“Tramon Mark’s Move to Texas Spurs Unexpected Realizations”
Tramon Mark’s decision to join the Texas basketball program for the upcoming season may not have shocked many, considering his roots near Houston along Galveston Bay. However, what did catch attention was the realization that Arkansas will soon face him as a competitor.
The process of Texas and Oklahoma joining the SEC has felt somewhat surreal, with much focus on the implications for football. Yet, it’s important to note that these schools field basketball and baseball teams too, which will now become part of the SEC schedule.
While Texas has enjoyed basketball success, they haven’t reached the heights of programs like Alabama or Kentucky. Historically, they’ve posed challenges for teams like Arkansas but haven’t been a significant barrier to the NCAA championship game.
Under former coach Rick Barnes, Texas experienced a period of prominence in college basketball, making multiple Sweet 16 appearances and reaching the Final Four in 2003 led by TJ Ford.
In recent years, Texas has seen moderate success, usually performing slightly better than teams like Mississippi State but falling short of the elite tier of SEC basketball. Oklahoma, on the other hand, has been a consistent thorn in opponents’ sides, with a recent trend of success under Porter Moser.
While the Sooners have had moments of glory, their impact on SEC basketball might not be as profound as Texas. However, scheduling a home-and-home series with Oklahoma could benefit Arkansas more than a single trip to Tulsa.
While Texas and Oklahoma’s addition to the SEC schedule brings excitement, it doesn’t drastically change the overall dynamic compared to previous seasons. In fact, it might even offer advantages, such as potentially reducing travels to Alabama and hosting more games at Bud Walton Arena under Coach Calipari’s leadership.
