James Wiseman & Markus Howard See POY Odds Shorten After Strong Opening Night Performances

• Markus Howard sizzles in season debut, improving POY odds
• James Wiseman’s strong performance has his odds shortened as well
• Read below to see if Cassius Winston should still be the top betting pick

We are just hours into the NCAA basketball season, and already, a couple of loud performances have created some noticeable movement in the 2020 Naismith College Basketball Player of the Year odds.

The biggest movers were Marquette gunner Markus Howard and Memphis big man James Wiseman, who shined on opening night, while betting favorite Cassius Winston was good, but not impressive enough to push the Spartans past the Kentucky Wildcats at the much-hyped kickoff to the college hoops year, the State Farm Champions’ Classic in NYC.

2020 Naismith Player of the Year Odds

Odds from Nov 6.

After one game,  Howard’s odds shortened from an average of +1000 to +800, while Wiseman saw a similar jump, from +800 to +600. Winston found his odds lengthen slightly from a preseason +140 to +150. Let’s have a look and find out who you should be targeting.

Howard’s Historic Evening

The senior guard wasted no time etching his name in Marquette’s record books, putting together a sparkling 38-point performance , becoming the school’s all-time leading scorer. He went 11-for-20 from the field, including 7-for-10 from downtown in 26 minutes of work.

Markus Howard recently became the all-time leading scorer in Marquette history at the start of the second half. Here are some of his first-half highlights during tonight's game against Loyola Maryland! pic.twitter.com/A8Cfql61ou

— Marquette Wire Sports (@MUWireSports) November 6, 2019

It’s no fluke that he was chosen as a preseason All-America first teamer – the guy gets buckets. He finished last year averaging 25 points a contest and triggering at a 40.3% clip from deep, leading the Golden Eagles to the NCAA tournament.

just wanted to remind everyone that markus howard is better than your favorite college player

— (2) Marquette Nation (@mubbnation) November 6, 2019

Marquette’s pegged as a middle-of-the pack crew in the Big East, which probably gives Howard the best chance to fill it up, and get the nation’s attention if Marquette can creep into the tourney.

Wiseman Beastly in Memphis

Not a bad debut for the nation’s top recruit as the Tigers crushed South Carolina 97-64. The 7-foot-1 freshman was a wrecking ball, racking up 28 points on 11-of-14 from the field, 11 rebounds and three blocks in just 22 minutes of work.

James Wiseman’s college debut, 28 points and 11 rebounds 👀 @BigTicket_JW pic.twitter.com/wGq40sskyz

— Courtside Films (@CourtsideFilms) November 6, 2019

Memphis is on the positive upswing under Penny Hardaway, and if they continue to feature their prized talent, and he continues to actively attack in the paint, watch out.

Winston, Nwora Do What they Usually Do

It’s not that Winston didn’t have his moments, it’s just that that he wan’t able to control the game as he’s done so many times for the Spartans in a losing effort. He did finish with 21 points, but was just 1-for-7 from beyond the arc, and handed out just four assists to three turnovers.

“It’s crazy to me that I’m considered the best player in college basketball. I was never the biggest, never the fastest. I had to be creative to make plays happen.”@CassiusWinston discusses the national hype & how @MSU_Basketball can get back to the Final Four.
🎙- @TheAndyKatz pic.twitter.com/4TYDxCt1j3

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) November 4, 2019

No fear, there’s a reason Michigan State was a preseason No. 1, and Winston was the only unanimous selection to the preseason All-American 1st team. He’s too good to not be in the mix all year.

Jordan Nwora with A U T H O R I T Y 😤pic.twitter.com/5y9Zcs3dVU

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) November 6, 2019

As for Nwora, the high-flyng junior forward is the main man among a richly deep Louisville roster, a team many are picking to win the ACC and make the Final Four.

He was spectacular above the rim, but pretty potent from deep. Nwora nailed 4-of-6 from beyond the arc, part of a 23-point, 12-rebound night to sink Miami.

Who’s the Best Bet?

Again, it’s super early, but it’s never too early to hop on some good value.

I like Wiseman, but I don’t know if he’s in the Zion, KD, or AD range: those are the only three freshman ever to take home player of the year honors. If you had Howard in the preseason, hold on to that bet.

Winston’s odds should hover around that mark, so no time worries there, but Nwora put in a solid effort and didn’t move the needle at all, staying at +550. If Louisville’s stock keeps rising as expected, his POY stock could improve drastically. Hop on him now.