know my role is going to come,” Cooley said. “I don’t need it to be my night (yet). I just have to capitalize when it is time.”
Cooley may not score another 10 points in the next month, let alone the next game, given Notre Dame’s structure. But an occasional rude awakening from a burly 6-foot-9 backup forward is fine by the Irish.
“That’s his game — physical beast inside,” forward Tim Abromaitis said. “When he gets in and does that for us, it’s definitely something we value.”
