Does Markus Gets Us Over The Bubble?

[Tugg Speedman]

If Markus keeps playing, and scoring, like he has the last few games, he is going to get mentioned a lot in sentences that include Trae Young.  Add in a potential run at the all-time NCAA consecutive free-throw record and he could be top national marquee player by March. (consecutive free-throw record is 85, Novak had 68.  Howard is at 60 consecutive and counting ...9 last season and 51 this season.)

So ... if we are a bubble team, does the "star power" of Markus push us into the tourney?

To be clear, first, we have to be a legit bubble team, he cannot make an undeserving team get a bid.  So the question is how much does politics and hype play for teams on the bubble?  If Markus is a "name" in college basketball and MU is one of the last teams under consideration, does the committee think MU/Markus in Buffalo or Orlando or Sacremento means more interest and better attendance and lean toward MU getting in?

Thoughts?

[jonny09]

I believe it's now 60 straight

[brewcity77]

No. If we go 8-10 in the Big East, probably out. If we go 9-9, probably in. If we go 10-8, definitely in. It's that simple.

[Tugg Speedman]

I believe it's now 60 straight

45 straight this season (Nova included)

7 for 7 against Seton Hall in the BET.  Missed against Creighton the game before, and had no FT attempts against South Carolina in the Tourney

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/gamelog/_/id/4065805/year/2017/markus-howard

7 staright to end last season, 45 straight this season ... 52 and counting.

[MUFan07]

He had 2 makes at the end of Creighton last year.  That makes 9 from last season.  The 45 was before today.  He's at 51 after today.  60 total.

[jonny09]

60

[Tugg Speedman]

He had 2 makes at the end of Creighton last year.  That makes 9 from last season.  The 45 was before today.  He's at 51 after today.  60 total.

He was at 38 after Providence

The Nova game is on the list, all the data is updated real time.

Adding in the two makes in the Creighton game makes it 54.

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/4065805/markus-howard

[MUFan07]

https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/markus-howard-1/gamelog/2018/

45/45 going into tonight

[jonny09]

Andrew Goldstein
Andrew Goldstein
@AndyGold24
Markus Howard made all three FTs. His streak is now at 57, just 11 shy of Steve Novak for the program record. One of only two players in the NCAA without a missed FT (and enough attempts to qualify). #mubb


This was before he made his last 3 of the night.  60

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

He was at 38 after Providence

The Nova game is on the list, all the data is updated real time.

Adding in the two makes in the Creighton game makes it 54.

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/4065805/markus-howard

Incorrect. ESPN doesn't update season stats until the day after a game. He is 51/51 this season. He made his last 9 of last season for 60 consecutive.

You can add it up in his game log if you like: http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/gamelog/_/id/4065805/markus-howard

[Tugg Speedman]

Incorrect. ESPN doesn't update season stats until the day after a game. He is 51/51 this season. He made his last 9 of last season for 60 consecutive.

You can add it up in his game log if you like: http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/gamelog/_/id/4065805/markus-howard

No, I believe you ... ESPN hired some crap-ass programmers as this should be updated real-time.  It is not that hard.

It is 60

4 away from top 5 all-time
8 away from Novak
25 away from the record

[wadesworld]

The team will get in if they deserve it as a team.

[Tugg Speedman]

Andrew Goldstein
Andrew Goldstein
@AndyGold24
Markus Howard made all three FTs. His streak is now at 57, just 11 shy of Steve Novak for the program record. One of only two players in the NCAA without a missed FT (and enough attempts to qualify). #mubb


This was before he made his last 3 of the night.  60

Who is the other player? 

ESPN only shows Markus with 100%

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/statistics/player/_/stat/free-throws

(Rowsey #32)

[auburnmarquette]

Yes, I believe the bids are very by the book, BUT the NCAA is not oblivious to good story lines so if there was a close call at the end and Markus seemed to make Marquette a more entertaining game than another team or two that were very close I believe it can be an unwritten tiebreaker to which they would never admit.

Another excitement factor they could consider is all the spectacular dunk highlights against Marquette no matter who we face! Luckily they are only 2 points each, and we can always out Theo in whenever we need them denied at the rim!

[GGGG]

Who is the other player? 

ESPN only shows Markus with 100%

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/statistics/player/_/stat/free-throws

(Rowsey #32)

Unless he means all divisions.

[jonny09]

Some dude from Wofford is perfect I believe. 

[Lennys Tap]

Yes, I believe the bids are very by the book, BUT the NCAA is not oblivious to good story lines so if there was a close call at the end and Markus seemed to make Marquette a more entertaining game than another team or two that were very close I believe it can be an unwritten tiebreaker to which they would never admit.

Agree - if it comes down to a "jump ball" having a dynamic player like Markus could be the difference.

[jonny09]

Fletcher Magee. 

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Fletcher Magee.

34/34 so far this season. Got to the line 122 times last season, that's a steep drop off.

[Tugg Speedman]

34/34 so far this season. Got to the line 122 times last season, that's a steep drop off.

Why is he not on this list?

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/statistics/player/_/stat/free-throws

Or this list?

https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/seasons/2018-leaders.html

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I'd assume he doesn't have enough attempts but I don't know. I don't work for those websites.

[jonny09]

He most likely just fell off.  He is averaging 2.4 FT's per game.  Pretty sure you need to be at 2.5 per.   

[tower912]

Original question..... If Markus's play leads to a 9-9 or better conference record, then yes.   If the rest of the team stands around and watches him and MU finishes 8-10 or worse, no. 

[willie warrior]

If the Warriors get over the bubble, they will need more than Markus. They will need to have Rowsey stop crapping all over the floor; they will need Froling to be a "difference maker" rather than absolutely "no difference"; they will need to get Hauser more involved offensively, and most importantly, they will need to have Wojo impart his "defensive prowess" to the team, which we have not seen in 3 and one half years of his regime.

[real chili 83]

If the Warriors get over the bubble, they will need more than Markus. They will need to have Rowsey stop crapping all over the floor; they will need Froling to be a "difference maker" rather than absolutely "no difference"; they will need to get Hauser more involved offensively, and most importantly, they will need to have Wojo impart his "defensive prowess" to the team, which we have not seen in 3 and one half years of his regime.

Unfortunately Williie, you are right.

Fortunately, I see a bright light at the end of the tunnel in the next two years.  Let's not forget how bad 'Nova stunk when they were rebuilding ...not too long ago.

Let's enjoy the ride.

Froling is a head scratcher.  He clearly has the green light from Wojo to take those shots.