The South Carolina Gamecocks earned their first-ever trip to the men's Final Four, beating SEC rival Florida 77-70 in New York's famed Madison Square Garden. The win now pits them against top-seed Gonzaga (36-1) next Friday (April 1st) in Glendale, Arizona at Universit of Phoenix Stadium.
Senior guard Sindarius Thornwell led all scorers with 26 points.
USC and Oregon were the only two programs with teams in both the men's and women's "Elite 8," and the SC women play tomorrow night against Florida State for their shot at another bid to the women's Final Four, held this year in Dallas.
What a roll the state of South Carolina's been on, regarding NCAA athletics triumphs. The Gamecocks' baseball program won College World Series titles in 2010 and 2011; the women's basketball team reached the Final Four in 2015 (and may well again, tomorrow); Coastal Carolina's Chants are the reigning College World Series champions and Clemon's football team is the reigning champions, as well. Now the Carolina men are two wins away from winning the national title in men's basketball.
More from ABC 15/WPDE's Mark Haggard on the men's triumph today HERE!