[GoMarquette.com] Acker's Contributions Helps Key Early-Season Success

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Acker's Contributions Helps Key Early-Season Success
       
Dec. 12, 2008

By Shannon Walsh

Some college athletes would transfer following a mediocre season or one where playing time was limited. Such was not the case for Maurice Acker, the 5-foot-8 guard from Hazel Crest, Ill.

Acker started in every game in his debut season with the Ball State Cardinals, averaging 9.2 points per game and 4.6 assists per game en route to a spot on the Mid-American Conference All-Freshman team and recognition as the league's rookie of the year.

No stranger to success on the court, the guard earned all-state, all-conference, and all-area selections in high school, and was an All-American nominee. Yet he transferred to Marquette largely because of program history, the coaching staff, and the presence of Jerel McNeal, Acker's former high school teammate.

"Jerel had an influence on me along with Coach Crean. The main reason why I came here is because they recruited me. The conference, the BIG EAST, got my attention because it's so competitive and gets a lot of attention," said Acker. "Jerel was a big part. He talked to me during the process, telling me everything that goes on around here and just giving me the lowdown on everything. He was a big piece of the puzzle."

Acker was forced to sit out per NCAA transfer rules, and though frustrated, took the limitations in stride and worked to improve.

"I wanted to play that year," said Acker. "It was tough sitting out because I've never had basketball taken away from me for a whole year. As a result, it was good for me in the long run because I got a lot stronger and gained a lot more experience in the process."

McNeal heavily influenced Acker's decision to join him at Marquette. A former high school teammate at nationally recognized Hillcrest High School under head coach Tom Cappel, the duo combined to lead the school to four straight conference championships during a streak of 17 in a row.

"Having Jerel here is just a good thing because of the simple fact that he's a competitor and doesn't like to lose. When we're on the court together, it's positive because of this competitiveness and willingness to win," he said.

The pairs' ties were felt at the end of the 2007-08 campaign when McNeal entered his name in the NBA Draft, eventually withdrawing without hiring an agent as to retain collegiate eligibility.

"I was proud of him because he had told me that was one of his dreams was to pursue the NBA. He was able to do that by entering his name in the draft and I was just proud of him to see him accomplish his goal of that," said Acker.

After a season on the bench following his transfer, Acker was quick to adjust his style of play on the court to complement his new teammates.

"Basically just coming in, I focused on being more of a distributor here," said Acker, who in his first season, earned the team's Super Sub award. "I was more of a scorer at Ball State and coming here, you have a lot of scorers on the team. I didn't have to score, so a lot of my focus was being a distributor and playing good defense."

Not only was Acker more focused on his skills as a passer, but he had to confront his lack of height, especially in a conference as big and physical as the BIG EAST.

"I play with a chip on my shoulder every game and every practice," Acker said of his mindset as the shortest Golden Eagle on the roster. "I am 5'8" and I'm going above taller guys who are six feet tall and above. At the same time, I've been going through that my whole life so it's really nothing different. I just have a mindset that nobody can stop me just because I'm 5'8"."

With seven players listed as guards on the 2008-09 roster, Acker took the depth of the backcourt as a challenge as well as a learning experience.

"It affected my game a lot at first, but as a result also got me a lot better because every day in practice, I have to guard Dominic, Wes, Jerel and David. It has helped me and others as a result because we have different types of players," said Acker. "You have to learn the tricks of the trade on how to guard each one, and that helps me translate it to the game when I play against other players."

Along with learning the "tricks of the trade" from the guards in the lineup, he has gained a great deal from the four seniors, both on and off the court.

"They've done a great job since I've been here and have helped me on the court and off it. I think that's why we're so good as a team; They don't focus on themselves, they help everybody else out," said Acker. "All of them have their different characteristics on how they lead. Wesley Matthews is more of a vocal leader, Jerel McNeal is more of a demonstrator, and Dominic is more of a vocal leader. I think each one of them has a different leadership characteristic which all tie in together."

One of the three juniors on the roster, Acker recognizes that this season will be an important foundation for the next especially as he will be beckoned to hold a greater leadership role, along with Cubillan and Hayward.

"Next season, we are going to have a pretty much a young team because we'll be missing all the seniors," said the junior. "Basically Lazar Hayward, David Cubillan and I are going to have to step up. I will have to be more of a vocal leader and off the court leader to help the younger guys get on pace so we can have another successful year."

       

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