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<ul class="summary-list"><li>Two of <keyword id="1737297" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="College-Basketball">college basketball</keyword>'s biggest stars — both of whom were consensus first-team All-Americans — went undrafted.</li><li>Myles Powell was the <keyword id="1757185" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="Big-East">Big East</keyword> Player of the Year and the Jerry West Award winner for the <keyword id="1099124" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Seton-Hall-Pirates">Seton Hall Pirates</keyword>.</li><li>Marquette's Markus Howard became the <a href="https://www.bigeast.com/news/2020/2/14/mens-basketball-marquettes-howard-passes-everyone-to-become-big-easts-all-time-scoring-king.aspx">Big East's all-time leading scorer</a> in his senior year and <a href="https://www.ncaa.com/stats/basketball-men/d1/current/individual/136">led the NCAA</a> with 27.8 points per game.</li><li>Some blamed an over-reliance on metrics, and others cited the lack of <keyword id="952232" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="March-Madness">March Madness</keyword>.</li></ul><p><keyword id="6361805" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="NBA">NBA</keyword> teams had the opportunity to pick up the most promising young talents in <keyword id="36237" type="SPORT" weightage="60" keywordseo="basketball">basketball</keyword> with Wednesday night's NBA draft.</p><p>But as teams began to gamble on little-known prospects and junior college risks, two of college basketball's best and brightest saw the rounds tick by with their names still lingering on the board.</p><div type="image" title="myles powell markus howard.JPG" height="1666" width="2223" msid="79309775" hostid="261"></div><p>Myles Powell and Markus Howard — both consensus first-team All-Americans last season — went undrafted Wednesday night despite dominating the Big East conference and the rest of the <keyword id="125824" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="NCAA">NCAA</keyword> throughout their illustrious four-year careers. College basketball fans ranged from perplexed to outraged that NBA teams would pass over the duo — who combined for more than 5,000 career points — despite their proven talent on the hardwood.</p><p>Powell averaged 17.5 points, 2.3 assists, and 1.3 steals per game over his standout four-year career with the Seton Hall Pirates, and he only improved with time. During his senior season, the gritty 6-foot-2 guard led the Pirates back to national prominence — and to the team's <a href="https://shupirates.com/news/2020/1/20/mens-basketball-seton-hall-ranked-in-the-ap-top-10-for-first-time-in-20-years.aspx">first top-10 ranking in 20 years</a> — en route to earning <a href="https://shupirates.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/myles-powell/2834">Big East Player of the Year honors and the Jerry West Award</a>.</p><div type="image" title="myles powell seton hall.JPG" height="1000" width="1333" msid="79309783" hostid="261"></div><p>Howard, meanwhile, was widely regarded as one of the best shooters in college basketball throughout his time with the <keyword id="10300521" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="marquette-golden-eagles">Marquette Golden Eagles</keyword>. In his worst shooting season wearing blue and gold, the 5-foot-11 point guard still shot 42% from the floor and 40.3% from beyond the arc; in his best, Howard shot 50.6% from the field and 54.7% from range.</p><p>The New Jersey native <a href="https://www.insider.com/markus-howard-marquette-creighton-highlights-2019-1">regularly lit up the scoreboard</a> thanks to his crafty ball handling and impressive range. Howard surpassed the 40-point mark seven times in his career and thrice surpassed 50 points in a single game. By the first game of his senior season, he had already secured his spot in the Marquette history books as <a href="https://www.foxsports.com/wisconsin/story/marquette-golden-eagles-markus-howard-all-time-leading-scorer-loyola-110519">the program's all-time leading scorer</a>. Three months later, he'd become the <a href="https://www.bigeast.com/news/2020/2/14/mens-basketball-marquettes-howard-passes-everyone-to-become-big-easts-all-time-scoring-king.aspx">all-time leading scorer in the entire Big East conference</a>, and he'd finish the 2019-2020 season as the <a href="https://www.ncaa.com/stats/basketball-men/d1/current/individual/136">NCAA's top scorer</a> after racking up 27.8 points per game.</p><div type="image" title="markus howard ncaa tournament.JPG" height="1125" width="1500" msid="79309786" hostid="261"></div><p>After the draft, Howard agreed to a two-way contract with the Denver Nuggets according to <a href="https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1329303484232032257">The Athletic's Shams Charania</a>. The deal will presumably <a href="https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/college/marquette/2020/11/18/marquettes-markus-howard-not-picked-nba-draft/6338010002/">relegate the 21 year old to the G League</a> for the majority of next season.</p><p>Powell, meanwhile, intends to sign with the New York Knicks as an undrafted free agent, per <a href="https://twitter.com/IanBegley/status/1329475194516369408">SNY's Ian Begley</a>. The Knicks are considered Powell's hometown team, as the shooting guard is a Trenton, New Jersey, native and became a collegiate superstar just across the river from Manhattan in Newark, New Jersey.</p><div type="image" title="myles powell markus howard" height="1863" width="2484" msid="79309791" hostid="261"></div><p>It remains unclear whether NBA teams' apparent lack of interest in the prolific duo stemmed from an overreliance on metrics or the lack of buzz ordinarily generated from March Madness. But either way, college basketball fans are confident pro teams whiffed by skipping out on two of the best players the Big East has ever seen.</p><ul class="read-more-links"><li>Read more:</li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/lamelo-ball-timeline-path-to-nba-draft-youngest-ball-brother-2020-11">How LaMelo Ball made his way around the world and out of the shadow of his dad to become a top pick in the NBA draft</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/markus-howard-marquette-creighton-highlights-2019-1">Marquette may have had the wildest win of the season that included a controversial buzzer-beater and a Big East record 53 points from Markus Howard</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/sue-bird-wnba-nba-equal-pay-2020-10">WNBA legend Sue Bird says calls for equality with the NBA are not about equal pay</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/kevin-durant-rich-kleiman-nyc-office-thirty-five-ventures-2020-11">Take a tour of Kevin Durant and Rich Kleiman's swanky New York City office space for Thirty Five Ventures</a></li></ul>

NBA teams passed on drafting 2 of college basketball's most prolific stars, prompting outrage from fans

<p></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div><ul class="summary-list"><li>Marquette Golden Eagles point guard Markus Howard torched the Creighton Bluejays in an overtime thriller Tuesday night.</li><li>The 19-year-old prolific scorer recorded a Big East record 53 points for the second 50-point game of his career.</li><li>Howard's <span>prolific scoring may not be the most talked about aspect of Wednesday night's affair, as teammate Sam Hauser hit a controversial three at the buzzer to force overtime.</span></li><li>No. 21 Marquette went on to avoid the upset thanks in large part to Howard's 14-point overtime eruption, but whether or not Hauser's buzzer-beater should have counted is still up for debate.</li></ul><p>Markus Howard - the No. 21 Marquette Golden Eagles point guard who has emerged as one of the top scorers in the nation - put on one of the greatest performances in recent college basketball history Tuesday night.</p><p>The 19-year-old wunderkind torched the Creighton Bluejays in an overtime contest for the ages. Howard dropped a Big East record 53 points on 57.7% shooting from the floor and 10-of-14 shooting from beyond the arc and added six assists en route to Marquette's wild 106-104 overtime win.</p><p>Howard's stunning performance marks his third game with 45+ points this season and the second 50-point game of his collegiate career, making him the only Division I player to notch multiple 50-point performances in the last 20 seasons.</p><p>His shooting chart from the game is jaw-dropping:</p><p>The 19-year-old is averaging a conference-leading <span>25.8</span> points per game this season and adds <span>4.3 assists per game to boot, good for fourth in the conference. But Howard's prolific scoring may not be the most talked about aspect of Wednesday night's affair.</span></p><p><span>The Bluejays led the game for the entirety of regulation and held a five-point advantage with just eight seconds left on the clock. Golden Eagles guard Joseph Chartouny made a layup to cut Creighton's lead to three with less than a second remaining in the contest, but a major gaffe from Bluejays forward </span><span data-reactid="10">Martin Krampelj on the inbounds pass gave the ball back to Marquette for one final possession.</span></p><p><span>Howard launched the ball right into the outstretched arms of teammate Sam Hauser, who went right up with it and - according to the referees - beat the buzzer on a deep three-pointer to send the game to overtime.</span></p><p><span>Check out the replay for yourself:</span><span></span></p><p>Howard tacked on 14 more points - including the Golden Eagles' first 11 - during the overtime period to break the Big East record and lift his team past Creighton, but there's compelling evidence suggesting the game should have been over well before then.</p><p>According to replays, Hauser may not have gotten his last-second shot out of his hand before the final buzzer sounded, which would have given the Bluejays the win at the end of regulation.</p><p>Here's a slow-mo video of the play:</p><p>And two stills that show just how close it was:</p><p>Marquette only has a few days to recover from the thrill of Wednesday night's victory before hosting the pesky Seton Hall Pirates Saturday afternoon. The Pirates will look to add another signature win to their already impressive resume after notching wins against the then-undefeated St. John's Red Storm and the Kentucky Wildcats earlier in the season.</p><ul class="read-more-links"><li>Read more:</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/video-zion-williamson-360-dunk-against-clemson-2019-1">Zion Williamson threw down a nasty 360 dunk that sent Duke fans into a frenzy</a></li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/maori-davenport-lost-senior-year-eligibility-usa-basketball-check-2019-1" data-analytics-position="1">A top women's basketball recruit lost her senior-year high school eligibility because of an $800 stipend check and USA Basketball snafu</a></li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tom-izzo-comments-penn-state-pat-chambers-suspension-soft-2019-1">Tom Izzo went on a rant calling society too 'soft' and 'fragile' after Penn State's coach was suspended for shoving a player</a></li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/college-basketball-ap-poll-rankings-winners-losers-week-10-2019-1">Here are the 6 biggest winners and losers in college basketball this week</a></li></ul><div></div><div></div><div><div style="width:100%;height:0px;position:relative;padding-bottom:56.250%;"></div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/exercise-workout-shape-routine-2016-12">An exercise scientist reveals exactly how long you need to work out to get in great shape</a></h3>        <div>                    </div>    </div>

Marquette may have had the wildest win of the season that included a controversial buzzer-beater and a Big East record 53 points from Markus Howard

<ul class="summary-list"><li>The 2023 men's NCAA Tournament is here, and fans are working hard to perfect their brackets.</li><li>The <a href="http://betonline.ag/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">betonline.ag</a> team used Twitter trends to determine which team is being picked to win it all in each state.</li></ul><p>March Madness is upon us.</p><p>So is bracket-building season.</p><p>Since the committee revealed its 68-team field on Sunday, college basketball fans around the country have been hard at work perfecting their brackets in hopes of becoming the first person <em>ever</em> to correctly guess every pick. And with the men's NCAA Tournament set to tip off with the First Four Tuesday night, <a href="http://betonline.ag/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">betonline.ag</a> took a look at which team fans across the United States expect to win it all.</p><div type="image" title="Brandon Miller (left) and Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nate Oats." height="1682" width="2242" msid="98639178" hostid="261" sizebytes="243858"></div><p>Using geotagged Twitter data to track hashtags and phrases that indicate the user's expected winner, the company was able to determine which team each state is picking to cut down the nets in Houston. And after analyzing more than 250,000 tweets, they got a good idea of what the map looks like heading into the Big Dance.</p><p>Unsurprisingly, No. 1 seeds earned the most love from fans. Nine states have more fans picking the Kansas Jayhawks — the kings of the West and the reigning NCAA champions — than any other team in the field.</p><p>Eight states, meanwhile, are standing strong with the <a href="https://www.insider.com/alabama-brandon-miller-pat-down-pregame-after-murder-case-involvement-2023-2">controversy-laden Alabama Crimson Tide</a>. And seven states scattered from Massachusetts to Utah are home to fans who think the Purdue Boilermakers have the best shot of hoisting the trophy come April.</p><div type="image" title="Purdue's Zach Edey." height="1666" width="2222" msid="98639181" hostid="261" sizebytes="162582"></div><p>It appears fans lost confidence in the fourth No. 1 seed — the Houston Cougars — thanks to star Marcus Sasser's injury and the squad's loss to the Memphis Tigers in the AAC Tournament final. Only two states, New Mexico and Louisiana, believe in the Cougars; their home state is throwing its weight behind the Texas Longhorns instead.</p><p>Ten other teams — the UConn Huskies, Gonzaga Bulldogs, Virginia Cavaliers, Duke Blue Devils, Marquette Golden Eagles, UCLA Bruins, Xavier Musketeers, Kentucky Wildcats, Tennessee Volunteers, and Arizona Wildcats — received majority support among fans in at least one state. As a six-seed, Kentucky is the lowest-ranked team to earn a spot on the list.</p><p>Check out the full map below:</p><div type="image" title="Map of which men's college basketball team each state is picking to win March Madness." height="1710" width="2184" msid="98639183" hostid="261" sizebytes="147234"></div>

Map shows which men's March Madness team is the favorite to win this year's NCAA tournament in every state

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Las Vegas has many sports books, where locals and visitors can watch and bet on March Madness.</li><li>Insider visited a few of the bigger-name establishments, and even a rundown one.</li></ul><p>LAS VEGAS — Of all the major sportsbooks in and around the Strip, there's one that seems to stand out more than others as March Madness consumes Sin City.</p><p>If you like the sound of hot pizza being hand-delivered to you in early bird seating, stadium-style bleachers purposely built to accommodate thousands of visitors, and random cheers from bettors enjoying the action before they'd even had their lunch, then Caesars Palace is the place to be.</p><p>As a Brit, I didn't know exactly what I was looking at.</p><p>I knew about the NBA, about jump shots and buzzer-beaters, but names like Baylor, the Wildcats, and Marquette Golden Eagles seemed like a world away from the Lakers or the Knicks.</p><p>But even I knew the sports book was where locals and tourists alike flocked to place bets on the ongoing NCAA men's and women's basketball tournaments, with many looking to successfully back the next great Cinderella story.</p><h2>This is what the Caesars Palace sports book normally looks like:</h2><div type="image" title="Caesars Palace sports book." height="1506" width="2000" msid="98867638" hostid="261" sizebytes="239808"></div><p><strong>There was minimal time to wait to get served at the bar in the days prior to March Madness.</strong></p><div type="image" title="The long bar typically has minimal wait time to get served." height="1506" width="2000" msid="98867640" hostid="261" sizebytes="210254"></div><p>But, days later, when the NCAA tournament was in full swing, everything had changed and it was bedlam in the best possible sense.</p><p>There was an energy and atmosphere here, helped no doubt by pop-up beer booths, that ensured Caesars Palace was hitting its stride as a go-to sportsbook for people hoping to strike it lucky when coming to town.</p><p>It was difficult to even get into the lounge area of the sports book, where seating is reserved, let alone place a bet. But that was part of the charm. It felt like it was all happening right here.</p><div type="image" title="The sports book at Caesars Palace." height="1502" width="2000" msid="98867641" hostid="261" sizebytes="205902"></div><p>I'd been to Circa's iconic balcony Downtown, Wynn's luxurious surroundings mid-Strip, and even, for the sake of balance, the bookies at what looked like cheap, run-down properties.</p><p>And, while all of those had their own unique advantages, nothing could replicate what Caesars Palace had going for it.</p><p><strong>See a panoramic of the bleachers, and the long bar, before you could even muscle your way into the sportsbook, right here:</strong></p> <p>This was a place that felt like you were actually at a live game, without being at a live game, while being able to bet on multiple live games at once — and it was awesome.</p><p>If the thought of all that stresses you out too much, you could always get a rub down from one of the roaming masseuses offering back massages to anyone looking to de-stress, or even spend any of their easy-earned winnings.</p><h2>It's a knockout experience</h2><p>Caesars Palace isn't exactly a hidden secret just for locals.</p><p>It's UFC boss Dana White's favorite resort; it's been the site for some of Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson's most famous boxing nights; and Adele has a residency at the Colosseum.</p><p>It's got history, too, with a statue of former heavyweight boxing king Joe Louis to the side of the temporary bleachers for March Madness.</p><p>And even, surely, he'd agree that a day at Caesars Palace's sportsbook for March Madness is nothing short of a knockout.</p><div type="image" title="Insider correspondent Alan Dawson with a statue of boxer Joe Louis at Caesars Palace." height="1502" width="2000" msid="98867643" hostid="261" sizebytes="163106"></div>

Stadium seating, massages, and pop-up beer booths: Why Caesars Palace in Las Vegas is the best place to watch March Madness

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Giannis Antetokounmpo never played college basketball, as he was drafted into the NBA at 18 years old.</li><li>But had he competed in the NCAA, there are a random assortment of programs he says he would've considered.</li></ul><p>Giannis Antetokounmpo had already played years of professional hoops by the time most American basketball stars begin gearing up for their college careers.</p><p>While the majority of his NBA counterparts spent at least one year in the NCAA before heading to the league, the Greek Freak bounced straight from clubs across Europe to the Milwaukee Bucks — who drafted the lanky 7-footer when he was just 18 years old.</p><div type="image" title="Giannis Antetokounmpo speaks after he was selected with the 15th overall pick of the 2013 NBA Draft." height="1660" width="2213" msid="98522176" hostid="261"></div><p>Two MVP awards, seven All-Star nods, and an NBA title later, Antetokounmpo has little reason to look back. But sometimes, he mulls over what it would've been like — and where he would've gone — had he played college hoops.</p><p>At the top of his list, surprisingly, were the Old Dominion Monarchs.</p><p>"When I was younger, we had this friendly game back in Greece," Antetokounmpo told Insider. "My team, Filathlitikos, played against the team Old Dominion.</p><p>"And I went crazy," he added. "I had a couple of buckets."</p><p>He had eight, to be exact.</p><div type="image" title="Giannis Antetokounmpo with Greek club Filathlitikos in 2013." height="3425" width="2500" msid="98522177" hostid="261"></div><p>The Monarchs had taken a summer trip overseas in 2012 and decided to face off against Filathlitikos at Athens' Zografos Stadium. But Old Dominion was struck with a stomach virus ahead of the game and, unknowingly, was facing a 17-year-old who would one day dominate the NBA.</p><p>Antetokounmpo — or Janis Antetokoubo, as he's listed on <a href="https://odusports.com/news/2012/8/23/208372746.aspx">the post-game write up</a> — finished with a game-high 21 points on a 56.9% clip from the field and 5-of-9 shooting from beyond the arc. He also left with a new contact: then-Monarchs head coach Blaine Taylor.</p><p>"The coach approached me," Antetokounmpo recalled. "He liked my attitude and how hard I played and how I approached the game at such an early age. And he said if I ever considered to come to the US, he would love to have me."</p><div type="image" title="Giannis Antetokounmpo faces the Cleveland Cavaliers during his rookie season with the Milwaukee Bucks." height="1624" width="2500" msid="98522178" hostid="261"></div><p>By the time he had considered coming to the US, Antetokounmpo was already <a href="https://www.insider.com/video-giannis-antetokounmpo-runs-court-2-dribbles-dunk-vs-mavs-2022-11">a top NBA prospect</a>. Now that he's spent a full decade in the States, he's gotten better acquainted with NCAA play and the top programs in college basketball. He's even <a href="https://www.insider.com/giannis-antetokounmpo-march-madness-walk-ons-nil-deals-2023-3">helping walk-ons land NIL deals</a> and mentorship opportunities through a partnership with Degree.</p><p>Last year, he went to watch a Syracuse game and "loved the way they played." The Orange, he said, "played fast, defensively played zone, and were tricky."</p><p>But when it comes to which team would've been the best fit for his development as a player, he says the Duke Blue Devils fit the bill.</p><div type="image" title="Jayson Tatum with the Duke Blue Devils." height="1643" width="2500" msid="98522180" hostid="261"></div><p>"Duke is probably one of the teams that produce a lot of people like me — four men, unorthodox, doesn't really fit the typical format," Antetokounmpo explained. "You can see from Jayson Tatum — Jayson Tatum went to Duke, Brandon Ingram went to Duke, Jabari Parker. A lot of four men that can put the ball on the floor and can play in the pick-and-roll and be the handler or being the guy that sets the pick-and-roll.</p><p>"So that's a good school too," he added.</p><p>None of the three aforementioned schools ranks as Antetokounmpo's favorite, however. Once <a href="https://www.insider.com/march-madness-elena-delle-donne-bracket-challenge-womens-ncaa-tournament-2023-3">March Madness</a> officially begins next week, <a href="https://www.insider.com/video-giannis-triple-double-rebound-2023-3">the Bucks big</a> is rooting for Milwaukee's own Marquette Golden Eagles "all the way."</p><div type="image" title="The Marquette Golden Eagles celebrate winning the 2023 Big East regular season title." height="1491" width="2500" msid="98522181" hostid="261"></div><p>He's ready to fill out a bracket, and says the Bucks partake in an intra-team bracket pool each year. But don't expect the franchise's star to walk away with the jackpot.</p><p>"I've never won that. I always lose," Antetokounmpo said. "But it's fun. It just keeps the environment light and allows us to follow as much as we can."</p>

Giannis Antetokounmpo mulls where he would've gone to college had he played NCAA basketball

<p><strong><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div></strong></p><ul class="summary-list"><li><strong>Murray State sophomore guard Ja Morant put on a show in the first round of the NCAA Tournament to help the Racers beat No. 5 Marquette.</strong></li><li><strong>Morant notched the first triple-double in the tournament since Draymond Green in 2012 while showing off his elite athleticism and playmaking.</strong></li><li><strong>Morant was already considered a top-three draft prospect, but his performance has the NBA world buzzing that he could become a better pro than Zion Williamson.</strong></li></ul><p>Ja Morant was already considered a top NBA draft prospect going into the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/category/ncaa-tournament-2019">NCAA Tournament</a>, but his stock is now soaring after an impressive first performance.</p><p>The sophomore guard notched the first <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/category/march-madness-2019">March Madness</a> triple-double since 2012 on Thursday, scoring 17 points, 11 rebounds, and 16 assists to help No. 12 Murray State upset No. 5 Marquette - one of the biggest upsets of the first round.</p><p>Most mock drafts have had Morant going second or third in the upcoming NBA draft, but all players have been viewed as a tier below Duke's Zion Williamson, the clear-cut No. 1 prospect.</p><p><em><strong>Read more:&#xa0;</strong></em><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/zion-williamson-duke-star-nba-2019-3"><em>Celebrities have flocked to see Duke's 18-year-old superstar, Zion Williamson - here's why he's been dubbed one of the 'most impressive' collegiate prospects ever</em></a></p><p>Morant might have changed that on Thursday.</p><p>The wiry, explosive, 6-foot-3 guard dominated Marquette, showing off his combination of skill and talent while shredding every defensive look the Golden Eagles threw at him.</p><p>Perhaps most impressive was Morant's comfort running an NBA-style offense. Murray State put the ball in his hands, ran pick-and-rolls and other off-ball actions, and let Morant bend the defense to his will. From there, he simply picked apart Marquette, hitting open shooters and cutters from every angle.</p><p>Morant has been an iffy shooter in his two years at Murray State, and his three-point shooting is considered his biggest weakness ahead of the NBA draft. However, on Thursday, Morant hit both of his attempts, including an impressive stepback that will surely delight some NBA scouts about his prospects at the next level.</p><p>Morant also showed a bit of what has made him one of the most tantalizing athletes in college - his leaping ability. Morant might be the second-best dunker in college after Williamson, and he put on Marquette defender on a poster on Thursday wiith a beautiful backdoor cut.</p><p>Morant's triple-double put him with some elite company in March Madness history.</p><p>Granted, Morant doesn't have much to climb on the draft ladder, but some wonder if Thursday's performance elevated him into Williamson's category.</p><p>ESPN's Jay Williams argued on "Get Up!" on Friday that Morant might even have more success at the NBA level than Williamson, comparing Morant to Russell Westbrook.</p><p>The next round of the tournament will be a big moment for Morant and Murray State. Another impressive performance and win over No. 4 Florida State, and Morant will officially be in the running for the No. 1 pick and Murray State will officially become this year's Cinderella team.</p><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/lebron-james-nba-celebrity-stylist-fashion-icon-2019-3">Meet the stylist who turned LeBron James into a fashion icon</a></h3>        <div>                    </div>    </div>

The NBA draft stock of one of the top prospects is soaring after he shredded an opponent in one of the biggest upsets of March Madness so far

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>AP Photo/David J. Phillip</span></p><p class="caption">Without a successful Villanova basketball program to fall back on, the Big East conference could be in big trouble.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><ul class="summary-list"><li>In a nightmarish week for the Villanova Wildcats and head coach Jay Wright, the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/michigan-crushes-no-8-villanova-in-national-championship-rematch-2018-11?r=UK&amp;IR=T">Michigan Wolverines came to the Pavillion</a> and avenged their <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/villanova-wins-national-championship-in-dominating-fashion-and-with-a-wink-2018-4">2018 national championship loss</a> to the tune of a 27-point blowout before Villanova lost a 76-68 overtime decision to the Furman Paladins Saturday night.</li><li>The Wildcats subsequently fell out of the AP Top 25 Poll for the first time since 2013.</li><li>With no other perennial college basketball powerhouses in the conference, the Big East lost all of its representation in the rankings for the first time since January 26, 1982.</li></ul><p><br />In the world of college basketball, blue blood programs have long reigned supreme. In recent years, however, the Villanova Wildcats encroached on that space, winning two national championships in three years and ranking amongst the top programs week after week for the last few years.</p><p>But Villanova's continued dominance may finally be coming to an end.</p><p>In a nightmarish week for the Wildcats and head coach Jay Wright, the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/michigan-crushes-no-8-villanova-in-national-championship-rematch-2018-11?r=UK&amp;IR=T">Michigan Wolverines came to the Pavillion</a> and avenged their <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/villanova-wins-national-championship-in-dominating-fashion-and-with-a-wink-2018-4">2018 national championship loss</a> to the tune of a 27-point blowout before Villanova lost a 76-68 overtime decision to the Furman Paladins Saturday night.</p><p>The Wildcats - who were ranked eighth in the nation heading into those two contests - dropped out of the AP Top 25 Poll for the first time since 2013. They will cross paths with No. 2 Kansas on December 15, but the Jayhawks are the only currently ranked opponent on Villanova's schedule for the remainder of the regular season. If the Wildcats fail to secure a statement win against Kansas, they almost certainly would struggle to climb back into the rankings.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>David J. Phillip/AP</span></p><p class="caption">The Villanova Wildcats beat the North Carolina Tar Heels to win the 2016 national championship on a last-second buzzer-beater.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>Not only is this a troubling sign for one of the most dominant college basketball programs in recent history, but it also spells trouble for the Big East Conference. The quality of competition in the conference dropped considerably when Connecticut, Syracuse, and Pittsburgh left in 2013 and once again when Louisville departed for the ACC the following year.</p><p><strong><em>Read more: </em></strong><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/syracuse-loses-to-uconn-misspells-buddy-boeheims-name-on-jersey-2018-11" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Syracuse had a rough night and their loss to UConn wasn't even the most embarrassing part</em></a></p><p>The conference has since leaned heavily on the Wildcats for relevance in the college basketball sphere. But with Villanova's abrupt exit from the rankings, the Big East is <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamZagoria/status/1064612016973848578">without representation in the AP Top 25 Poll</a> for the first time since January 26, 1982.</p><p>For the past four seasons, the Wildcats were the only team in the conference to remain ranked throughout an entire season. Other programs have had moments of greatness during those spans - most notably Xavier during the 2017-18 and 2015-16 seasons - but none have enjoyed the prolonged success that Villanova has enjoyed.</p><p>The Big East has relied on its basketball prowess as its saving grace as many of its longtime members have fled for greener pastures - read: more money - in conferences that also boast strong football networks. But without the Wildcats' success, the Big East conference is rendered virtually irrelevant in the world of college basketball, especially when compared to powerhouse conferences like the ACC, SEC, Big Ten, and Big 12.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_left"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Stacy Revere/Getty Images</span></p><p class="caption">Steve Wojciechowski and the Marquette Golden Eagles may be the Big East's only hope for relevance this season.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>If Villanova's matchup against the Jayhawks goes south, the Big East's best hope lies with Mike Krzyzewski disciple Steve<span> Wojciechowski</span> and the Marquette Golden Eagles. They also fell out of the rankings last week after losing on the road to the Indiana Hoosiers, but they will have the opportunity to prove themselves and catapult back into the rankings with a win against any of the four ranked opponents they will face before the new year.</p><p>Still, the precarious state of today's Big East is a far, far cry from the conference that boasted grudge matches between Patrick Ewing and Chris Mullin in the mid-1980s. If the Big East wants to return to its former glory in the basketball arena, the path back will undoubtedly run through Villanova.</p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-wwe-wrestlers-learn-to-fight-at-ny-wrestling-school-2018-10">Inside an intense training session where aspiring WWE wrestlers learn how to fight</a></h3>        <div>                    </div>    </div>

Villanova dropped out of the AP Top 25 Poll for the first time since 2013 and it could spell trouble for the Big East

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container float_right"><div class="image"><p class="source"><span>Craig Jones/Getty Images</span></p><p class="caption">Former Syracuse star Carmelo Anthony has a $21 million salary.</p></div><p></p></div>It's every young basketball player's dream to play for a big-time college program and make big-time dollars in the NBA. Of course, there are many different routes one can take to make that dream a reality. Do you want to play for a Hall of Fame coach? <br /><br />Are stellar facilities a must-have? Will a deep NCAA tournament run get you the exposure you need? As you can see, there are a number of factors players need to take into account before selecting where they'll play collegiate ball.</p>
<p>To try and help determine which college program pumps out the most NBA-ready players, we decided to run some numbers using one always-important statistic - salary. Below, you'll find the top 20 schools whose alumni currently make the most money in the league for 2013-2014, according to ESPN's data. You may not be surprised to see which school is sitting at No. 1.</p>
<p><strong>20. LSU: $23,534,293 - 5 players</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">The Tigers don't boast any true NBA superstars at the moment, but they do have a number of solid veterans who will combine to make over $23 million this season. Kings guard Marcus Thornton leads the way, making just over $8 million this season, followed by serviceable power forwards Brandon Bass and Glen Davis. Anthony Randolph and Garrett Temple round out LSU's list.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>19. Arkansas: $24,326,342 - 4 players</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">Sometimes it only takes one, and in Arkansas' case, that 'one' is Brooklyn Net Joe Johnson, who's albatross of a contract made him considered one of the most untradeable players in the NBA-until Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov decided that he really wanted to win, and acquired Johnson from the Atlanta Hawks. Johnson makes $21,466,718 this season, while the other three Razorbacks on this list - Ronnie Brewer, Patrick Beverley, and Jannero Pargo - make under $3 million combined.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>18. Michigan State: $26,265,990 - 4 players</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">Zach Randolph is the only legitimate superstar Spartan still in the NBA, and the salaries show that: he pulled in over $18 million for his post presence. Once-high-flying guard Jason Richardson is still cashing in over $6 million this season, while Alan Anderson and Draymond Green are making just under $1 million each.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>17. Stanford: $26,848,167 - 3 players</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">The bulk of Stanford's paychecks come from one family; star Nets center Brook Lopez had a break-out season last year and will make $14,693,906 for his efforts, while his brother Robin will haul in just under $6 million himself as a Portland Trail Blazer. Guard Landry Fields adds just over $6 million of his own to the total.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>16. Syracuse: $28,368,406 - 4 players</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">Carmelo Anthony accounts for most of this total with his $21 million salary, while young guards Dion Waiters ($3.8 million) and Michael Carter-Williams ($2.2 million) come up after Melo. Waiters' future with the Cavaliers is uncertain, though he will have a spot in the NBA for a while, but MCW should help Syracuse shoot up this list in the next few years. The Rookie of the Year favorite exploded onto the scene for the Sixers this season, and they will want to lock him up with a new contract sooner rather than later.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>15. USC: $28,382,974 - 6 players</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">Most don't think of USC as a program that churns out many big NBA stars, but the Trojans have three players making pretty good money in DeMar DeRozan ($9.5 million), O.J. Mayo ($8 million), and Taj Gibson ($7.5 million). Many viewed DeRozan's contract as a bad one for the Raptors, but he has become the team's leading scorer, and they are currently well in the playoff hunt. Outside of these three, Nikola Vucevic is in line to get a solid second NBA deal. The young forward averages 13 points and 11 rebounds for the Magic at just $1.8 million this season.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>14. Memphis: $31,675,971 - 5 players</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">Memphis produced two of the more explosive (when healthy) guards in the NBA in former MVP Derrick Rose and current New Orleans Pelican Tyreke Evans. Rose is pulling in $17.6 million from the Chicago Bulls, although I'm sure they would pony up a few more million if it meant that Rose could stay on the court for a full season. Evans makes $11.8 million as one of the Pelicans strong guard trio. Elliot Williams, Will Barton, and Chris Douglas-Roberts each make under a million to add a bit to Memphis' total.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>13. Marquette: $31,900,232 - 6 players</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">The Golden Eagles' combined salaries are heavily propped up by Dwyane Wade's $18.7 million, but Wesley Matthews ($6.9 million) and Steve Novak ($3.75 million) each contribute as well. The player to watch out for is Jimmy Butler, who broke out during last year's playoffs as a capable offensive threat and elite perimeter defender. He's only pulling in $1.1 million this season, but is in line for a big second contract.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>12. Georgetown: $32,610,774 - 6 players</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">Roy Hibbert's breakout for the Indiana Pacers has done wonders for the Hoya bottom line. As one of the best pure centers in the NBA, Hibbert will make just under $14.3 million in 2013-14. Forwards Jeff Green nets $8.7 million this year, while Otto Porter, and Greg Monroe are each at just over $4 million, although Monroe should be seeing an extension soon, or he may test free agency in the off-season.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>11. Wake Forest: $42,365,552 - 6 players</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">Wake Forest basketball has been down for a few years, but the Demon Deacons still claim two of the NBA's top players and probable future Hall of Famers as their own. Chris Paul is widely considered the best point guard in the NBA and is paid like it, hauling in over $18.6 million this season. Tim Duncan is still an All-Star level power forward, but he has taken modest contracts in order to help the San Antonio Spurs build around him. The Big Fundamental will bring in over $10.3 million this season. Atlanta Hawks point guard Jeff Teague has been surprisingly steady this year, and makes $8 million for his efforts. Al-Farouq Aminu ($3.75 million), Ish Smith ($950,000), and James Johnson ($634,000) round out Wake's list.</p>
<p><strong>10. Texas: $43,109,367 - 8 players</strong></p>
<p>Superstars Kevin Durant and LaMarcus Aldridge account for over $32 million of Texas' $43 million in salary, and for good reason. The Thunder and Trail Blazers are tied for second place in the NBA's Western Conference with 28-9 records, largely because of their contributions. While the Longhorns haven't made a Final Four run since 2002-2003, they have consistently churned out decent NBA talent.</p>
<p><strong>9. Georgia Tech: $46,237,403 - 8 players</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">Yep, the same Georgia Tech program that's only reached the NCAAs three times since its title game run in 2004. Miami's Chris Bosh makes over $19 million, despite taking a lower salary to join the Heat. Thaddeus Young, Jarrett Jack and Derrick Favors all make at least $6 million. The Yellow Jackets surprisingly check in as the No. 3 ACC team on our list.</p>
<p><strong>8. Kansas: $46,758,883 - 14 players</strong></p>
<p>While Kansas has churned out a high number of NBA players, all but one - Paul Pierce - make less than $5 million. And Pierce's deal, which pays him just over $15 million this year, expires at the end of the season. While it's fair to assume that freshman superstar Andrew Wiggins, should he leave the Jayhawks after one year, will make a good chunk of change, it probably won't stop the program from free falling on this list next year. The number of NBA role players who attended KU (Hinrich, Chalmers, Rush, Robinson, Collison, Henry) is astounding.</p>
<p><strong>7. Arizona: $53,838,585 - 9 players</strong></p>
<p>The Wildcats' top four players in salary - Andre Iguodala, Richard Jefferson, Channing Frye, and Jason Terry - are all veterans who most likely won't get big contracts in the future. Derrick Williams, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, needed a change of scenery from Minnesota to Sacramento to get more playing time and show what he can do. Still, the lack of rising stars means that Zona will probably move down this list in the future, too.</p>
<p><strong>6. North Carolina: $53,948,533 - 16 players</strong></p>
<p>The Tar Heels have 16 players in the NBA, second to only Kentucky. Denver's Ty Lawson is actually the main breadwinner, checking in at just under $11 million this year. Next up are Marvin Williams, Brandan Wright, Danny Green and Raymond Felton. Like Kansas, UNC has a crazy-high number of role players in the NBA, along with a few aging superstars (Vince Carter, Antawn Jamison). While the sheer number of players should keep the Heels on this list for quite some time, they won't be challenging for the top spot any time soon.</p>
<p><strong>5. Florida: $60,873,433 - 12 players</strong></p>
<p>Florida's back-to-back NCAA titles in the mid-2000s produced three of the top four Gators, salary wise, currently playing in the NBA today. Al Horford and Joakim Noah both make over $11 million, while Corey Brewer checks in at $5 million. David Lee, who played at UF just a few years before those tournament runs, comes in at just under $14 million. One player to watch is 20-year-old Bradley Beal, who could be playing himself into a nice little contract with the Washington Wizards in the future.</p>
<p><strong>4. Duke: $67,081,620 - 14 players</strong></p>
<p>Last year, <a href="http://collegespun.com/acc/syracuse/the-15-colleges-whose-alumni-made-the-most-money-in-the-nba-this-year">Duke actually topped this list.</a> Why the drop? Corey Maggette (and his contract) retired, dropping the overall total over $10 million for the Blue Devils. Carlos Boozer and Luol Deng still make $15 million and $14 million, respectively, but one has to imagine that neither will get another huge deal in their career. 21-year-old superstar Kyrie Irving, on the other hand, has huge potential to land a max contract after his rookie deal expires. Whether he'll leave Cleveland, though, is a debate for another time.</p>
<p><strong>3. UCLA: $68,606,959 - 12 players</strong></p>
<p>Simply put, UCLA has produced two of the best young superstars in the NBA - Kevin Love and Russell Westbrook. Jrue Holiday, Arron Afflalo and Trevor Ariza have also turned into solid players who make between $7 million and $10 million per year. Rookie Shabazz Muhammad has had a tough time finding minutes for the Timberwolves, despite being drafted in the middle of the first round. The Bruins haven't churned much out in the past few years, but what they produced in the mid-to-late 2000s should keep their presence felt in the league for years to come.</p>
<p><strong>2. Connecticut: $75,530,794 - 12 players</strong></p>
<p>The Huskies have a very nice mix of older/younger NBA talent. While veterans like Rudy Gay, Emeka Okafor and Ben Gordon currently pull in the most cash, budding stars like Kemba Walker, Andre Drummond and Jeremy Lamb are poised for higher-paying contracts in the near future. Just like last year, UConn was within $2 million of taking the top overall spot, which you guessed it, belongs to:</p>
<p><strong>1. Kentucky: $77,324,323 - 21 players</strong></p>
<p>The program that everyone loves to hate, led by the coach that everyone loves to hate, actually produces the most NBA players. But it's not just the Coach Cal era - four of the top six paid former Wildcats - Rajon Rondo, Tayshaun Prince, Chuck Hayes and Keith Bogans - played well before he came to town. Even when those contracts expire, UK has another crop of rising stars. John Wall, Anthony Davis, DeMarcus Cousins and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist will all make substantially more money in a few years than they do now. It's entirely possible that Kentucky retains this spot for the next three, four, maybe even five years.</p>
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