TODAY

NO. 2 TEXAS VS. NO. 4 LOUISIANA STATE

* Time: 1:40 p.m. PST.

* The Buzz: An intriguing matchup of athletic inside power and savvy, experienced guards will be staged at the Georgia Dome. Louisiana State features Glen “Big Baby” Davis, a 6-foot-9, 310-pound forward, and rapidly advancing freshman Tyrus Thomas, who threw Duke’s offense into disarray with five blocked shots. Texas has relentless 6-10 sophomore LaMarcus Aldridge and powerful P.J. Tucker, who match Davis and Thomas in rebounding ability and athleticism. Aldridge sat out last year’s NCAA tournament because of a hip injury, and Tucker sat out because of academic ineligibility. Two senior guards -- Darrel Mitchell for Louisiana State and Kenton Paulino for Texas -- each have made game-winning shots -- Mitchell against Texas A&M; and Paulino against West Virginia -- in the final seconds of tournament games.

--DIANE PUCIN