Dreamin' or reality? Clipped Eagle can only hope

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- We've all had the dream. You're sick. Or hurt. Or maybe you even have a broken bone or two, but as you sleep somehow you dream that when you wake up it's all gone and you're back as good as new.

That dream has been playing on the high-projection screen inside the head of Marquette guard Jerel McNeal for the past two weeks, since that day in practice when he reached to make a steal, something he's darn good at, and his thumb bent the wrong way.

Barring a miracle, Jerel McNeal will be a spectator when Marquette plays Michigan State. (Getty Images)

"Yeah, man, I've had that dream a lot," McNeal said. "I dream I'm back playing again. Sometimes, I even think I move my thumb as part of the dream, thinking I'm on the court. There have been days when it's better, the swelling has gone down, but it isn't all the way back."

And that's the frustrating thing. As a basketball player, you live for the chance to play in NCAA Tournament. But McNeal's dreams might be about to turn into a nightmare.

Barring a miracle -- and he says he will hit the rack Wednesday night with the idea he has a chance to play in the eighth-seeded Golden Eagles' East Regional game against No. 9 Michigan State Thursday afternoon -- McNeal will be nothing more than an encouraging voice for his teammates here at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

"He's irreplaceable," Golden Eagles point guard Dominic James said. "He can do so many things."

McNeal, a 6-3 sophomore from Chicago, was the second-leading scorer for Marquette this season at 14.7 per game, one tenth of a point behind James. He was also third in rebounds (4.8) and second in assists (3.8). But what he really brings is defense.

In an era where high-flying offense or a sizzling rainstorm of 3-balls gets you on the highlight shows, McNeal is as known for his defense as his versatile offensive game.

A little over a week ago, he was named the Big East Defensive Player of the Year, in part because of his 76 steals, but mainly because of his ability to clamp down on the opponent's best outside scorer. He said he learned all about defense as a kid watching Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen on his hometown Chicago Bulls.

That will be missed in a big way if he doesn't play against Michigan State point guard Drew Neitzel, who averages 18.1 points. The Spartans go as Neitzel goes. He is a quick, fearless player who is the heart of the Michigan State team.

"We have to stop him to be successful," James said.

Marquette coach Tom Crean said Wednesday that McNeal certainly would have drawn the assignment on Neitzel. As it is now, there will likely be a parade of Golden Eagles thrown at Neitzel, including James and 6-5 guard Wes Matthews and others.

"That's where we will really miss Jerel," James said.