Report: Maurice Acker to Transfer to MU? UPDATED

According to an unverified report in ChicagoHoops.com, former Hillcrest star PG (and high school teammate of Jerel McNeal) Maurice Acker will transfer from Ball State to Marquette. After sitting out the 2006-07 season, he'd be eligible to participate in the fall of 2007, and would have three seasons of eligiblity remaining.



In addition to the MU connection via Jerel McNeal, Acker played his college ball for former MU assistant Tim Buckley. Buckley was fired at the conclusion of the 2006 season.

Acker started 25 games for the Cardinals, and all 18 of their conference matchups. He averaged 9.2 ppg and 4.6 assists, and maintained a 1.66 Assist to Turnover ratio.

If the report is accurate, Acker would be another blue-chip transfer for Crean, following in the footsteps of Mississippi State's Robert Jackson and Tulane's Dan Fitzgerald.

At the very least, Acker could be a solid backup to Dominic James, and serve as insurance should James declare early for the NBA draft after his sophomore year. In addition, as a genuine, true point guard Acker would allow Crean to play James, David Cubillan, and later Scott Christopherson at the '2' guard slot- - something MU did effectively with Cordell Henry and Travis Diener.

Here is Ball State's bio on Acker. Acker was the 2005-2006 MAC Freshman of the Year. Here's a link with a nifty video of Acker from this past season.

Looking back, here's a profile of Maurice from Highschoolelite.com -- one where he expresses disappointment that he would not play on the same college team as Jerel McNeal.


NEW UPDATES
UPDATE: Remember, this is an unverified report at this point. Ball State fans on their message boards are saying the transfer is simply a rumor at this point and Acker has not decided yet.

UPDATE: The Chicago Sun-Times reports in its Wednesday edition that Acker is transferring to MU.......still no confirmation from Marquette University.

UPDATE: The Bullseye Brothers on Maurice Acker and Marquette. "Simply put, Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has seen few players over the years in the state of Illinois with a bigger heart and a fiercer competitive spirit than Acker. Combine that with the skill level that he possesses and it is easy to see why Marquette fans have to be excited. Acker is a pure point guard with tremendous quickness and playmaking capability."