Category: NCAA Men’s Basketball

NC State’s Final Four run continues recent stretch of ACC dominance in NCAA Tournament

The Atlantic Coast Conference has found success in the Final Four with the latest run from NC State.

It’s going to be weird watching the Final Four with no UNC in it, but we’ll be fine.

Thursday’s loss to Alabama was certainly heartbreaking, but there’s no denying that what North Carolina did was special. The Tar Heels missed the NCAA Tournament entirely last year, came back with a majority of the same players and won their first, outright ACC Regular Season Title since 2016.

Right now, college basketball’s attention (UNC fans, too) has turned to rival NC State.

The Wolfpack wouldn’t be playing in the Final Four if it weren’t for Michael O’Connell’s game-tying, buzzer-beating shot in the ACC Tournament Semifinal against UVA. Cavaliers guard Isaac McKneely bricked the front end of a one-and-one, NC State pushed it up court, then O’Connell drained an insane attempt.

The Wolfpack later won that game in overtime, downed North Carolina in the ACC Championship and now sport a 9-game winning streak. They’ll be playing the Zach Edey-led Purdue Boilermakers in the Final Four on Saturday, April 6 at 6:09 p.m. ET

With NC State’s win over Duke, it became the fifth different ACC program to reach a Final Four in the past five NCAA Men’s Tournaments.

Please excuse sports blogger Danny Neckel’s typo in the post. He even has some fun with it in the comment thread.

Miami represented the ACC last year, making its first Final Four appearance in school history. UNC and Duke, two of the conference’s premier programs, did the same in 2022. No ACC program made the Final Four in 2021, COVID cancelled the 2020 Big Dance, while UVA won it all in 2019.

I rarely root for NC State, but how can you not fall in love with them when they’re led by DJ Burns, who has unofficially become America’s Sweetheart?

The Wolfpack’s bruising, Shaq-esque center already has two 20-point games in the NCAA Tournament, including a 29-point explosion on Easter against Duke. When Burns isn’t terrorizing opponents on the court, he’s smiling and acting as NC State’s fun-loving, big-hearted hero.

Will the Wolfpack be able to continue their Cinderella run against Purdue?

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Nikola Jokic couldn’t stop gushing about DJ Burns after NC State made the Final Four

DJ Burns has the attention of the NBA’s best player.

With NC State’s surprising run to the men’s Final Four of March Madness, big man DJ Burns has quickly become the talk of the tournament.

After the forward dropped 29 points, four rebounds, and three assists in a dominating win over Duke in the Elite Eight on Sunday, hoops fans couldn’t get enough of his unique skill. Burns’ performance even created a buzz about his potentially playing in the NFL in the future.

However, amongst the entire Burns-loving crowd, one of the more noteworthy was Denver Nuggets reigning NBA Finals MVP Nikola Jokic. Fresh off a superb Easter Sunday performance of his own, the Denver center admitted he was late to his postgame press conference because he was watching Burns’ highlights.

And when asked about the young big man’s talents on the court, Jokic couldn’t stop gushing about him:

Look at that smile on Jokic’s face! That’s a man who’s truly appreciating someone’s unique abilities.

Burns himself loved hearing that Jokic enjoyed watching him play, even saying he likes to emulate the Nuggets center’s impeccable post work:

There you have it, folks. It’s not every day you get a ringing endorsement from the NBA’s best player, but that’s what happens when you play with as much joy as Burns.

DJ Burns may not be a future NBA draft pick, but what about playing in the NFL? There’s already buzz

Could DJ Burns thrive in the NFL and NOT the NBA?

DJ Burns is the darling of the men’s 2024 NCAA tournament, with the forward dominating to lead NC State to the Final Four and showing his humor on social media.

Despite the fact that he’s been awesome for the Wolfpack, he may not be a future NBA draft pick (but maybe a UDFA?) despite measuring at 6-foot-9 and 275 pounds. But given that size and athleticism … what about playing on the offensive line in the NFL?

We’ve seen some hoops stars in college — Antonio Gates and Jimmy Graham come to mind — go to the NFL and flourish. Could that be a possibility?

First: he did play football before hoops, as you’ll see in the video below, and second, NFL Network’s Peter Schrager says he spoke to some scouts and GMs who sounded interested (note: I am fully aware he posted this on April 1, but no word yet on whether it was a joke or not):

O-lineman Justin Pugh wants him in the NFL:

And there’s this:

This could be really, really cool.

DJ Burns trolls Duke’s Jared McCain with an Instagram story with the TikTok star

DJ Burns trolled the Duke player and TikTok star after the March Madness win to clinch a Final Four spot.

DJ Burns is the biggest star now thanks to 2024 March Madness.

The NC State forward dominated Duke and fans loved his classy moments after he helped the Wolfpack clinch a Final Four berth.

But he did a little trolling after the win over the Blue Devils, too. He threw in an Instagram video with Duke’s Jared McCain — a TikTok star! — getting fooled and he used a little clip of McCain dancing.

Burns later said it was “all love” and that he was having fun, but this qualifies as trolling. Here’s the clip that everyone was sharing after he posted it:

WATCH: Clemson players receive warm welcome home after Elite Eight

Clemson Basketball in March Madness: The Clemson Tigers received a warm welcome home when it landed Sunday night following its 89-82 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament.

Clemson’s season came to a disappointing end in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday night in Los Angeles.

Buoyed by a second-half surge that included 23 points from Mark Sears, No. 4 seed Alabama defeated the Tigers, 89-82, at Crypto.com Arena to advance to the Final Four.

Clemson got out to a 26-13 lead in the first half before the Crimson Tide overtook them with a 22-6 run to end the half.

Sears, who started the game 0-for-6 from behind the arc, made up for it in the second half by connecting on seven of his next eight 3-pointers.

Joe Girard ended up leading the Tigers with 19 points after a slow start, and Ian Schieffelin added 18 points. PJ Hall (14 points) and Chase Hunter (12 points) gave Clemson four players in double figures Saturday.

While the end result was a disappointment for the Tigers, Clemson fans were no less thrilled to welcome the team back home from the City of Angels after the team had made only its second all-time Elite Eight appearance.

The Clemson Athletic Department took to X, formerly known as Twitter, on Sunday night to share a pair of videos of the reception the team received from the Tiger faithful.

Watch below:

NC State Wolfpack Men’s Final Four March Madness Shirts, How to Buy

The NC State Wolfpack has advanced to the Final Four in the 2024 NCAA Tournament. With their victory over Duke, they are now two wins away from being crowned champions. Buy NC State Final Four T-shirts Their win at the American Airlines Center makes …

The NC State Wolfpack has advanced to the Final Four in the 2024 NCAA Tournament. With their victory over Duke, they are now two wins away from being crowned champions.

[afflinkbutton text=”Buy NC State Final Four T-shirts” link=”https://fanatics.93n6tx.net/3eNe3v”]

Their win at the American Airlines Center makes NC State the last team standing in the South bracket. The Wolfpack’s next stop is Phoenix, Arizona, where they will face the Purdue Boilermakers who defeated the Tennessee Volunteers earlier on Sunday afternoon.

Help celebrate their impressive run with these Final Four T-shirts. This officially licensed NCAA product is the best way to show your support for the team during March Madness season.

[afflinkbutton text=”Buy NC State Final Four T-shirts” link=”https://fanatics.93n6tx.net/3eNe3v”]

How to buy NC State 2024 NCAA Men’s Final Four tickets

Want to watch NC State’s first Final Four since 1983 in person? Tickets still remain for as little as $262.

For the first time since 1983, the North Carolina State Wolfpack are going to the Final Four.

No. 11 NC State continued its magical postseason run, defeated No. 4 Duke 76-64 behind 29 points from senior DJ Burns.

NC State will take on No. 1 Purdue in the National Semifinals on Saturday, April 6 at 6:09 p.m. EDT in Phoenix, Ariz.

SHOP: NC State vs. Purdue Final Four tickets

The NC State men join the NC State women, who clinched a Final Four berth earlier today with an upset of No. 1 Texas.

Purdue advanced to the Final Four after defeating No. 2 Tennessee on Sunday afternoon and advancing out of the Midwest Region.

Tickets to the Final Four are still available, and at the time of publication are available for as little as $262.

Final Four tickets give access to both North Carolina State vs. Purdue game and the matchup between No. 1 UConn and No. 4 Alabama.

Weekend passes are also available, giving access to both Final Four games on Saturday and Monday night’s National Championship. Weekend passes are available for as little as $470.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop NC State Final Four tickets” link=”https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/mVRGvP0″]

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Final Four weekend passes” link=”https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/W4n5v8Q”]

NC State Wolfpack Men’s Final Four March Madness Shirts, How to Buy

The NC State Wolfpack has advanced to the Final Four in the 2024 NCAA Tournament.

The NC State Wolfpack has advanced to the Final Four in the 2024 NCAA Tournament. With their victory over Duke, they are now two wins away from being crowned champions.

[afflinkbutton text=”Buy NC State Final Four T-shirts” link=”https://fanatics.93n6tx.net/3eNe3v”]

Their win at the American Airlines Center makes NC State the last team standing in the South bracket. The Wolfpack’s next stop is Phoenix, Arizona, where they will face the Purdue Boilermakers who defeated the Tennessee Volunteers earlier on Sunday afternoon.

Help celebrate their impressive run with these Final Four T-shirts. This officially licensed NCAA product is the best way to show your support for the team during March Madness season.

[afflinkbutton text=”Buy NC State Final Four T-shirts” link=”https://fanatics.93n6tx.net/3eNe3v”]

How to buy NC State 2024 NCAA Men’s Final Four tickets

Want to watch NC State’s first Final Four since 1983 in person? Tickets still remain for as little as $262.

For the first time since 1983, the North Carolina State Wolfpack are going to the Final Four.

No. 11 NC State continued its magical postseason run, defeated No. 4 Duke 76-64 behind 29 points from senior DJ Burns.

NC State will take on No. 1 Purdue in the National Semifinals on Saturday, April 6 at 6:09 p.m. EDT in Phoenix, Ariz.

SHOP: NC State vs. Purdue Final Four tickets

The NC State men join the NC State women, who clinched a Final Four berth earlier today with an upset of No. 1 Texas.

Purdue advanced to the Final Four after defeating No. 2 Tennessee on Sunday afternoon and advancing out of the Midwest Region.

Tickets to the Final Four are still available, and at the time of publication are available for as little as $262.

Final Four tickets give access to both North Carolina State vs. Purdue game and the matchup between No. 1 UConn and No. 4 Alabama.

Weekend passes are also available, giving access to both Final Four games on Saturday and Monday night’s National Championship. Weekend passes are available for as little as $470.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop NC State Final Four tickets” link=”https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/mVRGvP0″]

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Final Four weekend passes” link=”https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/W4n5v8Q”]

Purdue Boilermakers Final Four March Madness Gear, How to Buy

The Purdue Boilermakers have advanced to the Final Four in the 2024 NCAA Tournament.

The Purdue Boilermakers have advanced to the Final Four in the 2024 NCAA Tournament. With their victory over Tennessee, they are now two wins away from being crowned champions.

[afflinkbutton text=”Buy Purdue Final Four Gear” link=”https://fanatics.93n6tx.net/NkqkVO”]

Their win at Little Caesars Arena makes Purdue the last team standing in the Midwest bracket. The Boilermakers’ next stop is Phoenix, Arizona, where they will face the winner of the South.

[afflinkbutton text=”Buy Purdue Final Four Gear” link=”https://fanatics.93n6tx.net/NkqkVO”]

Help celebrate their impressive run with this Final Four Gear. These officially licensed NCAA products are the best way to show your support for the team during March Madness season.

[afflinkbutton text=”Buy Purdue Final Four Gear” link=”https://fanatics.93n6tx.net/NkqkVO”]