With their dynamic duo of DJs setting the rhythm, the NC State Wolfpack have secured their spot in the NCAA tournament, capping off a historic journey by dethroning the fourth-ranked North Carolina team.
DJ Horne showcased his prowess with 29 points, while DJ Burns Jr. contributed 20, including a remarkable debut 3-pointer in his college career. This stellar performance led NC State to victory in the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament final, triumphing over the Tar Heels with a score of 84-76 on Saturday night.
In a remarkable feat, the Wolfpack became only the second team to clinch any conference tournament as a double-digit seed, emerging victorious out of 15 teams, and the first to claim the ACC title with an impressive streak of five wins in as many days.
An emotional NC State coach Kevin Keatts expressed his awe, stating, “Winning five games in five nights is a miracle. We’ve got to get some rest because, guess what, we’re going to the NCAA tournament.”
Despite facing foul trouble, Horne delivered a standout performance, matching the pace set by UNC’s RJ Davis, the unanimous ACC player of the year, who showcased his brilliance with 30 points.
The crowd erupted in chants of “DJ Horne! DJ Horne!” as he exited the game with 1:11 left, highlighting his pivotal role in the victory. Reflecting on the moment, Horne remarked, “I can’t even put it into words right now. Just a week ago, it was looking like our season was about to be over, and here we are now, man, on top of the world.”
The tournament MVP title was bestowed upon Burns, further igniting the celebratory atmosphere. “We knew we were capable of it,” Burns commented. “It just doesn’t feel real. It may eventually.”
Keatts had repeatedly emphasized the importance of winning the conference tournament to secure a spot in the NCAAs, and his Wolfpack (22-14) delivered, clinching the title for the first time since 1987 under Jim Valvano.
UNC (27-7) likely solidified their position as a top seed for March Madness despite falling short in the final. Reflecting on the defeat, Davis acknowledged the need for improvement, stating, “Coach [Hubert] Davis always talks about response and how we’re going to respond when we get knocked down, so going into March Madness, we’re going to have to prepare, come together as a group, and fix the mistakes that we made tonight.”
Despite the fatigue of playing five games in as many days, NC State demonstrated resilience, with Burns delivering a dominant performance inside the paint. His pivotal plays, including a crucial 3-pointer, propelled the Wolfpack to victory and secured their spot in the NCAA tournament.
