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South Carolina a Cinderella and a Breakdown of Each Final Four Team

By Matthew Bartlett

Mar 31, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Frank Martin on the phone at center court during practice for the 2017 Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 31, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Frank Martin on the phone at center court during practice for the 2017 Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Final Four, March Madness
Mar 26, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Luke Maye (32) reacts with guard Joel Berry II (2) and forward Kennedy Meeks (behind) after making a basket with .3 seconds left against the Kentucky Wildcats in the second half during the finals of the South Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. North Carolina won 75-73. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /

1 Seed – North Carolina Tarheels

A year after a gut wrenching loss to Villanova in the Championship Game, coach Roy Williams has North Carolina one game away from returning to the championship. The Tarheels were the most popular pick to cut down the nets in Glendale, and for good reason. North Carolina finished 27-7 in the ACC, a conference that put nine teams into the field of 68.

Now only one ACC squad remains, and they won’t be an easy out for anyone. The ‘Heels are extremely balanced on both sides of the court and one of the best shooting teams in the nation, averaging better than 47 percent shooting from the field.

They have four players averaging double digit points per game including junior guard Joel Berry II who is having himself quite the tournament, at least until an ankle injury flared up in the Sweet 16. In spite of a hobbled ankle he still managed 11 points in their Elite 8 victory over Kentucky.

With so many new faces in this year’s final four, only North Carolina can claim that they’ve “been here and done it” before. Experience, especially in a sport with as much turnover as college basketball, can make the difference late in games. How much of a difference still remains to be seen. We’ll find out when they take on Oregon in the Final Four.