Tag: nc state basketball

Former UNC star Armando Bacot says he wanted Duke to beat NC State in the Elite Eight

In a new episode of the Run Your Race podcast, former Tar Heels star Armando Bacot said he wished Duke had beaten NC State in the Elite Eight.

Who would have thought Duke basketball would find an ally with [autotag]Armando Bacot[/autotag]?

The five-year North Carolina starter played against the Blue Devils 11 times, including devastating victories in [autotag]Mike Krzyzewski[/autotag]’s final home and the 2022 Final Four.

However, Bacot revealed on a Tuesday podcast episode that, during Duke’s Elite Eight battle against NC State this year, he was rooting for his bitter rival.

Bacot appeared on the Run Your Race podcast with fellow UNC legend Theo Pinson, and it sounded like both of them disliked the Wolfpack even more than the Blue Devils.

“I wanted Duke to go to the Final Four,” Bacot told Pinson. “They were good enough and like, maybe they beat Purdue, fine, they weren’t beating UConn…It would be remembered at Duke for maybe two-to-three years and after that, like, they didn’t win it all, so be it.”

“But NC State? They never going to let this go.”

Bacot said he blamed the Wolfpack’s Cinderella run on the Blue Devils for losing to NC State in the ACC Tournament.

Bacot also told Pinson in the same episode that he rooted for the Blue Devils growing up, listing Jahlil Okafor and Jabari Parker as his favorite childhood players.

DJ Burns reacts to NFL rumors with a savvy answer on if he would ever consider a football career

Gen-Z Bo had a perfect response to this question.

North Carolina State big man DJ Burns is one of the most exciting players participating in March Madness.

Burns, who has helped lead his team on an exciting run during the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, is playing extraordinarily well on the court. He is getting amazing nicknames and delighting NBA players like Nikola Jokic.

But he is also generating some buzz as an NFL prospect.

During a recent interview while on The Dan Patrick Show, the NCAA tournament darling said that it isn’t surprising people are talking about him playing football because his team is “trending” right now.

He added that his plan is to play in the NBA when he finishes his college career at North Carolina State. However, if a football team really wanted his services, he wouldn’t say no:

“I’d probably explore some other options with basketball first before all of that. But I’m not a closed-minded person.”

That is a great answer from Burns! He  made it clear to basketball teams that he still wants to keep the main thing the main thing without fully shutting the door on football, either.

Patrick noted that Burns could obviously pursue opportunities to play professionally overseas as well if the NBA does not work out. He could try playing in the NBA’s G League, too.

Burns was also asked if he has heard from any football teams about pursuing a career in the NFL.

The big man said that he had not heard directly heard from anyone. Perhaps teams have reached out to people affiliated with him through North Carolina State or otherwise but it seems Burns is more focused on March Madness as of right now.

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NCAA announces officiating crew for Final Four matchups

The officiating crew is set for the Final Four matchups!

The 2024 NCAA Tournament men’s Final Four will get underway on Saturday evening when the semifinal matchups tip-off from Phoenix.

The UConn Huskies are the favorites entering the final weekend of the season as the No. 1 overall seed looks to repeat as national champions. While the Alabama Crimson Tide, Purdue Boilermakers, and NC State Wolfpack will each look to claim a title in the desert.

Like it or not, officials will also play a role in the Final Four matchups, and on Monday the NCAA released the officiating crew that will head out to Arizona to call the semifinal and championship contests.

How to watch Final Four semifinal matchups

  • NC State vs. Purdue, 5:09 p.m. CT on TBS/TNT/truTV
  • Alabama vs. UConn, 7:49 p.m. CT on TBS/TNT/truTV

Can NC State continue its magical run? Can anyone beat UConn? We’ll all find out this weekend as the 2023-24 college basketball season reaches its climax and we say farewell to March Madness.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Stacey Blackwood on X (Twitter) @Blackwood89.

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?

Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.

 

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.

Final Four tip times announced for men’s NCAA Tournament

Tip times are officially set for the Final Four!

The 2024 NCAA Tournament Final Four is set for men’s basketball as the Alabama Crimson Tide, the UConn Huskies, the NC State Wolfpack, and the Purdue Boilermakers will soon head to Phoneix to try and claim a national championship as March Madness draws closer to an end.

Alabama is making its first-ever trip to the Final Four and will take on the defending national champion Huskies in one semifinal matchup while the Cinderella Wolfpack will take on the bruising Boilermakers in the other semifinal.

The semifinal matchups will take place on Saturday evening before the championship game takes place on Monday night.

How to watch Final Four semifinal matchups

  • NC State vs. Purdue, 5:09 p.m. CT on TBS/TNT/truTV
  • Alabama vs. UConn, 7:49 p.m. CT on TBS.TNT/truTV

Can NC State continue its magical run? Can anyone beat UConn? We’ll all find out this weekend as the 2023-24 college basketball season reaches its climax and we say farewell to March Madness.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Stacey Blackwood on X (Twitter) @Blackwood89.

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.

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

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”]

Now that UNC’s out, who do you cheer for in the Big Dance?

With UNC recently gone from the NCAA Tournament, who should you be rooting for in the Elite 8?

With no more UNC in the NCAA Tournament, I don’t blame you if you don’t want to watch any more games.

It’s weird watching arguably the most-followed postseason tournament across all sports, only to not see your favorite team in it.

North Carolina faltered down the stretch on Thursday, March 28, allowing Grant Nelson to take over and lead Alabama to an 89-87 upset win. RJ Davis shot 4-of-20 from the field, the Tar Heels’ defense played horribly and Jae’Lyn Withers took a questionable shot late – with UNC having a 1-point lead and plenty of time on the shot clock.

The Elite 8 is all set now: UConn-Illinois, Purdue-Tennessee, Alabama-Clemson and Duke-NC State.

You read that right – THREE ACC teams.

If you’re still interested in watching the Big Dance (I know I will be), but are wondering who to cheer for, we have a couple recommendations for you. Our top one – ANYONE BUT DUKE.

UConn, which is looking to be the first repeat champion since Florida in 2006-2007, has a super-deep, talented roster led by Tristen Newton, Donovan Clingen and Cam Spencer. I like the Huskies a lot, who’ve blown out their first three opponents by an average of 29 points.

Illinois has made fairly easy work of its opponents, but barely squeaked by 2-seed Iowa State (72-69) in the Sweet 16.

If you don’t know about Purdue, they have Zach Edey clogging the paint. Unlike last year, when the Boilermakers suffered complete embarrassment by becoming the second 1-seed to lose to a 16-seed, they have more pieces around Edey.

Tennessee is one of the most exciting offenses to watch, led by SEC Player of the Year Dalton Knecht. The Vols can beat you with their deep guard rotation, then kick it down low to Jonas Aidoo (who can also make threes).

I will not be cheering for Alabama, but the Crimson Tide advancing further would mean beating UNC is no joke. Alabama also has Mark Sears, Aaron Estrada and Rylan Griffen scoring in double-digits.

This Clemson team reminds me a LOT of last year’s UConn squad – started out the year hot, hit a rough patch, then playing its best basketball in the NCAA Tournament. If the Tigers don’t beat you down low with PJ Hall or Ian Schieffelin, they’ll make you pay from outside with Joe Girard or Chase Hunter.

I know I’m not supposed to cheer for NC State, but how can you not love DJ Burns? The big man is leading the Wolfpack’s torrid stretch of eight consecutive victories – which started in the ACC Tournament and included the championship over North Carolina,

Burns has reached double-digits in seven of NC State’s last eight games, plus he’s near-impossible to stop down low. He reminds me a lot of a shorter, lighter Shaq.

Duke is led by Kyle Filipowski, public enemy number one in Chapel Hill, The Blue Devils have the talent to win it all, with all five starters averaging at least 10 points, but they’re young and not very deep.

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How to buy Duke vs. NC State 2024 NCAA Men’s Elite Eight tickets

Want to watch No. 4 Duke vs. No. 11 NC State in person? Elite 8 tickets for the South Regional Final in Dallas still remain for as little as $83.

The third and penultimate Elite Eight matchup of the 2024 NCAA Men’s Tournament is set.

No. 4 Duke will take on No. 11 North Carolina State on Sunday, March 31, with a trip to the Final Four on the line.

Fans are in store for an all-ACC South Regional Final, as we get a decisive rubber match after the Blue Devils and Wolfpack split their two matchups this season.

SHOP: Duke vs. NC State Elite Eight tickets

On Friday, NC State took an early lead over No. 2 Marquette and never looked back as the Wolfpack continued their defensive dominance holding the Golden Eagles to 12.9% from three-point range.

Duke defeated No. 1 Houston in a back-and-forth battle with the Blue Devils hanging on late and advancing by a score of 54-51.

While NC State do not consider themselves to be a cinderella story, an 11 seed making the Elite Eight is closest thing we have in this year’s tournament. Will the story end with a Duke victory, or will the fairytale live on for at least one more upset?

Elite Eight tickets for the Dallas Regional remain, and at the time of publication were available for as little as $83.

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