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USA TODAY Sports’ Nicole Auerbach recaps how Florida and South Carolina won in Friday’s NCAA tournament games.
USA TODAY Sports

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 GUIDEPreviewing 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

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