McNeal Did Not Come to Play Today in the First Half

[willie warrior]

The stink from Freedom Hall is coming from McNeal:
2 for 12
Not Hustling back on D
Getting beat repeatedly when on D

Get your head out of your butt--quit thinking about your press clippings

[NavinRJohnson]

The stink from Freedom Hall is coming from McNeal:
2 for 12
Not Hustling back on D
Getting beat repeatedly when on D

Get your head out of your butt--quit thinking about your press clippings

Wow. How incredibly misguided. If anything the guy is trying to do too much.

[mosarsour]

He's just trying too hard. He'll pick it up in the 2nd half.

[1990Warrior]

Wiilie,
I have a different take, the same one as Rafferty.  He is trying to do too much.  He will let the game come to him and we will be fine.

[strobl2]

Once he knocks down a few shots all of that will change. He hasn't been that bad on d either, he had that nice jumping steal when samuels was cutting back door and he knocked it down.

[detroitwarrior]

Wow. How incredibly misguided. If anything the guy is trying to do too much.

Agreed. He is pressing too much trying to make up for DJ's absence and Mo is running the offense a little differently than DJ due to his inability to penetrate and consequently Jerel is not getting easier looks.

[Detfan23]

You have got to be kidding me.  So because he didn't hit some shots he is not bringing it?  

Do you think it might have something to do with James being out and McNeal pressing himself too much.  If he comes out and scores 15 in the 2nd half and leads us to a win, did he still not bring it?

[NavinRJohnson]

If he makes a couple of those open 3's, then would he have someohow come to play?

[GuyIncognito]

A lot of his shots were in and out. They'll fall eventually and we'll be alright.

[SoCalEagle]

JM will lead us to victory in the second half!!!

Then on to Pitt!!!

[Daniel]

Jerel will start hitting them in half two.  I say he gets 18 the second half.  Go Marquette!!!!!!!!

[mu_hilltopper]

Really uncalled for, willie.   McNeal is missing, yeah, but not for a lack of working his butt off.    Did not come to play?   You give that a try.

[MUeng]

unfortunately mcsteal is killing us right now.  hope he can turn it around

[Blackhat]

I'll back up willie a little.   McNeal did have the worst body language I've seen out of a player in awhile.   And I would hope we demand every player hustle back on D after messing up which McNeal has not been doing.   Obviously the kid has been a great player for us but through either trying to hard or not on the O end, you have to hustle back on defense.

[ErickJD08]

I'll back up willie a little.   McNeal did have the worst body language I've seen out of a player in awhile.   And I would hope we demand every player hustle back on D after messing up which McNeal has not been doing.   Obviously the kid has been a great player for us but through either trying to hard or not on the O end, you have to hustle back on defense.

Totally agree.  The put back by samuels (I think), McNeal just stood there watching.

[ZiggysFryBoy]

willie warrior, the #1 first half poster.   

[AlumKCof93]

I love McNeal, but his body language has been awful the whole game.  Its one thing to miss shots, but he's had more defensive lapses in this game than I can recall all season.  His energy is just not there - either he's feeling sorry for himself or he's not feeling well.  I have to believe its the latter as he's just not himself today.  ITs a shame, this was definitely a winnable game.

[MUWeb7]

I love McNeal, but his body language has been awful the whole game.  Its one thing to miss shots, but he's had more defensive lapses in this game than I can recall all season.  His energy is just not there - either he's feeling sorry for himself or he's not feeling well.  I have to believe its the latter as he's just not himself today.  ITs a shame, this was definitely a winnable game.

+1
Exactly what I was thinking

[Robyrd5]

Total off day. Some days, the shots just won't fall. Reminded me of the Georgetown game last year when Lazar scored a whopping zero points and we lost in OT. That was a year ago today. Happy anniversary. Always a heartbreaker against Louisville.

[mwbauer7]

I love McNeal, but his body language has been awful the whole game.  Its one thing to miss shots, but he's had more defensive lapses in this game than I can recall all season.  His energy is just not there - either he's feeling sorry for himself or he's not feeling well.  I have to believe its the latter as he's just not himself today.  ITs a shame, this was definitely a winnable game.

He was frustrated--wouldn't you be?

[AlumKCof93]

I'd be frustrated too, in fact I am.  But I'm criticizing his offense - he obviously had an off day and I didn't think he forced shots - just missed them.  But his offensive woes shouldn't impact his defense and they did.  He was himself today, either offensively or defensively.