Kansas stuns No. 2 Duke in OT, reaches Final 4

OMAHA, Nebraska – 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 topseeded 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.

The Villanova Wildcats trounced the Texas Tech side, 71-59, in a cold-shooting East regional championship to send the former back to the Final Four for the second time in three years.

“The underdog mentally, they may have it. But, honestly, they believe they’re good. That’s why they’re in that position. That’s (also) why we’re in that position,” Villanova guard Jalen Brunson said. “We’re a good team, and we believe we can keep getting better.”

The other semis pairing pits 11th-seeded Loyola-Chicago against No. 3 Michigan on Saturday in San Antonio.

“Everything we’ve been through... we do it for moments like this,” Kansas star Devonte’ Graham said. “Especially after the 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.