By MIKE McCURRY
Just like we all predicted, the first player to have a 50-point game in the 2017-18 season is… Markus Howard of Marquette.
Howard popped off for 52 points in Marquette’s 95-90 overtime triumph at Providence on Wednesday, tying the all-time scoring record for a Big East conference game in the process.
The sophomore sniper matched former Friar Marshon Brooks, who put up 52 on Notre Dame back on February 24, 2011—coincidentally also at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center.
History for @MarkusHoward11! The @MarquetteMBB star ties the record for points in a @BIGEASTMBB game with 52 as the Golden Eagles win at Providence. HIGHLIGHTS of an epic performance: pic.twitter.com/52Sr71dxoJ
— #BIGEASThoops (@BIGEASTMBB) January 4, 2018
Howard’s historic performance included an 11-of-19 showing from behind the arc. Incredibly, he had just ten points at halftime before exploding for 32 in the second half alone plus ten more in the extra session.
Markus Howard tied the #BIGEASThoops scoring record for a conference game with 52 points for @MarquetteMBB.
Marshon Brooks @PCFriarsmbb scored 52 vs. Notre Dame on February 24, 2011.
Here's the tying bucket ? pic.twitter.com/6qX4qUEx2Y
— #BIGEASThoops (@BIGEASTMBB) January 4, 2018
.@MarquetteMBB's Markus Howard CANNOT miss! 45 POINTS! pic.twitter.com/wAEuXZLiYi
— CBS Sports Network (@CBSSportsNet) January 4, 2018
If trivia is your thing, try this one on your friends (Hopefully they weren’t watching on Wednesday): Who are the top-two leading scorers in the Big East? Hint: They happen to be on the same team and make up the most entertaining (albeit probably the most defensively challenged) backcourt in college basketball.
The 5-foot-11 Howard now leads the Big East at 22.6 points per game.
He leapfrogged his diminutive teammate and fellow sharpshooter, 5-foot-11 Andrew Rowsey, who now finds himself just behind Howard at 22.0 points per night.
Howard is playing almost entirely off-the-ball this season after handling point guard duties last year during his stellar freshman campaign, when he averaged 13.2 points and made 55% of his threes, the best such mark by a qualified shooter in at least the last 24 years.
Entering the Providence game, his three-point percentage this season was significantly down at less than 38%. Of course, after making 11-of-19 on Providence, it’s now up to 40% and counting.
Remember, too, that Howard is ridiculously young for a sophomore, a byproduct of him reclassifying from the Class of 2017 to 2016.
Kinda think we should talk more about Markus Howard as an NBA prospect. Will again remind you: he’s six months younger than Trae Young.
— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) January 4, 2018
One would have to think that Howard’s age, in addition to his zip code shooting range and ability to fill it up from anywhere, is at least making its way onto the radar of NBA personnel.
Photo: USA Today Sports
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