HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) Murray State's Ja Morant and Marquette's Markus Howard have much in common: Point guards, prolific scorers, conference players of the year, All-America contenders. And, apparently, promptness.

Morant and Howard struck up a friendship last summer at NBA All-Star Chris Paul's camp for elite guards.

"We were the first two people to show up to a meeting," Howard said. He broke the ice and the two have kept in touch ever since, trying as best as they can to follow each other's spectacular seasons.