GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) – Oregon kept misfiring from long range. Its top two scorers were nonfactors most of the night. The turnovers flew in every direction.
Somehow, through all the adversity, the Ducks had multiple chances to knock off the Tar Heels and reach national title game.
They fumbled those away in a rash of bad shots, poor decisions and an inexplicable inability to secure rebounds on missed free throws.
Oregon struggled shooting from the perimeter and gave up two offensive rebounds on missed free throws in the final 6 seconds, leading to a disheartening 77-76 loss to North Carolina in the Final Four on Saturday night.
“A close loss like this drives coaches crazy, drives players crazy because you think about every little thing,” Oregon coach Dana Altman said.