March 24, 2007

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) - Brandan Wright and top-seeded North Carolina almost waited too long to make their move.

Down by 16 points early in the second half, the Tar Heels suddenly shifted into another gear and startled Southern California 74-64 Friday night in the East Regional semifinals.

Despite off games by Tyler Hansbrough and Ty Lawson, the Tar Heels (31-6) saved themselves and set up a regional final for college basketball fans to savor: North Carolina vs. Georgetown, a rematch of the 1982 championship game that Michael Jordan won in the closing seconds.

Fifth-seeded USC (25-12) was putting on a dunking exhibition and led 49-33 with 17:42 left before it all fell apart. Trojans coach Tim Floyd threw his program onto the court after a call in the final minute, and was whistled for a technical foul.

By then, Wright and his teammates had already done plenty to frustrate Floyd's team.

Wright scored two straight baskets on offensive rebounds to get the Tar Heels within 57-49, then the freshman was a key part of a 13-0 that put them ahead for the first time since the opening minute.

North Carolina reached the round of eight for the second time under coach Roy Williams, who won the 2005 title with the Tar Heels. Earlier at the Meadowlands, Georgetown beat Vanderbilt 66-65 on a last-second shot.

Wright finished with 21 points and nine rebounds. He somehow offset Hansbrough's 1-for-6 shooting for five points and Lawson's four points.

Freshman Taj Gibson had 16 points and 12 rebounds for the Trojans.