Rosaik blog on McNeal - not real encouraging

[NavinRJohnson]

More McNeal: Speaking of McNeal, even though he was still sporting a heavy plastic brace on his injured right wrist and missed the Golden Eagles' two games in the Big East Tournament, he hasn't given up hope yet that he'll be available in some form for the first round.

"I don't care how long it takes, even if I have to wait until the NCAA tournament to see if I'll be able to go, if I've got to wait a game or two into the NCAA tournament to see if I can go," he said. "I'm never going to stop and say, 'Hey, it's over for me this year.'

"That's just not the type of person I am. I'm always keeping hope and I feel like each day it's getting stronger and stronger. It doesn't matter what everybody else thinks; it's all about how fast my body heals. That's the main thing. But I'm definitely not giving up hope, and I still think I'll be back this year."

McNeal added he's already considered wearing some sort of brace or protection on the thumb - which is on his shooting hand - in order to be able to hasten his return, so long as it doesn't affect his game too much.

"It's something I've been thinking about," he said. "I know me personally, I'd be able to suck it up and tough it out and play for two hours. It's just the fact that I really don't want to hurt my team. So I'm trying to get back to the point where I know I'll be fine to go out there and play, and not even think about it."


Not exactly the definite language I think we would all like to hear. I have convinced myself we will see a 7 next to our name this evening. Well, maybe they'll bump us down to a 7 but put us in Chicago, and I know they like to avoid early round re-matches, but maybe 2 seed Wisconsin will be waiting their for us in the second round.

[mviale]

He will play

[Buzz Williams' Spillproof Chiclets Cup]

A 7? Isn't that a little pessimistic? Are there really 25-27 teams better than us?

I'm calling a 6, but I'm also calling J-Mac doesn't play.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

I thought it was interesting that Crean called out Amoroso as a distraction last year. 

McNeal's injury aside, Crean said he feels like this year's team is much better equipped heading into the NCAAs.

"We had distractions last year with Ryan Amoroso's attitude and that set us back," he said. "We've got such a great group of guys. We'll deal with the injury situation, hopefully do everything we can do to get him back and be totally excited."

[NavinRJohnson]

A 7? Isn't that a little pessimistic? Are there really 25-27 teams better than us?

Without McNeal - I'd say there probably is.

[Marquette84]

/quote]

Name them.

Keep in mind that without McNeal, we're 2-1, including a split with the #4 RPI team, and a road win.

I want to know you think is playing better right now.

[mutpm]

If MU ends up a 7, they would be in a different bracket than UW.  The NCAA does its best not to match up teams from the same conference or non conference schedule in the first 2 rounds. 

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

If MU ends up a 7, they would be in a different bracket than UW.  The NCAA does its best not to match up teams from the same conference or non conference schedule in the first 2 rounds. 

I don't think that's true. I think that only applies to conference opponents. I don't think the committee looks at non-conference rematch possibilities.

[Nukem2]

Actually, PR, I think the committee generally does also try to avoid the previous NC matchups to the extent possible.  Obviously that can be difficult at times.

[Murffieus]

The way the MU offense is structured MU is as good a team and perhaps better with Fitz at #3. We already have 2 guys out there that can take it to the hoop-----there is only one ball----so only one can penetrate at a time------so what we need is that FULL TIME Trey shooter out there at # 3 for the kickouts-----Fitz back to back 20 point games plus doesn't bring the 4-5 TOs per game and the charging fouls!

[ZiggysFryBoy]

The way the MU offense is structured MU is as good a team and perhaps better with Fitz at #3. We already have 2 guys out there that can take it to the hoop-----there is only one ball----so only one can penetrate at a time------so what we need is that FULL TIME Trey shooter out there at # 3 for the kickouts-----Fitz back to back 20 point games plus doesn't bring the 4-5 TOs per game and the charging fouls!

Murf, I thought that the TC "attack offense" needed a three point threat at the 4 not the 3?  Which is it?  Obivously, we would all prefer our 4 to play exclusively in the wide post, but since we have to settle for the table scraps,......

[maxpower773]

Murf, while I agree that Fitz has been amazing as of late and not having McNeal has helped Fitz, it has hurt the team.  The second Fitz or Hayward get in foul trouble who's going to come in and provide good production for a good amount of minutes? Nobody is who. Burke and Lott can't give us what we need. I'd rather have McNeal turn it over 8 times in a game and have the depth than have everyone in foul trouble or have a lack of scoring options because of it. TO's don't always necessarily mean points for the other team, especially if we play good defense...which would help if we had McNeal.