While trying to drain the clock during its 2023 men’s NCAA tournament clash with Kentucky, Kansas State ran what looked to almost be a football formation on a key inbound pass.
Leading 69-64 with about 23 seconds to go, Kansas State knew that Kentucky would try to come away with the quick steal and wanted to get in position to draw the foul.
Rather than run a traditional inbound play, Kansas State spread four players out wide in a shotgun formation next to the inbound passer. It almost looked like they were spread out in a four verticals football formation with the inbound passer acting as the quarterback.
As the whistle blew, the four K-State players ran in vertical directions and one caught the ball without problem as he quickly got fouled by a Kentucky player.
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When you’re trying to punch your ticket to the Sweet 16, nifty formations like this on something as routine as an inbound pass can make a world of difference.
Kansas State | Shotgun Inbound pic.twitter.com/S7doW2ICsd
— Half Court Hoops (@HalfCourtHoops) March 19, 2023
After the game, Kansas State head coach Jerome Tang said the inbound play was called the “Mahomes” in honor of, you guessed it, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, per KSHB 41 sports producer Nick Jacobs.
Jerome Tang on their unique inbounds play:
"We actually call it Mahomes for Patrick Mahomes the quarterback for the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs.” @Chiefs @PatrickMahomes #Chiefs
— Nick Jacobs (@Jacobs71) March 19, 2023
Basketball coaches across the country will be trying this inbound play when they return to the hardwood.
The genius of the play was getting the two players out in front to block for the Kansas State player who caught the inbound pass. It created some hesitation on Kentucky’s part to majorly press and gave Kansas State the situation it wanted to be in that late in the game.
Kansas State has had a remarkable tournament so far, and creative plays like this could keep them alive for much longer.