by Rick Gagliano | 3/23/06

Preview: (6) West Virginia (22-10) vs. (2) Texas (29-6)
Atlanta Regional Semi-finals. 9:40 p. m. ET
Favorite: Texas -5

Texas has youth and power inside. West Virginia's outside shooting will have to be on target, but the Mountaineers may prove to be better defensively, especially in the backcourt. If that's the case, WVU may get the upset. They will be a tough out for the Longhorns no matter what. Watch Gansey for WVU. If he gets hot, the rest of the team seems to feed off him.

I like West Virginia. Big Ed Schultz went with Texas.

Half time update: Texas 39 West Virginia 27

LaMarcus Aldridge was a perfect 8-8 from the floor and his 16 points paced the Longhorns to a healthy lead. Texas shot 64% in the half. The Mountaineers hit on 7 of 18 three-pointers for 21 of their points.

Texas dominated inside and WVU turned the ball over on mental mistakes. They looked almost sleepy at points during the half and their shooting was abysmal. The Longhorns held a sizable advantge on the boards.

Mike Gansey was 1-5 for 5 points. WVU needs to tighten up their play, hit a better percentage of threes and avoid turnovers if they're to have any chance.

Recap: Texas 74 West Virginia 71

Kenton Paulino's buzzer beating three-pointer propelled the Texas Longhorns past the feisty Mountaineers and into the regional finals.

Paced by the stellar inside play of sophomore LaMarcus Aldridge (26 points and 13 rebounds), the Longhorns held off a 2nd half rally by West Virginia in which they hit 6 of their first 11 3's. The Mountaineers took a 3-point lead with 7 minutes remaining when Mike Gansey popped a long three from between the arc and the sideline. Gansey, who tallied only 5 points in the first half, finished with 18 on 6-12 shooting.

But Texas battled down the stretch, owning the interior with a 45-16 rebounding edge for the game, but only led by 3 in the final seconds.

Kevin Pittsnogle, who led WVU with 19 points, tied the game at 71 with his 5th 3-pointer with five seconds remaining.

Texas responded without taking a time out, moving the ball quickly upcourt and into the hands of Paulino, who launched from the left wing as the clock wound down.

Paulino's shot touched only twine as the buzzer sounded and Texas fans rejoiced. Though it was only his second three of the game, it was the one that counted.

Only Aldridge and guard T. J. Tucker scored in double figures for Texas. Tucker added 15 while hauling down a game-leading 14 rebounds.

The Longhorns will face LSU in the Atlanta Regional Final. The Tigers ousted #1 seed Duke, 62-54, earlier in the session.