Jan. 14--ATLANTA -- Notre Dame's matchup with Virginia on Saturday had entered its 31st minute, and Irish leading scorer Jerian Grant didn't have a point.
Finally, Grant stole a pass and sprinted for a layup for his first points.
Most teams might have trouble if their leading scorer isn't hitting, but the Irish had managed a road win at North Carolina with Grant making only one field goal. And they hung in against undefeated and second-ranked Virginia until the final minutes before falling 62-56 in South Bend, Ind.
That's due in part to the weapons No. 12 Notre Dame has around Grant -- who finished with six points against Virginia -- and in part to Grant's unselfishness. He's willing to be a shot creator when defenses focus on him, as they have in the last two games.
Grant, who is averaging 16.6 points and 6.3 assists, scored a combined 14 points in those games on 3-for-16 shooting.
As the Irish (15-2, 3-1 ACC) prepared to face Georgia Tech on the road Wednesday, Grant said he isn't pressing to get his points, even if the last two games were not easy to handle.
"I'm just looking to be aggressive; whether I'm looking for a shot or looking to pass, it's just staying aggressive," Grant said. "The last two games have been tough for me. Defenses have keyed in on me, and I'm still learning to play without the ball a little more."
Against Virginia, Grant had little freedom to move. If he drove to the hoop, at least two Cavaliers were there to make him give up the ball. The Cavaliers were determined not to let Grant burn them and they succeeded, even if Grant helped set up open looks for teammates.
Perhaps Grant can get back on track against Georgia Tech, which he torched for 24 points in a double-overtime victory Jan. 3 in South Bend. While earlier in his career Grant might have tried to force some shots -- such as long 3-pointers early in the shot clock -- he is more patient now and not as eager to fill up the stat sheet.
"It was tough, especially playing against a great defensive team like Virginia," Grant said. "I wanted to be able to get some shots, get some open looks for my teammates and get some open looks for me. But the way our team is playing right now, I don't have to force anything."
Coach Mike Brey has the same viewpoint and isn't adjusting his offense to spark Grant's scoring, as much as it would help.
"He's finding people and he's moving the ball and we're in the game," Brey said. "I don't want to overcoach him like, 'Let's run stuff so you shoot it.' His stuff comes differently, but he's a marked man every night."
chine@tribpub.com
Twitter @ChristopherHine
