Jerel McNeal - Best guard in the country?

[NavinRJohnson]

I say yes.

[MUFanInGreenBay]

McNeal is playing himself into the 1st round of the NBA draft. And if he leads MU to a deep tourney run he could be a mid 1st rounder. He's really improved his game - great defender, great driver/creator, and now a good shooter. Helluva player. Reminds me of Wade in how he can impact a game in so many ways with his talent. He's definately one of the Top 5 guards in the country.

[avid1010]

Maybe I'm dead wrong on this, but I don't think his 3pt shot is getting the respect it deserves yet because it was never his strength (still may not be) and he does so many other things well.  I still feel like I'm waiting for him to "cool" down a bit, but he just keeps playing better and better.  His biggest upside to NBA teams may be the fact that he went to the pre-draft camps last year, was told to improve his shot, and obviously put a great deal of time and effort into doing so successfully.  That has to say a lot about a player to those teams. 

[Pakuni]

Since he didn't receive the pre-season hype of some others (i.e. Collison, Curry, Harden) it's probably a very longshot, but Jerel certainly has played himself into the conversation as a potential first-team All-American. Outside of arguably Curry, you'd be hard-pressed to find a guard (player?) who's more valuable to his team. He's putting up Wade-like numbers in a more challenging conference than the old C-USA.

[muole]

no guard is playing better on a bigger stage.  if he keeps it up he's a first team all american and a late first rounder.

[Norm]

Jerel is playing great, even with those 3-4 possessions each game where he leaves you scratching his head with his decisions. I'll take those every game though with the results MU is getting.

[mviale]

He is the whole package - defense plus offense.

[Badgerhater]

Jerel is playing great, even with those 3-4 possessions each game where he leaves you scratching his head with his decisions. I'll take those every game though with the results MU is getting.

Those are indeed frustrating....but look at it this way.   We MU fans see those 3 boneheaded plays, while fans of our opponents only see him scoring 27, dishing 11 assists, getting 5 steals........................

[Badgerhater920]

Those are indeed frustrating....but look at it this way.   We MU fans see those 3 boneheaded plays, while fans of our opponents only see him scoring 27, dishing 11 assists, getting 5 steals........................

Not to mention 3 blocks...not bad for 6'3''

[MUSF]

To answer the question:

Yes, he is at least in the conversation.

BUT....

I still don't like his prospects in the draft.

1. Too small to play the SG

2. Ball handling and decision making not good enough for the Point.

3. His 3 point shot, IMO, won't translate to the NBA that well.  I haven't seen him shoot in person but on T.V. it doesn't appear that he elevates fully on his long range shot and he takes too long to get it off.  He can knock it down but he has definitely benefited from having 2 other big time scoring threats on the floor with him and a PG who can take any defender off the bounce forcing others to help.

Again, he is a great college player and quite possibly the best guard in the country right now, but that doesn't gurantee a mid-first round selection.

[wheresthecake?]

his 3pt shot is getting the respect it deserves yet because it was never his strength

Totally right, although I think each game it gets more and more respect, especially because he keeps living up to his 3pt%.  Anyone ever notice that when Cubillan comes into games, the announcers still call him our "3 point specialist"? God that's annoying, he's far from it.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

To answer the question:

Yes, he is at least in the conversation.

BUT....

I still don't like his prospects in the draft.

1. Too small to play the SG

2. Ball handling and decision making not good enough for the Point.

3. His 3 point shot, IMO, won't translate to the NBA that well.  I haven't seen him shoot in person but on T.V. it doesn't appear that he elevates fully on his long range shot and he takes too long to get it off.  He can knock it down but he has definitely benefited from having 2 other big time scoring threats on the floor with him and a PG who can take any defender off the bounce forcing others to help.

Again, he is a great college player and quite possibly the best guard in the country right now, but that doesn't gurantee a mid-first round selection.

I agree with you...

BUT...

MU is a college team, and Jerel is and AWESOME college guard. Let's all enjoy that.

[RawdogDX]

To answer the question:

Yes, he is at least in the conversation.

BUT....

I still don't like his prospects in the draft.

1. Too small to play the SG

2. Ball handling and decision making not good enough for the Point.

3. His 3 point shot, IMO, won't translate to the NBA that well.  I haven't seen him shoot in person but on T.V. it doesn't appear that he elevates fully on his long range shot and he takes too long to get it off.  He can knock it down but he has definitely benefited from having 2 other big time scoring threats on the floor with him and a PG who can take any defender off the bounce forcing others to help.

Again, he is a great college player and quite possibly the best guard in the country right now, but that doesn't gurantee a mid-first round selection.

1. Ben Gordon

2. See number 1.

3. 100% crazy talk.

[StillWarriors]

He's able to get the 3 off without much, if any, elevation b/c people have to respect his ability to get to the hole if they play up. Works for Wes too.

[MUSF]

He's able to get the 3 off without much, if any, elevation b/c people have to respect his ability to get to the hole if they play up. Works for Wes too.

Will it work at the next level?

[HomeCourtAdvantage]

Totally right, although I think each game it gets more and more respect, especially because he keeps living up to his 3pt%.  Anyone ever notice that when Cubillan comes into games, the announcers still call him our "3 point specialist"? God that's annoying, he's far from it.

The last "3 Point Specialist" was Fitzy.

[Pakuni]

Will it work at the next level?

Who knows? But I bet he'll get the chance to find out. Besides, if Jerel's proven anything these last 12 months, it's that he'll work hard to adapt his game to succeed.
I've said it before, I'll say it again: A similar player to whom Jerel compares very favorably is Luther Head, who was a first round pick. Head may be an inch taller, but isn't as long as McNeal.
Size probably will keep Jerel from being an NBA regular, but I could see him earning time in a rotation.

[bs4173]

FWIW, here's what SportingNews's Mike DeCourcy said about him today (sorry if this is a re-post): http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/news?slug=bigeastconferencecallmcn&prov=tsn&type=lgns

"You think Santonio Holmes had a good week? OK, so maybe he enjoyed a better week than Jerel McNeal, but only because the word "Super" was involved. McNeal's maturing game is making him into the quietest All-America candidate of recent memory. In victories last week against Notre Dame and Georgetown, he averaged 26.5 points, 6.5 assists, 5.0 rebounds, 3.0 steals, 48 percent shooting from the field and 47 percent shooting from 3-point range. Jeff Teague is a more dynamic guard and more coveted draft prospect, but is there a more complete college backcourt player than McNeal? It would seem not."

[MUSF]

1. Ben Gordon

2. See number 1.

3. 100% crazy talk.

Ben Gordon?  Maybe.  McNeal may some day develop into a Gordon type in the NBA.  I was simply saying that I think his size as a SG and his lack of experience/skills/decision making to run the point will prevent him from being selected early in the draft.

As for number 3, I definitely could be crazy.  Like I said, that is just my view from the couch.  I haven't seen his new and improved shot in person and I am certainly not an expert at evaluating NBA talent but I have watched a fair amount of bball and his outside shot doesn't look like the typical NBA shot to me.

Look, I would love to be proven wrong on this.  I hope Jerel gets picked in the 10-20 range and makes an immediate impact at the next level.  

[MUSF]

Who knows? But I bet he'll get the chance to find out. Besides, if Jerel's proven anything these last 12 months, it's that he'll work hard to adapt his game to succeed.
I've said it before, I'll say it again: A similar player to whom Jerel compares very favorably is Luther Head, who was a first round pick. Head may be an inch taller, but isn't as long as McNeal.
Size probably will keep Jerel from being an NBA regular, but I could see him earning time in a rotation.

There is no doubt in my mind that Jerel could work hard and eventually contribute significantly to an NBA team.  I simply disagree with some who think he will move up to a mid-first round pick.  You're right, he will get an opportunity in the NBA but pro teams tend to look at upside and players with outstanding athletic abilities over proven players with less physical talent.

[Wade for President]

I think the success Rajon Rondo has had in the NBA could make scouts and NBA executives rethink McNeal's effectiveness at the next level.

I don't know about you guys...but Jerel's play mimics Rondo's in so many ways.

[mosarsour]

1. Too small to play the SG

<--------  They said the same thing about this guy too.

[NavinRJohnson]

Bump. Holy Crap!

[🏀]

He's going for 100.

[MU_Navy]

Wow, did anyone just hear them compare Jerel to Dwayne Wade...?  He is good, but, that good...?