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I'm trying to figure this guy out.

He played at New Mexico 2 years ago. This isn't the same as transferring from Oakland or Sacred Heart. New Mexico went 19-13 in the Mountain West. So they were a decent team, probably on the NIT bubble. McNeal played 24 minutes a game, which was pretty consistent throughout the season.

New Mexico averaged 10,883 attendance, which is actually 2800 more than UC that year in NKU. So he's used to big crowds.

And he's used to good competition. He played 7 games against NCAA tournament teams (Arizona, TCU, Nevada, San Diego State, and 28-win New Mexico State) and 16 games against decent competition (adds 19-win Maryland, 17-win Colorado, and the upper half of the MWC who all won at least 20 games).

How did he do?

9.5 pts/game is pretty good for a sophomore. His full season shooting % numbers are mediocre (31% from 3, 48% from 2). His shooting % was boosted by great boosted by great 3-point shooting against bad competition (6 for 10 against NAIA Northern New Mexico and 7 for 11 against Tennessee Tech). But he also scored 19 points against Maryland.

In the 7 games against NCAA tournament teams, he averaged 6.4 pts/1.9 assists/2.7 rebounds/0.3 steals in 24 minutes. He shot 22% from 3 and 42% from 2.

In the 16 games against decent teams, he averaged 7.9 pts/2.7 assists/1.6 rebounds/0.6 steals in 23 minutes. He shot 24% from 3 and 41% from 2. He also shot 85% from the free-throw line during these games, which was better than his season average.


Defense is hard to measure statistically. New Mexico was an awful defensive team, giving up 78 points per game (297th in NCAA). McNeal's Defensive Rating says he gave up 110 pts per 100 possessions, tied for worst on his team if you exclude walk-ons. Defensive Rating is heavily influenced by your teammates' defense, but the fact that he was one of the worst statistical defenders on a bad defensive team makes me think that he'll be a defensive liability.

Here is a good summary of his career from the Tennessee Tech website.

Quote:2017-18 (New Mexico): McNeal played in all 34 games in his junior season, making 19 starts while averaging 24.4 minutes per game… averaged 9.5 points and 1.8 rebounds per game… tallied 93 assists, ranking second on the team… recorded 26 steals… finished the year shooting 75.9 percent from the charity stripe… knocked down 56 triples while posting a 3-point mark of 31.5 percent… dropped a Division I career-high 29 points with a career-best 7-for-11 showing from 3-point range against Tennessee Tech (Nov. 21)… posted a double-double with 24 points and 10 assists in the season-opener against Northern New Mexico (Nov. 11)… also sunk 6-of-10 attempts from beyond the arc in the same game… finished a career-best 10-for-12 from the free-throw line at Wyoming (Feb. 20)… scored in double figures 14 times, including 20+ points three times… dished out three or more assists in 15 games.

2016-17 (Indian Hills CC): McNeal played in all 34 games as a sophomore, making 33 starts… named a team captain, led the team in scoring with 13.3 points and 5.3 assists per game… hauled in 3.1 rebounds per game while also averaging 1.3 steals per game… hit 85 treys, the sixth-most in a single season in program history, while shooting 38.3 percent from 3-point range… finished 95-for-121 from the charity stripe for a 78.5 free-throw percentage… poured in a career-best 30 points on 11-for-23 shooting at Southwestern CC (Jan. 7)… dropped 25 points while connecting on 5-of-6 triples against Northeast CC (Jan. 14)… dished out a career-high 14 assists as part of a double-double against State Fair CC (Dec. 9)… also produced double-doubles with 11 points and 10 assists against Southeastern Illinois College (Nov. 4) and 17 points and 12 assists against Moberly Area CC (Feb. 6)… made a career-high five steals at Iowa Western CC (Jan. 18)… scored in double figures 25 times, including 20+ points three times… drained at least three triples in 17 games… recorded at least three assists in 28 contests… led IHCC to an impressive 29-5 record, Region 11 regular season and postseason titles, a district championship and berth to the NJCAA Division I National Tournament.

2015-16 (Western Kentucky): McNeal played in all 34 games in his freshman campaign, making 29 starts while averaging 28.0 minutes per game… averaged 5.6 points and 4.0 rebounds per game… set the program’s freshman assists record with a team-high 134 on the year… tallied 19 steals… hit 34-of-120 tries from beyond the arc for a 3-point mark of 28.3 percent… finished the year shooting 68.9 percent from the charity stripe… scored a season-high 18 points while hitting a season-best 4-of-8 tries from downtown against Middle Tennessee (Jan. 30)… dished out a season-best nine assists in WKU’s victory over North Texas (Mar. 9) in the first round of the Conference USA Tournament… recorded season-highs of 37 minutes, seven rebounds and three steals in an overtime victory over Louisiana Tech (Mar. 5)… Hilltopper team was eliminated from C-USA Tournament in the semifinals by the same Old Dominion team that defeat Tennessee Tech if the first round of the Vegas 16 Tournament… posted double-figures in scoring five times… dished out at least three assists in 23 games.

High School: Lettered four years for head coach Damonn Fuller at South Side High School in Jackson, Tenn…. averaged 23 points, nine rebounds, eight assists and four steals per game as a senior… named a finalist for the TSSAA Class AA Mr. Basketball award… earned a spot on the Class AA All-State Team following his senior season… averaged 20 points, four rebounds and six assists as a junior while leading South Side to the Class AA state title… earned All-District honors and All-Region honors four times… finished his career with over 1,800 points, 500 assists, 300 rebounds and 200 steals… nominated for the McDonald’s High School All-American Game as a senior.

Personal: Son of Elverna Cain… born May 16, 1997… full name is Christopher McNeal… brother, Jauwon Cain, played basketball at Fisk University.

Academic: Majoring in interdisciplinary studies.

Honors & Awards:

2016-17 NJCAA All-American Honorable Mention
2016-17 All-Region XI First Team
2016-17 Two-Time ICCAC DI Player of the Week (Dec. 5, Jan. 9)

Judging by his junior college career he has shown the ability to hit a high percentage from the perimeter and the charity stripe. Farad Cobb made a big leap in perimeter shooting from his first to his second season playing high-major ball after being a JUCO all-star, perhaps McNeal will do the same.

There's not really much information from how he looked in practice in his RS year for TTU but hopefully, he has continued to hone his shot. I think McNeal has a good chance of starting to be honest. His experience playing PG at a high level is extremely valuable.

(06-04-2019 12:56 PM)UCbball21 Wrote:  There's not really much information from how he looked in practice in his RS year for TTU but hopefully, he has continued to hone his shot. I think McNeal has a good chance of starting to be honest. His experience playing PG at a high level is extremely valuable.

I agree. He's started at a slightly lower level. Given that there's no other PG on the roster it'd take a big upset for him not to be our starter and primary ball handler.

(06-04-2019 12:56 PM)UCbball21 Wrote:  Judging by his junior college career he has shown the ability to hit a high percentage from the perimeter and the charity stripe. Farad Cobb made a big leap in perimeter shooting from his first to his second season playing high-major ball after being a JUCO all-star, perhaps McNeal will do the same.

There's not really much information from how he looked in practice in his RS year for TTU but hopefully, he has continued to hone his shot. I think McNeal has a good chance of starting to be honest. His experience playing PG at a high level is extremely valuable.

Or it's just easier to make wide open shots. Looks like his (bad) 3-point numbers are inflated against bad teams and in CC. Kind of scary, he has been a bulk 3-point shooter every year, but doesn't hit them at a good rate. We don't need our PG taking over 100 threes.

Would have liked to see the TO numbers in the lines vs NCAA tournament teams and good teams. I tried to do a quick count and it looks like he averaged slightly more TO's (2.1) than Assists vs NCAA tournament teams.

I think the explanation is that we needed a veteran PG who could play now, help teach MAW and provide some minutes as a backup. The options for grad transfer PG's willing to come here were limited and we took McNeal because we needed someone. McNeal could have made a big jump in his year he sat, but I'm not expecting it. I would be surprised if he starts or averages more then 15 minutes per game.

(06-04-2019 01:13 PM)skyblade Wrote:  

(06-04-2019 12:56 PM)UCbball21 Wrote:  Judging by his junior college career he has shown the ability to hit a high percentage from the perimeter and the charity stripe. Farad Cobb made a big leap in perimeter shooting from his first to his second season playing high-major ball after being a JUCO all-star, perhaps McNeal will do the same.

There's not really much information from how he looked in practice in his RS year for TTU but hopefully, he has continued to hone his shot. I think McNeal has a good chance of starting to be honest. His experience playing PG at a high level is extremely valuable.

Or it's just easier to make wide open shots. Looks like his (bad) 3-point numbers are inflated against bad teams and in CC. Kind of scary, he has been a bulk 3-point shooter every year, but doesn't hit them at a good rate. We don't need our PG taking over 100 threes.

Would have liked to see the TO numbers in the lines vs NCAA tournament teams and good teams. I tried to do a quick count and it looks like he averaged slightly more TO's (2.1) than Assists vs NCAA tournament teams.

I think the explanation is that we needed a veteran PG who could play now, help teach MAW and provide some minutes as a backup. The options for grad transfer PG's willing to come here were limited and we took McNeal because we needed someone. McNeal could have made a big jump in his year he sat, but I'm not expecting it. I would be surprised if he starts or averages more then 15 minutes per game.

Hopefully he comes in with an understanding that he doesn't need to be a volume scorer, and what we need from the PG spot is a facilitator. We have Jarron, Jaevin and to a lesser extent Keith and hopefully Trevor to hit our outside shots. If he can model his game after our last 3 or 4 point guards with high assist/low turnover games we're in for a good season.

(06-04-2019 01:20 PM)dubcat14 Wrote:  

(06-04-2019 01:13 PM)skyblade Wrote:  

(06-04-2019 12:56 PM)UCbball21 Wrote:  Judging by his junior college career he has shown the ability to hit a high percentage from the perimeter and the charity stripe. Farad Cobb made a big leap in perimeter shooting from his first to his second season playing high-major ball after being a JUCO all-star, perhaps McNeal will do the same.

There's not really much information from how he looked in practice in his RS year for TTU but hopefully, he has continued to hone his shot. I think McNeal has a good chance of starting to be honest. His experience playing PG at a high level is extremely valuable.

Or it's just easier to make wide open shots. Looks like his (bad) 3-point numbers are inflated against bad teams and in CC. Kind of scary, he has been a bulk 3-point shooter every year, but doesn't hit them at a good rate. We don't need our PG taking over 100 threes.

Would have liked to see the TO numbers in the lines vs NCAA tournament teams and good teams. I tried to do a quick count and it looks like he averaged slightly more TO's (2.1) than Assists vs NCAA tournament teams.

I think the explanation is that we needed a veteran PG who could play now, help teach MAW and provide some minutes as a backup. The options for grad transfer PG's willing to come here were limited and we took McNeal because we needed someone. McNeal could have made a big jump in his year he sat, but I'm not expecting it. I would be surprised if he starts or averages more then 15 minutes per game.

Hopefully he comes in with an understanding that he doesn't need to be a volume scorer, and what we need from the PG spot is a facilitator. We have Jarron, Jaevin and to a lesser extent Keith and hopefully Trevor to hit our outside shots. If he can model his game after our last 3 or 4 point guards with high assist/low turnover games we're in for a good season.

Yes, but historically he is a volume shooter with a bad shooting percentage and not too good assist/TO rate, I'm not holding out too much hope that he will completely change in his final season. Jarron can run the offense (and him, Jaevin or maybe Williams can bring the ball up the floor) and then we just have to hope McNeal can provide some valuable backup minutes, which seems a lot more realistic.

(06-04-2019 01:13 PM)skyblade Wrote:  

(06-04-2019 12:56 PM)UCbball21 Wrote:  Judging by his junior college career he has shown the ability to hit a high percentage from the perimeter and the charity stripe. Farad Cobb made a big leap in perimeter shooting from his first to his second season playing high-major ball after being a JUCO all-star, perhaps McNeal will do the same.

There's not really much information from how he looked in practice in his RS year for TTU but hopefully, he has continued to hone his shot. I think McNeal has a good chance of starting to be honest. His experience playing PG at a high level is extremely valuable.

Or it's just easier to make wide open shots. Looks like his (bad) 3-point numbers are inflated against bad teams and in CC. Kind of scary, he has been a bulk 3-point shooter every year, but doesn't hit them at a good rate. We don't need our PG taking over 100 threes.

Would have liked to see the TO numbers in the lines vs NCAA tournament teams and good teams. I tried to do a quick count and it looks like he averaged slightly more TO's (2.1) than Assists vs NCAA tournament teams.

I think the explanation is that we needed a veteran PG who could play now, help teach MAW and provide some minutes as a backup. The options for grad transfer PG's willing to come here were limited and we took McNeal because we needed someone. McNeal could have made a big jump in his year he sat, but I'm not expecting it. I would be surprised if he starts or averages more then 15 minutes per game.

Average turnovers (I still had it up on my computer):

Overall 1.88/game
Good teams: 2.06/game
NCAA tourney teams: 2.14/game

He'll be fine. 2 years ago, he almost averaged double figures for a 19-win team in a pretty good conference. He won't be asked to be a volume scorer here, and his turnover rate should improve playing alongside Jarron. Our team last season was Jarron plus 8 or 9 guys filling a role. Our team this season will be similar, and McNeal should be good enough to fill a role and help our team win games.

I don't he's going to be a world beater, but different system, different team - who knows how he will fare. We don't need him to be a starter, but we did need bodies in a short period of time.

I don't understand.

2015-16: Decent rated recruit (interest from Tenn) plays for WKU (low division I)
2016-17: Transfers (down?) to Indian Hills CC (JUCO)
2017-18: Transfers (up) to NMU (mid division I)
2018-19: Transfers (down?) to Tenn Tech (low division I) -- sits out year
2019-20: Transfers-grad (up) to UC (high division I)

Does any of this make any sense at all?

(06-04-2019 03:06 PM)Helicopter Wrote:  I don't understand.

2015-16: Decent rated recruit (interest from Tenn) plays for WKU (low division I)
2016-17: Transfers (down?) to Indian Hills CC (JUCO)
2017-18: Transfers (up) to NMU (mid division I)
2018-19: Transfers (down?) to Tenn Tech (low division I) -- sits out year
2019-20: Transfers-grad (up) to UC (high division I)

Does any of this make any sense at all?

I'll take a stab at it.

2015-16: Plays one year at WKU, then his coach (Ray Harper) leaves, so he decides to transfer. Rather than sitting one out, he decides on a JUCO year to try to get an offer from a bigger school.

2016-17: Plays at Indian Hills CC and exhausts his JUCO eligibility, then gets the offer from New Mexico, which is an upgrade from WKU and decides to head west.

2017-18: Plays one year at New Mexico, and decides to transfer. Maybe he's homesick? Not sure exactly, but he's from Tennessee, so he decides to transfer.

2018-19: Sits out his transfer redshirt year at Tennessee Tech. After his redshirt year, he loses yet another coach, and with better opportunities out there to play high-major basketball, decides to grad transfer to Cincinnati.

In regards to Chris McNeal's history, I give him a bit of a pass since of the 4 schools he's left, 2 were because of coaching changes and 1 was because of exhausted eligibility (junior college). Still a strange past, but I haven't heard anything bad about the kid character wise, so I'm expecting him to come here and give us a headache free senior season.

(06-04-2019 04:00 PM)robertfoshizzle Wrote:  

(06-04-2019 03:06 PM)Helicopter Wrote:  I don't understand.

2015-16: Decent rated recruit (interest from Tenn) plays for WKU (low division I)
2016-17: Transfers (down?) to Indian Hills CC (JUCO)
2017-18: Transfers (up) to NMU (mid division I)
2018-19: Transfers (down?) to Tenn Tech (low division I) -- sits out year
2019-20: Transfers-grad (up) to UC (high division I)

Does any of this make any sense at all?

I'll take a stab at it.

2015-16: Plays one year at WKU, then his coach (Ray Harper) leaves, so he decides to transfer. Rather than sitting one out, he decides on a JUCO year to try to get an offer from a bigger school.

2016-17: Plays at Indian Hills CC and exhausts his JUCO eligibility, then gets the offer from New Mexico, which is an upgrade from WKU and decides to head west.

2017-18: Plays one year at New Mexico, and decides to transfer. Maybe he's homesick? Not sure exactly, but he's from Tennessee, so he decides to transfer.

2018-19: Sits out his transfer redshirt year at Tennessee Tech. After his redshirt year, he loses yet another coach, and with better opportunities out there to play high-major basketball, decides to grad transfer to Cincinnati.

Excellent analysis. No one has said he had legal or behavior issues so let us give him a pass. And to his credit I guess he graduated.

Both WKU and New Mexico are credible basketball schools. If McNeal is merely a veteran complementary player who can take over the ballhandling duties for Cumberland for 10-15 minutes a game, that should be just fine. He and the big guy, Sorolla, were exactly what this team needed--5th year guys to fill critical holes--and about the best that we could have hoped for with the way Brannen came in. Adding Jaevin Cumberland was a massive coup.

(06-04-2019 01:28 PM)skyblade Wrote:  

(06-04-2019 01:20 PM)dubcat14 Wrote:  

(06-04-2019 01:13 PM)skyblade Wrote:  

(06-04-2019 12:56 PM)UCbball21 Wrote:  Judging by his junior college career he has shown the ability to hit a high percentage from the perimeter and the charity stripe. Farad Cobb made a big leap in perimeter shooting from his first to his second season playing high-major ball after being a JUCO all-star, perhaps McNeal will do the same.

There's not really much information from how he looked in practice in his RS year for TTU but hopefully, he has continued to hone his shot. I think McNeal has a good chance of starting to be honest. His experience playing PG at a high level is extremely valuable.

Or it's just easier to make wide open shots. Looks like his (bad) 3-point numbers are inflated against bad teams and in CC. Kind of scary, he has been a bulk 3-point shooter every year, but doesn't hit them at a good rate. We don't need our PG taking over 100 threes.

Would have liked to see the TO numbers in the lines vs NCAA tournament teams and good teams. I tried to do a quick count and it looks like he averaged slightly more TO's (2.1) than Assists vs NCAA tournament teams.

I think the explanation is that we needed a veteran PG who could play now, help teach MAW and provide some minutes as a backup. The options for grad transfer PG's willing to come here were limited and we took McNeal because we needed someone. McNeal could have made a big jump in his year he sat, but I'm not expecting it. I would be surprised if he starts or averages more then 15 minutes per game.

Hopefully he comes in with an understanding that he doesn't need to be a volume scorer, and what we need from the PG spot is a facilitator. We have Jarron, Jaevin and to a lesser extent Keith and hopefully Trevor to hit our outside shots. If he can model his game after our last 3 or 4 point guards with high assist/low turnover games we're in for a good season.

Yes, but historically he is a volume shooter with a bad shooting percentage and not too good assist/TO rate, I'm not holding out too much hope that he will completely change in his final season. Jarron can run the offense (and him, Jaevin or maybe Williams can bring the ball up the floor) and then we just have to hope McNeal can provide some valuable backup minutes, which seems a lot more realistic.

God how did I know this was you without even looking at the name. Do you ever give it a rest.

(06-04-2019 08:02 PM)@ES Trader Wrote:  

(06-04-2019 01:28 PM)skyblade Wrote:  

(06-04-2019 01:20 PM)dubcat14 Wrote:  

(06-04-2019 01:13 PM)skyblade Wrote:  

(06-04-2019 12:56 PM)UCbball21 Wrote:  Judging by his junior college career he has shown the ability to hit a high percentage from the perimeter and the charity stripe. Farad Cobb made a big leap in perimeter shooting from his first to his second season playing high-major ball after being a JUCO all-star, perhaps McNeal will do the same.

There's not really much information from how he looked in practice in his RS year for TTU but hopefully, he has continued to hone his shot. I think McNeal has a good chance of starting to be honest. His experience playing PG at a high level is extremely valuable.

Or it's just easier to make wide open shots. Looks like his (bad) 3-point numbers are inflated against bad teams and in CC. Kind of scary, he has been a bulk 3-point shooter every year, but doesn't hit them at a good rate. We don't need our PG taking over 100 threes.

Would have liked to see the TO numbers in the lines vs NCAA tournament teams and good teams. I tried to do a quick count and it looks like he averaged slightly more TO's (2.1) than Assists vs NCAA tournament teams.

I think the explanation is that we needed a veteran PG who could play now, help teach MAW and provide some minutes as a backup. The options for grad transfer PG's willing to come here were limited and we took McNeal because we needed someone. McNeal could have made a big jump in his year he sat, but I'm not expecting it. I would be surprised if he starts or averages more then 15 minutes per game.

Hopefully he comes in with an understanding that he doesn't need to be a volume scorer, and what we need from the PG spot is a facilitator. We have Jarron, Jaevin and to a lesser extent Keith and hopefully Trevor to hit our outside shots. If he can model his game after our last 3 or 4 point guards with high assist/low turnover games we're in for a good season.

Yes, but historically he is a volume shooter with a bad shooting percentage and not too good assist/TO rate, I'm not holding out too much hope that he will completely change in his final season. Jarron can run the offense (and him, Jaevin or maybe Williams can bring the ball up the floor) and then we just have to hope McNeal can provide some valuable backup minutes, which seems a lot more realistic.

God how did I know this was you without even looking at the name. Do you ever give it a rest.

Dude needs his own team to coach, preferably a GCL squad nicknamed "The Heps "

(06-04-2019 01:28 PM)skyblade Wrote:  

(06-04-2019 01:20 PM)dubcat14 Wrote:  

(06-04-2019 01:13 PM)skyblade Wrote:  

(06-04-2019 12:56 PM)UCbball21 Wrote:  Judging by his junior college career he has shown the ability to hit a high percentage from the perimeter and the charity stripe. Farad Cobb made a big leap in perimeter shooting from his first to his second season playing high-major ball after being a JUCO all-star, perhaps McNeal will do the same.

There's not really much information from how he looked in practice in his RS year for TTU but hopefully, he has continued to hone his shot. I think McNeal has a good chance of starting to be honest. His experience playing PG at a high level is extremely valuable.

Or it's just easier to make wide open shots. Looks like his (bad) 3-point numbers are inflated against bad teams and in CC. Kind of scary, he has been a bulk 3-point shooter every year, but doesn't hit them at a good rate. We don't need our PG taking over 100 threes.

Would have liked to see the TO numbers in the lines vs NCAA tournament teams and good teams. I tried to do a quick count and it looks like he averaged slightly more TO's (2.1) than Assists vs NCAA tournament teams.

I think the explanation is that we needed a veteran PG who could play now, help teach MAW and provide some minutes as a backup. The options for grad transfer PG's willing to come here were limited and we took McNeal because we needed someone. McNeal could have made a big jump in his year he sat, but I'm not expecting it. I would be surprised if he starts or averages more then 15 minutes per game.

Hopefully he comes in with an understanding that he doesn't need to be a volume scorer, and what we need from the PG spot is a facilitator. We have Jarron, Jaevin and to a lesser extent Keith and hopefully Trevor to hit our outside shots. If he can model his game after our last 3 or 4 point guards with high assist/low turnover games we're in for a good season.

Yes, but historically he is a volume shooter with a bad shooting percentage and not too good assist/TO rate, I'm not holding out too much hope that he will completely change in his final season. Jarron can run the offense (and him, Jaevin or maybe Williams can bring the ball up the floor) and then we just have to hope McNeal can provide some valuable backup minutes, which seems a lot more realistic.

Ugh. He is not coming here to be a volume shooter or scorer. We have one of those, in case you didn't notice. You give the phrase paralysis by analysis a bad name. Sheesh.

(06-04-2019 09:03 PM)Former Lurker Wrote:  

(06-04-2019 08:02 PM)@ES Trader Wrote:  

(06-04-2019 01:28 PM)skyblade Wrote:  

(06-04-2019 01:20 PM)dubcat14 Wrote:  

(06-04-2019 01:13 PM)skyblade Wrote:  Or it's just easier to make wide open shots. Looks like his (bad) 3-point numbers are inflated against bad teams and in CC. Kind of scary, he has been a bulk 3-point shooter every year, but doesn't hit them at a good rate. We don't need our PG taking over 100 threes.

Would have liked to see the TO numbers in the lines vs NCAA tournament teams and good teams. I tried to do a quick count and it looks like he averaged slightly more TO's (2.1) than Assists vs NCAA tournament teams.

I think the explanation is that we needed a veteran PG who could play now, help teach MAW and provide some minutes as a backup. The options for grad transfer PG's willing to come here were limited and we took McNeal because we needed someone. McNeal could have made a big jump in his year he sat, but I'm not expecting it. I would be surprised if he starts or averages more then 15 minutes per game.

Hopefully he comes in with an understanding that he doesn't need to be a volume scorer, and what we need from the PG spot is a facilitator. We have Jarron, Jaevin and to a lesser extent Keith and hopefully Trevor to hit our outside shots. If he can model his game after our last 3 or 4 point guards with high assist/low turnover games we're in for a good season.

Yes, but historically he is a volume shooter with a bad shooting percentage and not too good assist/TO rate, I'm not holding out too much hope that he will completely change in his final season. Jarron can run the offense (and him, Jaevin or maybe Williams can bring the ball up the floor) and then we just have to hope McNeal can provide some valuable backup minutes, which seems a lot more realistic.

God how did I know this was you without even looking at the name. Do you ever give it a rest.

Dude needs his own team to coach, preferably a GCL squad nicknamed "The Heps "

He'd be an awful coach, he'd be to worried about deflections. First of all, McNeal is not a "volume" shooter. He's got 2 seasons of D1 ball under his belt, and he averaged about 6 shots in 25 minutes per game. To put that in perspective, those are Tre Scott like shooting frequencies. Second, he was a mid 30's percentage wise shooter which given a disproportionate amount of his attempts were beyond the arc did not help his stats as is often the case if a team cannot get shots (guess who has to fire at the end of the shot clock). He's a solid ft shooter in the 70's, and will not be asked to carry the scoring load. He's not being recruited as a long rang shooting guy, and he's being recruited because he's a good distributor, he's experienced with tempo, and a fairly strong defender for a pg his size. Statistics in bball can be very misleading depending on what you're surrounded with. He's here because Brannen saw him play a good deal, and know his talent from his days down in Jackson Tn.

High School: Lettered four years for head coach Damonn Fuller at South Side High School in Jackson, Tenn…. averaged 23 points, nine rebounds, eight assists and four steals per game as a senior… named a finalist for the TSSAA Class AA Mr. Basketball award… earned a spot on the Class AA All-State Team following his senior season… averaged 20 points, four rebounds and six assists as a junior while leading South Side to the Class AA state title… earned All-District honors and All-Region honors four times… finished his career with over 1,800 points, 500 assists, 300 rebounds and 200 steals… nominated for the McDonald’s High School All-American Game as a senior.

(06-04-2019 05:26 PM)doss2 Wrote:  

(06-04-2019 04:00 PM)robertfoshizzle Wrote:  

(06-04-2019 03:06 PM)Helicopter Wrote:  I don't understand.

2015-16: Decent rated recruit (interest from Tenn) plays for WKU (low division I)
2016-17: Transfers (down?) to Indian Hills CC (JUCO)
2017-18: Transfers (up) to NMU (mid division I)
2018-19: Transfers (down?) to Tenn Tech (low division I) -- sits out year
2019-20: Transfers-grad (up) to UC (high division I)

Does any of this make any sense at all?

I'll take a stab at it.

2015-16: Plays one year at WKU, then his coach (Ray Harper) leaves, so he decides to transfer. Rather than sitting one out, he decides on a JUCO year to try to get an offer from a bigger school.

2016-17: Plays at Indian Hills CC and exhausts his JUCO eligibility, then gets the offer from New Mexico, which is an upgrade from WKU and decides to head west.

2017-18: Plays one year at New Mexico, and decides to transfer. Maybe he's homesick? Not sure exactly, but he's from Tennessee, so he decides to transfer.

2018-19: Sits out his transfer redshirt year at Tennessee Tech. After his redshirt year, he loses yet another coach, and with better opportunities out there to play high-major basketball, decides to grad transfer to Cincinnati.

Excellent analysis. No one has said he had legal or behavior issues so let us give him a pass. And to his credit I guess he graduated.

I don't really think it was his call to leave WKU.

(Second paragraph)

"McNeal and Hunter – along with former WKU player Fredrick Edmond – were suspended in March of 2016 following a University Disciplinary Hearing after the three were found to have violated the school’s code of conduct. Coach Ray Harper also resigned partly as a result of that hearing."

https://www.wbko.com/content/sports/Form...11124.html

I'm not sure when McNeal committed to New Mexico, but Craig Neal was fired in 2017, and Paul Weir took over for 17-18. Don't know if he committed to Neal and gave the new guy a chance or just wanted to go home.

From what I can tell McNeal will be a very important puece to next years team. He needs to adjust his game to being a facilitator, more than a scorer. I believe if anything else he is an upgrade from both of our PGs last year.