National reaction to Tramon Mark's game-winner in Texas-NC State: 'Mark Madness!'

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Texas guard Tramon Mark (12) celebrates with guard Jordan Pope (0) after scoring a go-ahead basket with 1 second remaining during the second half in a First Four college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament against North Carolina State, Tuesday, March 17, 2026, in Dayton, Ohio. (Kareem Elgazzar/AP)


The Texas Longhorns are moving on in the NCAA Tournament after Tramon Mark's game-winning jump shot gave Texas a 68-66 win over NC State in the First Four matchup.

The battle between the No. 11 seeds decided who would move on to the Round of 64 to face No. 6 seed BYU in the West Region.

It didn't have to be that hard though, as Texas held a nine-point lead with under two minutes to go. A comfortable win quickly turned into a stunning collapse, but Mark ensured the Longhorns would move on with a thrilling victory.

With the NCAA Tournament kicking off with the First Four matchups on Tuesday and Wednesday, Texas-NC State took center stage and had the college basketball world enjoying the March Madness dramatics.

See some of the national reaction to Texas' wild win over NC State below.

ONIONS FOR THE LONGHORNS! TRAMON MARK'S GAME-WINNER SENDS TEXAS ON TO FACE BYU!

(via @MarchMadnessMBB | #HookEm)pic.twitter.com/9xFS9dQlei

— SportsDayDFW (@SportsDayDFW) March 18, 2026

If this is your first time watching Texas and NC State this year it sure ain't hard to figure out why both were on the bubble.

— Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) March 18, 2026

If the games stay like this it might be the greatest March madness ever

— Jack Dunkins (@JackDunkins01) March 18, 2026

MARK MADNESS

Texas knocks off NC State in the First Four as Tramon Mark's step-back jumper with 1.1 seconds seals the win…

Next Up: BYU#MarchMadness#TexasBasketballpic.twitter.com/8AtG4UcSXk

— Cameron Parker (@camerondparker) March 18, 2026

Texas hangs on and advances to the real bracket - where the Longhorns will face AJ Dybantsa and BYU.

Hell of a shot by Tramon Mark.

— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) March 18, 2026

Tramon Mark came to the rescue with a last-second jumper. Texas is into the big tournament with a 68-66 win over North Carolina State. What a finish. Horns will play BYU Thursday in Portland. Happy Madness.

— Cedric Golden (@CedGolden) March 18, 2026

Now what they DID practice all year was clearly Tramon Mark late clock ISO ball

2x in a row to somehow hold on & avoid that collapse https://t.co/qVhWeToVy2

— Ryan Hammer (@ryanhammer09) March 18, 2026

Texas vs NC state a movie rn

— BHENtel (@TheBHentel) March 18, 2026

There is nothing better than watching the morning and afternoon slate of Thursday games knowing your team is still in the tournament.

With this win the Horns have given us that gift

— Big On Basketball (@BigOnBasketball) March 18, 2026

The March Madness reactions are back! pic.twitter.com/RDDR6T6tjB

— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) March 18, 2026

Me watching the end of this Texas vs NC State first four game

pic.twitter.com/KFn12JOU0R

— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) March 18, 2026

Tramon Mark hits not one, but two incredibly tough shots in the final minute to push Texas past NC State in a First Four thriller.

Sean Miller's Longhorns survive and will hop on a plane to fly 2,250 miles to Portland. A date with BYU Thursday night awaits.

— John Fanta (@John_Fanta) March 18, 2026

Coaches and players running onto the floor before the buzzer is going to get a team in hot water real soon.

It's happened at least three times in the past week, and you know refs are going to be on the prowl for it soon. pic.twitter.com/0EuKtai1cn

— Isaac Trotter (@Isaac__Trotter) March 18, 2026

Sean Miller wins in the First Four back to back seasons.

2025: Xavier defeats Texas 86-80

2026: Texas defeats NC State 68-66

Poetic. pic.twitter.com/PzkW7UaI3t

— College Basketball Report (@CBKReport) March 18, 2026

"It's just routine for me, really."

Tramon Mark on his game-winner pic.twitter.com/ncm4CwhBzi

— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) March 18, 2026

Late shot clock Tramon Mark pic.twitter.com/0jU0HlEAlf

— Christian Odjakjian (@OdjHoops) March 18, 2026

That was the most embarassing final two minute sequence I think I've ever seen in my life. Texas should spend ALL of Wednesday's practice working on beating the press and staying out of the corner on inbounds plays.

But, you never apologize for wins in March. #HookEm

— Tommy Yarrish (@tommy_yarrish) March 18, 2026

Texas Advances to the round of 64 pic.twitter.com/T8gakuBtHA

— Pardon My Take (@PardonMyTake) March 18, 2026

TEXAS ADVANCES. MARCH MILLER IS HERE.

— Big On Basketball (@BigOnBasketball) March 18, 2026

pic.twitter.com/Pa3TrVUozc

— No Context College Basketball (@ContextFreeCBB) March 18, 2026

We've seen it over and over again in different sports ... rust > rest. Texas playing this game tonight significantly boosts its chance to beat BYU on Thursday. Cougars will have one eight days between games.

— Seth Davis (@SethDavisHoops) March 18, 2026

And then there were 66.

Texas beats NC State in a classic in Dayton.

Will face BYU on Thursday night in Portland.

One heck of a college basketball game.

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 18, 2026

2025: Texas loses in the First Four

2026: Texas wins in the First Four pic.twitter.com/mDOAUrC8xa

— CJ Vogel (@CJVogel_OTF) March 18, 2026

Find more college sports coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.

Find more Texas coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.

Tramon Mark hits the fourth game-winning shot of his career to send Texas to Portland. Longhorns will face No. 6 BYU on Thursday

What a game.

pic.twitter.com/VJanFA3Amf

— Zach Dimmitt (@ZachDimmitt7) March 18, 2026

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