A year ago the Oregon Ducks had just lost to the Oklahoma Sooners in the Elite Eight, and after returning to Eugene for a quick stop, Oregon's roster disbanded and headed home across the country for spring break.

For Casey Benson, his trip home to Tempe, Arizona was a reminder to where the Ducks were not going last season, but also a motivator for this season.

"I remember last year, I went home in the spring and I was in the airport going down to the escalator and they had the [Final Four] logo and the countdown," Benson said of this year's Final Four in Phoenix. "I took a photo of it and sent it back to a lot of the guys."

"That feeling in the locker room last year, knowing we were so close to the Final Four, where you want to get to. We didn't want to feel that again."

Benson's photo was one of many reminders Oregon used to keep this year's team motivated on the goal of getting back to the Elite Eight, and to then win the game and make the first trip to the Final Four since 1939. The loss to Oklahoma was constantly brought up by Dana Altman and players throughout this season.

"Anytime coach [Dana Altman] felt like the team needed a reminder, he brought up Oklahoma," said assistant coach Mike Mennenga "If the team started letting up, or needed that push, he brought up Oklahoma."

For Benson, the goal of getting to the Final Four carried more importance. A win against Kansas to reach the Final Four completed his goal of playing in front of friends and family. In high school, Benson was the 2014 Arizona Gatorade Player of the Year as a senior. He led Corona Del Sol to three consecutive Division 1 Arizona State Championships as a four-year starter for the powerhouse Arizona high school. Now he gets a chance to play in front of friends and family at the highest stage of college basketball, and he'll do it in front of family members who haven't seen him play in years.

"My grandparents haven't seen me play in a couple years now," Benson said. "I'll be fishing tickets for people, but I think everybody will be using theirs, but I am looking forward to it."

For Benson and the Ducks, they're happy to have made it to the Final Four, but they aren't satisfied and they aren't shocked at how far they've come since the 2014-15 season.

"People have always doubted us. We knew playing for each other, playing for coach, we are going to the Final Four," Benson said. "The first year we were picked 10th, we finished second. Last year we were picked fourth, we won it. This is just the next step."

The next step will also mean Benson gets a chance to play in front of friends and family.