Liam McNeeley Shooting | Page 4 | The Boneyard

Liam McNeeley Shooting

One thing I noticed with Liam is that on pick and rolls with Samson or Reed, I very rarely see him pass. When turns that corner, he is almost always going to dive to the rim and shoot and I think defenses know that. He seems a split second behind in recognizing that there is an easy dunk or layup for Samson or Reed. Given that we run this many times a game, its 6-10 easy points that we miss out on.
 
Methinks Liam needs an evening (tonight?) inspired by Susan Sarandon in Bull Durham.
 
Storrs South said:
Liam they should be able to run that pick and roll on the high elbow they love to action with Samson and get two on ones where the lone defender has to decide whether to check Liam or the big. With Oklahoma's rim protection being non existent, Liam can do exactly this as he did v. Creighton except this time should have no resistance getting to and finishing at the rim.
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the OK big was not coming out to guard reed or Samson, they just stayed in the lane. There is no way reed or Samson will shoot the ball so no need to defend.
 
jibsey said:
Liam is only a freshman. I mean we had guys develop over 3 years, superstars like Hamilton, Ray, Emeka, Donnell and many more. Imagine what he would be by 3rd year. And we expect him to be this NOW. Of course it won’t happen.
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Of course we expected it now because of the high expectations bestowed on him coming in. There were all these accolades before stepping foot at UConn. 5 star, one and done, blah, blah, blah. This is what happens when it does not materialize to the expectations. Unfortunately, he was not recruited for more than 1 year which puts an enormous amount of pressure to perform instantly. Yes, imo he needs a 1 or 2 more years. Does he get more $ from NIL to stay a another year or two?
 
Most Freshman wear down after a long and challenging conference schedule.
I think he does remarkably well given the lofty expectations
 
BigTenFan said:
Most Freshman wear down after a long and challenging conference schedule.
I think he does remarkably well given the lofty expectations
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He has worn down. Have you watched the last 6 games?
 
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Summary of his shooting broken into the first 8 games, next 9 games and last 9 (to date, and hoping for 5 more):

First 8 (first game through UMES):
FG- 31/75 (41.3%)
3's- 14/40 (35%)
FT-24/30 (80%)
Pts-12.5/game

Next 9 games (Baylor through first Seton Hall):
FG- 47/109 (43.1%)
3's- 19/48 (39.6%)
FT- 44/50 (88%)
Pts- 17.7/game

Last 9 games (first Villanova through Oklahoma):
FG- 34/110 (30.9%)
3's- 11/49 (22.4%)
FT- 34/39 (87.2%)
Pts- 13.7/game

He peaked in the middle of his season with his highest shooting percentages for FG (43.1%), 3's (39.6%), FT (88%) and points per game (17.7). Looked like a first rounder and possibly a lottery pick.

While he's kept his touch on FT's, keeping it at the elite level it's been at all year, there's nothing positive regarding FG and 3 Point shooting in the last 9 games:
-30.9% FG
-22.4% on 3's

Could it be simply a factor of the minutes he's played?
He's averaging 32 minutes per game and I'm not sure we've ever had anyone play that many minutes as a freshman.......unless it was KEA.
 
A couple of good points here.

He tends to get quite a few grenades at the end of the clock. Seems that he’s the guy who gets the ball with 5 seconds on the clock after our unguarded big at the three point line seems help.

Liam is really good coming off the curl and going to the hoop. But in our offense, the opposing big doesn’t have to guard our big unless it’s Tarris posting up so Liam is on his own to make a play. He’s still legit the only guy who can consistently get in the lane.

As said, he went out at the worst possible time as we were just starting to get an offensive identity. He has not shot the ball well from deep and right or wrong he’s trying to be our go to guy because we really don’t have another complete offensive player. Would be glorious for him to show out tomorrow.
 
uchusky32 said:
He is not near the player as Flagg. Flagg has some vertical. He has spin moves. Goes to the rim hard. With intentions. Plays above the rim. Dunks. Defends. LM is not that. Pre injury or after. Not saying LM isn't a pro. But if I'm a NBA GM I'm not taking him early. I'm not bashing LM. But his body of work this year is just OK.
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Agree. He needs to come back and get stronger, get stronger and get stronger! He needs to work on his explosiveness going to the basket. Maybe a pull up jumper to help with that. He needs to work on his three point shot and his D.

This is not to say he hasn't been good as a freshman - he has been very good. He could parlay this into becoming one of the nation's top players as a soph and jr. It would be so nice to have top college players stick around for 2-3 years - for them to benefit from college and for the fans to enjoy them. This one and done crap has ruined college athletics.
 
uchusky32 said:
He is not near the player as Flagg. Flagg has some vertical. He has spin moves. Goes to the rim hard. With intentions. Plays above the rim. Dunks. Defends. LM is not that. Pre injury or after. Not saying LM isn't a pro. But if I'm a NBA GM I'm not taking him early. I'm not bashing LM. But his body of work this year is just OK.
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Then he needs to come back and develop that skill set.
 
The skill set he needs to learn is take the open 15 footer as driving to the basket is a total waste.
 
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TouchdownHusky said:
Too bad, but it's career. He has strong potential, but is not ready for the NBA. He is not strong enough, quick enough. Nor does he have a reliable outside shooting game. His handle needs work and, quite frankly, his hands too. But go if he must and be a later pick facsimile of Flagg. Stay and be the prize of the draft in a year or two. Either way, he has been a fun player to watch this year and would be a great player to witness for the next couple of years.
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You act as if he can't possibly work on these things in the NBA. He is going to get drafted high, he's going to continue improving, and he's going to be a good NBA player. That won't change whether he's here one year or two.
 
Rico444 said:
You act as if he can't possibly work on these things in the NBA. He is going to get drafted high, he's going to continue improving, and he's going to be a good NBA player. That won't change whether he's here one year or two.
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It's more of a question where he gets drafted and the chances he has a for a long NBA career.
 
TouchdownHusky said:
Too bad, but it's career. He has strong potential, but is not ready for the NBA. He is not strong enough, quick enough. Nor does he have a reliable outside shooting game. His handle needs work and, quite frankly, his hands too. But go if he must and be a later pick facsimile of Flagg. Stay and be the prize of the draft in a year or two. Either way, he has been a fun player to watch this year and would be a great player to witness for the next couple of years.
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You’re allowed to get better in the NBA when your only focus is basketball and don’t have to worry about school
 
my2cents said:
It's more of a question where he gets drafted and the chances he has a for a long NBA career.
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I don't think the chances of him having a long NBA career are impacted whether he stays or goes. The other part I agree with, if for whatever reason he was looking at being a borderline 1st rounder then I would agree he should probably come back. I don't see that happening though.
 
Agent0 said:
You’re allowed to get better in the NBA when your only focus is basketball and don’t have to worry about school
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Oh sure, like big time college basketball players don't spend plenty of time practicing. And, they worry greatly about school. The idea of the student/athlete is antiquated.
 
McNeeley could use another season before going. He showed his freshman chops missing too many shots when the game was in doubt and making mistakes with the boards and decisions.

But who knows what his future holds.
 
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bellairehusky said:
One thing I noticed with Liam is that on pick and rolls with Samson or Reed, I very rarely see him pass. When turns that corner, he is almost always going to dive to the rim and shoot and I think defenses know that. He seems a split second behind in recognizing that there is an easy dunk or layup for Samson or Reed. Given that we run this many times a game, its 6-10 easy points that we miss out on.
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That was really clear today.
 
Late season slump really showed McNeelys warts, first time having a little doubt about his NBA stock/future. He really needed some help with an extra connector/player who can create off the bounce, he was being asked to do a little too much & get outside of his game. Hes still likely a first round pick, but the lottery seems to have potentially passed him by.
 
Rico444 said:
I don't think the chances of him having a long NBA career are impacted whether he stays or goes. The other part I agree with, if for whatever reason he was looking at being a borderline 1st rounder then I would agree he should probably come back. I don't see that happening though.
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That last 20 seconds he scored what? 7 points and fought to the end.

Good character look.
 
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No however. He a great player who is learning many things. How to be a star is one of them.
 
Piggy backing off of OP’s stats, in final 9 games Liam shot:

32/98 from 2 (33%)
12/53 from 3 (23%)

That is brutal, considering garbage time today he went 2/2 from 2 and 1/1 from 3 (I believe 11 pts including FT line?).
 
TouchdownHusky said:
Agree. He needs to come back and get stronger, get stronger and get stronger! He needs to work on his explosiveness going to the basket. Maybe a pull up jumper to help with that. He needs to work on his three point shot and his D.

This is not to say he hasn't been good as a freshman - he has been very good. He could parlay this into becoming one of the nation's top players as a soph and jr. It would be so nice to have top college players stick around for 2-3 years - for them to benefit from college and for the fans to enjoy them. This one and done crap has ruined college athletics.
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Eventually that will happen. Right now the bestNIL deals pay better than two way contracts. Shoot some of the best NIL deals are better than the $1.15m nba minimum salary.
 
Hunt for 7 said:
Eventually that will happen. Right now the bestNIL deals pay better than two way contracts. Shoot some of the best NIL deals are better than the $1.15m nba minimum salary.
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Yeah, but he's only going to go if he's a high first round pick, and they don't make the NBA minimum
 
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