DALLAS — For the first time since 1983, NC State is dancing into the Final Four after a 76-64 win over Duke in Dallas. The Wolfpack got a combined 49 points from D.J. Burns and DJ Horne to keep the historic run going for the Pack and win the South Region.
Here are the immediate takeaways from NC State’s matchup with Duke in the 2024 Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament.
The DJ Show
Much like the entire season, NC State leaned heavily on Burns and Horne, and they didn’t disappoint. Burns tallied 29 points before he was taken out of the game while Horne tallied 18 on the night in the win. Both players combined for 20 made baskets on the night to pull away for good in the second half.
It was a familiar feeling for Wolfpack fans, but never on this stage. Getting a win over Duke to advance to the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament was something no Wolfpack fan could have dreamt up three weeks ago. Now here we all are heading to Phoenix with the Pack two wins away from the NCAA Championship.
First-Half Deficit for the Pack
Both Duke and NC State came out shooting poorly from the field in the first half, with the Wolfpack shooting just 9-of-34 (26 percent) while Duke was 8-of-26 (31 percent) to open the game. However, Duke was able to take a 27-21 lead into the half behind 9-of-9 free-throw shooting while the Wolfpack was just 2-of-3 at the line.
The Pack drove into contact several times, but couldn’t seem to get calls. However, the poor overall shooting certainly didn’t help its cause as only D.J. Burns hit more than 30 percent of his shots with at least two attempts. The six-point deficit was the largest of the entire postseason for the Wolfpack dating all the way back to the win over Louisville to open the ACC Tournament.
NC State Keeps Making History
The Wolfpack’s trip to the Final Four marks the first time since the 1983 season — and it may be even more improbable than that miraculous run. Sure, both teams had to win the ACC Tournament to make it and both had to get through several tough games to even reach the Final Four, but nothing has changed about the roster this year like it did during the 1983 season.
This NC State team just started believing in each other, fighting for one another and having different players step up each and every game. The Pack once again had the DJs leading the way in the latest win, but 11 rebounds and six assists from Michael O’Connell and Ben Middlebrooks drawing multiple fouls on Kyle Filipowski to go along with their offensive output pushed the Pack over the top.
It will need that same complete effort in Phoenix against No. 1 Purdue to keep this run going. And after accomplishing all it has — nine postseason wins in March alone — the Pack might just have something for Zach Edey and the Boilermakers next week.
