Kennesaw State HC puts himself on map after near upset

Kennesaw State Owls head coach Amir Abdur-Rahim Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Kennesaw State head coach Amir Abdur-Rahim puts himself on the map after team nearly pulls off upset

By Eric Smithling | Last updated 3/17/23

In Amir Abdur-Rahim's first year as Kennesaw State head coach during the 2019-20 season, the Owls won one game. On Friday, they nearly pulled off a major upset against No. 3-seeded Xavier in the program's first NCAA Tournament appearance.

Fourteen-seeded Kennesaw State held a 61-48 second-half lead before the Musketeers defense clamped down as Xavier went on a 24-6 run over the final 9:05 and hung on for a 72-67 win.

After the game, Abdur-Rahim walked over to the sideline where fans were seated and motioned for them to keep their heads up. Kennesaw State certainly has nothing to be ashamed of after a performance in which it proved it could hang with a much more accomplished opponent.

Amir Abdur-Rahim just walked over to his bench and said "don't hang your head."
What a heart breaker.
Kennesaw State loses to Xavier 72-67.
— Maria Martin (@Ria_Martin) March 17, 2023

Really cool moment postgame for Kennesaw State. Amir Abdur-Rahim appears to be saying “chin up” to the Owls’ faithful pic.twitter.com/6PckN15CDd
— Riley Davis (@Riley_Davis3) March 17, 2023

The spotlight the tournament shined on the Atlantic Sun Tournament champions should propel Abdur-Rahim into the conversation for any head-coach opening this hiring cycle.

Still an incredible season for Kennesaw State, which won both ASUN titles and made its first NCAA Tournament in program history. Amir Abdur-Rahim is a name to remember. Phenomenal coach. https://t.co/pKhdGl3pEg
— Cooper Watson (@coopertwatson) March 17, 2023

the Kennesaw State Owls went from one win in 2020 to one shot away from pulling an NCAA Tournament upset in 2023. One of the best stories of March Madness and any school with a job opening should consider Amir Abdur-Rahim
— Rodger Sherman (@rodger) March 17, 2023

This season was the Owls' first winning season in the program's 18-year history as a Division I school. Abdur-Rahim built the team from the ground up, going 1-28 in his first year (2019-20) and winning 19 games over his first three seasons. Kennesaw State went 26-9 in 2022-23.

At halftime of the team's first-round game against Xavier, Abdur-Rahim told CBS Sports' Evan Washburn, "I've been telling people to come up [Interstate]-75 to Kennesaw, Georgia, nothing but heart and toughness up that way."

"I've been telling people to come up I-75 to Kennesaw, Georgia, nothing but heart and toughness up that way" #MarchMadness @KSUOWLSMBB pic.twitter.com/XusCABVb3e
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 17, 2023

After his team nearly pulled off an unbelievable upset to cap an already fantastic turnaround, he might need to reroute anyone heading his way.

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