Markquis Nowell recalls history with Michigan State's Tyson Walker

When Kansas State and Michigan State meet tonight in the Sweet 16 one of the more interesting subplots will be the backcourt matchup between Markquis Nowell and Tyson Walker.

The two guards both hail from New York and will be playing under the lights in Madison Square Garden.

That’s exactly the type of scenario you might dream up as a kid when hooping in the yard, only it’ll be real life for both players. The two can’t wait, though they’ve squared off before.

“I do remember playing Tyson. He went to Christ the King High School with José Alvarado,” Nowell explained. “I grew up playing in parks with him. I just want to give a big shout out to New York City for breeding tough and gritty guards and just give him a shout-out.”

Tough and gritty guards indeed.

Going into tonight’s contest Tyson Walker is leading the Michigan State backcourt — leading the team, actually — in scoring, averaging 14.8 points per game. He also dishes out 2.8 assists and pulls down 2.5 rebounds per game.

On the other side is Nowell, who comes into the Sweet 16 showdown averaging 17.1 points, 7.8 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game. He’s one of the guards in the country most capable of stuffing a stat sheet.

But even though it will be a rivalry between fellow locals — Nowell from Harlem, Walker from Westbury — on the court on Thursday night, don’t expect it to be a friendly one.

Markquis Nowell, Tyson Walker out to win

“We are rivals, but we grew up playing against each other, and when we step on the court, it’s going to be nothing but competition,” Nowell explained. “But now that I’m here, I just want to congratulate him on where he came from and how he got better. And now we’re both on this stage.”

Michigan State’s Tyson Walker is coming off one of his better games of the season, having scored 23 points on 8-of-17 shooting in the win over Marquette. He’d only taken more shots twice all season, so his usage has been high in the postseason.

Nowell is also coming off a gem, scoring 27 points and dishing out nine assists in the win over Kentucky.

So one final message from the Kansas State star before locking in and focusing on the matchup.

“It’s going to be a tough game,” Nowell said. “It’s going to be a blessing, but shout-out to him.”

Kansas State and Michigan State are set to square off on Thursday in a game that tips off at 6:30 p.m. ET on TBS.