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That Concludes the Most Incredible March Madness Run in College Basketball History

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NC State fell 50-63 to Purdue this evening in the Final Four, concluding what was the most incredible March Madness Run in College Basketball history.

 

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The 1983 Cardiac Pack created the phrase “Survive and Advance”, and their run to the National Championship will forever be one of the greatest stories in the history of College Basketball, and it obviously had a better ending than this story.

With that being said, I agree with Bilas. Nothing like this has ever been done before.

After losing 7 of their final 9 regular season games, and the last 4 in a row, NC State entered the 2024 ACC Tournament with a 17-14 record.

The Wolfpack would go on to win 5 games in 5 days to win the ACC Championship for the first time since 1987. They are 1 of 2 schools to ever win 5 games in 5 days to win their conference Championship.

NC State needed to win the ACC Championship in order to go to the NCAA Tournament, but no one expected much from the Pack.

The Wolfpack would go on to win 4 straight games in the Big Dance, upsetting Texas Tech, Marquette and Duke.

NC State became the first team with 14 losses to advance to the Final Four. As an #11 seed, they tied for the lowest seed to ever make the Final Four.

NC State advanced to the Elite 8 for the first time since 1986.

The Wolfpack won 26 games for the first time since the 1982-83 season.

NC State advanced to the Final Four for the first time since 1983.

It was a run that will never be forgotten. It was a run that infused life into the Wolfpack Men’s Basketball program. It was a run that can set the tone and culture for years to come. It was a run that can change the NIL and recruiting landscape in Raleigh.

Heads should be held high. Smiles should be on faces.

This miraculous run in March restored respect, dignity and hope. When the season starts next November, PNC should be packed.

Wolfpack fans should be proud, and forever grateful to every single player and every single coach that represented the University we love in ways that will never be forgotten.

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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wolfpack74
wolfpack74
1 month ago

Sorry for all you youngsters, but the 83 run is still the best. Do you want to know why? It is because they won the whole damn thing over a powerhouse team. They won ten games in a row. This ranks two or three on the list. But it may have the most influence on the future of the program.

Dof87
Dof87
1 month ago

An awesome season. This team will be remembered for its incredible accomplishment. Nothing to be ashamed losing to a great team with a dominant center. Great game plan, great defense, great effort, but shots just weren’t’ falling. They get to hang ACC and Final Four banners!!!!!

Not only have they accomplished something tremendous, but each one of those kids is a wonderful person that represents State well. Glad they’ll have great memories.

wolfpack74
wolfpack74
1 month ago

Big letdown. Should not have be sucked in by the hype . Should have stayed home and watched on TV. Never again.

NC State Basketball

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

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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.

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NC State Basketball

Ernest Ross Announces He is Returning to NC State

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

 

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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.

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NC State Basketball

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

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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.

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NC State Basketball

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

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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.

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