Connect with us

NC State Basketball

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

Published

2 months ago

on

#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.

Related Topics:

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

Click to comment
Subscribe
Notify of
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

NC State Basketball

NC State is Adding UMASS’ Brett Nelson as an Assistant Coach

Published

1 day ago

on

May 15, 2024

By

According to reports, NC State is adding UMASS’ Brett Nelson as an Assistant Coach.

Nelson was only at UMASS for 1 season under Frank Martin. Prior to that, Nelson was the Head Coach at Holy Cross for 4 seasons, posting a 27-84 record.

Prior to taking the Head Coaching mantle at Holy Cross, Nelson was at Marquette for 5 seasons, spending the first 3 as an Assistant Coach, and the final two as an Associate Head Coach. Prior to Marquette, Nelson also served as an Assistant Coach at Ball St., Drake, Arkansas and Marshall.

Before coaching basketball, Nelson played for the University of Florida from 1999-2003. He was All-SEC twice, and earned Third Team All-American honors. When he left Gainesville, he was the Gators’ all-time leader in three pointers made, and ranked 2nd in steals.

As a Senior in High School, Nelson was a McDonald’s All-American.

Continue Reading

NC State Basketball

Ernest Ross Announces He is Returning to NC State

Published

2 days ago

on

May 15, 2024

By

Power Forward Ernest Ross announced this morning that he is returning to NC State for his final year of eligibility.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Eway♻️🏂 (@thebiggesteworld3)

Last Friday, Ross committed to UTSA after entering the Transfer Portal on April 17th, but it looks like he had a change of heart over the past couple of days.

NC State has been in desperate need to add a Big out of the Portal. They have hosted ECU’s Ezra Ausar and Georgia’s Frank Anselem-Ibe, but neither of them have found a home yet. With the addition of Ross, NC State has added depth in the Frontcourt, and unless something changes, their roster is full with 13 scholarship players.

Ross played in 14 games this past season, averaging 3.4 minutes per contest. After playing in 34 games last season, averaging 11.4 minutes per contest, Ross saw his participation dip to a career low this season, but that didn’t for a second break his infectious personality. On the sideline, you could count on Ross every single game to be the heart and soul of the Wolfpack on the bench. To watch a player who played as little as he did, care as much as he did, makes me super proud that this young man represented NC State so well.

Ross was a consensus 4-star player in NC State’s 2021 recruiting class, with 247Sports ranking him as the #60 overall player nationally. ESPN ranked him as the #5 overall player in the state of Florida.

Continue Reading

NC State Basketball

A Matchup Between NC State & Marquette Next Season Might be in the Works

Published

2 days ago

on

May 15, 2024

By

According to NCAA.com’s Andy Katz, a matchup between NC State and Marquette next season might be in the works.

This past year, the Wolfpack defeated the Golden Eagles 67-58 in the Sweet 16 of the 2024 NCAA Tournament.

NC State and Marquette have played one another 6 times overall, with the Wolfpack holding a 4-2 lead in the series, winning the past two matchups.

Continue Reading

NC State Basketball

NC State Men’s Basketball Will Play in the 2025 Maui Invitational

Published

3 days ago

on

May 14, 2024

By

The NC State Men’s Basketball Team will be playing in the 2025 Maui Invitational, on November 24-26 in Hawaii. This will mark the first time that NC State has ever played in the Maui Invitational.

NC State will be joined by Baylor, Oregon, Seton Hall, Texas, UNLV, USC and Chaminade.

Continue Reading