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NC State’s 2nd Half Turnaround Propels Them to a 76-64 Win Over Duke, Advancing to the FINAL FOUR for the First Time Since ’83

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1 month ago

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#11 seed NC State had pretty much led for the entirety of every NCAA Tournament game heading into tonight’s matchup against ACC rival #4 seed Duke in the Elite Eight. How would the Pack handle things if they fell behind?

NC State trailed Duke 21-27 at halftime, shooting only 26.5% from the field. The Wolfpack showed the type of resolve they possess this evening, turning things around in the 2nd half, shooting an insane 73.1% from the field after the break.

With 12:59 remaining in the game, NC State took the lead on a pair of DJ Horne free throws, and they took it for good when he made a jumper at the 11:49 mark.

Senior Forward DJ Burns carried his team to the Final Four this evening, finishing with 29 points, shooting 13 of 19 from the field. Duke quite literally had no answer for Burns. It was a magical thing to watch.

Like it’s been for much of the year, it’s been both DJ’s that have been essential to Wolfpack victories, and it was no different today. Senior Guard DJ Horne 20 points, shooting 7 of 16 from the field, and 2 of 6 from beyond the arc.

For both DJ’s, they shined the brightest in the 2nd half, when the Wolfpack was in desperate need for an offensive spark. They needed their offense to gain the lead, and it would be their offense that held it. Burns scored 21 of his 29 in the 2nd half, and Horne scored 15 of his 20 after the break.

The two DJ’s combined for 65% of NC State’s offense today. They were the only 2 Wolfpack players to score in double figures.

A lot was said about Duke’s spectacular defense in the Big Dance by the commentators in the first half, but the Wolfpack’s defense had the last word, holding the Blue Devils to 32.2% shooting from the field, which was their worst shooting performance of the year.

Junior Guard Michael O’Connell was the floor general, dishing out 6 assists, with only 1 turnover, and in a crazy turn of events, he led the team with 11 rebounds.

The miracle run continues. NC State is headed back to the Final Four for the first time since 1983, and the 4th time ever.

It feels like ’83, but it also feels like something altogether unique as well. Despite what people may think, NC State didn’t need to win the ACC Tournament to go to the NCAA Tournament in 1983. This squad did, and what they have put together with the ACC Tournament and the NCAA Tournament might just be the best run in March ever.

Heck, it feels like ’24.

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Matthew is Publisher and Co-Owner of Pack Insider. He is also the Lead Pastor of The Point Church in Cary, NC.

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NC State Basketball

WATCH: Andy Katz’s Offseason Convo with NC State’s Kevin Keatts

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2 hours ago

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May 2, 2024

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Andy Katz is beginning to make his rounds for his Offseason Convo series, and he took the time to meet with NC State Head Coach Kevin Keatts.

In their conversation, Keatts talked about what this run has meant to Raleigh and the Wolfpack fans, how it has helped sell the program the way it deserves to be in recruiting, and even how it helped and hurt in the world of the Transfer Portal.

Check out the conversation below:

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NC State Basketball

Guard Mike O’Connell Announces He Will Play His Final Year of Eligibility at NC State

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15 hours ago

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May 1, 2024

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Guard Michael O’Connell announced today that he will be playing his final year of eligibility at NC State next season.

 

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Today was the final day graduate players could enter the Portal.

This past season, O’Connell averaged 5.7 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.2 assists for the Wolfpack, starting 22 of the 41 games he played in.

O’Connell took over as NC State’s starting Point Guard on January 30th in a win against Miami.

He only scored in double figures in 9 of his 41 games this season, but 6 of those came in postseason play (5 in the ACC Tournament). O’Connell took things to another level in the ACC Tournament, playing aggressive on the offensive end, looking for his shot, and attacking the rim.

NC State played it’s best basketball of the season when O’Connell was running the show. He ranked 3rd in the ACC in Assist/Turnover Ratio (2.5).

Heading into next season, with a lineup filled with new faces, having the calming presence of a veteran leader like O’Connell is reassuring.

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NC State Basketball

ECU Transfer Forward Ezra Ausar to NC State is Trending Up

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1 day ago

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May 1, 2024

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ECU Transfer Power Forward Ezra Ausar (6’9″/240) was on an Official Visit to NC State yesterday, and according to analysts at ON3 and 247Sports, things are trending in the right direction for the Wolfpack.

Jamie Shaw of ON3 submitted a prediction for Ausar to eventually commit to NC State yesterday morning.

Cory Smith of 247Sports submitted a crystal ball projection for Ausar to run with the Wolfpack this morning.

Ausar just wrapped up his Sophomore season in Greenville, averaging 11.4 points and 4.7 rebounds, shooting 51.4% from the field. As a Freshman, he was named to the AAC All-Freshman Team, averaging 9.8 points and 5.3 rebounds.

Ausar is a consensus 4-Star prospect in the Transfer Portal, and ON3 ranks him as the #60 overall player in the Portal and the #10 Power Forward.

Originally from Atlanta, Ausar played his Senior Season of High School at Liberty Heights Athletic Institute in Charlotte, North Carolina. ON3 ranked Ausar as a 4-Star prospect coming out of high school, the #94 overall player nationally, and the #2 player in the state of North Carolina.

Ausar has visited Seton Hall, Georgia Tech, met over Zoom with Georgetown, and had an in-home visit with Utah. John Calipari and his staff at Arkansas have been in touch with Ausar, as well as Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Virginia Tech, Arizona State, West Virginia, Iowa State and St. John’s. (Link)

At this point, it’s good news that Ausar has no visits scheduled after the visit to NC State.

Ausar has 2 years of eligibility remaining, and NC State currently has 1 scholarship remaining.

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NC State Signee Zamareya Jones Showed Out in the McDonald’s & Jordan All-American Games

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1 day ago

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May 1, 2024

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NC State 2024 signee Zamareya Jones has played in the McDonald’s All-American game and the Jordan Brand Classic over the past month.

In the McDonald’s game on April 2nd, Jones had 13 points, helping her East squad defeat the West.

 

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In the Jordan Brand Classic on April 21st, Jones had 15 points, 5 assists and 3 rebounds. She also hit the game winner for Team Flight.

Jones is a 5-star prospect in the Wolfpack’s 2024 recruiting class, ranked 21st overall nationally by ESPN.

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