Kansas State’s Markquis Nowell just had arguably the best game of March Madness thus far, and it was highlighted by one crazy possession.
Nowell, who was rudely referred to as “little kid” after Kansas State defeated Kentucky in the Round of 32, recorded 20 points and a tournament-record 19 assists during the victory over Michigan State. He created, assisted, or scored 69 of the 98 points for K-State.
While he had several incredible moments during the match, the alley-oop pass that he threw to Keyontae Johnson for the reverse dunk was an instant highlight during the men’s tournament.
Watch as the teammates connected for an instant classic:
MARKQUIS NOWELL. ABSOLUTELY UNREAL.#MarchMadness @KStateMBB pic.twitter.com/iuih64m4Ex
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 24, 2023
This was a tremendously impressive basket during the clutch final seconds of overtime, but upon a second viewing, something else stands out.
Don’t look at the dunk and instead watch what Nowell does as he is handling the ball. He looks to the sideline and has an apparent disagreement with head coach Jerome Tang.
Can’t believe Markquis Nowell invented the argue oop 🫣 pic.twitter.com/kforhiF6sE
— Bryan Kalbrosky (@BryanKalbrosky) March 24, 2023
On a second watch, it sure looks like Nowell and Tang may have faked their dispute to distract the opposing defense only to find Johnson on the backdoor cut.
During the walk-off interview, Tang was asked about the moment with Nowell. Tang said they were at a “place of fire” and that Nowell was ready for what happened next.
"When you love people, it's amazing what you can accomplish." @KStateMBB coach Jerome Tang was FIRED UP after the Wildcats advanced to the Elite Eight pic.twitter.com/mOG02hbwTZ
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) March 24, 2023
Tang told Richard Johnson that he was calling one play and Nowell was “calling something else” when the guard noticed that Johnson was cutting to the basket.
However, the coach also said during his postgame press conference that Nowell couldn’t tell reporters because then the “next team” would know to expect it.
Good point! You should never tip your hand with trick plays.
Markquis Nowell and Jerome Tang were asked if the argument before Kansas State's alley oop was staged.
Tang: "You can't tell 'em, because then the next team will know." 😂 pic.twitter.com/kAESZV8UkT
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) March 24, 2023
Nowell said it was just a “basketball play” between him and Johnson, and they were able to pull it off because they knew Michigan State’s defense likes to play high and tight.
Johnson said that the two have a strong feel for each other.
K-State was one of the most efficient teams in the nation when finishing offensive possessions after timeouts, per Synergy. Meanwhile, only one team in the tournament has scored more points per game on cuts to the basket thus far.
Is it possible Markquis Nowell faked an argument with Kansas State coach Jerome Tang before this alley-oop pass?
Or did he just notice Keyontae Johnson cutting to the basket?
FWIW: No team ran cutters more often than K-State, according to @Shot_Quality.https://t.co/j8DPMoHrvH
— Bryan Kalbrosky (@BryanKalbrosky) March 24, 2023
No team in college basketball ran cutters more often (10 percent) than the Wildcats, per ShotQuality. Meanwhile, the Spartans’ defense allowed 1.19 points per possession on cuts to the basket — which ranked far worse than the NCAA average (1.12) in 2022-23.
In fact, Johnson has scored more points when cutting to the basket (117) during this past campaign than the entire Spartans roster managed on this play type (104) all season.
Intentional or not, especially after K-State’s Tang ran a football-inspired formation on an inbound pass, it’s safe to say that the Wildcats do not lack creativity. Regardless of whether it was scripted or if it was improvised, that possession just fully rocked.
Despite the post-game statement from Tang, several fans and analysts all believed that this could have actually been an orchestrated play designed to catch their defenders off guard. Here is why:
This has to be a designed play, right?
Pretend to argue and then when Jerome Tang swings his arm like that, that's the signal to go? pic.twitter.com/uEjS7DP4yG
— Rob Dauster (@RobDauster) March 24, 2023
THE SMARTEST PLAY OF THE YEAR.
Jerome Tang and Nowell "Call" a play, using it as a decoy to create the lob. INCREDIBLE. pic.twitter.com/wXpuF4ULvi
— Half Court Hoops (@HalfCourtHoops) March 24, 2023
Nowell conversing with Tang as he throws an oop with a backwards finish is a Top 5 moment
— ᗩᑎT ᗯᖇIGᕼT (@itsAntWright) March 24, 2023
That scripted fake Nowell/Tang yelling match turned baseline spin reverse oop is the coolest thing a college basketball team has done in 20 years
— Greg Waddell (@gwizzy12) March 24, 2023
Wonder what the — Markquis Nowell pretending to shake off Jerome Tang’s call right to Keyontae back door lob — play is called
— George Balekji (@GeorgeBalekji) March 24, 2023
Would genuinely love to know if that is a set play for Kansas State. The "Markquis Nowell looks at Jerome Tang and has a conversation about what set to run while Keyontae runs backdoor and looks for a lob" play.
— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) March 24, 2023
Markquis Nowell had a whole conversation with Jerome Tang and then threw the lob. What planet is he on right now?
— Myron Medcalf (@MedcalfByESPN) March 24, 2023
That felt very scripted by Nowell/Tang. Made it seem like there was confusion as Johnson sliced to the basket for the wide open lob.
— Sean Paul (@SeanPaulCBB) March 24, 2023
Please tell me Nowell's whole pantomime with Tang was an intentional decoy. Just brilliant….
— John Gasaway (@JohnGasaway) March 24, 2023
Was that Tang and Nowell with the ol’ fake conversation about what play to run to catch the defense sleeping to throw the lob??? Love it if so.
— Jake Kerr (@jakeeekerr) March 24, 2023
