Tramon Mark's Heroics Not Enough for Texas Against Purdue

SAN JOSE, Calif. — The Texas Longhorns' remarkable NCAA Tournament run came to a heartbreaking end on March 26, 2026, when they lost to No. 2 seed Purdue 79-77 during a nail-biting Sweet 16 matchup at the SAP Center. Graduate guard Tramon Mark emerged with a season-high 29 points and a fierce determination that showcased his competitive spirit, even after suffering a painful ankle injury during the game.

Mark's injury occurred midway through the second half when he was fouled attempting a three-pointer. He managed to stay on the court to shoot free throws, making two of three attempts before briefly resting on the bench. Remarkably, he returned to the game and hit another three-pointer almost immediately after checking back into play, demonstrating his resilience. The veteran guard's performance was a bright spot for Texas, who finished the season with a 21-15 record.

Mark's 29 points were particularly notable, marking the highest total for a Texas player during an NCAA Tournament game since Kevin Durant scored 30 points against Southern California back during the 2007 tournament. He completed 11 of 15 field goals and hit five of seven from three-point range, a collegiate career-high.

“Just being a competitor. I wanted to play and wanted to advance with my teammates,” Mark said after the game, acknowledging the pain he endured. “I was on a hobbled ankle, but I’m just thankful that I was still able to go out there and produce and do things for my team and give us a chance to win.”

The game was a back-and-forth affair, featuring 16 lead changes and 10 ties. Purdue's Trey Kaufman-Renn delivered the decisive blow, tipping the ball into the basket with just 0.7 seconds remaining to secure the win for the Boilermakers. Kaufman-Renn finished with 20 points, having hit his first seven shots and grabbing five rebounds during the first half.

Texas had tied the game at 77 just moments before Kaufman-Renn's tip-in, thanks to a driving layup and three-point play by junior Dailyn Swain with 11.9 seconds left. Swain contributed significantly to the Longhorns' effort, finishing with 15 points, nine rebounds, and five assists.

“We played really hard, played to the best of our capabilities, and we came up short,” Swain said, highlighting the team's effort throughout the game.

Senior Jordan Pope also played a key role, scoring 12 points and demonstrating remarkable tenacity by participating even after breaking his foot late during their previous game against Gonzaga. “It meant a lot, a moment that I’m sure I’ll never forget,” Pope shared. “I had nothing to lose; it’s the Sweet 16.”

Head coach Sean Miller, who was coaching his first season with Texas, made his ninth Sweet 16 appearance over 21 seasons, a feat that emphasizes his experience but also highlights the challenge of advancing to the Final Four. “It feels really good to be a part of what we did,” Miller said. “We really struggled to rebound on defense, which was the No. 1 thing for us to have a chance today.”

Throughout the game, Texas showcased their offensive prowess, shooting 51.8 percent from the field and hitting 44 percent from three-point range. They also managed to limit Purdue's three-point shooting to just 20 percent, but it was the defensive rebounding that proved to be their downfall, allowing Purdue to capitalize on second-chance opportunities.

The Boilermakers had initially taken a 39-35 lead into halftime after a late surge, but Texas opened the second half with a 14-6 run, momentarily taking a 49-45 lead. Purdue quickly regained control, and the teams continued to trade baskets, with neither side able to establish a commanding lead.

Purdue's victory sets them up for a matchup against either top-seeded Arizona or No. 4 seed Arkansas, who were playing later that night. The win also marked an impressive season for the Boilermakers, who improved to 30-8 on the year.

Mark's performance, coupled with the grit shown by his teammates, left an indelible mark on the game, even if it ended with disappointment. “I’m proud of myself, proud of my teammates for having my back,” Pope said, encapsulating the spirit of the Longhorns during this challenging tournament.

With this loss, Texas concluded a roller-coaster season that saw them advance from the First Four to the Sweet 16, a feat achieved by only five other teams previously. The Longhorns will look to build on this experience and regroup for the next season, with the promising talent of players like Mark, Swain, and Pope leading the way.

“It was definitely tough,” Pope said, referring to his injury and the emotional toll of the game. “But I couldn’t let that pass. I think I would have regretted that a lot if I would have.”