NCAA Basketball: Most memorable NCAA Tournament runs of last decade

NCAA Basketball: 10 most memorable NCAA Tournament runs of last decade

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MARCH 16: A view of the official game basketball during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament between the Arizona Wildcats and the North Dakota Fighting Sioux at Vivint Smart Home Arena on March 16, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

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GREENVILLE, SC – MARCH 19: Sindarius Thornwell #0 of the South Carolina Gamecocks reacts in the second half against the Duke Blue Devils during the second round of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on March 19, 2017 in Greenville, South Carolina. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

9. 2017 South Carolina (SEC, 26-11, 7 Seed) Final Four

Not many high-majors have shocked the nation like South Carolina did when they danced all the way to the Final Four in 2017. The entire season, the Gamecocks were near the top of the SEC for the first time in a while, ultimately finishing 5th.

Despite strong performances in the regular season, many out there did not give South Carolina much credit entering the tournament. With so many unsure of the Gamecocks, and a first round matchup with Marquette, it was thought they might go one and done. Contrary to those thoughts, South Carolina came out strong, obliterating Marquette 93-73 behind a 29 pt./11 reb. double-double by Senior Guard Sindarius Thornwell.

In the Second Round, the Gamecocks matched up against #2 seed Duke. After an abysmal first half of scoring only 23 points and being down 32-23, it seemed as if they were done. To the shock of many, they got into a magnificent offensive rhythm in the second half, scoring 65 points and doing just enough to gain the 88-82 victory over the Blue Devils.

In the Duke game, the storyline was the senior leadership of Thornwell and Guard Duane Notice, as well as the clutch playmaking by sophomores Chris Silva and P.J. Dozier.

In the Sweet 16, The Gamecocks kept the fire alive, routing Baylor 70-50. While the offense was able to stay hot once again, the remarkable defense and the fact that they were able to hold the high-octane Baylor offense to 50 points were the main stories of the game.

The Elite 8 brought South Carolina face to face with SEC rival, Florida. Sindarius Thornwell stepped up once again, this time dropping 29 points to give them the 77-70 victory and send them to the Final Four.

The Final Four meant a date with #1 seed Gonzaga. The Gamecocks hung tough, even finding themselves down 65-51 with 11 minutes to play, but did just enough to go on a 16 point run to briefly grab the lead. In the end, the Gamecocks were just out-muscled, falling 77-73 in an instant classic.

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