DALLAS — The ACC may have a consultant on the Remaining 4. It will not be one many anticipated to begin the season.
DJ Burns Jr. scored 29 factors, together with 21 within the second half, to hold Eleventh-seeded NC State to a 76-64 win over fourth-seeded Duke in Sunday’s South Regional closing, punching this system’s first ticket to the Remaining 4 since Jim Valvano and firm gained all of it in 1983.
In Phoenix, the Wolfpack will face Zach Edey and Purdue, which superior earlier within the day with a win over Tennessee.
Burns scored solely 4 factors in NC State’s Candy 16 matchup in opposition to Marquette however made his mark on that sport with seven assists. “You’re going to double-team, I’m going to do my greatest to make you pay,” Burns stated Saturday forward of the Duke sport.
No matter defenders, the 6-foot-9 huge man charged the Blue Devils on Sunday. Rather a lot.
He scored NC State’s first 4 factors, however foul hassle later within the half stored him from utterly dominating.
“I wasn’t too frightened about it,” Burns stated postgame.
Seems, he didn’t must be. NC State trailed 27-21 at halftime. After that, it was all about Burns, who was named Most Excellent Participant of the South Area.
“I’m glad he’s on my group,” NC State coach Kevin Keatts stated. “I don’t understand how you guard him. And I hope no person figures that out.”
NC State trailed 27-21 at halftime. After that, it was all about Burns, who was named Most Excellent Participant of the South Area.
It was the third time up to now month the 2 groups confronted one another. In an NC State loss on March 4, Burns scored 27. In a Wolfpack victory within the ACC match on March 14, Burns scored solely 10. On Sunday, he put all of it collectively — huge numbers and a fair greater victory — capped by a three-point play with just below a minute left.
DJ BURNS IS HITTING EVERY SHOT 😳#MarchMadness @PackMensBball pic.twitter.com/sczUS0YBnq
— NCAA March Insanity (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 31, 2024
Guard DJ Horne added 20 factors and three assists for the Wolfpack, who misplaced their closing 4 regular-season video games earlier than this run that has them as one of many final 4 groups standing.
“The recollections that they’re creating are recollections that’ll final a lifetime,” Keatts stated. “That’s what’s actually particular.”
Freshman guard Jared McCain had 32 factors and 6 rebounds for Duke. Huge man Kyle Filipowski had 11 factors and 9 rebounds earlier than fouling out.
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(Photograph: Carmen Mandato / Getty Pictures)