No stopping Nowell

In just four games on Thursday, we saw a few historical achievements: One with a guard and one with a big man. A mid-major hit another milestone, and finally, a game went into overtime. Last but not least, a pair of hometown guys came through when their teams needed them the most.

Let's get to the news.

1. King of New York

On Thursday, Markquis Nowell did more than break the NCAA Tournament record for assists in a game. He did more than wow friends and family on his return to New York City.

He elevated Kansas State to heights the Wildcats didn't think were possible. And he did it with absurd plays like this.

That was one of 19 assists for Nowell, who shook off an ankle injury and did everything that mattered late in K-State's 98-93 overtime win against Michigan State. He found open cutters, pulled up for big shots and finished with 20 points.

Michigan State (21-13) now turns to next season when they'll pair a Top 5 recruiting class with the high-level guard duo of AJ Hoggard and Tyson Walker (assuming Walker returns for his fifth season; the two combined for 41 points and 11 dimes last night.)

But back to Nowell.

It was a game to remember for the Harlem native. Through three tourney games, Nowell is averaging an eye-popping 21.3 points and 14 assists. Credit goes to the teammates he dished to, as five other Wildcats were in double figures, including Keyontae Johnson with 20.

"This one was special in front of my hometown, in front of the city that loves me. I can't even put into words how blessed and grateful I am," he said afterward.

Now the Wildcats (26-9), picked to finish last in the Big 12 by preseason polls, are one win from the Final Four — but they won't be the plucky underdog in this one.

Florida Atlantic won its first NCAA Tournament game this season. And it's now one win from its first Final Four after a remarkable second half that propelled them past Tennessee, 62-55.

The Owls outscored the Vols 40-28 in the final 20 minutes, led by 15 points from Johnell Davis. Their overall depth handled the Vols' defense.

FAU (34-3) is the real deal. Saturday's matchup against K-State is a genuine coin-flip game, with depth (FAU) against stars (K-State). Just don't underestimate the Owls. That's happened all season.

2. Timme carries Gonzaga to gutsy win over UCLA

UCLA ruled out starting center Adem Bona just minutes before the tip-off of its Sweet 16 showdown vs. Gonzaga. Turned out to be quite a good omen for Drew Timme.

The three-time All-American big man scored 19 of the Bulldogs' 33 first-half points, yet they were still down 13. Then things swung in his favor.

Timme, who finished with 36, helped Gonzaga make a series of runs in a wild back-and-forth game that saw them take an eight-point lead in the final 40 seconds. UCLA made another push, capped by Amari Bailey's 3-pointer with 10 seconds remaining. So it must be Timme time, right? Nah.

Similar to Nowell in New York, Strawther won the game in his hometown of Las Vegas. Before the game, he noted how important this was for him, playing in front of many friends and family and in honor of his late mother, Lourdes.

Strawther's heroics at the end shouldn't take anything away from Timme, who posted his 10th game with at least 20 points in the NCAA Tournament, the all-time postseason record. This is the third Elite Eight appearance for Gonzaga (31-6) in the past six NCAA Tournaments, and it is one win from its third Final Four.

It's a tough blow for UCLA (31-6), who looked like a team playing with everything it could muster without two starters. Jaime Jaquez scored 29 points, while Tyger Campbell had 14 points and nine assists. If that was the last time we saw those two in college uniform, it was a memorable effort. Unfortunately, though, this leaves the Bruins wondering "what if" they had Bona and Jaylen Clark for the postseason.

Gonzaga's Elite Eight opponent is UConn, who turned its matchup with Arkansas into a cakewalk, winning 88-65.

A 14-0 run in the first half blew the game out of the water and while the Razorbacks had plenty of size and athleticism, they had no shot against the Huskies' frontcourt. Jordan Hawkins led all scorers with 24 points, while Adama Sanogo had 18 for UConn.

That's now three straight games where the Huskies (28-8) didn't have to sweat it out in the second half. They look like the team that started the season with 12 straight double-digit victories and climbed to the No. 2 ranking.

3. Providence's high risk/reward hire

Georgetown's hire of Ed Cooley pretty much broke Big East Twitter. But Providence didn't waste much time finding his replacement.

Many zeroed in on English as the likely successor earlier this week, but it's still a classic "résumé vs. potential" hire. He only has two full seasons as a D-I head coach. He was 34-29 in two years at George Mason, finishing ninth in the A-10 standings last season and fifth this season.

Other candidates, such as Matt Langel (Colgate), John Becker (Vermont), and Pat Kelsey (College of Charleston), had more experience and success. But Providence is eyeing the long-term upside, particularly on the recruiting trail. While at Mason, English landed a top-100 prospect, Justyn Fernandez, from the DMV area.

Ensuring the Friars add talent is a must. The Big East has arguably the best coaches in the game and the most competitive top of any league. English must also convince Bryce Hopkins and Devin Carter to stick around for next season to give the team a chance to compete in the Big East.

English has been viewed as a rising star in the coaching ranks for the past couple of years; Providence fans now hope that he's the real deal going forward.

4. Underdogs look to pull off a surprise in South Region

A few of the eight Sweet 16 matchups have clear favorites, including both South Region games. Alabama is the favorite to win it all, with an elite offense (82.3 ppg and the third most efficient scoring offense, per KenPom). On the flip side, San Diego State has only reached the 82-point mark seven times in 35 games, including averaging 65 points in the past seven games.

But when the Aztecs face the Tide (6:30 pm ET, TBS) coach Brian Dutcher says "If we can turn it into a half-court game — and this goes for any game, Mountain West games — I like our chances."

San Diego State has the kind of defense to at least muck it up. Wings Micah Parrish and Keshad Johnson have the potential to slow down star freshman Brandon Miller. If that happens, the Aztecs can make this interesting down the stretch.

Princeton, the lone double-digit seed remaining in the Big Dance, takes on Creighton, who isn't playing like a typical 6-seed. A healthy Ryan Kalkbrenner has turned the Bluejays into a Final Four contender, a player that Tigers coach Mitch Henderson has a healthy level of respect for: "He influences the game in very unusual ways that are hard to prepare for."

Princeton eeked past Arizona's elite frontcourt, but the Wildcats' backcourt woes played a role in that. Ryan Nembhard and Trey Alexander aren't as accommodating. The Tigers will have to play well for all 40 minutes to have a chance (9 pm ET, TBS).

5. Guard play dominates Midwest Region

Houston is just two games away from coming back home... to the Final Four. The top seed in the Midwest Region takes on Miami, the last ACC team left. The Hurricanes are one of the few teams that can reasonably match up on the perimeter with ACC POY Isaiah Wong and sharpshooter Nijel Pack. Houston's three-guard backcourt averages 37.3 ppg and 10.3 apg, compared to Miami's 37.9 ppg and 7.2 apg.

Plus, there are injury considerations for Marcus Sasser and point guard Jamal Shead. Both are reportedly good to go, while Miami's Wooga Poplar, who had 15 points in the opening-round win over Drake, is listed as "questionable." (He did practice on Thursday for the first time this week.) The Cougars might be the favorite, but Miami has the juice to pull off the upset (7:15 pm ET, CBS).

Between Texas and Xavier, there are also loads of great guards. Perhaps the best of the group comes off the bench in Texas' Sir'Jabari Rice. The Houston native says it would be a "blessing" to play for a national title in his home city and if he, Tyrese Hunter and Marcus Carr can get past Xavier, the Longhorns will be one step closer to Houston. Meanwhile, the Musketeers' Souley Boum has a different kind of reunion tonight.

Boum went scoreless in the first half against Pittsburgh and hasn't been at his best the last two games. That won't work against Texas.

One last bit of intrigue? If Terry wins another game, does Texas finally remove the interium tag? (9:45 pm ET approx, CBS)

Two spots on the line for the Final 4

Kansas State vs. FAU for the Final Four? That's a matchup nobody saw coming. The Wildcats were picked to finish in the bottom of the Big 12, while the Owls weren't even viewed as a preseason contender in Conference USA.

Yet here they are, as Markquis Nowell and Keyontae Johnson take on the depth of FAU in what should be a high-paced offensive display. There are still some favorites but look for the winner of this game to be the sentimental fan-favorite of the group of 4 in Houston. (Sat, 6:09 pm ET, TBS).

No team's been more impressive team during the NCAA Tournament than UConn. But if you're a Debbie-downer, you can argue that the Huskies' path to this point included a pair of mid-majors and an 8 seed. Technically, Gonzaga is a mid-major out of the WCC but it hasd proven itself as a national power.

The Bulldogs have one of the few big men in the country who match up with Adama Sanogo in Drew Timme. It's the most anticipated matchup in the NCAA Tournament to this point yet the game may come down to which group of guards plays better on Saturday night. (8:49 pm, ET, TBS).

The Big East is BACK

We mentioned it above, but we're still agog at the quality of coaches in the Big East. Pitino. Miller. Cooley. Miller. New national coach of the year Shaka Smart. How can you not tune into watch this league?

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Links as you work on your handstand to be as good as Gonzaga's Mark Few.

• Projected 1st-round NBA Draft pick Jett Howard is leaving Michigan.

• Valpo has parted ways with coach Matt Lottich.

• Furman and coach Bob Richey agreed to an extention.

• 20 ppg scorer Dalton Knecht from Northern Colorado will enter the portal.

• CJ Moore of the Athletic highlights Dusty May's accomplishments at FAU.

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