When do Mcneil and Acker get to Press?

[mviale]

Cant wait

[77ncaachamps]

Ya think it's going to be hard for the opposing team to pass over a pressing 5'9" guard (Acker)?

Don't get worked up too early.

[mviale]

believe me - the ball plays below 5'9" -

[ToddPacker]

Drew Lavender does not seem to have a problem playing at 5'7".

[MarquetteFan94]

I seem to remember UAB's undersized guards giving us fits a few years ago.

With DJ, McNeal, Matthews, Acker, Cubillan, and Christopherson (if he doesn't redshirt) I'd hope we go with the Marquette version of "40 Minutes of Hell"....or even 30 minutes for that matter.

[gjreda]

I've been wondering the same thing.  I was curious as to why we didn't press much at all this year.  With four quick, young guards, I was surprised that we didn't use a little pressure to make the game more of our tempo.  I would love to see us use it next year.

[tower912]

As opposed to this year's version of 40 minutes of hell, also known as the MSU game.

[mviale]

James & Matthews dont attack on defense like Mcneil.  Acker and Mcneil made a career of this in HS.  These small guys can be the most effective defenders.  Just see John Linehan from Providence. In his senior year, he average 5 steals a game and won the defensive player of the year award.

[MUshrooms]

McNeal

[77ncaachamps]

McNeal

That's bad, but not as bad as another post with "McGuirre".

That just makes me shake my head. 

[Norm]

Sorry 77,

I guess I'm not a good Marquette fan since I mispelled Al's name. Shame on me.

[Big Papi]

I've been wondering the same thing.  I was curious as to why we didn't press much at all this year.  With four quick, young guards, I was surprised that we didn't use a little pressure to make the game more of our tempo.  I would love to see us use it next year.

I think we didn't see the press because Fitz, hayward and Barro are too slow a foot to truly have an effective press.  I don't think the key is Acker next year when it comes to the press but instead Mbakwe, Saunders and Hazel's ability to grasp the defensive fundamentals.  All are long and athletic and perfect for the press.

[CWSKeith]

James & Matthews dont attack on defense like Mcneil.  Acker and Mcneil made a career of this in HS. 

Umm... McNeal and Acker didn't attack on defense in HS.  Their team didn't press -- they ran a half-court 1-3-1 trap.  AAU might've been a different story, but Hillcrest didn't press.

[mviale]

The 1-1-3 defense is an attack the ball defense:
McNeal and Acker shot a combined 6-for-21 in the first half, but Hillcrest's 1-1-3 zone defense more than made up for the poor shooting.

Everyone thinks it's a 1-3-1 because Reggie [Bossie] always lines up in the wrong place," Hawks coach Tom Cappel said. We love to play it, and it's gotten us a lot of wins this year."

McNeal finished with 21 points, 15 rebounds and eight steals. He had five steals in the first quarter.