Jerel McNeal Update

Its time for a breath of fresh air. While MU is mired in a difficult stretch of basketball, the future (as it always seems to) looks pretty darn good. The Chicago Sun-Times does its best to lift the spirits of the MU faithful with this write-up on the sensational senior season Jerel McNeal is having. McNeal, who was offered by only two high-major programs (MU and Purdue, unless you want to count Dayton), might be the biggest surprise in IHSA hoops this year.

McNeal, out of Hillcrest High School in the southwest Chicago 'burbs, has emerged as a serious contender for Mr. Basketball in Illinois. Already this season, he convincingly outplayed Julian Wright (KU signee) in a win over Homewood-Flossmoor, and led his team to a victory over the then top team in the nation, Thornton. McNeal was recently selected to play in the Roundball Classic next month in Chicago. Congratulations, Jerel.