NCAA Basketball: Threats to Zion in National Player of the Year race

NCAA Basketball: Threats to Zion emerge in National Player of the Year race

By Brian Rauf | Jan 19, 2019

DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 14: Zion Williamson #1 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts after a dunk against the Syracuse Orange during the first half of their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on January 14, 2019 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

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MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – DECEMBER 28: Markus Howard #0 of the Marquette Golden Eagles attempts a shot while being guarded by Richard Lee #0 and Eddie Reese #22 of the Southern Jaguars in the first half at the Fiserv Forum on December 28, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

2) Markus Howard, PG, Marquette

Stats: 24.4 ppg, 4.2 apg, 3.7 rpg
LW: 3

You could put Williams here if you wanted to but Howard’s scoring prowess – and how he’s carrying Marquette – cannot be ignored.

First, he scored 45 points against a really good Kansas State team. Then, he scored 45 again (including 40 in the second half) against a top-20 Buffalo team. Just two weeks later, he poured in 53 points against Creighton.

That kind of scoring production is unheard of at the college level and propels him past the other contenders to this point. Plus, it’s translating into a lot of wins for Marquette.

Howard does not have as much help as Winston, Lawson, or Williams but still has the Golden Eagles ranked No. 15 in the country. Look for him to put up some more high-scoring games once he gets over his back injury over the next two weeks before starting February with two huge games against St. John’s and Villanova.

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