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Frank Martin: South Carolina's 'got the courage of a lion'

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

South Carolina completed one of the most unexpected runs to the Final Four in recent memory with a 77-70 win over Florida in the Elite Eight on Sunday, and head coach Frank Martin was filled with emotion following the victory.

The fiery coach has been at the helm of the Gamecocks for five years after five seasons as the head coach at Kansas State, but will be making his first trip to the Final Four. Despite what the victory might mean to him personally, Martin gave all the credit to his players and lavished them with praise.

"It's all these guys. They've been with us for a while, they believed in each other, they put up with me and go out and do it better the next day," Martin said on the broadcast after the win. "They've got the courage of a lion."

Martin is well known for his thunderous outbursts and almost demonic presence on the sideline, but he's also shown a tender side when the game clock isn't running. Next up his Gamecocks will try and earn a shot at the national title when they take on Gonzaga in Saturday's Final Four.

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