Sports
Mark sends Texas by NC State in NCAA tournament’s First Four
DAYTON, Ohio — The moment was getting to Texas.
Unable to handle the press or, seemingly, the pressure, the Longhorns had finally lost the lead, and their best defensive effort of the season was potentially going to waste as NC State had tied the score at 66 with 20.8 seconds left Tuesday night in their First Four game at UD Arena.
“When you get into March and you’re in this tournament, the magnitude of being able to advance versus not can sometimes take over a player’s mind,” Texas coach Sean Miller said.
But sixth-year senior Tramon Mark‘s mind was resolute. As the final seconds ticked away, Mark liked the look he had, even with NC State’s Tre Holloman lurking. He rose up from the right wing, and the ball swished through with 1.1 seconds left. Texas survived 68-66, preserving its season a little bit longer.
The No. 11 seed Longhorns advanced to face No. 6 BYU in a first-round West region matchup in the NCAA tournament Thursday in Portland, Oregon.
“I guard T-Mark every day [in practice], and he makes those shots on me,” Texas guard Chendall Weaver said.
Hollomon was Mark’s victim this time. Mark finished with a team-high 17 points, including four in the final 37 seconds after NC State finally got hot from long range.
According to ESPN Research, Mark’s last jumper marked his fourth career game winner with less than five seconds remaining, and his first since 2025 against Texas A&M.
“This one is definitely [best] for me,” Mark said. “The way the game was going, the way the game felt, we had a big lead, they started making some shots. And then I was able to silence the crowd with a big shot like that.”
The big shots actually came late for both teams after a game that barely resembled the teams’ first meeting. In that contest in November at the Maui Invitational, Texas and NC State combined for 199 points and 25 made 3-pointers, including 16 from the victorious Longhorns.
Tuesday brought a dramatically different tone until the final minutes. Texas didn’t sink a field goal for the final 8:40 of the first half and saw a comfortable lead dwindle to one at the break. Neither team reached 50 points until Texas center Matas Vokietaitis swished a free throw with 7:42 remaining.
NC State had only three 3-pointers in the first 58:29 and then matched that in a minute with two shots from Paul McNeil Jr. and another from Darrion Williams.
“This might be, like, the first game that I can really look at and say we won because of our defense,” Miller said. “When you play NC State, this year’s team, you have to defend the 3-point shot. And if you really look at the game until the very, very end, it’s the thing we did the very best, and that’s what I think we can hang our hat on as we leave here.”
Miller also recognized how tight the margin was Tuesday, and throughout the NCAA tournament. He has had teams play better than Texas did Tuesday in the tournament and go home for good.
His first Longhorns team hadn’t been great in close games and had dropped a heartbreaker in overtime to Oklahoma to cap the regular season. But Miller also knows that with players such as Mark, there’s always a chance to play on.
“As often is the case in this tournament, players make plays,” Miller said. “And we’re here in large part because the guy, Tramon Mark, made two incredible shots.”
Texas needed Mark and Weaver, who recorded his first career double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. He provided a bench boost on a night when top scorer Dailyn Swain struggled with his shot (2-of-9).
“I always tell them I have their backs, and tonight, they had mine,” Swain said. “I didn’t have my best game, but Chendall Weaver, the most impact on the court, and Travon Mark, when he put that shot up, I knew it was good.”
Miller won in the First Four for the second straight year, with a different team. Last year, he guided Xavier past Texas, in a game he called “one of the greatest” he had witnessed. This time, his Longhorns prevailed after an even better ending.
Although last year’s Xavier squad would lose its first-round matchup against Illinois, and Texas had a long night of travel ahead to the West Coast, Miller saw value in logging a game and finding a way to win, especially when the Longhorns weren’t always at their best.
“There’s power in playing a game in this tournament,” Miller said. “Sometimes a player or a team is not themselves. It’s just kind of like that. I don’t want to say jitters, but March Madness looms big. Our nerves sometimes can settle through Game 1. You can gain confidence … but we’re going definitely have to play better than we played tonight.”
Liverpool are considering Newcastle United‘s Anthony Gordon as an upgrade on Cody Gakpo, while Roma‘s defender Wesley França is a target for Arsenal.
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TRENDING RUMORS
– Liverpool could replace Cody Gakpo with Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon in the summer, according to TEAMtalk. Gakpo has been offered to clubs in the Premier League, including Tottenham Hotspur, and around Europe as Liverpool attempt to gauge interest in the Netherlands international through third-party representatives. Gakpo’s departure could make way Gordon who continues to impress Reds’ officials, though Newcastle have made no secret of their intention to keep the 25-year-old on Tyneside. Gordon spent part of his youth development at Liverpool before joining Merseyside rivals Everton in 2012, where he began his professional career at Everton.
– Arsenal are stepping up their quest for Roma’s in-form defender Wesley França, with Ben White set to make way in the summer, according to TEAMtalk. Brazilian right-back França has been a revelation since joining the Italians from Flamengo last summer, the 22 year old impressing with a four-goal haul. Arsenal scouts have also noted his athleticism, defensive diligence and attacking capabilities. Everton are also interested. The Gunners are also monitoring Newcastle’s Tino Livramento, Eintracht Frankfurt‘s Nnamdi Collins and Monaco‘s Vanderson. Meanwhile, White’s departure has been sanctioned by the club if the right offer comes along.
– Barcelona and Real Madrid are both planning to test the water for Manchester City striker Erling Haaland in the summer, but City are not planning on allowing the 25-year-old to leave, according to Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke. Haaland is contracted at the Etihad Stadium until 2031, and City are looking to sign players in other positions around him, rather than allow their main striker to leave. Haaland has been out of form by his high standards — scoring just five goals in 18 appearances since the turn of the year — prompting suggestions he may consider a new challenge, and the two Spanish giants remain intent on trying to lure the Norway international to LaLiga as a statement signing. O’Rourke also reports that should manager Pep Guardiola leave the club, City would prefer to replace him with Bayern Munich boss Vincent Kompany, rather than other possible candidates such as Enzo Maresca or Luis Enrique.
– Juventus boss Luciano Spalletti is keen on signing Real Madrid defender Antonio Rüdiger and, in doing, so fend off interest from a number of Premier League clubs, according to Tuttosport. Spalletti and Rüdiger worked together at Roma, and it remains an ambition of the Bianconeri boss to re-sign the 33-year-old, ideally on a two-year deal, to bring some stability to his back line. Spalletti sees the Germany defender as the perfect short-term addition to his squad, with his UEFA Champions League experience and leadership qualities both valuable qualities. Rüdiger is available on a free transfer at the end of the season. However, Diario AS reports that there has been a “radical twist” in the situation, with a contract renewal for the defender now on the cards. Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa enthusiastically said on Saturday that he’d “build a statue to Rüdiger and put it in my garden.”
– Atlético Madrid have bid €35 million plus bonuses for Atalanta midfielder Éderson, according to Sportitalia’s Alfredo Pedulla. The Italian club are hoping to recoup closer to €40 million for the Brazilian. Éderson was a key member of the team as Le Dea won the Europa League and finished fourth in Serie A in 2023-24, and since then he has been linked with some of Europe’s biggest clubs for several seasons. The 26-year-old’s contract in Bergamo is due to expire at the end of next season.
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OTHER RUMORS
– Liverpool are ahead of Chelsea in the race to sign midfielder Eduardo Camavinga. Real Madrid are willing to listen to offers in the region of €50 million. (Caught Offside)
– Despite being heavily linked with a move away from Newcastle, particularly to Manchester United, Bruno Guimarães is committed to the north-east. (Newcastle Chronicle)
– Inter Milan and Juventus are tracking the situation of Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos, hoping the 21-year-old could form an integral part of their midfield rebuilds in the summer. (Ekrem Konur)
– Arsenal could allow a number of players to leave in the summer as they look to freshen up their squad and build on what they hope will be a title-winning season. (Daily Telegraph)
– Liverpool winger Giorgi Mamardashvili is a target for European clubs and he could be tempted with the promise of more game time. (Football Insider)
– Rangers boss Danny Röhl has expressed his desire to extend Mikey Moore‘s deal beyond the end of the season, whether it’s a loan move or permanent deal. The 18-year-old was on the scoresheet for Rangers against Aberdeen on Saturday. (Daily Mail)
– Xabi Alonso is the leading contender to replace Arne Slot should the Dutchman be relieved of his duties as Liverpool Manager. Slot came under fresh pressure following Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion. (Football Insider)
Sports
PSL matches to go ahead without spectators under govt’s austerity drive amid regional crisis: Naqvi
LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, in a major announcement on Sunday, said that the much-awaited Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches will be held without spectators as part of the government’s austerity measures amid ongoing regional crisis.
Addressing a press conference in Lahore, Naqvi said the tournament will be limited to two venues, Karachi and Lahore. He added that the decision aims to reduce public movement.
This is a developing story and will be updated with more information.
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No. 12 High Point put everyone on notice for the second time in as many games this March Madness, but could not find the same success.
After advancing to the Round of 32 following an upset victory over No. 5 Wisconsin, the Panthers’ season ended after No. 4 Arkansas ran away from them late Saturday night.
High Point led by as many as five early in the game, and they were up 56-52 with 14:17 to go after going on a 12-2 run.
Both teams exchanged buckets for several minutes, with no one expanding their respective leads by more than three points for a little while.
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High Point Panthers head coach Flynn Clayman and guard Rob Martin (3) react in the second half against the Arkansas Razorbacks during a second round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Moda Center. (Craig Strobeck/Imagn Images)
With 7:04 to play, the Panthers took a 72-71 lead, to which the Razorbacks responded with a 10-2 run, putting them up by seven and giving them their largest lead of the night.
The game was then quickly tied at 83 after a wild run by High Point, but over the final 3:19, Arkansas outscored High Point, 11-5, to snatch the victory, despite a valiant effort from the Panthers.
High Point Panthers forward Terry Anderson (5) drives against Arkansas Razorbacks forward Malique Ewin (12) and forward Billy Richmond III (24) in the second half during a second round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Moda Center. (Craig Strobeck/Imagn Images)
Arkansas was favored by 11.5, and while they couldn’t cover, it was another Sweet 16 appearance for legendary head coach John Calipari.
Two Panthers, Rob Martin (30) and Cam’Ron Fletcher (25), combined for 55 points, but Darius Acuff Jr. of Arkansas trumped everyone by dropping 36.
Arkansas will face the winner of No. 1 Arizona and No. 9 Utah State in the Sweet 16.
High Point Panthers head coach Flynn Clayman and forward Braden Hausen (15) react in the second half against the Arkansas Razorbacks during a second round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Moda Center. (Craig Strobeck/Imagn Images)
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High Point’s victory over Wisconsin on Thursday marked their first ever in March Madness after making the tournament last year for the first time.
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