Mark's Jumper Sends Longhorns Dancing
Graduate guard Tramon Mark drilled a contested, 18-foot fadeaway jumper with just 1.1 seconds on the clock, delivering a dramatic 68-66 victory for the Texas Longhorns over NC State in the NCAA Tournament's First Four on Tuesday night. The clutch shot, Mark's fifth career game-winner, capped a wild finish and propelled Texas into the West Region's main bracket. The Longhorns survived a frantic late rally by the Wolfpack, who erased a nine-point deficit in the final three minutes to tie the game with 18 seconds remaining.
Mark led the Longhorns with 17 points, but it was a balanced effort that secured the win. Sophomore center Matas Vokitaitis added 15 points, while junior Dailyn Swain contributed 13 points, eight rebounds, and four assists. Senior Chendall Weaver provided a critical spark off the bench, recording his first career double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Texas dominated the glass, holding a 45-33 rebounding advantage, which proved crucial in the tightly contested affair.
The victory sends the No. 11 seed Longhorns to a first-round matchup against No. 6 seed BYU in Portland on Thursday. It was a resilient performance for a Texas team that had entered the tournament having lost five of its previous six games.
QUICK HITS
- Alabama Baseball Falters: Defensive miscues doomed the Alabama Crimson Tide in a 6-3 midweek loss to South Alabama. The Crimson Tide committed five errors, which led to five unearned runs for the Jaguars. Alabama held a 3-1 lead heading into the seventh inning before a pair of errors opened the door for a four-run, unearned rally by South Alabama that decided the game.
- No. 2 Baseball Upset: The nation's second-ranked team was handed a 6-1 midweek defeat at the hands of Tarleton State. The loss was highlighted by an offensive struggle, with the lone run coming from a solo home run.
- Auburn Advances in NIT: The Auburn Tigers overcame a sluggish first half to defeat South Alabama 78-67 in the opening round of the NIT. Kevin Overton was electric in the second half, scoring all 21 of his points after the break by hitting 7-of-8 three-pointers. Keyshawn Hall also chipped in 21 points for the Tigers, who now advance to the next round.
- Oklahoma Softball Hits the Road: The No. 4 ranked Oklahoma Sooners softball team begins a seven-game road trip today with a matchup against Memphis. The game marks a shift for the Sooners, who have played 14 of their last 15 contests at home.
PORTAL WATCH
The transfer portal has been quiet across the SEC in the last 12 hours, with no new entries or commitments to report.
RECRUITING BUZZ
The Missouri Tigers had a massive day on the recruiting trail, landing a pair of four-star, in-state commitments for the class of 2027. The day started with a pledge from St. Charles native Jack Brown, a 6-foot-5, 215-pound tight end who is ranked as the top player in Missouri.
Hours later, the Tigers doubled down, securing a commitment from Lee's Summit West wide receiver Chris Harris Jr. As a junior, Harris was a dynamic playmaker, amassing nearly 1,300 scrimmage yards, almost 2,000 all-purpose yards, and 15 total touchdowns. The additions of Brown and Harris significantly bolster Missouri's 2027 class, which has now jumped into the top 20 of national recruiting rankings.