Where will Markus finish among MU's all-time scoring leaders?

[Marcus92]

In his freshman season, Markus Howard played in 31 games and scored 410 points (13.2 points per game). Here's how that compares to Marquette's all-time scoring leaders:

1. Jerel McNeal
1,985 pts • 130 g • 15.3 ppg
343 pts as a freshman

2. Lazar Hayward
1,859 points • 138 g • 13.5 ppg
224 pts as a freshman

3. George Thompson
1,773 points • 87 g • 20.4 ppg
0 pts as a freshman (freshmen weren't eligible to play varsity until 1972)

4. Dominic James
1,749 points • 129 g • 13.6 ppg
473 pts as a freshman

5. Butch Lee
1,735 points • 115 g • 15.1 ppg
215 pts as a freshman

6. Travis Diener
1,691 points • 120 g • 14.1 ppg
262 pts as a freshman

7. Brian Wardle
1,690 points • 117 g • 14.4 ppg
319 pts as a freshman

8. Tony Smith
1,688 points • 114 g • 14.8 ppg
234 pts as a freshman

9. Wes Matthews, Jr.
1,673 points • 127 g • 13.2 ppg
207 pts as a freshman

10. Bo Ellis
1,663 points • 119 g • 14.0 ppg
378 pts as a freshman

In other words, Markus scored more points in his freshman season than anyone on this list besides Dominic James. So where do you think he will finish his career on MU's all-time scoring list?

There's a chance at #1, but my vote is for #2. If he stays healthy and we have some postseason success, he'll probably play around 130 career games. With more talent around him, I don't see Markus scoring 20 ppg his senior season like Jerel. But if he ups his scoring average slightly to around 15 ppg the next 3 seasons, he should move past Lazar.

I wouldn't mind being wrong in the least — if he's good enough to be drafted after leading Marquette back to the Final Four in his junior season.

[brewcity77]

If he plays four years and stays healthy, he'll be #1. That would have him playing at least, in my opinion, 134 games, with his most productive years also being when I'd anticipate we play the most games.

I'd project him at 15 ppg next year over 32 games, 16 ppg as a junior over 35 games, and 17 ppg as a senior over 35 games. That would make him our first 2,000 point scorer.

[Herman Cain]

In his freshman season, Markus Howard played in 31 games and scored 410 points (13.2 points per game). Here's how that compares to Marquette's all-time scoring leaders:

1. Jerel McNeal
1,985 pts • 130 g • 15.3 ppg
343 pts as a freshman

2. Lazar Hayward
1,859 points • 138 g • 13.5 ppg
224 pts as a freshman

3. George Thompson
1,773 points • 87 g • 20.4 ppg
0 pts as a freshman (freshmen weren't eligible to play varsity until 1972)

4. Dominic James
1,749 points • 129 g • 13.6 ppg
473 pts as a freshman

5. Butch Lee
1,735 points • 115 g • 15.1 ppg
215 pts as a freshman

6. Travis Diener
1,691 points • 120 g • 14.1 ppg
262 pts as a freshman

7. Brian Wardle
1,690 points • 117 g • 14.4 ppg
319 pts as a freshman

8. Tony Smith
1,688 points • 114 g • 14.8 ppg
234 pts as a freshman

9. Wes Matthews, Jr.
1,673 points • 127 g • 13.2 ppg
207 pts as a freshman

10. Bo Ellis
1,663 points • 119 g • 14.0 ppg
378 pts as a freshman

In other words, Markus scored more points in his freshman season than anyone on this list besides Dominic James. So where do you think he will finish his career on MU's all-time scoring list?

There's a chance at #1, but my vote is for #2. If he stays healthy and we have some postseason success, he'll probably play around 130 career games. With more talent around him, I don't see Markus scoring 20 ppg his senior season like Jerel. But if he ups his scoring average slightly to around 15 ppg the next 3 seasons, he should move past Lazar.

I wouldn't mind being wrong in the least — if he's good enough to be drafted after leading Marquette back to the Final Four in his junior season.

I think Markus will score a minimum of 15ppg from now till graduation and most likely 17. If he plays 93 more games he has the potential to be our leading scorer . The thing about Markus is his shot is so good we want him shooting as much as possible so he could go into the 20 ppg game category.

[DienerTime34]

First, along with BEAST PoY and 2 Final Fours.

[RJax55]

If he plays four years and stays healthy, he'll be #1. That would have him playing at least, in my opinion, 134 games, with his most productive years also being when I'd anticipate we play the most games.

I'd project him at 15 ppg next year over 32 games, 16 ppg as a junior over 35 games, and 17 ppg as a senior over 35 games. That would make him our first 2,000 point scorer.

I've always thought it was somewhat surprising that a program of MU's success and history doesn't have a 2,000 point scorer.

[tower912]

We had this discussion about Haanif last summer.  Having said that , top 5 with a shot at 1.

[Galway Eagle]

We had this discussion about Haanif last summer.  Having said that , top 5 with a shot at 1.

Then when Marcus isn't all everything next year the sky will be falling

[tower912]

Then when Marcus isn't all everything next year the sky will be falling

One of my biggest fears for next year.  What happens on this board if Marcus only shoots 40% from 3?

[Vander Blue Man Group]

[Marcus92]

I've always thought it was somewhat surprising that a program of MU's success and history doesn't have a 2,000 point scorer.

It is unusual. Villanova has 8 career 2,000-point scorers. North Carolina has 6. Kentucky has 3. Wisconsin has 2. Even lowly DePaul has one in Mark Aguirre. I think there are a few reasons:

1) Teams didn't play as many games in the Al McGuire era.
Marquette's 1977 national title run included just 32 games. The previous season's schedule was only 29 games. By comparison, national champs UNC played 40 games last season. The difference between playing 115 career games (i.e. Butch Lee) and 140+ career games (such as Tyler Hansbrough from 2005-09) adds up to hundreds of points.

2) That whole freshman eligibility thing.
George Thompson would have easily eclipsed 2,000 career points if he was eligible to play as a freshman. But none of the Marquette greats before 1972 had that chance.

3) We didn't have many great scorers for a long time.
Pretty much one (Tony Smith) for the entirety of the 1980s into the early 1990s. Quite the dry spell.

4) Great players have a way of leaving early.
There's no telling how good Dwyane Wade might have been if he returned for his senior season. It's fair to assume he would have reached 2,000 points; all he needed was to score 9 more points than the previous year. But he was good enough to be a Top 5 draft pick.

[Marcus92]

We had this discussion about Haanif last summer. Having said that, top 5 with a shot at 1.

Most national writers tabbed Haanif as our breakout star last season. Not so much. But I'd be much more surprised if Markus' scoring average dropped than I was by Haanif's.

[MuMark]

I agree with Brew.

Markus has been a great scorer and a great shooter his whole life .......I don't expect it will change the next 3 years.

My expectations for Markus as far as 3 point shooting is anywhere between 40-50 %. Below 40 would surprise me as would another year above 50.

[MomofMUltiples]

One of my biggest fears for next year.  What happens on this board if Marcus only shoots 40% from 3?

That depends on whether we are winning or losing.

[Newsdreams]

One of my biggest fears for next year.  What happens on this board if Marcus only shoots 40% from 3?

Chucker!

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Well Marcus92 just Haanifed Howard so his numbers will probably fall of a cliff next season 

I think the biggest challenge for Markus will be depth. We went 9 deep last season and might have gone 10 if Traci hadn't left. Not only that but our scoring attack was fairly well balanced with no one higher than 13.2 (Markus) and 6 other players had 8.7 or more. Wojo's offense seems to rely on sharing the ball and not relying one or two stud players. I could see Markus' scoring average staying level or even dropping while still becoming a better player overall.

That being said, assuming no injuries and staying all four years? I think top 6 is a very reasonable guess. Top 4 is probable. Top dog is within the realm of possibility.

[4everwarriors]

Points no matta, hey?

[Marcus92]

Points no matta, hey?

If that means "The number of points an individual player scores isn't always the most important measure of his contributions to the team's success," then I'd absolutely agree.

However, if it literally means "points don't matter," I have yet to see any team win a basketball game without scoring. Except for a forfeit, I guess. Kind of like Sun Tzu: "Supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting." So what you're really saying is that Markus needs to focus on the mental aspect of basketball. To dominate the other team so thoroughly that the game is won before it even begins. Right?

[bilsu]

Most national writers tabbed Haanif as our breakout star last season. Not so much. But I'd be much more surprised if Markus' scoring average dropped than I was by Haanif's.

You have to remember Markus did not start at the beginning of the year. I also expect that he will not be shut down by Villanova type teams this year. He should easily score more than last year.

[brewcity77]

I think there are a few reasons:

Buzz having JUCOs as his stars also had an impact. DJO and Jae both may have had a shot given four years.

[Silkk the Shaka]

One of my biggest fears for next year.  What happens on this board if Marcus only shoots 40% from 3?

As long as he's attempting 10+ per game I'm totally fine with low 40's this coming year

OBVIOUSLY I'd prefer 55% again

Obviously

[GooooMarquette]

That depends on whether we are winning or losing.

Yep.

Regarding the original question, I say Marcus ends up at 1 if he avoids major injuries.  Hannif benefited a great deal from teams focusing on Henry, so he could drive to the hoop without much opposition as a frosh. Marcus was already a key defensive assignment for opponents as a frosh, so I don't think he will as much of an adjustment.

[MarquetteDano]

You have to stay healthy too.  Diener would be at least #2 if he was healthy his Senior year.  Alas,  he was not.

Just a string of missed games or games you come off the bench due to health issues will cost you the top spot.

I say Marcus finishes between fifth and third.  Not too shabby given the company.

[Mr. Sand-Knit]

I've always thought it was somewhat surprising that a program of MU's success and history doesn't have a 2,000 point scorer.

Most of our greats were leaving early while it was still fashionable to stay all 4.  A lot of coaches were selfish, not Al.

[GooooMarquette]

Most of our greats were leaving early while it was still fashionable to stay all 4.  A lot of coaches were selfish, not Al.

It's also worth pointing out that two of our top coaches (Al and Kevin O'Neill) were primarily defensive coaches whose teams did not score a lot.

[AZMarqfan]

I think #1 is very possible.  I can't imagine someone at his height and build going pro early.  How many guys at 5'11" go pro early?  And if he's listed at 5'11", he's probably more like 5'9".  He looks small out there