The questions kept coming about Markquis Nowell’s injured left ankle, reporters wanting to know if there was any point that Kansas State’s point guard thought he may not be able to give it a go.
He smiled each time, then shook his head.
Not a chance.
Not in this building. Not at this stage. Not with what was at stake.
“I was getting back in there by any means,” the 5-foot-8 Harlem native and former Bishop Loughlin star said after leading third-seeded Kansas State to a pulsating 98-93 East Regional semifinal overtime victory over No. 7 Michigan State in an instant classic at the Garden. “I wasn’t going to let an ankle injury stop me from advancing to the Elite Eight. … I’m from New York City. I’m tough.”
Nothing was going to keep him off the court. Nowell played through what he described as a tweak, carrying the Wildcats to the Elite Eight, notching an NCAA Tournament record 19 assists to go along with 20 points, five steals and the game-stealing strip of high school rival Tyson Walker in the final seconds.
He picked up the loose ball near midcourt and went the other way, tossing in a reverse layup at the buzzer. His Kansas State teammates swarmed him under the basket, celebrating the dramatic finish that sent the Wildcats to within one victory — against ninth-seeded Florida Atlantic, 62-55 winners over Tennessee in Thursday’s other regional semifinal — of their first Final Four since 1958.
Markquis Nowell, who had 19 assists, celebrates during Kansas State’s 98-93 overtime win over Michigan State. AP
“The city of Harlem is on top,” said Nowell, a fifth-year senior who started his career at Arkansas Little Rock. “Two New York City point guards, going back and forth on the biggest stage at the world’s most famous arena. It gets no better than this.”
Nowell had 20 family and friends in the crowd, and one mentor — former Knick Carmelo Anthony. The two met years ago, when Nowell worked out at Anthony’s gym in the city. They’ve stayed in contact. Seated courtside, Anthony gave Nowell a salute during his breathtaking performance.
“That’s like my big brother,” Nowell said. “I’m happy that I’m at his locker. I’m staying here tomorrow, too.”
It was a memorable showdown, the lead changing hands 16 times. There were 14 ties. Neither team led by double figures. AJ Hoggard led four Michigan State players in double figures with 25 points. Keyontae Johnson had 22 for Kansas State.
Markquis Nowell make a steal late in the second half of Kansas State’s game. Robert Sabo for NY Post
“It was like a ‘Rocky’ fight tonight,” Nowell said. “We were going back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. And some guys made some big-time plays.”
Nobody made more than him, the smallest player on the floor. After missing 2:21 of game action with the ankle early in the second half — Kansas State (26-9) went from up four to down three in that span — he came back in and immediately hit a lunging, one-legged 3-pointer as the shot clock expired, limping back to the other end of the floor.
The ankle loosened up from there, and his wondrous passing continued. There was one pass, in particular, that will be remembered, a no-look alley-oop he threw to Johnson from several feet beyond the top of the key that gave Kansas State a two-point lead with 56.2 seconds left in overtime. Right before making the pass, he told a fan in the crowd: “watch this.”
“Dang, I’ve got to watch what I say,” he said with a sheepish smile. “I was talking to [Hall of Famer] Isiah Thomas because I think he had a friend over there, and he was rooting for them. And I’m like, ‘Y’all not going to win today,’ and I just kept looking at him for some added motivation.”
A few times after big plays, Nowell shouted out to nobody in particular, “This is my city.”
“Yeah, it is,” the kid with “Mr. New York City” as his Twitter handle said when asked about it.
Nobody could argue with him after this effort. Markquis Nowell owned the Garden Thursday night.
