For the first time since 2007, NC State basketball is in the championship game of the ACC Tournament. The 10th-seeded Wolfpack continued its impressive, improbable run at the 71st edition of the event with a 73-65 win against Virginia in overtime at Capital One Arena. NC State, which outscored the Cavaliers 15-7 in the extra period, has won four games in as many days. Now, they play North Carolina for the title. Please click here for more.
How NC State basketball secured a spot in the ACC Tournament final
DJ Horne, NC State basketball knock off No. 11 Duke at ACC Tournament
NC State basketball is making some noise at the 2024 ACC Tournament. Needing to win the ACC championship to secure a bid in the NCAA Tournament, the Wolfpack, led by DJ Horne, kept those hopes alive with a 74-69 win against reigning ACC champion Duke on Thursday at Capital One Arena. Please click here for more.
Sticky D, fastbreak offense lead Heels over FSU
There was no letdown for North Carolina after an emotional win at Duke as the No. 1 seeded Tar Heels used an aggressive defense to run past Florida State 92-67 in the ACC Tournament. (3/14)
“Everybody knows their role,” said UNC’s Elliott Cadeau, who had eight points, four rebounds, six assists and three steals. “We have good chemistry. We’re a good team.”
Carolina not only controlled the boards (47-20 rebounds) but the Tar Heels had a season-high 26 fastbreak points.
Armando Bacot, who scored 12 of his points 14 in the first half, pounded the offensive boards in the first half to help Carolina open up a game that was only 20-19 UNC with eight minutes to go in the opening stanza.
It was ACC Player of the Year RJ Davis, however, who spearheaded a 12-0 run late in the first half. First he came up with a steal that led to a run-out layup and then half a minute later he drilled a transition three.
After a battling Bacot layin – following the Heels getting multiple chances on the possession – Carolina led by 19 at 46-27.
A 10-2 Tar Heel run over just two minutes early in the second half gave Carolina its biggest lead to that point at 62-41 following a Davis swished transition three with 14:34 left in the game.
The lead got as high as 27 on several occasions with the first coming on a Jae’Lyn Withers three from the right wing with 3:54 to go which made it 84-57.
UNC coach Hubert Davis said the Tar Heels got going once they increased the pace. “It was one of our most complete games of the season,” he said, noting that the rebounding and speedy UNC guards led to the Heels getting opportunities off the break.
Davis led four Tar Heels in double figures with 18 points. Bacot and Cormac Ryan each scored 14 while Seth Trimble came off the bench to score 12, including a poster-worthy dunk down the lane.
Florida State was led by Primo Spears 17 points.
The Tar Heels improve to 26-6 overall, and advance to tomorrow’s matchup with either Wake Forest or Pitt.
For a box score, a highlight video and more on the game, please click here.
‘RJ, you f*cker, I wanna kill you’ – silence is deafening
Duke coach Jon Scheyer completely ignored water bottles and debris being thrown at players but pleaded for the same group of students to accept his apology for the performance of his team. The optics of this are horrible. What could be worse? Death threats without consequences. Some are saying the heckler says, “I’m gonna kill you” rather than “I wanna kill you.” Listen for yourself. Please click here for more.
NC State pulls away in shootout win over Louisville
NC State flirted with adversity but senior guards Michael O’Connell and Casey Morsell came up big to lead the Wolfpack a 94-85 win over Louisville on Tuesday in the ACC Tournament in Washington, D.C. Morsell had his second biggest scoring game of the season with 25 points and he made all 13 free throws to lead the way. He helped offset the explosive performance by Louisville sophomore guard Skyy Clark, who erupted for seven three-pointers and 36 points. Please click here for more.
Blue Devils going after their own Crazies
Duke sports website had this to say about the Cameron Crazies following their latest antics against Carolina: After we heard some of what was said, amazingly, we had to side with those players – against you. Our reaction would have been much the same. You can’t treat people that way. You just can’t. Those guys, to their credit, kept their composure and responded only after they won the game. Please click here for more.
DJ Horne is a Game-time Decision for NC State vs. Louisville
All-ACC Guard DJ Horne is a game-time decision for NC State against Louisville this afternoon in the 1st Round of the ACC Tournament. Tip-off is schedule for 4:30 following the Georgia Tech-Notre Dame matchup. Please click here for more.
Colt Langdon of Millbrook named district basketball player of the year
Joining Langdon on the first team are Isaac Ericksen (Green Level), Nathan Fife (Sanderson), Chris Uwayo (Panther Creek) and Will James Jr. (Holly Springs). The Coach of the Year is John Green of Green Level. Please click here for more.
RJ Davis, ACC Player of the Year, Delivering on Roy Williams’ Hunch
As North Carolina’s final home game of the season came to an end last week and standout guard RJ Davis headed off the court at the Smith Center, he made a special stop before disappearing down the tunnel to the Tar Heels’ locker room. There was retired coach Roy Williams, the UNC luminary who Davis played under early on in his college career, waiting with a hug. Please click here for more.
Duke ‘Crazies’ Throw Drinks, Gum Balls At North Carolina Players Following Loss
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that North Carolina players were excited when the clock hit zero, rushing out onto the court to celebrate the win, but also give a little bit of that taunting back to the Duke student section. This is when things took a turn, leading to students throwing drinks, cups and even a gumball at North Carolina players. Please click here for more.