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Updated 2017 NCAA Tournament bracket: Gonzaga advances to title game

By Cody Williams

Apr 1, 2017; Glendale, AZ, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs players celebrate after defeating the South Carolina Gamecocks in the semifinals of the 2017 NCAA Men's Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 1, 2017; Glendale, AZ, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs players celebrate after defeating the South Carolina Gamecocks in the semifinals of the 2017 NCAA Men's Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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An updated 2017 NCAA Tournament bracket after the Gonzaga Bulldogs advanced in the Final Four to the National Championship Game

The Gonzaga Bulldogs had never been to the Final Four. Despite becoming a fixture in the top-25 polls under head coach Mark Few’s tenure, the Zags had never gotten over the hump. But led by Nigel Williams-Goss, Przemek Karnowski and even freshman Zach Collins, they’d done so this season. And on Saturday night, they had only to get past this year’s cinderella, the South Carolina Gamecocks, to be playing for their first title.

In the first half, the Bulldogs pulled ahead of the Gamecocks late. They had been evenly matched for much of the first 20 minutes, both playing at a fast pace and scoring quite well. However, the lack of scoring from Sindarius Thornwell was hard for South Carolina to overcome. And even with Gonzaga being without their big man, Karnowski, to end the half, they still took a nine-point lead into the locker room.

Coming out of halftime, though, the Zags had to know that a run was coming. Frank Martin’s team had made numerous comebacks in the tournament, much less throughout the season. And sure enough, they started piecing one together. Nearing the final TV timeout, they cranked up the pressure defensively and found a rhythm on the other end. Subsequently, they were able to tie it up and make it a back-and-forth affair down the stretch.

Tied at 67, though, Gonzaga made their final push. They were able to get two big buckets and two big stops to jump ahead by five. South Carolina then couldn’t find the stops, buckets or combination of the two that they needed. Thus, free throws with under three seconds left on the clock clinched it. In their first-ever Final Four, the Bulldogs are headed to the title game.

Now that Gonzaga has advanced to the National Championship Game, let’s take a look at the updated 2017 NCAA Tournament bracket:

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Now in the first title game in program history, Gonzaga will face the winner of the North Carolina vs. Oregon matchup following their game in Phoenix. Either way, the Zags might just be a team of destiny in 2017.

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