C.L. Brown, ESPN Staff Writer 7y

Kansas is playing in a gear few, if any, can match

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The play that epitomized Kansas' 98-66 win over Purdue on Thursday had little to do with the outcome, but it perfectly explained the game.

There was Jayhawks freshman Josh Jackson jumping higher, reaching farther and snatching a rebound with one hand, despite Purdue's Dakota Mathias frantically tugging on Jackson's other arm to stop him.

The Jayhawks just play at a higher level. And when it comes to their backcourt and wings, they can tap into a potential that few teams remaining in the NCAA tournament can match.

Oregon will certainly try on Saturday when the two teams, each making a repeat trip to the Elite Eight, face off for a berth in the Final Four.

The Ducks are in for a big challenge after watching Frank Mason III drop 26 points on Purdue. And Jackson posted his first double-double of the postseason, with 15 points and 12 rebounds.

In addition, Devonte Graham, who also had 26 points, is delivering the kind of NCAA performance that links him with some special names. He has now made four 3-pointers in each of the Jayhawks' three tournament games, a first since a young Stephen Curry did the same for Davidson. And Graham is only the fourth player to accomplish the feat, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

While Oregon digests that on film, the Ducks have something else to take into account:

Lagerald Vick's anticipating and stealing a pass to Caleb Swanigan and taking it the distance for a 360-degree dunk.

The Jayhawks are turning their opponents into nothing but highlights.

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