Marquette University Athletics
MU Travels To Rutgers Wednesday Night In BIG EAST Action
1/5/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 5, 2009
Milwaukee -
The No. 18/15 Marquette University men's basketball team hits the road for the first time in BIG EAST Conference play this season when the squad travels to Rutgers Wednesday night. Opening tip from the Louis Brown Athletic Center is slated for 6:30 p.m. CT and will be broadcast live on the BIG EAST Network. The game will air in the greater Milwaukee area on WMLW, with Mike Gleason (play-by-play) and John Celestand (analyst) calling the action.
McNeal Tabbed BIG EAST Player Of The Week
Senior guard Jerel McNeal has been named the BIG EAST Conference Player of the Week.
The accolade is the second of the season for McNeal, who also garnered the honor on Dec. 8. The Chicago, Ill., native now owns three career weekly recognitions from the league, which is tied for the most by any active BIG EAST performer. Teammate Dominic James also owns three awards, as does Notre Dame's Luke Harangody.
McNeal averaged 25.0 points, 6.5 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game in BIG EAST wins over Villanova and Cincinnati. He combined to shoot 66.7 percent (16-of-24) from the field and 11-of-15 (73.3 percent) from behind the 3-point line, including a 7-for-7 effort from long distance against the Bearcats. He netted game highs in points in both outings and knocked down 9-of-10 shots overall in the win over UC.
McNeal Leads MU To Long-Distance Success
Senior Jerel McNeal's shooting clinic in the win over Cincinnati helped the Golden Eagles to a record-setting effort from behind the 3-point line.
MU concluded the 34-point victory with a 15-of-25 effort from long distance, thanks in large part to McNeal's 7-of-7 performance. Marquette outscored the Bearcats 45-9 from behind the 3-point line and the 15 treys matched a school record last accomplished against Penn St. in the 1995 National Invitation Tournament.
McNeal's perfect percentage also matched the program mark, but no previous MU player had never knocked down more than five long-distance attempts without a miss.
Former sharpshooter Mark Anglavar owns the school record with nine 3-pointers in a single game, which he collected against Butler in 1989-90.
MU Enjoys Rare League Margin Of Victory
Sunday's 34-point win over Cincinnati marked the largest by a Marquette team in league play since the 1996-97 campaign.
That year, MU defeated USF by 35 points (71-36) on the road in Conference USA action. Marquette finished 22-9 overall and claimed the league tournament to earn a bid to the NCAA Tournament.
