Last night's play-in game against North Carolina State was a rollercoaster of emotions for Texas fans, but it ended with a thrilling victory that has everyone buzzing. Tramon Mark's game-winning shot was the highlight, but it almost didn't count due to a dramatic twist involving Texas assistant coach Ryan Anderson.
In a moment of sheer excitement, Anderson rushed onto the court before the final buzzer sounded. Typically, this would lead to a technical foul, potentially nullifying Mark's basket.
But in a surprising turn of events, the referee standing right there chose not to call it. Whether it was because there was no real time left for NC State to capitalize, or simply an oversight, the decision allowed Texas to seal the win without incident.
Sean Miller, Texas' head coach, was visibly upset with Anderson's premature celebration, and understandably so. The incident nearly jeopardized the Longhorns' spot in the Round of 64.
The two share a long history, with Miller having coached Anderson at Arizona and later bringing him onto his staff at Xavier before their move to Texas in 2025. This history might have made Miller's reaction more intense, given the stakes.
Had the technical foul been called, it could have been a devastating blow to Texas' season, and Anderson would have faced significant scrutiny. Thankfully, the team can now focus on their next challenge against BYU, led by the nation's top scorer, A.J. Dybantsa.
As the Longhorns prepare for tomorrow night's matchup, they'll need to put this incident behind them and concentrate on the task at hand. The pressure is on, but with the momentum from their latest win, Texas fans have plenty to be hopeful about.