Markquis Nowell’s 19 assists in Kansas State’s 98-93 overtime win over Michigan State Thursday night broke the NCAA Tournament single-game file.
But one stood far above the remaining, and proved important because the Wildcats superior to the Elite Eight.
With the back-and-forth matchup knotted at 92 with just below a minute to play in extra time, Nowell unleashed his best cross in an evening stuffed jaw-dropping assists.
Just a number of toes previous half-court and with each toes firmly inside the emblem, Nowell instantly noticed Keyontae Johnson beat his defender on a backdoor reduce to the rim from the suitable nook.
Hardly even wanting in Johnson’s course, Nowell launched an alley-oop in the direction of the rim, completely positioned to fulfill a leaping Johnson within the air.
As Johnson caught the cross mid-flight, he contorted his physique to show the alley-oop right into a reverse dunk.
Johnson was dealing with the Kansas State bench as he accomplished the dunk backwards over his head, which promptly erupted in celebration.
After taking the lead on the play, Kansas State led the remainder of the best way.
Nowell, a senior, is in his second season with the Wildcats after transferring from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
A Harlem native, Nowell was taking part in in his hometown New York City at Madison Square Garden.
Nowell added 20 factors and 5 steals to his historic evening.
Johnson, one other senior, is a switch as properly, spending the primary 4 seasons of his collegiate profession at Florida.
He owns maybe the tournament’s most inspiring story.
While taking part in for the Gators in December 2020, Johnson collapsed on the court docket following a day out.
He was in a coma for 3 days after being rushed to the hospital.
Johnson recovered from the incident by way of the following season with the Gators earlier than transferring to Kansas State for his remaining season of eligibility.
Now, he’s liable for doubtless the NCAA Tournament’s finest second up to now.
