(2) Texas 75, (10)NC State 54

Due to some early foul-trouble the Longhorns' clutch players rode the bench for a total of 20-minutes, but "deep in the heart of Texas" freshman guard AJ Abrams rose to the challenge to fend of the Wolfpack scoring 16-points to lead Texas to their 20th win in 24 games. (Texas lost to Duke by 33-points in the regular season and their next game to Tennessee by 17-points in December.) Although Gibson and Paulino were plagued with fouls and had limited playing time; Gibson put 17-points on the board and Paulino had 8-points.