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Duke and NC State play Monday night at 7 PM on ESPN. Duke recently beat Miami Saturday night in Durham by mixing up lineups in the second half. Jeff Capel started Frank Jackson, Matt Jones instead of Grayson Allen, and Luke Kennard resulting in a 22-1 run to start the second half.

Duke has a quick turnaround to be ready for Monday night’s game aginst NC State. What are some things Duke has done to find success this season? Luke Kennard has been steady offensively averaging 19.7 PPG while shooting 52% from the field as well as 44% from three. In addition to Kennard, offensively Duke likes to push the pace with a drive and kick strategy. Teams struggle to slow down this attack because of Duke’s well-rounded perimeter players.

Defensively, the Blue Devils play an intense man to man defense, featuring heavy ball pressure. Their defense and rebounding took a hit with Amile Jefferson missing games with a foot injury; however, he returned aginst Miami and played 34 minutes grabbing 12 rebounds. Jefferson’s presence on the court is a must for Duke, as he gives them experience, leadership, and toughness.

Jeff Capel decided to put his mark on this team while they await Coach K’s return by mixing up lineups. He was non-committal in the starting lineup for Monday night’s game. Duke has a combination of youth, talent, and experience that few teams in the NCAA have. It will be interesting to see what combinations Capel puts together aginst the Wolfpack.

This season has been a test riddled with controversy, adversity, and injuries. Grayson Allen has been in the headlines for the wrong reasons. Coach K has missed several weeks due to back surgery. Only four games has Duke had a full compliment of players due to injury and suspensions. These issues have hindered their growth, putting them behind where many thought this team would be at this point in the season.

After all of the adversity, this team looks to be getting back on track after a strong second half showing at home over Miami. They got back to their trademark hard-nosed defense that fuels their offense. The Blue Devils decided in the second half they were not going to lose anymore. Monday night Duke will be ready to build upon the second half where they forced turnovers and shot 66% from the field. Game time is at 7 o’clock with coverage on ESPN.

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WolfPack
WolfPack
7 years ago

We need to know ourselves first period

NC State Basketball

An NC State Win Over Marquette in the Sweet 16 Would Be…

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Awesome. Obviously.

#11 seed NC State will play #2 seed Marquette tomorrow night in the Sweet 16. What would a win mean for the Wolfpack? Many things, but here’s just a few:

It would give NC State 25 wins on the year (25-14), which would be the most wins since 1982-83, when the Wolfpack went 26-10, winning the National Championship.

It would mark the 12th time in school history that NC State has won 25+ games in a single season.

1982-83 – 26-10 

1973-74 – 30-1 

1972-73 – 27-0 

1954-55 – 28-4 

1953-54 – 26-7

1952-53 – 26-6 

1950-51 – 30-7 

1949-50 – 27-6 

1948-49 – 25-8 

1947-48 – 29-3

1946-47- 26-5

It would be the 7th time NC State has advanced to the Elite 8 in the NCAA Tournament.

1950

1951

1974

1983

1985

1986

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NC State Basketball

NC State has Won 5 ACC Championships this Year

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NC State has won 5 ACC Championships this year, which is the most of any athletic program in the conference this year.

The Wolfpack has won ACC Titles in Women’s Cross Country, Men’s Swimming & Diving, Wrestling, Men’s Basketball and Gymnastics.

The last time NC State won 5 ACC Championships in one year was 1979-80.

As far as I can tell, here’s a look at the Wolfpack Conference Titles from 1979-80:

Football
Women’s Basketball
Women’s Cross Country
Men’s Swimming & Diving
Men’s Tennis

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NC State Basketball

NC State is 1 of 4 Schools to Have Both Men & Women’s Basketball Teams in Sweet 16

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NC State is 1 of 4 schools to have their Men and Women’s Basketball teams BOTH advance to the Sweet 16, along with Duke, Gonzaga and UCONN.

NC State and Duke are the only two schools in the country to send both Basketball teams to the Sweet 16, and also send the Football team to a bowl game.

This marks only the third time in school history that BOTH teams made the Sweet 16.

Years NC State’s Men & Women’s Teams Made the Sweet 16

1985
1989
2024

Despite the fact that the Men’s team has made the Elite 8 six times (1950, 1951, 1974, 1983, 1985, 1986), and the Women have made it 2 times (1998 & 2022), in the three occasions they both went to the Sweet 16 in the same year, neither team advanced to the Elite 8.

In 2024, Why Not Us?

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NC State Basketball

#3 seed NC State Holds on Against #6 Seed Tennessee, Defeating the Vols 79-72 to Advance to the Sweet 16

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#3 seed NC State held on last night, defeating #6 seed Tennessee 79-72 in Reynolds Coliseum to advance to the Sweet 16 for the 5th time in the last 6 tournaments.

The Wolfpack led by only 1 after the 1st Quarter, but they looked like they had things under control at halftime, leading by 18 points.

At one point, NC State led by as much as 20 points in the 3rd Quarter, but the Lady Volunteers weren’t about to give up.

With 4:19 left in the 4th, Tennessee cut the lead to 2 points, but NC State might have bent, but they wouldn’t break.

Junior Guard Aziaha James led the way with 22 points and 7 assists, which were both team highs. She scored 7 points in the final 3.5 minutes, helping to squash tue Last Vols’ comeback attempt.

Junior Guard Saniya Rivers had 20 points (6-14 FG) and 6 boards.

Freshman Zoe Brooks was clutch off the bench, chipping in 16 points and 6 boards.

This marks the 16th time the NC State Women’s Basketball team has advanced to the Sweet 16.

The Wolfpack will play #2 seed Stanford on Friday night at 7:30pm on ESPN in Portland.

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