M2N article.

[fjm]

Good article on Markus Howard.

http://www.bigeast.com/news/2017/1/12/MBB_0112173813.aspx

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Great article

[Oldgym]

What a revelation this young guy has been.

FT 96.7%
3P 55.9%

Amazing.

[CAGASS24]

I know it's year 3 and this might not be our year - but with the big man help we got coming next year and if we can lock up joey and bailey shows up ready to play gotta love the trajectory here - looks like a really nice 4-5 year window and then maybe wojo cements himself here at MU

[connie]

I think this is something the program has been missing: someone to build around.  Sure a one and done is exciting, but their transitory nature makes them hard to relate to.  Not going to go too crazy yet, but Howard is someone to get excited for this year and to give the Wojo era some direction, which I think has been lacking.

[Silkk the Shaka]

I know it's year 3 and this might not be our year - but with the big man help we got coming next year and if we can lock up joey and bailey shows up ready to play gotta love the trajectory here - looks like a really nice 4-5 year window and then maybe wojo cements himself here at MU

Unless Markus loves not getting paid to be a top 0.000001% shooter on the planet, I'd be shocked if he was here past sophomore year. The time is now.

[Wade for President]

Good read and great, well-deserved props for our frosh floor leader.  I think a miss for this piece was not highlighting Markus' experiencing on USA Basketball's U17 team last summer.  While it's difficult to quantify how that experience aided in Markus' growth and readiness to contribute now, playing with guys like Gary Trent Jr, Wendell Carter, Kevin Knox (recently saw him play in the Raleigh Holiday Tournament - STUD) was invaluable.

[MU82]

Unless Markus loves not getting paid to be a top 0.000001% shooter on the planet, I'd be shocked if he was here past sophomore year. The time is now.

I was trying to put off talking about Markus to the NBA, but now that it's out there ...

1. Just because he is deemed "not ready" by Scoopers or by scouts or whomever, it doesn't mean he'll be here for 4 years (or even 3). Henry wasn't really "ready" even though he was drafted high. Vander certainly wasn't "ready." College players who experience great success do so in part because they are very confident. And if they are confident enough, they might think they are ready when they aren't. And if their "people" keep telling them they are ready, it can really lead them to think they're ready. Finally, there might be NBA teams telling him he's ready ... in which case, he's ready even if he's not!

2. Markus is little but he is tough, both physically and mentally. There has always been a place for small, tough kids in the NBA. He doesn't have the full skill set of an Isaiah Thomas (or an Isiah Thomas, for that matter) or Iverson or even Tyus Jones, but he certainly is smart enough and determined enough to improve in the penetrating/dishing/making teammates better department. In fact, he already is improving quite a bit. He obviously is very mature and highly intelligent.

3. Markus' shooting ability is rare. Even if he "reverts to mean" some and ends up closer to 50% from 3, it's still a great gift he has. The NBA is an outside shooting, spread-the-floor league now. Every team is looking for great shooters. Again, if enough people tell Markus that his shooting ability is exactly what a bunch of NBA teams want, it could lead him away from MU-rah-rah.

4. At this stage of Mayo's MU career, there were Scoopers actually worried the NBA would come a'callin' - which is laughable (and was then, too). IIRC, a few Scoopers brought up the possibility that Fischer could leave after last season. Jamil. McNeal. Vander of course. Etc. It's a favorite topic of speculation hereabouts. But unlike all of them, Markus actually does have a rare talent that the NBA covets.

5. So, EFR, while I'm not gonna go all wades and keep saying, he gowne, I do agree with you that it's quite possible we will not be seeing Markus in those ugly gray unis for 4 years. And if he keeps making nearly 60% of his 3's while improving his overall game, I'd elevate that outlook to "quite probable."

[Vander Blue Man Group]

Unless Markus loves not getting paid to be a top 0.000001% shooter on the planet, I'd be shocked if he was here past sophomore year. The time is now.

His size may have an impact on his draft prospects where is becomes possible he is a 4 year player.  Or maybe that's just wishful thinking on my part. 

[Archies Bat]

Unless Markus loves not getting paid to be a top 0.000001% shooter on the planet, I'd be shocked if he was here past sophomore year. The time is now.

In the long run, we want more players to go early to the NBA.  It means we are getting more good players.  While it hurts in the short term, I embrace it.

[Silkk the Shaka]

His size may have an impact on his draft prospects where is becomes possible he is a 4 year player.  Or maybe that's just wishful thinking on my part.

Isaiah Thomas was an early entrant at this height (and not as physically strong IMO), and he's currently tearing up the league. Shooters are at a premium right now, and Markus has the goods. Combine that with his youth and IQ, and I would wager a decent amount of money he's an early entrant. That will be great for us in both the short and long term!

[Vander Blue Man Group]

Isaiah Thomas was an early entrant at this height (and not as physically strong IMO), and he's currently tearing up the league. Shooters are at a premium right now, and Markus has the goods. Combine that with his youth and IQ, and I would wager a decent amount of money he's an early entrant. That will be great for us in both the short and long term!

Does Howard have the same level of athleticism?

This board is prone to hyperbole.

[MU82]

Does Howard have the same level of athleticism?

This board is prone to hyperbole.

How athletic was Steve Kerr?

The NBA wants shooters, now more than ever.

I'm not saying Markus will go pro early or that he is guaranteed an NBA career. All I'm saying is that he possesses a skill that is highly valued even as he improves other facets of his game. So I do think an NBA career is plausible.

If you look back at my record (and really, why would you?), I laughed off Scoopy talk of NBA careers for the likes of Davante, Jamil, Vander, Luke, Otule, Jerel, etc. Not one of them offers something "special" to any NBA team. Hell, I was stunned Lazar was drafted (so I got that one wrong).

Steve Novak, pretty much a stiff, has made more than $20 million over an 11-year career because he has one - and only one - marketable skill.

Howard has that skill, too, plus the potential to develop a few others Novak only dreamed of.

[tower912]

I keep thinking about Yogi Ferrell.    Shooter, leader, defender, made Crean look much smarter than he is.  Starter at the point from day 1.   Could do anything.     6', 170.  Fighting to find a spot in the league.    http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Yogi-Ferrell-6442/    That size issue is going to be a challenge.   

[MU82]

I keep thinking about Yogi Ferrell.    Shooter, leader, defender, made Crean look much smarter than he is.  Starter at the point from day 1.   Could do anything.     6', 170.  Fighting to find a spot in the league.    http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Yogi-Ferrell-6442/    That size issue is going to be a challenge.

As a freshman, Yogi shot 30% from 3-point range and finished at 40% for his career. Those aren't NBA numbers for a little man.

Howard got knocked back a little peg Saturday. After no TOs in 42 mins vs. SH, he committed 3 sloppy TOs and missed a couple open 3s against DeP. He's a kid.

[forgetful]

Let's hold off until he actually starts a game his Sophomore year.  Some here were saying that Cheatham would likely leave early after how he performed as a Frosh.

Markus is an insane talent and shooter, but he can't even consider going pro until after he finishes next season.

[dgies9156]

I think we were all saying the same thing about DJO.

Where's DJO playing today?

[MU82]

Haani and DJO ... two other good examples of Scooperbole.