Kansas State guard Markquis Nowell put on a show in the first overtime game of the 2023 NCAA men's basketball tournament, leading Here's how Nowell etched his name into tournament history.
The passing
Playing in his hometown and in Madison Square Garden, Nowell broke the NCAA tournament record for assists with 19. He had 10 assists in the first half, but none of Nowell's assists were bigger than his record-breaking pass on an inbounds play with Kansas State leading by one point as 17.4 remained on the clock. The assist gave the Wildcats a three-point lead and gave Nowell sole possession of the assist record, passing UNLV's Mark Wade's record of 18 set in 1987. Furthermore, Nowell's 42 assists are the most by any player through the Sweet 16 since 1984.
MARKQUIS NOWELL BREAKS THE RECORD
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB)
THE MOST ASSISTS EVER IN AN NCAA TOURNAMENT GAME. WILDCATS LEAD 🔥
Markquis Nowell is now tied for most assists ALL TIME in an NCAA Tournament game (18). 😱
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB)
2023 MARCH MADNESS: Men's NCAA tournament schedule, scores, how to watch
The scoring
Conventional thinking may assume that if Nowell put on a passing clinic, he couldn't have scored that many points. However, Nowell is not conventional player. For one, he's only 5'8''.
But neither Nowell's height nor his passing stopped him from scoring 20 points in Kansas State's Sweet 16 win. In fact, he scored or assisted on 26 of 38 (68 percent) Wildcat field goals. Nowell's averaging 21.3 points per game in the NCAA tournament.
"THIS IS MY CITY"
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB)
Markquis Nowell is CLUTCH 💪
CHECK YOUR BRACKET:
The defense
At 5'8, one may think Nowell would be a defensive liability. But when Kansas State needed a defensive stop on the final defensive possession of overtime, it was Nowell who came up with the steal. It was his fifth steal of the game and it secured the Kansas State win.
KANSAS STATE IS HEADED TO ITS FIRST ELITE 8 SINCE 2018 🔥
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB)
The willpower
Nowell's brilliant performance didn't come without adversity. The guard injured his ankle early in the second half, needing assistance off the court and attention from trainers.
Trainers tape Markquis Nowell, but he’s having a hard time putting any weight on that right ankle
— Geoff Magliocchetti (@GeoffJMags)
But not even a bum ankle could stop him.
WHAT A SHOT, MARKQUIS NOWELL 🤩
— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB)
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The win
More important than the assist record, the points or the defense is the win. Nowell's play led No. 3 seed Kansas State to a win over No. 7 seed Michigan State, leading a team with a first-time collegiate head coach to the Elite Eight.
"One of the most incredible individual performances in NCAA tournament history," said play-by-play announcer Brian Anderson. Nowell's performance caught the attention of many and will go down in March Madness history.
That was a legendary display of controlling a basketball game Markquis. GG’s
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5)
Congratulations to Kansas State men's basketball team and especially point guard Markquis Nowell for becoming the NCAA Tournament record holder for assists in a game with 19 assists and 20 points.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson)
💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes)
20 points 19 assists and he’s still dancing 😤😤
— Tyrone Muggsy Bogues (@MuggsyBogues)
Markquis Nowell Ladies & gentleman!
— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung)
Don’t Stop!!
I am a fan!!!!
— Isaiah Thomas (@isaiahthomas)
It's a performance that could put him in the conversation with other tournament legends like Kemba Walker, a player Nowell idolized growing up. With three more wins, Nowell could match his idol's feat in 2011... winning an NCAA title
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