Markquis Nowell would not let his team lose.
Nowell, the spark-plug 5-foot-8 point guard for Kansas State, turned in one of the best performances of the NCAA tournament in a heart-stopping 75-69 victory over Kentucky on Sunday in Greensboro.
Whether he was hitting 3-pointers from the midcourt logo or dishing off highlight reel assists to his teammates, Nowell had a counter for every blow Kentucky delivered. He finished with 27 points, nine assists and three steals to send Kentucky home and bring Kansas State to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2018.
In a game where his team struggled to make outside jumpers, the speedy Nowell was able to penetrate the UK defense and navigate among the trees. Even as Kentucky All-American big man Oscar Tshiebwe dominated on the glass, Nowell’s ability to get into the paint and dish to teammates kept Kansas State afloat during an anemic 0-for-12 first half shooting performance from beyond the arc.
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