As usual, the 2017 NCAA Tournament has been an unpredictable one, but there’s one thing we do know: Someone will be making their first national title game appearance in school history.
7-seed South Carolina will play 1-seed Gonzaga on Saturday, April 1 at 6:09 EST on CBS.
The South Carolina Gamecocks and Gonzaga Bulldogs are each making their first Final Four appearances, but they took much different roads to get here.
Before beating Xavier in the Elite 8, Gonzaga was tied with the Musketeers with 27 all-time NCAA Tournament wins, the most for any schools that have never made a Final Four. Now Xavier has that title to themselves.
More from South Carolina Gamecocks
- North Carolina beats South Carolina as Gamecocks struggle to block
- North Carolina vs South Carolina: Week 1 Lines, Preview & Predictions
- North Carolina vs. South Carolina: 2023 Week 1 SEC football game preview
- Florida vs. South Carolina: 2023 Gainesville Super Regional preview, prediction
- 2023 NBA Draft Preview: South Carolina PF Gregory “G.G.” Jackson
What you need to know about Gonzaga
Don’t let the small conference reputation fool you, the Zags are legit.
The Bulldogs came into this tournament with a 32-1 record with their sights set on Final Four or bust. Gonzaga already had the reputation of a team that can’t win in March, so if they weren’t able to make a run to the Final Four with possibly the best team Mark Few has ever had, you would wonder if it was ever going to happen.
Gonzaga held off a great second half comeback by Northwestern to advance passed the second round. Then in the Sweet 16 they won a tough game against West Virginia, or should I say Press Virginia.
But the Elite 8 is where most people saw the Zags tripping up against the Pac 12-champion Arizona Wildcats. But Xavier took care of them in the Sweet 16, and Gonzaga blew out the 11-seed Musketeers in the Elite 8.
But despite their first ever Final Four run, there are still plenty of Gonzaga doubters out there.
The Zags have size, they have shooters, and they’re led by WCC Player of the Year Nigel Williams-Goss. In the tournament Williams-Goss is averaging 15.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 2 steals.
Tale of the Tape
Gonzaga / South Carolina
83.2 (14th) – PTS – 73.2 (178th)
60.9 (5th) – PA – 64.9 (31st)
50.9 (2nd) – FG% – 42.1 (290th)
36.5 (2nd) – Opp FG% – 39.8 (15th)
40.5 (7th) – REB – 36.3 (139th)
15.4 (62nd) – AST – 12.6 (235th)
11.4 (43rd) – TO – 13.2 (194th)
On paper, Gonzaga has all the advantages, but basketball isn’t played on paper.
The two most difficult things to face when it comes tourney time are talent and confidence. The Gamecocks are playing looser than any team left in the tournament. And after wins over 2-seed Duke, 3-seed Baylor, and 4-seed Florida, there is no one that’s more confident.
They’ll also be facing the best player remaining in the tournament in Sindarius Thornwell. Thornwell’s 22.5 points per game since January are the most among players from major conferences.
He’s also the third player in NCAA Tournament history to score 100 points and lead a 6-seed or lower to the the Final Four, joining Billy Donovan and Danny Manning.
On Saturday we’ll find out just how much magic the Gamecocks have left.