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Final Score: Texas 68, N.C. State 66.
The Longhorns survive a wild final 1:42. Texas was up eight points but struggled mightily against the N.C. State press. The Wolfpack got two big three-pointers from Paul McNeil, Jr., and one from Darrion Williams. Somehow N.C. State finished with more made threes (6) than Texas (5), despite the Longhorns going 3-for-3 from deep during the first four minutes of the game. Foul trouble and free throws were huge tonight, with Texas fouling out Ven-Allen Lubin and N.C. State fouling out Matas Vokietaitis in the last four minutes. The Wolfpack actually had a chance to take a 67-66 lead but Tre Hollomon split two free throws with 18 seconds left. Sixth-year senior Tramon Mark, who has never been a great shooter, hits two ridiculous contested jumpers to send Texas onto the first round against BYU, including the game winner with a little more than one second left. Mark finishes with a team-high 17 points on 7-of-14 shooting (5-of-6 in the second half) and is the MVP of the last minute of the game. The energetic Chendall Weaver, who finishes with 11 points and 10 boards off the bench, was Texas' most impactful player all night. N. C. State's offense finally came alive after too much match-up hunting and iso ball occurred for most of the second half. Qadir Copeland kept the Wolfpack in the game before Hollomon, McNeil, Jr., and Williams (a game-high 21 points) got going during the final two minutes. That was an exciting ending to a choppy second half and overall rock fight. Make the jump to see the game's final stats and my live running reactions.
Second Half, Final Four Minutes
Texas Wins 68-66 as Darrion Williams' three-pointer at the buzzer is blocked by Dailyn Swain.
Texas Leads 68-66 with 1 second remaining. Tramon Mark hits another ridiculous shot after N.C. State ties the game on a free throw following an Xavier turnover against the press.
Texas Leads 66-65 with 25.4 seconds remaining. Texas calls another timeout while trapped in a press. Mark just made a difficult two-pointer against the shot clock before Williams responded with another three for N.C. State.
Texas Leads 64-62 with 1:03 remaining. The Longhorns get a timeout with Mark trapped in the coffin corner against the press. Texas is struggling against N.C. State's press, with one and nearly two tie ups in the last two possessions.
Texas Leads 64-62 with 1:05 remaining after another McNeil three.
Texas Leads 64-59 with 1:39 remaining after a McNeil three and timeout for N.C. State.
Second Half, Under-4 Live Reactions
Texas Leads 58-53 with 3:58 remaining. Texas has gotten two big push shots inside the lane by Jordan Pope and Weaver. Lubin reentered the game with 4:37 remaining. N.C. State's offense is grinding. Note the free throws. How many will there be in the last 4 minutes. Texas is currently 17/25 while N.C. State is 12/15. N.C. State is lucky to be down five as Holloman got two gimme free throws on a questionable foul call on Mark, and Swain just lost the ball going up on a fastbreak.
Texas Leads 54-51 with 5:41 remaining. The Longhorns take a timeout after Dailyn Swain makes two free throws. Vokietaitis has four fouls and has been out since 7:23. N.C. State is starting to get some buckets inside. How long will Voketaitis and Lubin remain on the bench.
Second Half, Under-8 Live Reactions
Texas Leads 49-44 with 7:54 remaining. N.C. State is in serious foul trouble. The next foul will put Texas in the double bonus. Big man Musa Sagnia has already fouled out and Lubin is on the bench with four. Wade is trying to steal minutes from Scottie Ebube. Qadir Copeland is keeping the Wolfpack alive as Darrion Williams has gone cold this half. Texas has been boosted by the energy of Chendall Weaver, who has 10 rebounds off the bench.
Second Half, Under-12 Live Reactions
Texas Leads 41-38 with 11:49 remaining. N.C. State will be shooting two free throws out of the break, after a turnover led to a fast-break and foul on Texas. This game is a slog, with N.C. State struggling to score. Texas seemed to be regaining momentum with baskets at the rack by Weaver, Mark and Vokietaitis. Lubin has four fouls, which is bad news for N.C. State. Field goal percentages are plummeting. Texas has just two three pointers (5 total) since the opening four minutes of the first half. N.C. State is iso-balling too much and jacking difficult shots. The Wolfpack need to get into the paint.
Second Half, Under-16 Live Reactions
Texas Leads 35-34 with 15:57 remaining. This second half is off to a choppy start. The game is getting very physical and turnovers are starting to pileup. N.C. State gives up the lead on a sloppy turnover by Hollomon, who overdribbled and gave up the ball to Tramon Mark, who made a difficult layup. Fouls are accumulating. Heide has 4 for Texas, Lubin has 3 for N.C. State. Lubin has been a warrior this game and needs to be on the court.
N.C. State Leads 34-33 with 16:39 remaining. N.C. State is challenging an out-of-bounds call. The Wolfpack have its first lead since 2-0 on a Paul McNeil, Jr. three pointer off transition. Shots at the rim are being locked up at both end.
Texas Leads 32-31 with just under 19 minutes to go. Texas is challenging a loose ball out-of-bounds call that went to the arrow. It looks like the ball was off Darrion Williams. Texas began the half with a layup for Vokietaitis while N.C. State responded with a shifty drive and score by Qadir Copeland. This call should be overturned with Texas retaining possession. Apparently, N.C. State is just 1-9 when trailing at the half this season. Can the Wolfpack reverse this?
Second Half Adjustments
N.C. State has three times the inside points as Texas despite the Longhorns' size advantage (18-6). Texas is +6 (20-14) in total rebounding, though N.C. State closed out the half much stronger. This game is not the high-scoring affair that was expected. N.C. State has only attempted 6 threes, hitting just 2, for a team that averages 10 made threes a game. Texas needs to run quicker offense as N.C. State has bogged the game down at this end. N.C. State seems to be the more connected team heading into the half. Texas better wake up. Darrion Williams has forced some bad shots but kept N.C. State afloat with 14 first-half points. N.C. State continues to need to work the ball inside and hope this will open up some threes. Texas needs to be less methodical, as this game is playing into N.C. State's hands. This is a half-court grinder, with no fast-break points for either team. It will be seen what rules out in the second half, the size of Texas or the swarming effort of N.C. State. Keep an eye on the fouls this half as a lot of free throws should be expected. This game can go either way, though N.C. State has flipped the script here and seems to have the momentum. Texas would be well advised to go inside to Vokietaitis and cut off the ball with Dailyn Swain and Tramon Mark.
Halftime Stats
Halftime Reactions
Texas Leads 30-29 at the break. The Longhorns end the half miserably, hitting 1 of its last 12 shots. Sean Miller has to be worried as Texas controlled this game for 16 minutes but did not take advantage. Will Wade has to be thrilled as N.C. State is suddenly limiting Texas to one shot.
Texas Leads 30-29 with 52.0 seconds left. Texas hasn't scored a basket in three minutes and just called a timeout. The Wolfpack have junked this game up and are starting to convert at the rim. This game is swinging in favor of the Wolfpack as fouls are starting to even out. Heide has three fouls, Vokietaitis has two. Ven-Allen Lubin is playing tough for N.C. State. Texas is down to 30.8% shooting.
Texas Leads 30-29 with 52.0 seconds left. Texas hasn't scored a basket in three minutes and just called a timeout. The Wolfpack have junked this game up and are starting to convert at the rim. This game is swinging in favor of the Wolfpack as fouls are starting to even out. Heide has three fouls, Vokietaitis has two. Ven-Allen Lubin is playing tough for N.C. State. Texas is down to 30.8% shooting.
First Half, Under-4 Live Reactions
Texas Leads 30-23 with 3:43 remaining. Fouls are becoming a big issue. N.C. State has 9 fouls, Texas has 3. The Longhorns are 9/12 from the free throw line, N.C. State is just 1/2. The size of the Longhorns is putting too much pressure on the rim at the swarming Wolfpack. This is a huge stretch right before half. N.C. State needs to stay within striking distance as the Wolfpack cannot clear the defensive glass.
First Half, Under-8 Live Reactions
Texas Leads 25-19 with 5:40 remaining. It feels like Texas should be up double-digits. N.C. State has not been efficient but is hanging in. Texas continues to dominate the offensive glass, with 6 offensive reb0unds to 0 for N.C. State. Texas reserve Chendall Weaver is bringing great energy, with four rebounds in seven minutes. N.C. State actually has 12 points in the paint to 6 for Texas. Vokietaitis commands so much attention though that Texas is getting some wide-open threes. Texas needs to cut down the turnovers (5 versus 1 for N.C. State).
First Half, Under-12 Live Reactions
Texas Leads 16-12 with 10:42 remaining. Darrion Williams is keeping N.C. State in the game with 10 of the team's 12 points, including two threes. Texas just got three offensive boards on one possession and has a 13-3 advantage on the boards. N.C. State is trying to blitz with some doubles from the weakside but cannot clear the glass. This game has been all about size. One team has it, the other doesn't. N.C. State must junk this game up. N.C. State is going to the rim but not hitting close shots.
First Half, Under-16 Live Reactions
Texas Leads 9-2 with 15:14 to go. After a slow start, the Longhorns are on a 9-0 run, with all points coming from the three-point line. Tramon Mark, Joran Pope and Camden Heide have all hit threes. N.C. State is trying to go inside but are being affected by the size of Matas Vokietaitis. The Wolfpack are definitely thinking about Vokietaitis with their inside looks. Darrion Williams starting the game with a nice post up and score, but it's been all misses for the Wolfpack (1/7 from the field). Tre Hollomon picked up two quick fouls. Dick Vitale and Charles Barkley are doing the game with Brian Anderson, who sounds like he is battling a bronchial infection. Get that man some antibiotics.
Pregame Prediction: North Carolina State
Texas and North Carolina State faced off in Maui earlier in the season, with Texas winning 102-97 on my birthday, November 26, 2025. Here is the box score. With that in mind, it is hard to beat an out-of-conference opponent twice during the same year. Thus, I will take the Wolfpack in another high scoring game despite Texas' size advantage. Note: Any time in the past I have placed faith in N.C. State, I have been disappointed. Here's hoping the Wolfpack prove me wrong and reward me for living in beautiful Raleigh for 18 months after college. :-) Tonight's winner will take on BYU Thursday evening.
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