Kansas State's Markquis Nowell's Historic Homecoming Propels Wildcats to Elite Eight

History was made Thursday as Markquis Nowell and the No. 3 seed Kansas State University Wildcats overcame No. 7 seed Michigan State Spartans in a Sweet Sixteen NCAA March Madness overtime thriller, 98–93. Nowell set an NCAA tournament assist record dishing out 19 assists to send his team to the Elite Eight.

Leading up to the game, the matchup was hailed as a battle of the New York guards at Madison Square Garden, as both Markquis Nowell and Michigan State’s Tyson Walker originally hail from the Big Apple. Nowell played at Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School in Brooklyn, while Walker attended Christ the King Regional High School in Queens.

 “We are rivals," Nowell said. "But we grew up playing each other. When we step on the court, it’s going to be nothing but competition.”

Walker had 16 points and five assists in his homecoming, but Nowell won the battle of the boroughs. From the opening tip-off, his showmanship was on display with a quick assist to Keyontae Johnson in Kansas State’s first possession. From there, each of Nowell’s dishes seemed to get more dazzling. 

The climax of the night was with one minute left in overtime as the game was tied 92-92. Nowell appeared to be disagreeing with Kansas State Coach, Jerome Tang, as he brought the ball over half court. Without missing a beat, he threw a no-look, alley-oop pass to Keyontae Johnson, who reverse-slammed it home for his 18th assist of the night. To seal the game and his place in the record books, Nowell fired his 19th assist to Ismael Massoud for a jumper. History was made, and the NCAA tournament had a new assist leader.

"It feels amazing," Nowell said. "I love getting my teammates the ball. I love seeing them having success. Madison Square Garden has a tendency of having historic events, and I am glad to be a part of it."

The Kansas State Wildcats and their wizardry will return to Madison Square Garden on Saturday for the East Regional title against Florida Atlantic University. The winner will punch a ticket to the Final Four in Houston, Texas.