I spoke with Detroit Pistons President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars today about former Marquette guards Jerel McNeal and Wesley Matthews. I asked him where he had them slotted to go on their board, and he told me “in the middle of the second round.” When I asked him to elaborate, he told me “we [the Pistons] really liked Jerel especially….but with [Will] Bynum, [Rodney] Stuckey, and our backcourt, there was just no room.” I told Dumars that I thought Jerel’s defensive abilities would land him an NBA job, and he completely agreed, saying, “He will get picked up by a team.”

“You really think so?” I asked.

“Yes. For sure.”

And that was that. I told him we would be looking forward to seeing his son Jordan suit up for USF in the fall for his freshman campaign. Funny enough, a lot of people were comparing the Pistons’ second round pick (and former Georgetown Hoya) DaJuan Summers to Joe D himself.

I had the opportunity to discuss with Summers not only his NBA future, but the phenomenal games he was a part of betweeen Georgetown and Marquette. He told me before the camera rolled he had just recently talked with Wes Matthews about the OT game of ‘08. He told me the two had been working out together as well.

Here’s the video:

Brad Galli
MUTV Sports Director

Brad is a Junior at Marquette University, majoring in Broadcasting. Along with being the Sports Director at MUTV, Brad is the official MU reporter for Palestra.net.

Mike Van Sickle will look to carry his NCAA success into the PGA

MILWAUKEE – Recent Marquette University graduate and friend of MUTVSports Mike Van Sickle was awarded a sponsor’s exemption to play in the upcoming John Deere Classic, July 6-12, at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Ill. It will mark the first of two PGA Tour events in July for Van Sickle, who will join Alabama-Birmingham graduate Zach Sucher in the Quad Cities-based tournament.

Van Sickle, who is currently ranked sixth in the R&A World Amateur Rankings, capped off his senior season at Marquette with First Team All-America and BIG EAST Player of the Year honors. He was also the winner of the prestigious Byron Nelson Award.

Earlier this month it was announced that Van Sickle and former Clemson star Kyle Stanley were given sponsor’s exemptions into the U.S. Bank Championship in Milwaukee, Wis., July 13-19.

“The John Deere Classic prides itself on awarding many of its sponsor exemptions to young players who have distinguished themselves with their play either in college or elsewhere in order to give them an opportunity to test their games against the best players in the world,” said John Deere Classic tournament director Clair Peterson. “Both Mike Van Sickle and Zach Sucher certainly have proven themselves on the golf course. What’s more is that both of these young men not only are great golfers, they also have tremendous character.”

Van Sickle ranked among NCAA Division I leaders this past year in wins (5), scoring average (70.00) and birdies (165), among several other statistical categories. He owns several school records — including collegiate victories (11), scoring average (71.65) and rounds of par-or-better (86) – Van Sickle posted 24 top-five finishes in 48 collegiate events as a Golden Eagle.

-Report from  Marquette Athletics-

The Big Three at Marquette may have not heard their names called last Thursday, but they were given some respect from one media outlet. The website All-Undrafted.com honored its annual list of college seniors who did not get picked up in the NBA Draft.

“Every year, college basketball has to say goodbye to a class of tremendous young men, a small percentage of whom are fortunate enough to have their NBA dreams come true,” said Steve Lavin, former UCLA coach and current ESPN college basketball analyst, who led the selection process. “This year’s class was certainly no exception. The 2009 All-Undrafted Team and the All-Undrafted.com Web site are intended to shine a spotlight on the nation’s best seniors who didn’t have their names called during Thursday’s NBA Draft. I am proud to have a role in recognizing these players for the commitment they’ve demonstrated to their schools and for their achievement on the court.”

Jerel McNeal made the first team, Dominic James made the third team, and Wesley Matthews was graced with an honorable mention recognition.

The guys are still hoping to jump on with some NBA team, and here’s what Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel writer Todd Rosiak had to say after the draft.

Marquette Head Basketball Coach Buzz Williams spoke to the media yesterday about Lazar Hayward on Team USA, the Big 3 in the Draft, and the summer progressions of his team.

Being that the MUTVSports staff is currently scattered all over the country, we couldn’t make it, but the Journal-Sentinel’s Todd Rosiak did. Here is his transcript of the interview.

Reading it really makes me want to get to Milwaukee and listen to Williams inspire. Things that the guy says ring true in basketball and life. Wonderful stuff from him–as always. Be sure to check back next week for Todd Warner and I to give our thoughts on the NBA Draft and where the Golden Eagle alumni will go.

Hayward will put aside his Gold and Blue MU uniform for a Red, White, and Blue USA jersey

Following three days of trials at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, CO, USA Basketball today announced the 12-member team that will represent the USA in the 2009 World University Games, July 2-11 in Belgrade, Serbia. The player selections were made by the USA Basketball Men’s Junior National Team Committee, chaired by Syracuse University’s Jim Boeheim.

Marquette Senior Forward Lazar Hayward made the elite team’s roster, will remain in Colorado Springs for two-a-day practices through Wednesday, June 24. The team departs for Serbia on Thursday.

“It was one of the most difficult decisions we as a committee have had because the team is so balanced,” Boeheim said. “It’s probably one of the better groups of wing players we have had and all the guys are great players. It looks to be one of our most competitive teams for the World University Games. We have good shooters and athletic wing guys, which gives this team a good chance to compete.”

We’ve officially joined the Twitter Nation. MUTVSports will be tweeting all summer long and for the entire course of the 2009-10 Marquette school year giving you all the up-to-the-minute MU Athletics news you can get.

We’ll be in close contact with Todd Rosiak, CrackedSidewalks, and more of your Marquette news sources.

Follow us today @ twitter.com/MUTVSports