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Texas Longhorns Edge NC State in Nail-Biting Tournament Win

3/19/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The Texas Longhorns defeated NC State 68-66 in a First Four game of the 2026 NCAA Tournament.
Tramon Mark led Texas with 17 points, including the game-winning shot with 1.1 seconds remaining.
NC State mounted a late rally and tied the game at 66 after Texas had led.
The victory advances Texas to face No. 6 seed BYU in the Round of 64 on March 19, 2026, in Portland, Oregon.

History

Historical Context

The 1985 NCAA Tournament marked a pivotal expansion to 64 teams, enhancing its popularity and competitiveness. Villanova's stunning 66-64 victory over Georgetown in the championship game is regarded as one of the biggest upsets in sports history. This format change has since shaped college basketball, influencing recruitment and fan engagement, as seen in Texas's recent success mirroring this historic tournament structure.

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Story summary

The Texas Longhorns defeated NC State 68-66 in a First Four game of the 2026 NCAA Tournament.
Tramon Mark led Texas with 17 points, including the game-winning shot with 1.1 seconds remaining.
NC State mounted a late rally and tied the game at 66 after Texas had led.
The victory advances Texas to face No. 6 seed BYU in the Round of 64 on March 19, 2026, in Portland, Oregon.

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