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.

Due to our contract with CNN & CBS, we are prohibited from putting non-Marquette video online. But we did pull together a few clips from Monday’s SportsTime, our SportsCenter-esque show, and posted them here:

Final Four Preview:

Jerel McNeal’s All-American selection:

Marquette Golf FAU Spring Break Championships breakdown:

OFFICIAL MARQUETTE PRESS RELEASE
Milwaukee – Marquette University senior guard Jerel McNeal has been named an Associated Press Second Team All-America, the highest honor received by an MU player since 2003.

McNeal, an All-BIG EAST First Team honoree, averaged 19.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 2.1 steals per game in 2008-09.  He finished at Marquette’s career leader in five categories, including scoring (1,985 points) and steals (287).

“Just sitting here thinking about it, and looking at the list of players, it means a lot,” McNeal said.  “It’s an unbelievable accomplishment, and just to mentioned and considered to be in the same category as some of these players. It’s an honor just to be mentioned.”

Over the course of the last 30 years, only Butch Lee (1977-78) and Dwyane Wade (2002-03) have received a higher honor from the Associated Press.  Lee, Wade and Dean Meminger (1970-71) are the only consensus first team selections in program history.

Of the 15 players named to the first, second and third teams, six represent programs from the BIG EAST Conference.

Associated Press First Team All-America
Blake Griffin, Oklahoma
Tyler Hansbrough, North Carolina
DeJuan Blair, Pittsburgh
James Harden, Arizona State
Stephen Curry, Davidson 

Associated Press Second Team All-America
Jerel McNeal, Marquette
Hasheem Thabeet, Connecticut
Ty Lawson, North Carolina
Luke Harangody, Notre Dame
Jodie Meeks, Kentucky 

Associated Press Third Team All-America
Terrence Williams, Louisville
Toney Douglas, Florida State
Sam Young, Pittsburgh
Sherron Collins, Kansas
Gerald Henderson, Duke

I was recently asked to become a member of the Palestra.net College Sports Network. I look forward to staying on as a member of the MUTV communityfor the next two and a half years while simaltaneously using this great opportunity for invaluable experience.

MUTV’s first reports from New York came today after the game:

GAME RECAP

INTERVIEW WITH BUZZ

PLAYING WITHOUT DOM

We have been at Madison Square Garden for about an hour here, watching the DePaul Blue Demons in their quest for win #2 in the BIG EAST season…after dropping their first 18. But enough about them, we’re here and gearing up for Marquette to take on the upset-minded St. John’s Red Storm. They took down Georgetown last night, and much like Marquette, they got 60 of their 64 points from their starters. The last time these teams played, on Valentine’s Day, Dominic James had 14 points. Jimmy Butler will need to contribute to the action even more than usual for a Marquette win. Against St. John’s, in 22 minutes of action, he dropped 9 points.

It will be interesting to see how Jerel McNeal comes out today. His “struggles” since ‘Nic’s injury have been well-documented.

But have no fear, the All-BIG EAST 1st teamer has been here before, and has faced adversity more than once in his illustrious career.

Tipoff is set for 1 P.M. CT, and MarquetteRadio has the call.

Be sure to check out MUTVsports.com after the game for plenty of postgame video, press conferences, and reactions.

Jerel McNeal was named to the 2008-09 All-BIG EAST team Sunday, joining Notre Dame’s Luke Harangody, Pittsburgh’s Sam Young and DeJuan Blair, Louisville’s Terrence Williams, and Connecticut’s Hasheem Thabeet.

Wes Matthews was named to the Second Team All-BIG EAST squad, along with Connecticut’s A.J. Price, Syracuse’s Jonny Flynn, Villanova’s Dante Cunningham, and West Virginia’s Da’Sean Butler.

Oddly enough, after improving his game in nearly every statistical category since last season, junior Marquette forward Lazar Hayward was not honored. Last year, Lazar made the All-BIG EAST Honorable Mention team.

MUTV’s “FaceOff” guys, Chris Gaulke, Brian Hoffman, and Joe Sitkowski, hand out their nominations for the “Marquette Big Ups of the Week” for the time between Friday, Feb. 20 and Thursday, Feb. 26, 2009.

The FaceOff guys have handed out their “Marquette Big Ups of the Week” on Thursday, 2/12 and now it’s time for you to vote on the winner. Check out the video to see what our guys thought were the biggest highlights in Marquette Sports this week. Then vote on your favorite!