Jerel McNeal and Antonio Anderson, both defensive minded senior-to-be guards, recently decided to return to their respective universities.

McNeal says he’s pulling out of NBA Draft

Both players were not expected to be drafted, especially McNeal, a feisty off guard who led the team in scoring (14.9) but doesn’t have a prototypical NBA type frame for a shooting guard (6’3). However McNeal could benefit greatly from a deep run into the NCAA tourney next year alongside another NBA hopeful Dominic James. But Marquette will have its hands full because of Tom Crean’s departure and the perceived lack of talent of the incoming freshman class. Although folks shouldn’t feel too bad for them considering they return all four leading scorers from last year’s team.

Tigers’ Anderson withdraws from draft

Antonio Anderson, a lanky two guard, will have a good opportunity to become one of the Tiger’s go to players in 08/09. Not only are Rose and Douglas–Roberts departing early, but Robert Dozier might also decide to stay in the draft. That would leave Anderson as the leading returning scorer on the team.

I really don’t see either player ever making a NBA roster, but another year of trying to improve their draft stock can’t hurt much.

But as for their respective squads both are important cogs worth mentioning.

And the list keeps growing and growing and growing…

Three more underclassmen declared late Wednesday: Memphis juniors Antonio Anderson, Robert Dozier and Texas junior guard A.J. Abrams.

Anderson and Dozier were role players on Memphis’ team this year, and their early entries come as a big surprise to me. Neither player signed with an agent, so I would expect both to return to school next season.

If Dozier and Anderson were to stay in the draft, that would mean that the entire starting 5 for the Tigers would be in the draft. Let the rebuilding in Memphis begin…

Abrams joined fellow Longhorn guard D.J. Augustin in declaring for the draft on Wednesday. Abrams averaged 16.5 points per game last season, but at 5′11″ is a little short to play shooting guard in the NBA.