Better take back your McNeal Comments

[Detfan23]

All he has done is spark a HUGE 2nd half run against a top 5 team in their building.  Damn I wish the kid would lead this team 

Some of you need to learn to shut your mouths and just enjoy watching a true athlete.

[Jam Chowder]

Yeah those threes he's taking from 5+feet behind the arc early in the shot clock are awesome.

[Detfan23]

Nice, lets complain that he did that but not talk about the run that he has us on.  Need a remind you that we are 10 point underdogs and we are tied 5 minutes into the 2nd half?

[Daniel]

WE ahd a 9 point lead, and we let them tie it.  I have to say, I do not like our use or lack of use of time outs.  Stinks in my opinion.  We are playing so hard..... let's GO MARQUETTE!!!

[ChicosBailBonds]

He needs to get to the basket.  The last three shots were out of sorts, not in the rhythm of the offense, way way way behind the 3 point line.

He's a great player, he can get to the rack almost at will.

[MU_Warrior44]

Agreed. He definitely needs to drive. He's been settling for long jumpers the last few times and just standing and waiting for the ball to get kicked out to him.

[dsfire]

Pitt's been packing the lane - there's a reason we're shooting such a high percentage from 3.  It's eased up a bit in the second half.

[MU_Warrior44]

And of course right after I post that he stops standing around and starts looking to drive. Good to see. Hang in there MU!

[MUWeb7]

Well we're starting to fall apart now...just jacking up threes...

[shaquilvaine]

I love McNeal, but the big run by Pitt was fueled by his terrible, and I mean terrible shot selection. 

[Marquette65]

boy is this team tired--no getting back on D-- shots off the front of the rim--bad mental decisions

[MUWarrior06]

I love McNeal, but the big run by Pitt was fueled by his terrible, and I mean terrible shot selection. 

Have to agree.

When you've got a lead, that's not the time to start taking 3s, and especially not awful 3s.

Drive the lane, draw a foul or score a layup. Just need to trade baskets at that point and create GOOD 3s

[MR.HAYWARD]

exactly Pitt's big run was fueled by Jerels terrible shot making decisions, the second half run was fueled by Wesley then jerel decided it was his turn...and started taking terrible shots simply terrible shots and pitt was on the run.  

[g0ldmember42]

Agreed. Let's not rip on Mcneal just because we are all waiting for a huge prayer to get to deep in the tourney. He's not to blame. He can't do this alone. If you really are watching these games you would see that :
1. he has improved his game significantly since last year. He is our leading scorer each game (usually). He is a defensive threat.
2. Since James has been out, the other team has a huge advantage defensively. They no longer have to worry about keeping James in check, and can focus more of their efforts on Mcneal. its not as easy for him to get the open looks or a one on one defender without someone else stepping up to help out when he drives to the lane.

A lot of people ripped on James too before he got injured. Now, we are all praising him. Don't Jinx Mcneal please.

[dwaderoy2004]

are you kidding me?  wes was the one who fueled that run.  jerel single handedly killed it with two forced threes and a sloppy pass that got picked off by fields.  and then it was nice to watch jerel just stand there as fields got an open lay-up.  i'm sorry, but if anyone deserves some blame for our last 2 losses, it's jerel.  when the dude plays within the flow of the offense, he is unstoppable.  when he forces things, he stops himself.

[CTWarrior]

i'm sorry, but if anyone deserves some blame for our last 2 losses, it's jerel.  when the dude plays within the flow of the offense, he is unstoppable.  when he forces things, he stops himself.

There is no flow of the offense without DJ.  There is nobody to create for McNeal and Matthews anymore.  We scored on UConn by avoiding half court sets and running full court.  In the half court our offense is stagnant.  McNeal receives the ball with one guy right on him and two more waiting in case he beats the first one.  Matthews, too.  They are working too hard on both ends of the floor and  get no rest.  Then they get tired and instead of fighting for one more run through the lane say, "Aw screw, maybe I can knock down this jumper."  No PG, no depth and no bigs is a lot to overcome against a team like Pitt.

[3Mer]

There is no flow of the offense without DJ.  There is nobody to create for McNeal and Matthews anymore.  We scored on UConn by avoiding half court sets and running full court.  In the half court our offense is stagnant.  McNeal receives the ball with one guy right on him and two more waiting in case he beats the first one.  Matthews, too.  They are working too hard on both ends of the floor and  get no rest.  Then they get tired and instead of fighting for one more run through the lane say, "Aw screw, maybe I can knock down this jumper."  No PG, no depth and no bigs is a lot to overcome against a team like Pitt.

I disagree. 

In the first half, MU did a good job reversing the ball which set up open perimeter looks.  And MU was getting into its transition offense well. 

In the second half, MU got gassed, the transition game disappeared, the shot selection $ucked and no one made an effort to get to the rim. 

I like Buzz, and I understand he thinks he's short-handed, but he lost control of the game last night.

[Wade for President]

are you kidding me?  wes was the one who fueled that run.  jerel single handedly killed it with two forced threes and a sloppy pass that got picked off by fields.  and then it was nice to watch jerel just stand there as fields got an open lay-up.  i'm sorry, but if anyone deserves some blame for our last 2 losses, it's jerel.  when the dude plays within the flow of the offense, he is unstoppable.  when he forces things, he stops himself.

AMEN!!!!!  McNeal can be his own worst enemy at times.

[DJO's Pump Fake]

Suck it up people...we have no choice now but to live or die by Jerel McNeal.

Lead us Jerel!

[StillWarriors]

Agreed. He definitely needs to drive. He's been settling for long jumpers the last few times and just standing and waiting for the ball to get kicked out to him.

Fatigue will do that to you....safe to say he's giving it all he has, but shorthanded it might not be enough. At this point, I think we just have to appreciate whatever else they can give. It's just unfortunate that the legacy of this group will not only be their indelible mark on the MU record books, but also what might have been.