McNeal

[Wade for President]

Anybody else read Rosiak's blog about McNeal and his experience at Kobe's camp, and smile? 

When asked if he got a chance to play one-on-one with Kobe,
"I wish," said McNeal, laughing. "I was going to get into him. He might not have liked me too much after that."

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Jerel on the defensive side of the ball...and love the confidence and pride he is taking with his skill.

He has a real good chance to be a 3 time Defensive Player of the Year in the Big East.  Damn near impossible for a 6'2" guard to achieve those accolades.

I loooooove summer...but November couldn't come any faster.

Two words boys...FIRED UP!

[ChicosBailBonds]

I love his confidence, too, but voters tend not to give guys awards multiple years.  I think if Roy Hibbert shows up each game and puts up a few blocks per game, he's going to get it on reputation this year.

[StillAWarrior]

I love his confidence, too, but voters tend not to give guys awards multiple years.  I think if Roy Hibbert shows up each game and puts up a few blocks per game, he's going to get it on reputation this year.

I don't disagree with you, but I was a bit surprised to see that the Big East has a history of players winning multiple defensive player of the year awards.  Unfortunately, there is also a pretty strong track record of giving it to Georgetown  centers.

[herboturbo]

I was surprised to see two guards among the back to back winners of the award

[muhoosier260]

McNeal is in some pretty good company. I can't decide which is more amazing: Ewing winning it four years in a row, or the four years from 89-92 that Mourning and Mutombo won it.

[patso]

I have read this whole blog and have come to the conclusion that schools as Cincy UNLV could field a better squad of Bad guys from one class than Marquette from its entire history

[77ncaachamps]

I love his confidence, too, but voters tend not to give guys awards multiple years.  I think if Roy Hibbert shows up each game and puts up a few blocks per game, he's going to get it on reputation this year.

I don't disagree with you, but I was a bit surprised to see that the Big East has a history of players winning multiple defensive player of the year awards.  Unfortunately, there is also a pretty strong track record of giving it to Georgetown  centers.

Not only that, but guards RARELY get it. It's usually the swatting forwards and centers of the league.

[herboturbo]

4 to Forwards, 6 to Guards, 16 to Centers

[mviale]

a healthy Mcneal and we are sweet 16 last year - maybe more

[MUBasketball]

a healthy Mcneal and we are sweet 16 last year - maybe more

Nice thought, not sure that's true. Maybe the guys beat Pitt a 3rd time in NYC with McNeal, thus we aren't in the 8/9 game, having to face UNC in the 2nd round. But if we had McNeal, who knows if we get past MSU, much less UNC. Regardless, this year's team should be the best since the '02-'03 squad.

[jutaw22mu]

well i think regardless, this team is taking steps up from each year.  i didnt think we would beat pitt 3 times in one season even with a healthy mcneal, but i think his presence was sorely missed in the michigan state game.  it basically showed how important having all of the big 3 healthy is to this team.  lets just hope he and everyone else can stay healthy this year and take an even bigger step in both the BET and NCAAs.