GLENDALE, Ariz. _ Gonzaga junior Nigel Williams-Goss had heard every insult _ and seemed to remember them all.
"They were making comments that we were the most nervous team in the tournament," Williams-Goss said of the team's critics. "We just heard everything this year. We've heard the conference (is weak). We've heard we haven't played tight games. That we're not tough. We've heard everything."
The top-seeded Bulldogs must have believers now after assuring itself a trip to its first championship game with a 77-73 Final Four victory Saturday night against No. 7-seed South Carolina at the University of Phoenix Stadium.
Gonzaga will play the winner of the late Final Four game between top-seeded North Carolina and No. 3-seed Oregon here Monday night.
"To be playing the last game of the year is just crazy cool," said coach Mark Few, who performed a celebratory handstand in the locker room.
All Gonzaga (37-1) had to overcome in the Final Four was a gruesome eye injury, lost momentum from relinquishing a 14-point lead, its toughest defensive opponent and three of its best players teetering on the edge of fouling out in the final minutes.
Of course, the Bulldogs also were faced with the historical mountain of having never played in a Final Four game either.
But the 'Zags prevailed, beating fellow Final Four novice South Carolina.
"You have 37 wins in a college season, I mean that's just unbelievable," said Williams-Goss, who scored a game-high 23 points. "We have a chance to play for it all. And we're here to win it."
The Bulldogs held off a furious rally as South Carolina used a 16-0 run to overcome a 14-point deficit. But the Gamecocks' lead lasted less than 30 seconds as Gonzaga responded with a 7-0 run.
'Zags center Przemek Karnowski writhed in pain on the court in the first half after Chris Silva poked him in the right eye while block a shot. He said his vision blurred but improved after he returned to the court in the second half.
Despite this Final Four being dubbed as one devoid of one-and-done talent, Gonzaga freshman forward Zach Collins was brilliant. Before the game, he said he told roommate Williams-Goss, "I wouldn't want to be playing against me today."
South Carolina got that message.
Collins earned his first career double-double _ something he had been craving all season _ with 14 points and 13 rebounds. His impact was even larger with six blocks.
"He walked the walk," Williams-Goss said.
South Carolina guard Sindarius Thornwell had become a star of the tournament with his dazzling offense but battled illness earlier this week. He managed 15 points on just 4-of-12 shooting. PJ Dozier led the Gamecocks with 17 points.
