Jayhawks win thriller
OMAHA, NEB. >> Kansas is going back to the Final Four.
It’s hard to argue that Duke shouldn’t be headed there as well after the most riveting show of the NCAA Tournament.
Malik Newman and the top-seeded Jayhawks got past their Elite Eight road block Sunday, knocking off second-seeded Duke 85-81 in overtime to clinch the program’s first trip to the Final Four since 2012.
Newman scored all 13 of the Jayhawks’ points in OT and finished with a career-high 32 to lead Kansas (31-7).
The Jayhawks will face fellow top seed Villanova on Saturday in San Antonio the site of KU’s last title over Memphis in 2008 after snapping a two-game losing skid in the regional finals.
“Everything we’ve been through ... we do it for moments like this,” Kansas star Devonte’ Graham said. “Especially after the
WATCHING THE FINAL FOUR
Saturday: The men’s Final Four games will be broadcast starting with the Loyola-Chicago/Michigan game at 3 p.m., followed by the Kansas/Villanova game 40 minutes after Game 1 ends. The primary broadcast will be on TBS, but there will also be teamspecific coverage for both games.
For the first game, the Michigan TeamCast will be on TNT and the Loyola (IL) TeamCast on truTV.
The second game will have the Kansas TeamCast on TNT, with the Villanova TeamCast on truTV.
last two years, getting over the hump. It just feels (perfect).”
This was college basketball at its best, two blue bloods trading blows for 45 minutes in what was arguably the best game of March so far, one that featured 18 lead changes and 11 ties.
Had Grayson Allen’s bank shot to end regulation gone half an inch in a different direction, it might
be Duke heading to South Texas.
But it didn’t, and instead the Jayhawks are moving on.
“It was an honor to play in this game,” said Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski, who remained tied with UCLA legend John Wooden with 12 Final Four performances. “I think both teams were deserving of winning.”
Newman, a redshirt
sophomore who came on late this season, drilled his fifth and final 3 from the corner to make it 81-78 with 1:49 left.
Newman followed by making four straight free throws, and the Jayhawks’ defense stiffened enough to knock the favored Blue Devils out of the tournament.
Trevon Duval scored 20 points, two shy of a career high, for Duke.