Mark’s return creates high expectations
Buzz about backcourt makes UH serious contender for Final Four
Earlier this week, the social media account for a college basketball website posted its rankings of the top backcourts for the upcoming 2022-23 season.
To no surprise, the University of Houston — with the return of Marcus Sasser and the emergence of Jamal Shead — checked in at No. 2 on the list.
While Sasser and Shead receive much of the preseason attention, former UH guard Kyler Edwards made sure to mention one other guard who might be under the radar after missing most of last season with a shoulder injury but is equally important to the Cougars’ title hopes.
“Y’all just don’t even know yet,” Edwards said of Tramon Mark, a junior from Dickinson who was limited to seven games last season because of a torn labrum that required surgery in late December.
The return of a healthy Mark is key for UH, which is being mentioned as a preseason top-five candidate and No. 1 regional seed in way-tooearly NCAA Tournament projections. By all indications, Mark could be poised for the type of comeback season that could help the Cougars live up to the backcourt expectations and spark another deep March run as national title contenders. Without Sasser — sidelined around the same time with a foot injury — and Mark, the Cougars captured the American Athletic Conference regular-season and tournament titles and came within a victory of a second straight trip to the Final Four.
“I was proud of them,” Mark said recently during a break with his work for Be A Champion, which provides free meals and educational services throughout the Houston area. “I already knew if me and Marcus were healthy, we already know what we could have done. But that’s not how it played out. What they did with the team they had was great, and I was glad I was able to come back (and travel with the team) and be a part of it.”
After coming up with clutch shots as a true freshman — none bigger than his tip-in in the closing seconds as the Cougars beat Rutgers to advance to the Sweet 16 in 2021 — and relegated to watching from the bench as UH reached the Elite Eight last season, Mark is motivated to get back on the court. He tried to play through the pain in his left shoulder, making his season debut at the Maui Invitational, which was moved to Las Vegas due to the COVID pandemic. Doctors eventually discovered a bigger tear in the shoulder than was shown on Mark’s MRI exam.
“I knew that’s why I was in so much pain,” Mark said. There was no way Mark could continue to play after the shoulder got “yanked” in a Dec. 11 loss at Alabama. “I was done,” he added. “That really did it.”
In the months to follow, Mark worked out on his own, away from the team. He credited John Houston, associate athletic director for sports medicine, for guiding him through rehab.
“Rehab started feeling better,” Mark said of the early progress. “I started doing little things, little things, little things, and it added up. I just kept progressing every day. Once I kept progressing every day, I just felt I had more confidence to know what I can do with my body. It
was a good feeling to have.”
Mark was cleared to resume basketball activities in May and was with the team when summer workouts began June 1. As for the upcoming season, Mark said he’ll “definitely be ready” when the opener arrives sometime in mid-November.
Coach Kelvin Sampson can hear a familiar sound — Mark back in the gym, taking countless shots with the help of a ball machine.
“Tramon is looking awesome,” Sampson said before the start of summer workouts. “He’s been cleared. He’s in the gym
wearing the gun out.”
Among backcourts, only North Carolina’s was rated higher on the list, which was compiled by College Basketball Report. It’s been an offseason unlike any other for the Cougars, who have started to get some of the national respect that comes with being a perennial title contender.
Sasser, who opted to take his name out of the NBA draft and return to school, has been mentioned among the top returning players in a group that includes Oscar Tshiebwe (Kentucky), Drew Timme (Gonzaga), Armando Bacot (North
Carolina) and Trayce Jackson-Davis (Indiana), according to college basketball insider Andy Katz.
Jarace Walker, a fivestar power forward, is listed among the top impact freshmen for this season. And ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi has the Cougars as a No. 1 regional seed for the 2023 NCAA Tournament. Oh, by the way, the Final Four will be at NRG Stadium.
The backcourt will have a lot to say whether the Cougars play in front of the home crowd. Sasser is capable of scoring 20-plus points on any given night. Shead proved he can score (21 versus Arizona in the Sweet 16) and is one of the best floor generals in the country. Mark provides another doubledigit scoring option with big-game experience. And while guard depth was thin last season, the Cougars will have Ramon Walker, Emmanuel Sharp, Terrance Arceneaux and Ryan Elvin.
“I’m excited to get back with the team,” Mark said. “I’m already hearing (some of the big expectations). I’m glad we have a chance to come out and be that. Everybody is going to be a key and equal part of the team. That’s how it goes at UH.”