We’re a week out from March and madness is in full swing.
In one of the more competitive conference tournaments so far, the ACC Tourney sported two memorable games on Friday.
First, UNC came back from a 2-point halftime deficit to down Pitt, 72-65, behind a game highlighted by RJ Davis reaching the 2,000-point club. Despite facing a significantly taller Panthers squad, Armando Bacot bullied his opponents for career double-double 84, tallying 19 points and 11 rebounds to tie UVA great Ralph Sampson for second-most in ACC history.
In the nightcap, NC State and UVA battled it out for NCAA Tournament positioning. The Cavaliers appeared to be pulling away late, only for the Wolfpack’s Michael O’Connell to send things into overtime with a 3-pointer as time expired. NC State big man DJ Burns then took over in the extra frame, scoring seven of the Wolfpack’s 15 points.
There you have it – UNC and State for the ACC Championship.
North Carolina swept both regular-season matchups, but the Wolfpack team it’s facing tonight is fighting for a spot in the Big Dance.
These two actually have a brief history in the ACC Tournament. When NC State last made the championship game – in 2007 – it played the Tar Heels.
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The Wolfpack were also a 10-seed back in 2007. That year’s squad was led by the forward trio of Brandon Costner, Gavin Grant and Ben McCauley,who each averaged 14 points per game.
Who was on UNC back then? Future NBA stars Tyler Hansbrough, Brandan Wright, Wayne Ellington and Ty Lawson.
This years’ NC State team is led by Burns and electric guard DJ Horne, who transferred from Arizona State in the offseason.
Saturday night. 8:30 p.m. Two rivals for the ACC Championship.
Time to lock in!
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