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NC State Basketball

DJ Burns Had a Word for Wolfpack Fans After Winning the ACC Championship

Published

2 months ago

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When NC State’s DJ Burns was giving his acceptance speech after receiving the 2024 ACC Tournament MVP Award, Burns had the following quote to say when asked what he wanted to say to the fans.

“I’m going to keep it real simple. Thank you to the ones who’ve been consistent throughout the ride, and welcome back everybody else.”

Burns’ words struck a chord.

Throughout much of this season, it was embarrassing to see all the empty seats in PNC Arena.

As the Wolfpack lost 7 of their final 9 regular season games, it was clear that this team wasn’t just losing games, but they were also losing much of the fanbase.

It’s clear from Burns’ words that the empty seats were noticed, and so were the words of fans online.

NC State finished the regular season 10th, and much of the fanbase was frustrated, and rightfully so.

But, frustrated doesn’t have to mean giving up.

‘Never giving up’ is kind of supposed to be NC State’s thing.

The words of Jimmy V reverberate throughout the history of NC State basketball.

This team didn’t always put W’s in the Win column this season, and it wasn’t always an easy watch, but never for a moment were these players not playing as hard as they could for their school, one another, and their coach.

They never gave up.

Fans have a right to be frustrated, but you can still show up for a team, even when they struggle, because that’s what loyal fans do. When players wear a jersey with NC State across the chest, and they don’t give up, their fans shouldn’t either.

NC State fans aren’t known to be fair weather fans. Let’s not get in the business of leading our players to think we are.

But, like Burns said, whether you’ve been along for the ride all season or not, it’s time to hop on.

 

 

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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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Dof87
Dof87
1 month ago

OK to be disappointed or frustrated. Its up to fans to decide how they want to deal with that frustration. Those repetitively campaigning for coaches head during the season, calling out players sayings stuff like they ‘should never play again’ told us more about them than any coach or player. Their lack of appreciation for how hard it all is, and oversimplification of the game, and simple lack of respect was on full display. And some even trolled others that showed respect in their comments and appreciate for the challenges that come with coaching NCSU basketball. It may be one… Read more »

Last edited 1 month ago by Dof87
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wolfpack74
wolfpack74
1 month ago
Reply to  Dof87

I went back and looked at the record Valvano had at State. We made the tournament in most years and of course the 83 season occurred. However, his overall ACC record was 71-69. I was greatly surprised at that. KK is 63-68. Another surprise and not far from Valvano’s record. One really good year and he could surpass it since he now has his contract extension. I have shown my frustration and do own it. I would like to take back everything I have said about O’Connell since he has really picked up his game. He does look like he… Read more »

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Dof87
Dof87
1 month ago
Reply to  wolfpack74

Cool. Like I said, complain or whatever but simply show some respect and appreciation. Don’t campaign against a coach (and by association the players who love him) during the season. Give KK some leeway as well. Jimmy V didn’t have a rebuilding job, he had key players when he took over. Jimmy V didn’t come in with and NCAA cloud over the program. Jimmy V didn’t have his top center AND starting fwd both go out for the season, amidst a rebuilding year coming off major Covid disruption, which kept us from having another NCAAT appearance at a key time… Read more »

Last edited 1 month ago by Dof87
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wolfpack74
wolfpack74
1 month ago

Where was this desire to win during the regular season? Had you guys and coaches performed like you did in the last five games during the regular season, the stands would have been full all the time. What the team did during the ACCT was a miracle or seemed that way based on previous results. So fans were really frustrated and probably said a lot of things that deep down didn’t mean. Since I graduated in 1974, we have been and once were a basketball school. Since Valvano we have had fleeting success but basically long term frustration. DJ you… Read more »

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Dallas
Dallas
1 month ago
Reply to  wolfpack74

I have noticed many of your comments and it seems you always hit a sour note. First of all don’t you think the players, coaches are all trying to win every game. I get frustrated too but remember the ACC is a difficult conference and that KK was building a new team with 7 new players and others who remained from last year. That isn’t an easy task…sometimes it takes a year or more(which coaches don’t have any longer). But DJ’s comments were NOT a lecture. It was as gracious a comment a player could make about fan support. He… Read more »

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wolfpack74
wolfpack74
1 month ago
Reply to  Dallas

Actually, it was 8 new players counting Rice. Burns did not have to welcome me back as I have never left the players. If this generation can’t take a little criticism, then I feel sorry for them coping with life in the coming years. I too graduated in 74 and we streaked around campus that night. One miracle weekend makes the fan base even more hungry for success. So if it doesn’t come, don’t expect the older fans to be so sympathetic as our years are limited. I imagine prior to the start of the ACCT, you had thoughts that… Read more »

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NC State Basketball

NC State Women’s Basketball Ranks 8th in ESPN’s Way-Too-Early 2024-25 Preseason Top-25

Published

15 hours ago

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May 7, 2024

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ESPN released their updated Way-Too-Early Preseason Top-25 for the 2024-25 Women’s Basketball season, and NC State ranked 8th.

8. NC State Wolfpack

The dynamic backcourt that took the Wolfpack to their first Final Four since 1998 returns. Aziaha James (16.8 PPG), Saniya Rivers (12.5 PPG) and Zoe Brooks (9.0 PPG) are enough to keep NC State near the top of a highly competitive ACC. How well a new mix of bigs fits in will determine if the Wolfpack are good enough to win the conference and contend for a trip to Tampa. The experience of River Baldwin and Mimi Collins can’t be replaced, so how well 6-5 recruit Lorena Awou adapts to the college game and 6-4 Boston University transfer Caitlin Weimar, the Patriot League player of the year and two-time defensive player of the year, adjusts to the upgrade in competition will have a big impact on NC State’s season. Previous ranking: 8

(ESPN)

ACC Teams in the Top-25

4. Notre Dame

8. NC State

11. Duke

12. Louisville

17. UNC

18. FSU

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NC State Basketball

The Roster for the NC State Men’s Basketball Team is all but Set Heading into 2024-25

Published

5 days ago

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May 3, 2024

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NC State does have 1 scholarship available, and could still add a player out of the Transfer Portal. With that being said, the roster for the Men’s Basketball team is pretty much set for the 2024-25 season.

Non-graduates had to enter the Transfer Portal by April 30th, and Graduates had to enter by May 1st. Jayden Taylor and Michael O’Connell both made public announcements that they were returning, but the closure of entrance to the Portal means that Breon Pass, Ben Middlebrooks, Dennis Parker Jr. and MJ Rice are all set to return next season.

In a world where the Transfer Portal has all but become free agency in College Basketball, with some players switching schools on an annual basis, it’s encouraging that Kevin Keatts not only recruited a Top-10 Transfer Class, but also recruited a majority of the eligible players to stay. Three players that could transfer entered the Portal (I’m not counting Mohamed Diarra in these numbers, who opted to go pro), while 6 opted to continue running with the Wolfpack.

As a result, below is a breakdown of the roster for the NC State Men’s Basketball team heading into 2024-25, realizing the Wolfpack could still add one player (this team is deep).

1 year of Eligibility 

Guard Michael O’Connell
Guard Marcus Hill
Guard Breon Pass
Guard/Forward Jayden Taylor
Forward/Guard Dontrez Styles
Forward Ben Middlebrooks
Center Brandon Huntley-Hatfield

2 Years of Eligibility

Guard/Forward MJ Rice
Guard Mike James
Guard Jordan Snell (Walk-On)
Guard KJ Keatts (Walk-On)

3 Years of Eligibility 

Guard/Forward Dennis Parker Jr.

4 Years of Eligibility 

Guard Paul McNeil
Guard Trey Parker

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NC State Basketball

NC State’s Men’s Basketball 2024 Transfer Class Ranks in the Top-10 Nationally

Published

5 days ago

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May 2, 2024

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NC State’s Men’s Basketball team has picked up 4 players from the Transfer Portal this offseason, and the class ranks 10th nationally according to ON3, and 15th nationally according to 247Sports.

ON3

247Sports

NC State’s 2024 4-Man Transfer Class

Center Brandon Huntley-Hatfield (Louisville)

Guard/Forward Dontez Styles (Georgetown)

Guard Mike James (Louisville)

Guard Marcus Hill (Bowling Green)

NC State still has a chance to move up in the rankings. East Carolina Power Forward Ezra Ausar just wrapped up an Official Visit to NC State, and things are looking good for the Wolfpack. ON3 ranks Ausar as the #67 overall player in the Portal, and the #15 Power Forward.

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NC State Basketball

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

Published

6 days 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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