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Durant, Texas look for consistency in second round vs. USC

Mar 18, 2007 - 3:06 PM No. 5 USC (24-11) at No. 4 Texas (24-9) 5:20 pm EDT

SPOKANE, Washington (Ticker) -- Texas's supporting cast helped it advance past a tough first-round opponent. But freshman sensation Kevin Durant can't afford another second-half disappearing act.

After a quiet night for his lofty standards, Durant will look to rev up his offensive game when the fourth-seeded Longhorns take on No. 5 Southern California in a second-round matchup in the East Region.

The winner will meet top-seed North Carolina in the regional semifinals.

One of five finalists for the Oscar Robertson Trophy (USBWA National Player of the Year), Durant has already been tabbed the National Player of the Year by ESPN.com, SI.com and The Sporting News.

On Friday, Durant scored 27 points, but the projected lottery pick was absent for most of the second half as Texas held off No. 13 New Mexico State, 79-67. Freshman D.J. Augustin scored 19 points and A.J. Abrams added 16.

Durant failed to score a field goal for nearly 12 minutes in the second half as the upset-minded Aggies charged back from a 14-point halftime deficit to go ahead, 60-57, with just over 6 1/2 minutes left.

The Longhorns responded with a 18-6 run, including eight points from Durant - all on free throws - to secure the victory. With another win, Texas would advance to the regional semifinals for the fifth time in six seasons.

However, it will need to be clicking on all cylinders when they face the Trojans, who routed Arkansas, 77-60, on Friday. Freshman Taj Gibson had 18 points, nine rebounds and three blocked shots.

Much of USC's success all season has hinged on their perimeter attack, led by swingman Nick Young and guards Lodrick Stewart and Gabe Pruitt. Leading scorer Young delivered with 20 points but it was the surprising contribution of Gibson that help the Trojans control the game throughout.

The teams have split eight all-time meetings but have not met since USC posted an 84-62 win on December 5, 1985.