Collins stars for Gonzaga in what could be only NCAA run

Its dancing days may be done for now, but the University of SC men’s basketball team left no doubt this season as to whether the program belonged in the “Big Dance”. The Tar Heels are 14-6-2 ATS in their last 22 neutral site games, 3-0-1 ATS in their last 4 games following a ATS loss and 21-10-1 ATS in their last 32 NCAA Tournament games as a favorite.

Gonzaga and North Carolina have turned their attention toward Monday’s national championship game.

Gary Parrish of CBS Sports also raved about how much he liked Gonzaga’s late game fouling decision.

Williams shook that label in his second season at North Carolina, winning it all in 2004-05 and then came back with another title in 2008-09. “And with six blocks, you know, my career high is seven, but six is still good”.

That much was obvious Saturday night as Meeks went toe-to-toe with Oregon’s Jordan Bell, who won more than one battle thanks to his athleticism, scoring 13 points and grabbing 16 rebounds. “I think they’ve probably got some guys that can get their own shot a little easier than we can”.

The Final Four tips off at 6:09 p.m. this Saturday, the first game being the South Carolina Gamecocks versus the Gonzaga Bulldogs. In the final minute OR trailed 77-71 when Dorsey hit a three-pointer with 45 seconds left to cut the lead the three. Thornwell made the first free throw and missed the second on goal in hopes of his teammates grabbing an offensive rebound. When a game is really close, in the final seconds free throw shots can be forced on a poor foul shooter, instead of allowing the team to get a 3 point shot for the win.

This year’s ‘Zags knew all about their history: the 18 straight trips to the NCAA tournament; the 18 times failing to breakthrough.

Defensively, Berry was able to hide on Payton Pritchard or Casey Benson against or, and he should be fine on Gonzaga’s Josh Perkins. “The different looks we can give you and our attention to detail, too, is one of our biggest strengths”.

Thornwell said the idea was to get in position for one last quick shot.

Freshman Zach Collins delivered 14 points, 13 rebounds and six blocks in 23 minutes as Gonzaga knocked off SC, 77-73.

“I think we’re as relieved as we are excited”, forward Justin Jackson said. At that point, it seemed as though the Zags were going to coast to the title game against the overmatched Gamecocks. “This is the last two games of the season”, Williams-Goss said. Collins’ fellow 7-footer had 13 points and five rebounds against SC. SC (26-11) also won the turnover battle, points off turnovers and fast break points. “We’re one of only two teams playing Monday night”. “And we try to do our best to respond the way we learn how to respond”.

According to ESPN Stats and Info, Meeks joins Larry Bird, Ed O’Bannon, Carmelo Anthony and Danny Manning as the only players to reach 25 points and 14 rebounds in the Final Four over the last 40 years.

“He was just sensational around the basket, not only on the offensive boards but on the defensive boards both”, coach Roy Williams said. “They nearly carried me into the arena”. But, for the reasons just mentioned, he’s never really gotten proper credit because some assume any competent coach would win it all with rosters like those rosters. “I’m sure (Bell) wished he’d boxed out right there”. “And Nigel said the same thing back to me”, he said.

“I’ll have great feelings about this team”. He didn’t get on the board until there was 3 minutes, 7 seconds left in the first half.

UPDATE: This will be a matchup of teams whose similarities go beyond having been top-seeded in their respective regions.

Gonzaga advanced to its first ever appearance in the NCAA Tournament Final. Gonzaga had made three Elite Eights without advancing to the Final Four.