NO. 1 GONZAGA (36-1) vs. NO. 7 SOUTH CAROLINA (26-10)

Where: University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Ariz. When: 3:09 p.m. TV/Radio: KLAS-8; KWWN (1100 AM, 100.9 FM). Series: First meeting. Final Four history: Gonzaga and South Carolina are both making their first trip to the national semifinals.

How they got here: As the top seed out of the West Region, Gonzaga eliminated South Dakota State, Northwestern, West Virginia and Xavier, with the closest call a 61-58 victory against the Mountaineers in the Sweet 16. South Carolina is a living, breathing, kicking Cinderella in March. Champions of the East Region, it beat Marquette before taking out higher seeds in No. 2 Duke, No. 3 Baylor and No. 4 Florida.

Backcourt: Here’s the thing — Gonzaga has a bunch of guys who can make 3-pointers (its four primary perimeter players all have at least 40 this season), and South Carolina is really good defending from deep, limiting opponents to the eighth-lowest percentage nationally. Look for the Gamecocks to be physical in fighting over screens and not going under them to allow uncontested jumpers.

Sindarius Thornwell (21.6 ppg, 7.2 rpg) is the SEC Player of the Year, and no one arrived in Arizona playing at a higher level than the South Carolina senior.

Gonzaga goes as does the play of junior point guard Nigel Williams-Goss, the Findlay Prep product whose leadership has been stellar all season. The key could come from supporting players, be it Josh Perkins and Jordan Matthews making 3s for the Zags or Duane Notice and PJ Dozier limiting such chances for the Gamecocks. Edge: South Carolina.

Frontcourt: You can assume much of the point spread that favors Gonzaga by 6 1/2 trends in the direction of the trees, given the presence of 7-footers Prezmek Karnowski and Bishop Gorman alumnus Zach Collins. You figure South Carolina will have few answers to slow the Zags inside and would need terrific efforts from the starting frontcourt of Maik Kotsar and Chris Silva to do so.

There is also Johnathan Williams, who played well enough for Gonzaga in San Jose last week to be named the West Region’s Most Outstanding Player. If the Zags control tempo and force South Carolina to play big, it won’t be good news for the Gamecocks. Edge: Gonzaga.

Possible unsung hero: Rakym Felder, South Carolina. He is a 5-10 freshman point guard who comes off the bench and shoots with range. It will take all of South Carolina’s defensive skill to slow the Zags’ backcourt, and Felder’s energy could prove big when chasing shooters.

Did you know?: This is the third SEC team the Zags have played this season. Gonzaga beat Florida (77-72) and Tennessee (86-76).

Key stat: Adjustments? In four tournament wins, South Carolina has outscored opponents 194-142 in the second half.

Quote to note: “We’re fine. Guys from Northwestern said we should have been nervous. Guys from West Virginia said we should have been nervous. Guys from Xavier said we should have been nervous. We’re not nervous. We’re just going out there and we’re going out to play.” — Gonzaga senior guard Jordan Mathews.

Bottom line: Lost in all the talk about South Carolina’s defense — and it is really good — is the fact Gonzaga offers the country’s top-rated defensive efficiency side.

This has the feel of Gonzaga-West Virginia in the Sweet 16, a game destined to be close but one we can’t see the Zags losing. In the end, the edge for Gonzaga up front seems too much.

Prediction: Gonzaga 70, South Carolina 66. sippi State’s diminutive point guard to end the historic streak.

William hit a 15-footer to cap it, moments after a replay review awarded UConn two free throws for a flagrant 1 foul call that tied the game with 26.6 seconds left.

“I live for moments like this,” William said. “UConn, they’re an incredible team. For me to make that shot against them, it’s unbelievable. I’m still in shock right now. I wanted to take the shot. I wanted to take the shot and I made it.”

The Bulldogs (34-4) will play South Carolina for the national championship Sunday in a matchup of two Southeastern Conference teams.

Mississippi State and UConn met in