Trojans remember fallen teammate, while looking ahead at Longhorns

Since joining the team in Spokane, Francis has taken on the role of team mom, leisurely chatting with players in the hotel, or in the case of Stewart, stopping him from satisfying a craving for cookies a few nights ago.

"She wouldn't let me get them," Stewart said. "I don't need stuff like that."

While their emotions are with Francis, the Trojans' minds are firmly planted on trying to slow down the Longhorns, who held off New Mexico State 79-67 in the first-round on Friday with another rousing performance by Durant, in his first tournament game.

The Longhorns' star finished with 27 points, scored 15 of those at the free-throw line, and added eight rebounds and three steals. He took just 13 shots, often yielding the floor to the backcourt duo of freshman D.J. Augustin and sophomore A.J. Abrams, who combined for 35 points and eight assists.

Some wondered if 13 shots were too few for Durant, and the 6-foot-9 star should be more selfish.

"That's not how he is. He's always thinking about the team," Augustin said.

Added Durant: "I don't have to have the ball every time down the floor for us to score."

The Trojans were never challenged after the opening minutes of their easy 77-60 first-round win over 12th-seeded Arkansas. Taj Gibson, this year's impact freshman for USC, scored 18 points and is the only Trojans' player with the size and foot-speed to try and match the lanky, multitalented Durant.

The Texas star faced off against Gibson at a summer camp a few years ago. When he caught wind that the Brooklyn native was excelling during his first season on the West Coast, Durant began tracking his progress.

He didn't realize their paths would merge.

"He's long and athletic like me. He's going to be a tough matchup," Durant said. "He's gotten a lot better. ... He can do a lot of different things on the court."