In Their Own Words: Anthony Cowan Jr.

I remember at Maryland Madness Anthony’s junior year, he came out with a headband during his introduction. Then as the coaches were introduced, sure enough Coach Turgeon was wearing the same headband. Ant’s smile when he saw Coach mocking him was infectious.

Overall, Ant went from somebody who didn’t talk during a drill as a freshman to somebody who would talk only during his rep to, finally, somebody who wouldn’t stop talking before, during and after drills. When I saw him help the young guys during their reps and lead vocally in practice, I knew this team had a chance to be special.

It was the second college game of our careers against a big rival with the whole DMV area watching. We’re down like 7 points with a minute to go and I’m on the bench as nervous as I’ve ever been. Ant manages to get to the line twice in that last minute, and with the pressure on he sinks all four free throws. We found a way to win the game. It said a lot about not only the career he was going to have, but also who he is as a person. He was built for this.

I remember our first two weeks together. I was a freshman and new to college basketball. I think it was our first few workouts and I wasn’t used to shooting from the college line. Anthony comes to me and I think it was his first advice to me and he said: ‘Yooo get off that line. You’re never going to be that close to it in a game so practice shooting further away.’ Every practice and every game since then I would always catch myself on the line and I would think about what he told me.

My second favorite memory would be our last game together against Michigan. He would always tell me through the game, ‘ride with me’ or ‘let’s ride.’ I had no idea that would be our last ride together.

I'll always remember the battles we had in practice. Of course he had his amazing moments in games, but I got to see how special he was in practice. He had a way of getting the best out of me and I would get the best out of him. We both wanted to be great. Ant is one of the most competitive teammates I've ever had. Coach Turgeon always put us on opposite teams because he knew both of us hated losing. There was one pickup game where I ended up guarding him and he was guarding me. It was one of the best sessions we ever had.

When Anthony decided to return for his senior year with “unfinished business,” it really showed me something about his desire and love for Maryland.

Anthony's game was a little Trimble, Vasquez, Lucas, Dixon, Manning, Gatlin, Howard and Atkins all rolled up into one. I will always remember his focus, his competitive nature, his hate to lose attitude, him never taking credit for what he did but what his teammates did. I will always remember his willingness to visit with young kids and be a role model for that younger generation of Terp fans. The fist pump he gave me just before every tip off, and how he never refused me an interview and each and every one was different. And, finally, how he would always refer to me as 'Big Dog.'

That was our first real challenge of the year where we faced adversity. Nobody else played well but Ant put everyone on his back and won the game for us. He put everyone on notice that he came back to win, and was going to do whatever it took!

The main thing that sticks out for me was the Orlando Tournament because that’s when I knew he had flipped the switch as a leader. He had just been named MVP of the tournament and while he was being interviewed all he wanted to do was make sure Darryl Morsell was recognized for his defensive effort on Markus Howard. He dragged Darryl into the interview with him. I knew he was going to lead us the rest of the way.

I’d have to say the deep 3-pointer vs. Illinois and then his steal and free throws to win the game. Anthony put us on his back that game early in Big Ten Conference play and let it be known that he wasn’t going to let us lose this year. Those 10 seconds set the tone for us the rest of the season.

I’ll never forget being there for his graduation day. Seeing him, his family, teammates and closest friends so happy for him and showing him love and support. It’s a big deal to be able to graduate in three years with a degree in communications, while also accomplishing everything he did on the court. Not many could achieve what he did.

And, of course, the Michigan State game.

Before the Indiana game, Ant and I sat on the bench and had a conversation about life and got to to know each other better on a personal basis. He texted me after the game and said, ‘I appreciate you more than you’ll ever know.’ That meant a lot to me.

Another moment was our hug after winning the Big Ten Championship. We spoke all year about getting it done together and winning a National Championship. To see him make history that day brought tears to my eyes. He deserved it! He will always have a special place in my heart. He always wanted to become great, and become a better leader on and off the floor. I was happy to help him with that.

This season the night before the Indiana game in Bloomington, I was sitting with Anthony at shootaround and he casually asked me, ‘You ever win here?’ I told him I had been a part of wins at IU, but not since joining the Big Ten. He said, ‘We have to change that tomorrow.’ Then he and the guys finished the game on a 7-0 run to win 77-76.

Fast forward three weeks just prior to the Michigan State game. The night before he asked me again, ‘You ever win here?’ I told him about Dez and Melo winning the first Big Ten game there but it had been forever since then. He just smiled and said, ‘We REALLY have to change that!’ The next night he tore the heart out of a raucous Spartan crowd. You could hear a pin drop at midcourt by the time the buzzer sounded. He really did change things - almost single-handedly.

At Michigan State we were down 60-53. Ant looks over to the bench and Travis [Valmon] and I hear him say, ‘I need the ball.’ Then Ant goes on a personal 11-0 run to win the game. This is my favorite moment because it showed the confidence Ant had in himself and the team to go get the win and make those shots in arguably one of the toughest environments in college basketball.

I’ll never forget his late-game heroics at Michigan State. We knew how big that game was in eventually securing the Big Ten Championship and Ant carried us.

My favorite Cowan moment was when he dropped 31, 6, & 6 on Iowa. Iowa had beaten them earlier that month and they were on a bit of a roll moving up to 18th in the country. 

I believe it's important to make sure you're opponent knows what they are in for when they come to see you. You have to show them they're going to be in for a nightmare. What's equally important is making sure your teammates know who they can rely on, especially in clutch moments. 

When you drop that 30-piece on them with 6 boards and 6 assists, and they know you're capable of dominating like that, it's a lot different than scoring deep teens and 20's. It becomes a bit more resounding to everyone: fans coaches, opponents, teammates.

That game showed the evolution in his game. He was able to be a facilitator and get buckets. It's hard to walk that fine line. Anthony certainly did that in that game.

That hug was the culmination of two years of recruitment and four years of hard work. It was at that moment we knew we had won a championship and it had all paid off. For it to play out that way was extremely special.

I will also never forget the end of the Michigan State game. Scoring the last 11 points, including three 3-pointers. After he made the first one, I knew he’d make the next two. I had seen him do it in practice so many times before.

When he made the first one. I knew he’d make the last .

I love the hug between Ant and Coach. It’s why we love sports. The shared sacrifice. The struggles, the hard times. The times it seemed like it might not have the ending they wanted. But they stayed together and fought together and they got to have that moment - together. It’s beautiful.

If you want to talk ON the floor, I’ll take three straight 3’s in East Lansing to close up shop and walk out of Breslin with a win. That was cold blooded.