Tag: NC State Wolfpack

Duke uses explosive 5th inning to crush NC State 8-1 to clinch ACC Tournament semifinal berth

Duke uses three-homer fifth inning to run away from the NC State Wolfpack and advance to ACC Semifinals.

This Duke offense can turn the heat up on anyone. And if there’s a likely culprit doing damage in the middle of it, his name is probably Zac Morris.

That was the case on Thursday night as the Blue Devils used an explosive fifth inning and ran away from their fellow Triangle rivals, the NC State Wolfpack.

Duke and NC State battled it out in Charlotte for the right to advance to the ACC Tournament Semifinals in a win-or-go-home scenario. Only one team could advance from Pool C, and it was whoever walked out with two wins on Thursday night.

Sophomore starting pitcher Andrew Healy was a tone-setter for the Blue Devils as he came right out and had an uneventful one-two-three inning to kick the game off. He settled into a groove and ended his night throwing five innings of shutout baseball. He struck out four batters and walked none on a very economical 59 pitches.

During the top of the fifth inning, his teammates decided to help him out. Left fielder Chase Krewson took NC State’s Sam Highfill the opposite way for a solo home run to put Duke up 1-0. Devin Obee and Wallace Clark singled, and Highfill walked All-ACC freshman Kyle Johnson to load the bases.

Zac Morris, who already had a team-high 17 homers for the season, then took a 1-2 pitch deep to left-center field for a grand slam.

Ben Miller flew out before AJ Gracia got in on the action with a solo home run himself. Like that, Duke was up 6-0, and they never looked back.

Krewson would walk to start the sixth inning, and Devin Obee hit a laser of a line drive that was initially ruled a double before an umpire’s review deemed it a home run, giving Chris Pollard’s team an 8-0 lead.

James Tallon and Tim Noone combined for four innings of one-run ball to close the game, and Duke would eliminate NC State from the ACC Tournament.

From now on, the ACC tournament will be single elimination, so Duke will remain in do-or-die mode. Duke will have Friday off before taking on the winner of Pool D, Virginia, or  Florida State on Saturday at 5 p.m.

Shams: NC State star DJ Burns Jr. is down 45 pounds ahead of NBA draft

DJ Burns Jr. has reportedly dropped 45 pounds since the conclusion of his season with the Wolfpack.

Former NC State center DJ Burns Jr. told Shams Charania of The Athletic this week that he has dropped 45 pounds since the conclusion of his season with the Wolfpack.

Burns burst onto the national radar after helping lead the Wolfpack to their first ACC Tournament championship since 1987. They became the first double-digit seed (10) to win the tournament after reeling off five wins in as many days.

The group continued its run in the NCAA Tournament, advancing to the Final Four for the first time since 1983. After a dominant run, Burns seemingly wasted no time and immediately hit the gym to prepare for the 2024 NBA draft.

He is seeing the fruits of his labor.

“He was listed at 275 pounds when he finished the season in college,” Charania said Wednesday on FanDuel TV. “I saw him at the pro day yesterday. He looked totally different. I talked to him afterward. DJ Burns told me he lost 45 pounds in the last 6 1/2 weeks. He said he is doing cardio workouts at 5 a.m.”

Burns was voted the ACC Tournament MVP and to the 2024 NCAA Tournament all-region team after averaging 16.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.6 assists on 62.5% shooting from the field. He erupted for a season-high 29 points in a win over Duke in the Elite Eight.

The fifth-year senior proved dominant during their run with his size and ability to bully opponents in the paint. His performance on the court and his outgoing personality quickly made him and the Wolfpack fan favorites around the country.

Burns isn’t projected to be drafted, but he will have the opportunity to showcase himself in team workouts and interviews after his agency pro day. He appears to be off to a good start following his weight loss.

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Duke baseball’s ACC Championship pool set, will play Virginia Tech on Tuesday

The ACC Baseball Championship bracket pits the Blue Devils against the Hokies and the Wolfpack for a spot in the semifinals.

Duke baseball needs to take down NC State and Virginia Tech in pool play to advance to the ACC Championship semifinals.

The conference released its tournament bracket over the weekend, and the Blue Devils got paired with the Wolfpack and the Hokies for the initial games.

NC State, the third-ranked team in the conference, finished with a 32-19 record overall but with an 18-11 record against ACC opponents. The Hokies finished with a 32-20 overall record, finishing a fraction below .500 in conference play with a 14-16 mark.

The three teams will play each other in a round-robin format, each playing the other once. At the end of pool play, the team with the best record advances to the semifinals.

If two of the three teams remain tied at the end of the proceedings, the team with the highest seed moves on. As the second seed in the pool, Duke holds the tiebreaker over Virginia Tech, but the Wolfpack hold the tiebreaker over them both.

Duke’s first game of the tournament, which takes place at Truist Field in Charlotte, takes place on Tuesday against the Hokies at 7 p.m. The Blue Devils will then play NC State on Thursday at the same time.

Duke one of the finalists to land New Mexico State RB Star Thomas

Duke continues to attack the transfer portal hard in search of more pieces for the 2024 season as they are a finalist for transfer RB Star Thomas.

Duke football is far from being done constructing its roster for the 2024 season. It seems they still have a ways to go.

Recently, Bruno Fina, an offensive tackle who played last season at UCLA, hit the transfer portal and came out on the other side as a Duke Blue Devil.

Duke is now looking to boost its running back room, it appears. On3’s Pete Nakos reported on Wednesday that Manny Diaz’s team is one of four finalists for New Mexico State transfer tailback Star Thomas.

Thomas was a second-team All-Conference USA selection this past season. He rushed for 633 yards in 2023 and added four rushing touchdowns. He also caught 22 passes for 200 yards and two touchdowns.

Throughout his career, he’s tallied 1,171 yards and 9 TDs on the ground along with 351 receiving yards and five scores as a passing weapon.

Duke’s competition includes newly minted ACC foe California, a sleeper team to win the SEC in Ole Miss, and the Toledo Rockets.

Thomas would be a welcome addition to Duke’s running back room. Since Jordan Waters’ departure to the NC State Wolfpack, the Blue Devils have been searching for a more proven option alongside Jaquez Moore, and Thomas certainly fills that role.

 

Lane Kiffin and the Rebels feel like the team to beat, but with Duke making the list as a finalist, we’ll see how things shake out when the dust settles.

Former Ohio State football safety Ja’Had Carter finds new home

Carter ends up in the ACC. #GoBucks

When Ohio State football landed a transfer commitment from Syracuse safety [autotag]Ja’Had Carter[/autotag], many believed the former freshman superstar would have a big impact in Columbus.

Unfortunately for both parties that never transpired, and Carter once again entered the transfer portal following the conclusion of spring practice. It’s clear he wanted to make it work out with the Buckeyes, but the transfer addition of Caleb Downs along with Lathan Ransom returning meant playing time was going to be hard to come by. Injuries had an effect on Carter seeing the field with the Buckeyes as well.

Fortunately for Carter, his skill set plays at this level, and he found a match with NC State, which he committed to on Monday afternoon.

Carter has two seasons of eligibility remaining, and we wish him the best with the Wolfpack.

Contact/Follow @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes and opinion. Follow Michael Chen on X. 

Duke’s series loss to FSU drops Blue Devils to 10th in latest D1 Baseball poll

Duke remains in top 10 of the D1Baseball poll despite series loss to FSU.

Duke had a chance to bolster its postseason resume this weekend in a pivotal home series against a ranked FSU team.

Instead, Duke fell short in the Friday and Saturday games before exploding for a run-rule win on Sunday afternoon.

With its loss to the Seminoles and midweek loss to the Campbell Camels that completed a home-and-home series, Duke finished last week 1-3 and slid down to 10th in the newest D1Baseball poll.

Texas A&M, Arkansas, and Tennessee remained the poll’s top three teams for another week. Clemson moved up a spot to fourth, while ECU, who is scheduled to take on Duke in May, is now the fifth-ranked team in the country. Oregon State moved three places to sixth, while Florida State jumped from tenth to seventh. Kentucky and UC Irvine round out the remaining teams ahead of the Blue Devils.

The rest of the ACC continues to be featured up and down the poll, with Virginia, North Carolina, and Wake Forest coming in at 11, 12, and 13. NC State rounds things out on the 20th.

Duke heads for the exam break this week and will have no midweek games before returning to action on Sunday against the Longwood Lancers. The first pitch for game one of the doubleheader is scheduled for 1 p.m.

Duke rises to No. 6 in D1Baseball poll after first road series win against Virginia Tech in years

Duke keeps rising in latest D1Baseball poll, moving up to No. 6 after they took a ranked road series against Virginia Tech.

Duke’s weekend in Blacksburg was full of excitement as Duke won a road series against Virginia Tech for the first time in six years. Both Duke wins came with late-inning dramatics, as the Blue Devils fought back and won the game late.

For their efforts against a top-25 team, the Blue Devils saw themselves rise one spot to No. 6 in the latest D1Baseball poll.

Duke’s win puts them two games behind UNC for the Coastal Division lead as the Blue Devils enter the home stretch of the regular season.

At the top of the newest D1Baseball poll, the Texas A&M Aggies remain the nation’s number one team. Arkansas is second while the Tennessee Volunteers are third. Kentucky and ACC foe Clemson are ranked ahead of Duke at fourth and fifth, respectively.

East Carolina, Wake Forest, and Oklahoma State follow in order before Duke’s next ACC opponent, Florida State, slots in at 10th.

The rest of the ACC continues to be well represented in the poll, with Virginia and North Carolina ranked 14th and 15th, respectively, while NC State ranked 21st.

Duke will remain on the road for a midweek game against a tough Campbell Camels team before returning home for a top-10 weekend series against the Florida State Seminoles.

Duke finishes at No. 9 in final AP poll

Four ACC teams, including Duke, crack final AP poll of the 2023-2024 season.

While the season’s outcome was not what many expected when Duke took the floor to start the season, Jon Scheyer’s team was, in essence, just 12 minutes from a Final Four berth.

NC State made more plays down the stretch and ultimately ended Duke’s season before having their season ended by national runner-up Purdue. Connecticut was always the best team from beginning to end, and they proved it by doing what hadn’t been done since Billy Donovan’s Florida Gators teams in 2006–07: winning a second consecutive national title.

It should come as no surprise that the Huskies end the season as the No. 1 team in the final AP poll for the 2023-2024 season. Purdue was second, while Houston, whom Duke beat in the Sweet 16, tied with Alabama for the third-place spot. Tennessee checked in at number five.

Illinois was next at No. 6, followed by North Carolina, Iowa State, and Duke. NC State rounds out the top 10 despite never joining the poll during the regular season. Clemson, one of four ACC schools to make at least the Sweet 16, finished at No. 14.

The ACC had the same number of teams in the final AP poll as the Big 12, with four each.

2025 NCAA basketball championship odds: Who is favored? Will UConn 3-peat?

Looking at the 2025 NCAA basketball championship odds as the 2023-24 season just wrapped up.

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It’s never too soon to think about next season.

While the UConn Huskies were finishing off the Purdue Boilermakers Monday in Glendale, Ariz, other programs — and players — have already set their focus on what it will take to get to the 2025 National Championship Game in San Antonio’s Alamodome next April 7.

Numerous players have entered the transfer portal, from FAU G Johnell Davis to Arizona C Oumar Ballo. Davis reportedly will test the waters and enter the NBA Draft.

Florida G Walter Clayton Jr., LSU G Jalen Cook and even USC G Bronny James are among a group who have declared or reportedly will declare for the upcoming draft.

Coaches are on the move, too. Sources have John Calipari leaving Kentucky for SEC rival Arkansas. He would replace Eric Musselman, who is headed to USC … which lost Andy Enfield to SMU.

So, who will win the championship next season?

Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!

2025 NCAA basketball championship odds

Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Monday, April 8, at 11:56 p.m. ET.

THE FAVORITES

  • Duke Blue Devils +1100 (bet $100 to win $1,100)
  • Kansas Jayhawks +1200
  • Alabama Crimson Tide +1500
  • Houston Cougars +1500
  • North Carolina Tar Heels +1500
  • UConn Huskies +1800

THE CONTENDERS

  • Arizona Wildcats +2000
  • Kentucky Wildcats +2000
  • Baylor Bears +3000
  • Gonzaga Bulldogs +3000
  • Purdue Boilermakers +3000
  • Tennessee Volunteers +3600
  • Texas Longhorns +3600

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YOU NEVER KNOW

  • Arkansas Razorbacks +4000
  • Auburn Tigers +4000
  • BYU Cougars +4000
  • Illinois Fighting Illini +4000
  • Iowa State Cyclones +4000
  • Creighton Bluejays +4500
  • Marquette Golden Eagles +4500

NOTEWORTHY ???

  • Michigan Wolverines +5000
  • Miami Hurricanes +5000
  • Florida Gators +5500
  • Michigan State Spartans +5500
  • Ohio State Buckeyes +5500
  • St. John’s Red Storm +5500
  • UCLA Bruins +5500
  • Villanova Wildcats +5500
  • Wisconsin Badgers +5500

+6000

San Diego State Aztecs | USC Trojans

+8000

Indiana Hoosiers | Kansas State Wildcats

Louisville Cardinals | Virginia Cavaliers

Washington Huskies

+10000

Iowa Hawkeyes |  Oklahoma Sooners

Oregon Ducks |  Syracuse Orange

+15000

Colorado Buffaloes | NC State Wolfpack

Northwestern Wildcats | Notre Dame Fighting Irish

+25000

Arizona State Sun Devils

+30000

FAU Owls | Stanford Cardinal

Stream select live college basketball games and full replays: Get ESPN+

LONGEST SHOTS (+50000 each)

McNeese Cowboys |  Oakland Golden Grizzlies

Oregon State Beavers | UC Irvine Anteaters

Vermont Catamounts | Yale Bulldogs

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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:
Alabama / Arkansas / Auburn / Clemson / Colorado / Florida / Georgia / Iowa / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Nebraska / North Carolina / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Rutgers / Tennessee / Texas / Texas A&M / USC / Wisconsin /
College Sports Wire: Men’s hoops / Women’s hoops / High School

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‘We should have been up more’: Coach K reacts to Elite Eight loss to NC State

“We should be up by double digits,” legendary Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said about the Blue Devils’ six-point halftime lead over NC State last Sunday.

When looking back at Duke’s Elite Eight loss to NC State last Sunday, the easy issues to find came in the second half. When talking about the game on Sirius XM earlier this week, legendary Blue Devils Mike Krzyzewski said the problem came earlier than that.

The five-time national champion said the Blue Devils, who took a 27-21 lead into halftime, should have been up by double-digits at the halfway point.

“I felt we should have been up more,” Krzyzewski said.

Coach K pointed out that, while Duke’s 30.8% shooting percentage in the first half reflected the Wolfpack’s defensive prowess, the Blue Devils were still a perfect nine-for-nine from the free-throw line.

“The thing I worried about was (NC State guard DJ) Horne,” he added. “He’s been a hot player and he didn’t hit anything…But then in the second half, they continued to play really good defense and their offense exploded.”

Sure enough, NC State outscored the Blue Devils 55-37 over the final 20 minutes.

“They outplayed us in the second half,” Coach K said simply.