UPDATED
Marquette moved to 11-2 on the season with an 80-62 victory tonight at the Bradley Center. Dominic James led MU with 20 points and 9 assists. Marquette shot a season-high 59% from the field tonight......1% better than their collective effort at the free throw line (where they were 18-31).
You can't make this up.
Still, a solid win at home with balanced scoring for the good guys. James was joined by McNeal (17), Barro (11) and Matthews (10) in double figures, with David Cubillan chipping in eight points.
McNeal is McEfficient
Jerel McNeal continued his resurgent play, turning in another efficient performance tonight. McNeal was 6-9 from the field on his way to 17 points, five boards, six steals, and four assists (and just two tunovers).
McNeal's decision-making has improved dramatically in the last four games, most notably in shot selection and in protecting the basketball. After a woeful shooting night against NDSU, McNeal is shooting 53% from the field in the last four games while moderating shot attempts to roughly 11 per game. McNeal remains effective inside the arc, shooting 47% from there this season -- so its no wonder that he's only attempted eight 3-pointers in the last four games combined. Smart.
Consider that in MU's first eight games, Jerel was hoisting up more than four 3-pointers a game (and making them at an 18% clip). Moreover, in his last two games McNeal has just three turnovers against six assists. These are good signs. McNeal's improved play is obvious.
Now, about those free throws, fellas.
MEDIA UPDATE
Here is the AP recap.
Recaps of the post game interview sessions can be found here at MUScoop.
Game photos can be found at MUScoop.
Here is the box score.
Rosiak included perspectives from NBA World Champion Dwyane Wade in his recap.
Scout.com recaps the game here.
Here is the recap from the Oakland site.
BTW, here's a GREAT article from the Palladium-Item about one fan's special night:
Natasha Snyder's memorable night in Milwaukee.
That might have been McNeal's most balanced performance so far in his career. He made good decisions. His shot was falling, but he didn't try to do too much. Three turnovers the last two games. Hopefully this continues. He hit a couple 8-12' running jumpers tonight where he just floated and released. Reminded me of Dameon Mason.
ReplyDeleteOus came back strong tonight. Most importantly, the team really moved the ball around well (after the first 10 minutes of the game). Looked very good on offense. Free throw shooting? Good God, I don't know how many games that's going to cost them down the road. Just horrific.
More photos can be found here:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.muscoop.com/index.php?topic=899.0
I think the 6 steals for McNiel (a huge number) actually under represents the defensive game he played. He is defensive intensity and the havoc he created for Grizzily guards was what actually turned the game - bringing us from 8 points down to a strong lead.
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