Kansas State point guard Markquis Nowell had a great game against Michigan State in the Wildcats’ 98-93 overtime win to push them into the Elite Eight.
Nowell set the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament single-game record for assists with 19 on two spectacular passes in the final minute of overtime. It was Nowell’s pass to Keyontae Johnson with about 57.7 seconds remaining that really sparked a social media frenzy.
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Kansas State guard Markquis Nowell (1) runs past Michigan State forward defense Malik Hall in the second half of a Sweet 16 college basketball game at the NCAA East Regional tournament in Madison Square Garden, Thursday, March 23, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Nowell was carrying the ball down the court and appeared to be arguing with his head coach, Jerome Tang. As the two seemed to argue back and forth, Johnson was lurking in the far right corner. Nowell threw a perfectly timed high pass to Johnson and the forward hit the alley-oop dunk.
The alley-oop was the record-tying assist.
Although it may have been a fake, Tang told Sports Illustrated that it was not a fake.
He put the Wildcats up by two points, and then with about 15 seconds left, Nowell found Ismael Massoud at the corner to put Kansas State up by three points.
Kansas State forward Keyontae Johnson (11) dunks in the second half of a Sweet 16 college basketball game against Michigan State in the NCAA East Regional tournament at Madison Square Garden, Thursday, March 23, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
KANSAS STATE MOVES TO THE ELITE EIGHT AFTER EPIC OVERTIME VICTORY OVER MICHIGAN STATE IN SWEET 16
Nowell would finish the Spartans off with a steal in the final moments and a layup. He finished with 20 points in addition to 19 assists.
The star guard sprained his ankle early in the second half and it looked like he might be out for a long time. But he managed to play through the pain and even hit a circus three-pointer.
Kansas State guard Markquis Nowell reacts after a play in the second half of a Sweet 16 college basketball game against Michigan State in the NCAA East Regional tournament at Madison Square Garden, Thursday, March 23, 2023. In New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
He got support from Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who also experienced ankle trouble on the big stage.
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Kansas State is in the Elite Eight for the first time since 2108. The Wildcats will look to reach the Final Four for the first time since 1964 this weekend.