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          Men's College Basketball Blog

          Ducks get it done on defense to advance to Final Four

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          Oregon's Bell: I try to block every shot I can (1:10)

          After recording eight blocks in the Ducks' victory over Kansas in the Midwest Regional Final, Jordan Bell explains his technique and how the Oregon men have been inspired by the run made by the Oregon women in the NCAA tournament. (1:10)

          KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Kansas, stuck in scramble mode and desperately trying to rally, got out on a fast break, and a kick ahead to Landen Lucas appeared to be set for an easy layup.

          Then came Jordan Bell.

          The 6-foot-9 junior forward blocked Lucas’ attempt, and when Devonte' Graham recovered the loose ball, he took a shot from four feet and came up about one foot short, intimidated by Bell’s presence. Bell blocked eight shots, a school NCAA tournament game record.

          Oregon’s defense made it that kind of night for the Jayhawks, and the Ducks advanced to their first Final Four in 77 years with a 74-60 win in the Midwest Regional final.

          Kansas had scored more than 90 points in each of its three NCAA tournament games. But the Ducks held the Jayhawks to a season-low total by using a mix of zone and man-to-man and watching them shoot just 1-of-15 from 3-point range in the second half.

          Graham had made at least one 3-pointer in 22 straight games, going back to an 0-for-3 performance against UNLV on Dec. 22. Graham had made at least four 3s in each tournament game, one of only four players to ever achieve that, according to ESPN Stats & Information. On Saturday, he went 0-for-6.

          Kansas guard Frank Mason III scored a team-high 21 points but needed 20 attempts to get there.

          Now the Ducks will take their defense to Glendale, Arizona, and their first Final Four appearance since winning the inaugural NCAA tournament in 1939.