College Hoops World Reacts to Markquis Nowell’s Sensational Sweet 16 Performance

The guard broke the NCAA men’s tournament record for the most assists in a single game with 19.

Kansas State sealed its second Elite Eight appearance of the last six years after beating Michigan State 98–93 in an overtime thriller on Thursday night.

The Wildcats can thank guard Markquis Nowell, who had a hand in 64 of the team’s points as he scored 20 and racked up 19 assists, an NCAA tournament record. All the while, Nowell was powering through a sore ankle after he rolled it early in the second half.

Even more, Nowell was putting out one of the best performances of his career in front of his home crowd at Madison Square Garden—the senior originally from Harlem, N.Y. 

Social media couldn’t get enough of the five-foot-seven Kansas State superstar. Nowell even earned shoutouts from some basketball legends, including Magic Johnson and a fellow diminutive point guard in Muggsy Bogues.

Here is some of the best social media reactions to the Kansas State star’s sensational Sweet 16 performance:

MARKQUIS NOWELL. ABSOLUTELY UNREAL.#MarchMadness @KStateMBB pic.twitter.com/iuih64m4Ex

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 24, 2023

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) March 24, 2023

20 points 19 assists and he’s still dancing 😤😤 @MrNewYorkCityy #heartoverheight

— Tyrone Muggsy Bogues (@MuggsyBogues) 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

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

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

MARKQUIS NOWELL GOT THAT DOG IN HIM pic.twitter.com/hZ7C1VtSfG

— PFT Commenter (@PFTCommenter) March 24, 2023

If you don’t love Markquis Nowell I do not want to talk about basketball with you

— Rodger Sherman (@rodger) March 23, 2023

Markquis Nowell every other possession pic.twitter.com/2SFpIv9Y19

— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) March 23, 2023

Markquis Nowell.

Best performance by a New Yorker at the Garden since Kemba Walker in 2011.

Unreal.

— Matt Fortuna (@Matt_Fortuna) March 24, 2023

MARKQUIS NOWELL IS HIM pic.twitter.com/hNujsvmfwr

— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) March 24, 2023

Mr. New York City just put on IN his city. What a performance from Markquis Nowell.

— Coley Harvey (@ColeyHarvey) March 24, 2023