That Cullen Neal took the grad transfer route from New Mexico to Ole Miss after last season was hardly a surprise in this day and age of fluid rosters throughout college basketball.
Except that his dad is New Mexicoβs head coach.
But, as the point guard of a team barely over .500 last season, Cullen Neal found himself a frequent target. So much so that he sat down with University of New Mexico police last February to discuss the vague death threats he was getting on social media.
βI just think the dynamics didnβt work out and it ended up being a decision that was made for all parties involved,β Craig Neal said. βBut heβs moved on, weβve moved on and heβs enjoying his season there so far.β
The stats would indicate as much. Cullen Neal is averaging 12.4 points a game so far this season, comparable to his scoring production at New Mexico, but is shooting a higher percentage across the board.
But while he's also playing for one of Craig Nealβs longtime coaching friends in Andy Kennedy, that doesn't make it all good on a personal level.
Because, without his son around every day, dad's still hurting a bit.
βItβs been very difficult,β Craig Neal said.
