Experts say McNeal will create more madness
Written by: Emmett Prosser
The national experts aren't exactly high on Marquette's NCAA chances, but....
It's clear that the national college basketball media is taking notice of Jerel McNeal's defensive talents. McNeal is named the best defender in tournamen (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/ncaatourney08/columns/story?id=3300182)t by ESPN.com's Reggie Rankin and Jay Bilas.
ESPN's Joe Lunardi picks every score of every game (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/ncaatourney08/columns/story?columnist=lunardi_joe&id=3300831). MU fans will be happy to see that the resident bracketologist has Kentucky falling to the Golden Eagles, 77-62. In round 2, Lunardi likes Stanford in a thriller over Tom Crean's trio of junior leaders, 71-70.
What's the best and worst case scenarios for MU fans? Pat Forde gives us the plus-minus vibe (http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=forde_pat&id=3300956&sportCat=ncb) before we all figure out how we are going to excuse ourselves from our places of employment tomorrow.
CBS Sportsline breaks down the MU-UK game (http://www.sportsline.com/collegebasketball/mayhem/edge/south/MARQET/KY) and gives the nod to Marquette. Garry Parrish also likes the Golden Eagles to prevail over the Wildcats for a third straight time in the tournament. He gives his reasons in a video preview.
Seth Davis of Sports Illustrated picks the Golden Eagles to lose in the first round (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/ncaa/men/2008/ncaa_tourney/brackets/experts/seth_davis.html). Kelli Anderson (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/ncaa/men/2008/ncaa_tourney/brackets/experts/kelli_anderson.html) has MU falling to Stanford in round 2. Luke Winn (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/ncaa/men/2008/ncaa_tourney/brackets/experts/luke_winn.html) has more faith in Marquette's junior class. He has the Eagles in the Sweet 16.
(http://blogs.jsonline.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=128396)
http://blogs.jsonline.com/muhoops/archive/2008/03/19/experts-say-mcneal-will-create-more-madness.aspx
Jerel is getting a lot of press - hope he plays well, and I hope that it doesn't get into DJ's head that he's not getting the press. DJ needs a bog game - running the floor especially.
We need a great team effort - all 5 starters firing on all cylinders - let's GO MARQUETTE!!