South Carolina lost to Gonzaga in the Final Four on Saturday, but Gamecocks head coach Frank Martin believes his players are still winners. He explained why in his interview with CBS, and again in his postgame press conference that aired on ESPN News.

Martin was emotional when he gave his answer both times.

In the press conference, he was asked what he has to say to the kids who are fans of the team. Martin took his time with his reply, while trying to hold back tears:

"There's something powerful when you impact others, and what these kids have done is pretty special. When you get people to travel across the country by the masses because they believe in what you do, it's powerful stuff, and they've impacted our community in an unbelievable way, which is worth so much more than the score of a game. It's what it's all about.

"These kids are great role models. There's a lot of young kids that want to be the next Sindarius Thornwell, Justin McKie. I don't get to coach them anymore, but they're part of my life forever."

Prior to the presser, Martin was asked what he said to his players after the tough loss. He again talked about the impact his team has had on their community.

"People keep score when you play games 35, 36, 37 times a year. Sometimes you win, sometimes you don't. That score eventually goes away. When you impact people by the masses the way these kids have, that means you're a winner as a human being and that's what matters.

"When we get home and they realize what they've done in our community, their hearts will open up with joy. The pain of losing a game eventually goes away."

The Gamecocks may have been knocked out of the tournament, but it's great that they have a coach like Frank Martin to remind them to be proud of how many they've inspired in their improbable run to the Final Four.

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