NC State basketball bounced from March Madness. Here are 4 reasons why

NC State basketball’s March Madness stay proved shorter than hoped, the Wolfpack losing a hard-fought 68-66 matchup with Texas in the First Four play-in game of the 2026 NCAA men’s tournament.

Tramon Mark’s mid-range shot with a second left earned the No. 11 Longhorns a first-round date with West Region 6-seed BYU on Thursday, March 19, in Portland, Oregon.

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Back in the tournament for the first time since 2024, the Wolfpack were seeking their second Final Four in three seasons. Here are four keys which played a significant role in the Wolfpack’s early ouster.

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Hitting the ‘Mark’

Playing in his 169th career game, Mark put his veteran mettle on display down the stretch.

Texas’ senior guard finished with a game-high 17 points, though his last four were crucial in the Longhorns remaining alive.

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With NC State on the comeback trail, Mark hit a 17-foot jumper to give his team a 66-62 lead with 37 seconds left. His final shot will be the one most remembered, however, his mid-range jumper breaking a 66-all tie.

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/nc-state-basketball-bounced-march-050841385.html

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Publish date : 2026-03-18 05:08:00

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