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

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Tramon Mark had just seven points on 3-of-8 shooting when Purdue called a timeout with 37 seconds remaining in the Arkansas basketball team's high-profile exhibition Saturday.

The Razorbacks trailed by three points, needing a savior.

Despite his struggles over the first 39 minutes, Mark wanted the ball in his hands, and the Houston transfer delivered coming out of the break.

Mark sunk a game-tying three with 7-foot-4 Zach Edey contesting to send the game to overtime. In the extra period, Mark registered a personal 5-0 run and picked up a game-sealing steal as the No. 14 Razorbacks outlasted No. 3 Purdue 81-77.

No, Mark's heroics won't go down on the official ledger when coaches and fans reflect on the upcoming season after knotting the contest at 69-69. This exhibition game might not matter much in the long run, but in Mark's six minutes of game-winning play, Eric Musselman and his team learned they have at least one capable closer for the tightest of moments that await Arkansas this winter and into spring.

"So do about eight other guys," Musselman said about Mark wanting the ball in a clutch situation.

"With his size, he’s got the ability to rise over a defender, so because of that that was the reason we put the ball in his hands as a pick-and-roll player."

Mark, who finished with 15 points against Purdue, was one of seven transfers to arrive in Fayetteville this offseason. Four of those transfers were on the floor during the closing moments of Saturday's win, but Mark shined the brightest of the bunch.

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There was no denying Mark would bring a positive impact to Musselman's squad this season. A lockdown defender with a versatile offensive game, Mark helped Houston cruise to a No. 1 seed last year before being upended by Miami in the Sweet 16. He's got aspirations to eclipse that tournament run this year with the Razorbacks.

But winning a game against one of the best team's in the country with his offense? That might come as a surprise to Arkansas fans still getting to know this team. Household returnees like Davonte Davis and Trevon Brazile, along with electric transfers Khalif Battle and El Ellis, were more likely candidates.

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

"Tight games, I usually want the ball just to slow the game down," Mark said. "Get a good shot, a great shot that we need, and if I’m not shooting it, passing it to somebody that’s open. I was able to execute down the stretch."

After the game, Purdue's Matt Painter called Bud Walton Arena a "hornet's nest." Players and coaches on both sides agreed the exhibition felt more like a February conference matchup between two title contenders. Mark said he completely eliminated the word exhibition from his vocabulary this week in preparation.

With that kind of respect for the occasion, even with limited stakes, Saturday offered a glimpse at what could make this year's Arkansas team better than its predecessors.

The Razorbacks are blessed with nine seniors on the roster. Davis and Mark have big-game experience from previous postseason runs. The others are hungry to prove themselves on the biggest of stages. Ellis, Battle and Brazile all had their moments Saturday offensively, while Chandler Lawson put forth an inspired defensive performance against Zach Edey. Brazile matched Mark with 15 points of his own.

The lights will get brighter, starting Nov. 6 when Arkansas hosts Alcorn State to kick off the regular season, but none of these Razorbacks are scared of the moment. Musselman says they all want the ball with the game on the line.

Mark got the first opportunity Saturday and delivered.

The Razorbacks expect his teammates to come through when called upon in similar situations the rest of the year.

This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Arkansas basketball's Tramon Mark plays closer in exhibition win over Purdue