Markquis Nowell’s logo 3, wild energy fueling Wildcats run in Kansas State vs FAU

So Ishmael Massoud hasn’t been quite as effective as he was during the Sweet 16 against Michigan State, ignominiously fumbling a pass off his face under the basket in the first half.

So Keyontae Johnson was removed at the 12-minute mark of the first half with two fouls and didn’t return until Kansas State’s final offensive play of the half.

What did Markquis Nowell, bum ankle and all, tell you before the game? He has no intention of letting less-than-ideal circumstances derail his destiny.

Faced with some first-half pressure, Nowell buckled for a bit, then eventually found his rhythm. As courtside fans in the FAU section taunted him with the not-so-thought-out, “You’re short and ugly!” he led an 8-point spurt all by himself, tying the game at 34.

In a back-and-forth second half, Nowell’s legend only deepened. He whipped touch passes in the lane to cutting teammates, potentially playing off the same “ball-watching” he accused Michigan State of employing. He banked in a three that had no business touching nylon, and shrugged.

And, yes, he pulled up from the logo, just as he did in Thursday night’s festivities — except, this time, it worked.

Kansas State vs FAU: Markquis Nowell putting on for New York City in second half

Moments later, Nowell was central in forcing a turnover that increased his frazzled team’s momentum.

His reaction was … not muted.

After Nowell seemingly expanded the Wildcats’ lead all by himself (or, at least, by telling his teammates to follow his lead), FAU punched back, slicing a seven-point lead down to one in five minutes of game time.

Did they channel Nowell’s spark against him? And does the point guard who’s put on for his city time and again this tourney have another blitz left in him?