NC State and the Suprise Road to the Final Four

Smells Like 1983

In the 2024 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, the North Carolina State Wolfpack, led by Head Coach Kevin Keatts, qualified for their first Final Four appearance in 41 years (College Basketball@SportsReference.com). However, this team was not a standard top seeded favorite to make it this far. In fact, NCSU had to automatically qualify by winning the ACC conference tournament (ACC) and entered the NCAA tournament as an 11 seed. So how did this team perform in the regular season, and what changed for them in the gauntlet of College Basketball's post season? This question can be answered by analyzing the course of their season, statistics of key players, and a few figures relating to their historic run.

A Surprising Turn

At the beginning of the season, NC State (ESPN) started off strong, but began to sink in the thick of conference play. Finishing on a four-game losing skid, the Wolfpack finished the regular season with a 17-14 record. This took them out of contention for an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament. This means that NC State's only chance at March Madness was by winning the ACC conference tournament. They did just that by winning five straight games in five days, with a championship win over the North Carolina Tar Heels. The pack did not stop there, winning four more in the NCAA tournament to earn a spot in the Final Four in Phoenix. To get into this position, NC State had to win nine straight 'win or go home' games.

Comparatively, Purdue (ESPN) and UConn (ESPN) seemed destined to reach this tournament's Final Four throughout the season. Two power conference teams that finished the regular season with only three loses. While Alabama (ESPN) was not as predictable, they did enter the tournament as a four seed and the 16th overall team in the field (NCAA).

Dog Status

After an impressive conference tournament run that got NC State into the field, the Wolfpack were still an 11 seed among heavy hitters who proved their worth throughout the season. The public seemed to think the same thing, as the majority of bracket makers (NCAA) believed the one seed Houston Cougars were the team to beat in the south region. Other favorites in this region were No. 3 Kentucky, No. 2 Marquette, and No. 4 Duke. While the 'Other' Category is larger than both Duke and Marquette, the percentages of the other 12 teams individually are smaller.

The DJ Show

The two most pivotal players in this run for NC State were senior forward DJ Burns Jr (ESPN). and senior guard DJ Horne. While Burns was a force in the post all season, his average production (College Basketball@SportsReference.com) increased in post season play, most noticeably in points scored. His elevated play was not only reflected in the wins and statistical increase, but with some recognition as well. Burns received All ACC tournament honors, ACC tournament MVP, and NCAA All Region honors.

Senior guard DJ Horne (College Basketball@SportsReference.com) did not have to up his game very much, rather he just needed to stay consistent. While he did show out in the post season, his regular season numbers indicate this was his normal level of play. As he averaged double digit scoring through the regular season, conference tournament, and NCAA tournament. Horne also earned recognition with 2023-24 All ACC, 2024 All ACC Tournament, NCAA All Region, and NCAA All-Tournament honors.

Pink Cream Cute Ramadan Myth and fact Infographic.pdf

Fast Facts and Figures

(SportsWatch.com, ESPN, NCAA, YouTube)

Page updated

Report abuse