Gut feeling on this one...np time for write up....I'm here covering Final Four in Phoenix.

UPDATE- Frank Martin has these guys playing a confident brand of basketball that continued to gain steam in win vs. SEC rival Florida.  Thornwell had been suspended early in the season and was in danger of being booted off the team.

After taking care of some off the court obligations for Martin he came back and emerged as a leader.  This team got a major break as a seven seed by getting their first two games in their backyard in Greenville South Carolina.  The crowd carried them to their second half 65-point performance in the win over Duke.  There were many games this season the Gamecocks didn't hit that 65 point plateau for the game.

Martin has realized that Dozier and Notice are better attacking than just sitting back playing defense.  Although the Zags blew out Xavier they know they were pretty lucky to get past West Virginia, another team that plays great defense like the Gamecocks they deserve to be here.  Mark Few has done a great job getting the Zags ready for each game.  Gonzaga is a solid defensive team and if Karnowski stays out of foul trouble the Zags have a better chance to win and cover.  With the Gamecocks pounding of the offensive glass collectively there is a good chance to get the Big man in early foul trouble and then the Gamecocks can really attack the glass which would be a major advantage.  I think Thornwell and Nigel Williams-Goss are the keys.  Whichever guy plays better, that team will win.  For South Carolina, as long as Thornwell has his usual type performance they will cover the 7 points.