Jerel McNeal
February 21, 2009 4:15 pm by Big Willie StyleThere’s been a lot of League MVP talk surrounding DeJuan Blair after his performance last Monday against UConn, and rightfully so. He is very worthy, but I think that Jerel McNeal of Marquette deserves a look as well. He’s been tremendous all year, as he has the past few years. He also has been the difference maker in several of Marquette’s biggest games, including today’s victory at Georgetown. I know he’s part of a posse of Senior guards, however, he always seems to standout to me. Marquette’s remaining schedule in the Big East is a killer. McNeal will be on the national stage in every game, and we’ll all get to see how he fares. If he excels, I think he’s got a great case for MVP, especially if Marquette finishes atop the conference.
4 Responses to “Jerel McNeal”
What I find most interesting is how Dominic James has taken a backseat a bit in the Marquette offense. Just a few years ago he was the superstar, but both Jerel McNeal and Wesley Matthews have come into their own, and now Dominic James averages less points per game than McNeal, Matthews, and Hayward.
In fact, Dominic James’s scoring average has decreased every single year he’s been at Marquette: 15.3 to 14.9 to 12.9 to 11.7. I think you’re unlikely to find many college players who have both averaged double-digits every year and who have also had their scoring average go down each year.
Regarding DJ’s decreased scoring, I think the biggest reason this year is the new offense Buzz Williams has implemented. It is much more free flowing than the previous coach’s. The point guard plays a crucial role in distribution and not necessarily scoring, which has opened things up for the likes of McNeil, Matthews and Hayward. The converse is that DJ scores less but has more assists. Also, DJ has turned it up a notch on defense. He has shut down many opposing guards throughout the season but doesn’t get as much credit as these things don’t show up in his stats.
I agree — he’s still contributing a lot. What I find more fascinating is that he was widely regarded as an NBA player even as a freshman, and I think each year he’s dropped off the radar a bit more. I wonder how that’s been for him, knowing that he probably could have secured more money had he left earlier.
Chris Thomas of Notre Dame was very, very similar.