Markquis Nowell put on a show against Michigan State in the Elite Eight and the college basketball media was blown away by his performance.
March Madness is often a time when stars are born. We saw a new college basketball superhero emerge in the Sweet 16.
Markquis Nowell took center stage at the world’s most famous arena on Thursday night, lighting up the Madison Square Garden floor for 20 points and 19 assists to help Kansas State win a 98-93 overtime thriller against Michigan State in the best game of the NCAA Tournament thus far.
While the scoring was nice, Nowell made history by breaking the NCAA Tournament record for assists in a game, surpassing UNLV’s Mark Wade, who dished out 18 assists in the Runnin’ Rebels victory over Indiana in the 1987 Final Four.
The passes were often highlight reel plays for Nowell, including a ridiculous alley-oop to Keyonte Johnson in overtime when he appeared to be faking an argument with head coach Jerome Tang to distract the Spartans.
The college basketball world took notice of Nowell’s star turn and had plenty to say about it on Twitter throughout the night.
College Basketball Media Reacts To Markquis Nowell’s Historic Performance
MARKQUIS NOWELL. ABSOLUTELY UNREAL.#MarchMadness @KStateMBB pic.twitter.com/iuih64m4Ex
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 24, 2023
Dear Markquis Nowell,
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 24, 2023
Thanks for giving us one of the greatest individual performances in the history of the NCAA Tournament.
20 points and 19 assists --- the most assists by one player EVER in the NCAA Tournament.
Sincerely,
America https://t.co/ERVCEGWy9n
Markquis Nowell is now tied for most assists ALL TIME in an NCAA Tournament game (18). 😱#MarchMadness @KStateMBB pic.twitter.com/JtQ9mlrsKv
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 24, 2023
New York City born Markquis Nowell broke the assists record for an NCAA tournament game with 19 assists tonight at Madison Square Garden
— SNY (@SNYtv) March 24, 2023
Kansas State is headed to the Elite Eight for the first time since 2018.
(via @MarchMadnessMBB)pic.twitter.com/55eQNhOKbD
◽️ 20 PTS
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) March 24, 2023
◽️ 19 AST (NCAA Tournament record)
◽️ 5 STL
Take a bow, Markquis Nowell 👏@KStateMBB | #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/K3EIGqOZrL
In 44 years @espn tonight was the BEST passing exhibition I have ever seen by 5’7 MARQUIS NOWELL of @KStateMBB (19assists)a @MarchMadnessMBB record . Also scored 20 points to beat @MSU_Basketball in a MARCH MADNESS CLASSIC 98-93 in ot .
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) March 24, 2023
All time tournament game. I love this tournament so much. Markquis Nowell, March Legend
— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) March 24, 2023
When is the last time we had a better Sweet Sixteen game? More pertinently, when is the last time someone played a better NCAA Tournament game than Markquis Nowell?
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) March 24, 2023
Markquis Nowell with an ALL-TIME March Madness performance. 20 points and 19 assists. Hang his jersey in the Madison Square Garden rafters.
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) March 24, 2023
The incredible effort helped the Wildcats reach the Elite Eight for the first time since 2018, when they lost to Loyola Chicago during the Ramblers’ Cinderella run to the Final Four. Kansas State will face the winner of the East Region’s other matchup between Florida Atlantic and Tennessee with a trip to the Final Four on the line on Saturday night.
It has been a long time since Kansas State reached a Final Four with the Wildcats’ last trip coming back in 1964, two years before Tang was even born. Having a star like Nowell on your side certainly is a positive for the Wildcats’ chances of snapping the nearly 60 year drought.