Elite 8 preview: No. 4 Florida faces No. 7 South Carolina in SEC showdown
USA TODAY Sports breaks down the East Regional final.
No. 4 Florida vs. No. 7 South Carolina
Time, TV: 2:20 p.m. ET, CBS. Site: New York.
► Why Florida (27-8) will win: March magic. The Gators just won a game with a one-handed three-point floater to beat the buzzer in overtime. You think they’re done with this NCAA tournament just yet? Think again. The Sweet 16 hero, Chris Chiozza, will carry momentum into this game, too, as will KeVaughn Allen, who’s coming off a 35-point performance against Wisconsin.
► Why South Carolina (25-10) will win: Defense. Have you seen how stifling the Gamecocks are? How they frustrate opponents to no end, forcing them to take shots they’d rather not take and know won’t go in? It’s not the prettiest way to win basketball games, coach Frank Martin concedes, but South Carolina loves it because it works. Helps to have Sindarius Thornwell on the offensive end, too, by the way.
TV GUIDE: Previewing Sunday's Elite Eight games
MAKING MARK:Florida's Mike White steps out of Donovan's shadow
GATORS HERO:Chiozza 'heard from everyone' after game-winner
RUN CONTINUES:South Carolina routs Baylor to reach Elite Eight
PHOTOS: ELITE EIGHT OF THE NCAA TOURNAMENT
