NEW YORK (AP) — Alijah Martin despatched a message early for upstart Florida Atlantic, hovering to the basket for a one-handed jam and chirping with the Kansas State avid gamers about his poster second at Madison Sq. Lawn.
“They’re going to label us no matter, however we’re some pit bulls and Rottweilers,” Martin mentioned.
Now they may be able to name the ninth-seeded Owls a Ultimate 4 staff.
Martin and FAU withstood any other large sport via Kansas State’s Markquis Nowell and disregarded a deficit within the ultimate 8 mins to overcome the Wildcats 79-76 on Saturday evening.
FAU (35-3), making simply its 2nd look within the NCAA Event and primary since 2002, gained the East Area and can head to Houston to play the winner of Sunday’s South Area ultimate between Creighton and San Diego State.
“I be expecting the prognosticators to pick out us 5th within the Ultimate 4,” fifth-year FAU trainer Dusty Would possibly mentioned.
In one of the vital unpredictable NCAA Tournaments ever — all 4 No. 1 seeds had been out via the Elite 8 — the Owls from Convention USA typify the insanity.
The winningest staff in Department I this season had by no means gained an NCAA Event sport earlier than ripping off 4 directly, all via unmarried digits, to grow to be the primary No. 9 seed to succeed in the Ultimate 4 since Wichita State in 2013. The Owls are the 3rd No. 9 to get that some distance since seeding started in 1979.
“In truth, the entire issues other folks say simply fuels us to move available in the market and play even more difficult,” mentioned Bryan Greenlee, who scored 16 issues earlier than fouling out. “They may be able to say no matter they would like, say we’re a Cinderella staff, say we don’t belong, however we’ve repeatedly confirmed other folks unsuitable all season.”
Nowell, the 5-foot-8 local New Yorker — @MrNewYorkCityy on Twitter — used to be unbelievable once more at Madison Sq. Lawn, with 30 issues, 12 assists and 5 steals. Within the Candy 16, Nowell set the NCAA Event file with 19 assists in an time beyond regulation win towards Michigan State. He didn’t get sufficient assist this time.
Nae’Qwan Tomlin used to be the one different participant in double figures for Kansas State (26-10) with 14 issues. Keyontae Johnson, the Wildcats’ main scorer, fouled out with 9 issues.
“Keyontae performed 18 mins, and that’s why he used to be neutralized,” mentioned first-year Kansas State trainer Jerome Tang, who took over a staff that went 14-17 remaining season.
Martin scored 17 issues, together with an enormous 3 down the stretch, the 7-foot-1 Vladislav Goldin had 14 issues and 13 rebounds, and Michael Forrest made 4 take hold of loose throws within the ultimate 20 seconds for the Owls, who held stable because the Wildcats made one remaining push.
Cam Carter made a three from the wing with 22.8 seconds left to chop FAU’s result in 75-74 and Kansas State despatched Forrest to the road with 17.9 seconds left. The senior made each to make it a three-point sport.
Nowell discovered Tomlin within for a layup with 8.6 seconds left to chop the result in one once more, and once more Ok-State despatched Forrest to the road. With 6.9 final, he made them each.
And not using a timeouts left, Nowell rushed down the courtroom, gave up the ball to Ismael Massoud outdoor the 3-point line —- and not were given it again. FAU’s Johnell Davis swiped it away and time ran out.
“I used to be seeking to get Ish a shot,” Nowell mentioned. “Trainer sought after Ish to set the display, and I waved it off as a result of I felt like at the proper facet of the courtroom, that’s the place Ish hits maximum of his photographs. They usually closed out laborious to him, and he didn’t get his shot off.”
Nowell used to be named probably the most remarkable participant of the area after his ultimate collegiate sport, however FAU grew to become out to be the most productive staff.
“I gave my middle and soul to this college, to this staff,” Nowell mentioned. “I maximized the whole lot I had inside me to look those guys glad.”
Because the Owls constructed their lead within the ultimate mins, Kansas State enthusiasts who had packed the development changed into anxiously quiet and the “F-A-U!” chants began to upward thrust.
The Owls rushed the ground to have a good time a historical second for the varsity. FAU didn’t also have a basketball program till the overdue Nineteen Eighties and has handiest been in Department I for the remaining 30 years.
“I’m residing the dream at this time,” Forrest mentioned.
FAU held as much as Tennessee’s bully ball within the Candy 16 and dropped a 40-point 2nd part on the most productive protection within the country to do away with the Southeastern Convention staff.
In opposition to one of the most Large 12’s absolute best, FAU ruled the forums, 44-22, and changed into the primary staff from C-USA to to succeed in the Ultimate 4 since Memphis in 2008.
The Owls aren’t striking round for much longer. They’re transferring to the American Athletic Convention subsequent season. However first: a go back and forth to Texas.
BIG PICTURE
FAU: The Owls put in combination 4 directly profitable information below Would possibly earlier than breaking via with a season for the ages that no one noticed coming. They had been picked 5th within the C-USA preseason coaches’ ballot.
Kansas State: The Wildcats had been seeking to get again to the Ultimate 4 for the primary time since 1964.
UP NEXT
Florida Atlantic is a blended 0-3 towards San Diego State (0-2) and Creighton.