Recap: DePaul
Jan. 24, 2009 7:58 p.m.
One of the most articulate and quotable coaches in all of college basketball, DePaul's Jerry Wainwright once again did not disappoint in the wake of his team's 79-70 loss at MU on Saturday.
He opened with plenty of plaudits for the Golden Eagles' foursome of Jerel McNeal, Wesley Matthews, Dominic James and Lazar Hayward, then pulled out a real beauty when discussing McNeal's defensive prowess.
"Jerel McNeal is all-defensive team," he said. "He's like the in-law that comes over to your house, and has got a suitcase when you answer the door. He doesn't go away; he's going to be there."
Wainwright continued.
"I love the kid," he said. "He's a Chicago kid; I wish I had been (at DePaul) when he was in high school. I saw him in high school. We weren't going to get him at Richmond, I know, but what a wonderful kid, and he's a testimony to what college basketball should be all about.
"He's worked very hard to get to where he's at, and his leadership, determination and toughness marks this team. I wouldn't want him guarding me."
Indeed, McNeal was all over the place defensively against DePaul, playing the passing lanes to the tune of six steals -- one short of his collegiate high. He seemed to get a kick out of Wainwright's 'in-laws' comment when informed of it afterward.
"It's a big compliment, and really funny. I like Coach Wainwright a lot," said McNeal with a laugh. "I hope I can be there for as long as I can be. That's all I can say about it."
-- Kudos to Dwight Burke for a strong 10-point, seven-rebound outing in 32 minutes. He might have bested his previous high of 12 points were it not for a 2-for-6 effort at the free-throw line.
And how about zero fouls? Burke's clearly doing a much better job of staying vertical and moving his feet -- basics which should help him guard Notre Dame's Luke Harangody on Monday.
"I thought Dwight Burke did a really good job," said Williams. "Five offensive rebounds, seven overall. I thought it was the best Dwight's played all year long. When he can get 10 and seven, that's really positive for our team."
-- Williams was asked about the technical he picked up from referee John Cahill midway through the second half.
"I said, 'Foul!'" he said. "You can ask him."
-- MU won't have to wait long to see DePaul, one of its three repeat opponents, again.
The Golden Eagles travel to Allstate Arena to take on the Blue Demons on Feb. 3. They didn't play there last season, and haven't won there since 2005-'06.
-- McNeal passed Dean Meminger, Damon Key and Dominic James in pursuit of George Thompson's all-time scoring mark, and currently stands at No. 7 with 1,652 points. James is eighth with 1,648.
If McNeal continues to score his average of nearly 19 points per game, he'll move into the top spot on Feb. 17 at home against Seton Hall. James would move into second place in the penultimate game of the season, at Pittsburgh on March 4.
-- It appears as though MU will host highly regarded recruit DaShonte Riley for a visit next weekend.
Riley had been expected to visit this weekend, but since MU left following the DePaul game Saturday night for Notre Dame, the visit would have been rushed and is therefore expected to be re-scheduled.
If the 6-foot-10 Riley visits next weekend, it would be interesting in that MU will be playing Georgetown -- the team that the Detroit Country Day product originally committed to before changing his mind earlier this season.
-- Hayward now has five double-doubles on the season...With 17 boards, he was one shy of his high, which he established earlier this season. "When he gets 17, that changes the complexion of our team," said Williams...MU's 4 three-pointers were its fewest since the Rutgers game...MU's 58.3% free-throw shooting was its worst since IPFW...More big minutes for the starters: 39 for Matthews, 38 for McNeal, 37 for James and 32 for Burke. Hayward played 29. despite avoiding foul trouble for the second straight game...The bench, meanwhile, contributed 25 minutes and four points -- all from Jimmy Butler...The Golden Eagles have committed no more than 10 turnovers since their Big East opener, when they had 19...They had a season-high 14 assists against DePaul.
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