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Markquis Nowell, the 5-foot-8 point guard, put on the performance of the NCAA Tournament on Thursday night.

Cinderella is no stranger at March Madness. From George Mason to VCU to Loyola of Chicago, there are some scintillating Final Four runs that keep hope alive for the little guys. But winning a national title? That’s a far taller mountain to climb. So daunting, in fact, that not one of our beloved underdogs has done it. Not even Loyola, which seemingly had a higher power on its side with Sister Jean.

The Owls and Wildcats were both surprises to reach the East Region final

To get a sense of where Kansas State and Florida Atlantic sit in college basketball’s hierarchy, look at their transfers. The Wildcats have nine players who previously played at other Division I schools, several of whom were productive multi-year starters in mid-major conferences. Most notable among them: Markquis Nowell, the 5-foot-8 point guard who put on the performance of the NCAA Tournament on Thursday night in an overtime victory against Michigan State in the Sweet 16.

Don’t use the “C” word — Cinderella — around Florida Atlantic.