Busting Brackets
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NCAA Basketball: 2019 Player of the Year rankings entering conference play

DURHAM, NC - NOVEMBER 11: Zion Williamson #1 of the Duke Blue Devils during their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on November 11, 2018 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NC - NOVEMBER 11: Zion Williamson #1 of the Duke Blue Devils during their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on November 11, 2018 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – DECEMBER 21: Markus Howard #0 of the Marquette Golden Eagles attempts a shot between Davonta Jordan #4, Jeremy Harris #2, and Montell McRae #1 of the Buffalo Bulls in the first half at the Fiserv Forum on December 21, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – DECEMBER 21: Markus Howard #0 of the Marquette Golden Eagles attempts a shot between Davonta Jordan #4, Jeremy Harris #2, and Montell McRae #1 of the Buffalo Bulls in the first half at the Fiserv Forum on December 21, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

3) Markus Howard, PG, Marquette

Stats: 25.1 ppg, 4.2 apg, 4.0 rpg
LW: NR

Perhaps the most explosive scorer in the country, Howard thrust himself into the forefront of the National Player of the Year conversation with his 45-point performance against Buffalo.

It marked his second 45-point game of the young season, making him the fifth player over the last 20 seasons with multiple 45 point games in one season. And he still has all of Big East play to go.

His scoring has also translated into a breakout season for the Golden Eagles. They are 11-2 thanks to an eight-game win streak that has put them at No. 18 in the most recent AP poll. Howard means as much (if not more) to his team as anyone in the country and that matters in this race.

I think Marquette is now the frontrunner in the Big East given Villanova’s struggles and, if they were to win their first conference title since 2013, Howard will almost assuredly be a Player of the Year finalist.