How have first-time Final Four teams fared since 1985? NCAA.com

CHAMPS

PRESENTED BY PHOENIX, Ariz. – No time like the first time, is there? So welcome to Gonzaga and South Carolina, excited rookies at this Final Four business, having never been here or done this. What you wonder is how much that will matter. Maryland in 2001 . . . had 10 losses but stormed into its first Final Four and jumped to a 39-17 lead on Duke. So much for stage fright. Alas, the Terrapins ended up losing 95-84, to be on the wrong end of the greatest comeback in Final Four history. They'd be back the next year and do it right. Georgia Tech in 1990 . . . took a wild ride to its first Final Four; 94-91 over LSU, 81-80 in overtime over Michigan State, 93-91 over Minnesota. The Yellow Jackets led UNLV by seven at halftime, before the Rebels answered and won 90-81. They’d do a lot worse to Duke two days later. South Carolina’s Martin: “I’m a big believer that experience helps you for the next time you’re in the same situation on how to manage everything that leads up to the game. Once the game starts, I think everything is irrelevant. Everyone’s nervous. I don’t care, you can play in the national championship game nine years in a row, if you go the 10th time, you’re going to be nervous before the ball goes up in the air. There’s no such thing as not being nervous for a game.”

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