Tramon Mark auditions as Arkansas basketball's nearer in exhibition win over Purdue

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. â€" Tramon Mark had just seven elements on three-of-eight capturing when Purdue referred to as a timeout with 37 seconds closing within the Arkansas basketball group's high-profile exhibition Saturday.

The Razorbacks trailed by means of three features, desiring a savior.

regardless of his struggles over the first 39 minutes, Mark desired the ball in his arms, and the Houston switch delivered popping out of the destroy.

Mark sunk a game-tying three with 7-foot-four Zach Edey contesting to ship the online game to beyond regular time. within the additional period, Mark registered a private 5-0 run and picked up a game-sealing steal as the No. 14 Razorbacks outlasted No. three Purdue eighty one-seventy seven.

No, Mark's heroics might not go down on the professional ledger when coaches and fanatics contemplate the upcoming season after knotting the contest at 69-69. This exhibition online game may no longer count number much ultimately, however in Mark's six minutes of video game-profitable play, Eric Musselman and his crew learned they have at the least one competent closer for the tightest of moments that look forward to Arkansas this winter and into spring.

Tramon Mark (12) celebrates after making a 3-pointer to force time beyond regulation within the Arkansas basketball group's 81-seventy seven exhibition win over Purdue Saturday.

"So do about eight other guys," Musselman referred to about Mark wanting the ball in a grab condition.

"along with his dimension, he’s acquired the capacity to rise over a defender, so on account of that that turned into the cause we put the ball in his arms as a decide on-and-roll participant."

Mark, who entire with 15 features in opposition t Purdue, turned into one of seven transfers to arrive in Fayetteville this offseason. 4 of these transfers had been on the floor all over the closing moments of Saturday's win, but Mark shined the brightest of the bunch.

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There become no denying Mark would bring a favorable have an effect on to Musselman's squad this season. A lockdown defender with a flexible offensive game, Mark helped Houston cruise to a No. 1 seed last year earlier than being upended by way of Miami within the sweet 16. he's received aspirations to eclipse that event run this 12 months with the Razorbacks.

however profitable a online game in opposition t one of the most most suitable team's within the country with his offense? That may come as a shock to Arkansas enthusiasts nevertheless attending to be aware of this group. family returnees like Davonte Davis and Trevon Brazile, together with electric transfers Khalif battle and El Ellis, had been more likely candidates.

On Saturday, none of that mattered. Mark's self-belief broke down any pre-disposed notions of who Arkansas' nearer would be.

"Tight games, I continually need the ball simply to sluggish the game down," Mark talked about. "Get a great shot, a pretty good shot that we want, and if I’m now not taking pictures it, passing it to somebody that’s open. i was in a position to execute down the stretch."

After the video game, Purdue's Matt Painter known as Bud Walton area a "hornet's nest." gamers and coaches on each side agreed the exhibition felt greater like a February conference matchup between two title contenders. Mark mentioned he completely eliminated the notice exhibition from his vocabulary this week in preparation.

With that form of respect for the occasion, even with confined stakes, Saturday provided a glimpse at what may make this yr's Arkansas crew stronger than its predecessors.

Arkansas' Chandler Lawson encourages the crowd after the Razorbacks' eighty one-77 extra time win Saturday against Purdue in a preseason exhibition.

The Razorbacks are blessed with 9 seniors on the roster. Davis and Mark have massive-online game adventure from old postseason runs. The others are hungry to prove themselves on the largest of ranges. Ellis, combat and Brazile all had their moments Saturday offensively, while Chandler Lawson put forth an inspired protective efficiency against Zach Edey. Brazile matched Mark with 15 features of his personal.

The lights will get brighter, starting Nov. 6 when Arkansas hosts Alcorn State to kick off the typical season, but none of these Razorbacks are terrified of the second. Musselman says all of them need the ball with the game on the line.

Mark got the first probability Saturday and delivered.

The Razorbacks are expecting his teammates to come through when known as upon in an identical cases the relaxation of the 12 months.

this article in the beginning regarded on fortress Smith times record: Arkansas basketball's Tramon Mark performs nearer in exhibition win over Purdue