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No. 23 Texas makes first trip to Philadelphia since 1948

Jan 20, 2007 - 2:59 PM No. 23 Texas (13-4) at Villanova (12-5) 1:30 pm EST

PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- Texas swingman Kevin Durant is making it difficult to be overlooked for national player of the year awards.

Durant tries to lead the 23rd-ranked Longhorns to their sixth victory in seven contests Saturday when they make their first trip here since 1948 to play Villanova.

A 6-9 freshman, Durant is averaging 34.0 points and 13.5 rebounds in his last four games. He is shooting 54.1 percent (46-of-85) from the floor, including 12-of-28 3-pointers, and has made 32-of-36 free throws during that stretch.

Averaging 24.5 points and 11.rebounds this season, Durant recorded his sixth consecutive double-double for the Longhorns in Tuesday's 105-103 triple-overtime loss at Oklahoma State.

Durant tied the school's single-game scoring mark for freshmen with 37 points. He also grabbed 12 rebounds and blocked four shots.

The Wildcats get a break from Big East Conference play, where they are 2-3. They have lost three of their last five overall.

Villanova recorded its second-highest point total of the campaign with Wednesday's 102-87 victory over Notre Dame. Freshman Scottie Reynolds scored a season-high 27 points, Curtis Sumpter added 21 and Dante Cunningham a career-best 19 for the Wildcats.

Texas has won the only previous matchup against Villanova, 58-55, on January 14, 2006. However, the Wildcats won all five home games at the Wachovia Center last season.