NC State Makes First Final Four Since 1983
The NC State Wolfpack have made their first Final Four since 1983. They'll face off against Purdue in the Final Four.
The Wolfpack knocked off Duke in the Elite Eight, 76-64.
N.C. State, which has the most losses ever for a Final Four team, is back on basketball's biggest stage for the first time since the late Jim Valvano era.
“These guys are so special,” seventh-year coach Kevin Keatts said. “Nine elimination games or you go home.”
“I’ll say like I’ve been saying the whole tournament. When I stop having fun with basketball, I’ll stop playing,” said big man DJ Burns, who was voted the South Region's most outstanding player. “There’s just been a total switch in our commitment. Nobody’s being late to things. Nobody’s being a problem on the court. Everybody’s come together.”
Burns, who had only four points in the regional semifinal against Marquette, hit short jumpers on the Wolfpack's first two shots of the game.
NC State will now face off against Purdue on April 6. The Wolfpack are a +9.5 dog in this game.
The Boilermakers beat Tennessee on Sunday 72-66.
The Boilermakers Zach Edey went for a career high 40 points Sunday to muscle Purdue within two wins of the title for the first time since 1980 with a 72-66 victory over Dalton Knecht and his never-say-quit Tennessee teammates.
- Mary Montgomery, Gambling911.com
