"They told me they had horses." That's how Utah State senior Bernard Rock explains how he was convinced to move at age 13 from 140th Street and Eighth Avenue in New York City to a ranch in Arizona. Today he rode the 12th-seeded Aggies to a 77-68 upset of fifth-seeded Ohio State in Greensboro.

The diminutive point guard, who scored 18 big points against the Buckeyes, sports as much graffiti as his old 'hood. He has eight tattoos, including a Yankees "NY", and two piercings (navel and tongue); he writes the initials of his two sons on his taped ankles and wrist. The bearer of a most fortunate hoops name, Rock played for Riverside Church before following a cousin west to live and ride. "When they told me they had horses," says Rock, who wouldn't mind owning a white tiger someday, "I said, 'I'm there.' "

Rock's adjustment to country life was slow. He says he initially had trouble sleeping. It was too quiet.

Part of Utah State's "Rock and Rolle" tandem last season, Bernard struggled in the Aggies' NCAA first-round loss to then-defending champ UConn, hitting just one shot. Today, he went 7-for-10, slicing through OSU's D at will. After hitting two free throws to seal the OT win and talking to CBS, Rock bounced off the floor and through the hallway.

"Hell yeah, baby!" he yelled, pogo-ing through reporters. When he reached the Aggies' locker room, he opened the door. And just screamed.