In 1983, the North Carolina State Wolfpack embarked on a tournament run for the ages. After an average season that saw the team enter the ACC Tournament with a 17-10 record, the season looked to be a failure for Head Coach Jim Valvano and his club. However, they were able to march their way to an ACC Tournament Championship by beating heavy favorites in North Carolina and Virginia en route to an NCAA Tournament berth.
Even when announced as a #6 seed in the then-52-team field, the chances of the Wolfpack making a run were slim. When it came to it, NC State did the unthinkable by knocking off Pepperdine, UNLV, Utah, and Virginia once again before defeating Houston in the championship game. It was a miraculous run as the Wolfpack beat Houston at the buzzer and caused an excited Valvano to run around the court looking for someone to hug.
41 years later, the Wolfpack are once again in the midst of a similar tournament run. This season, they entered the conference tournament as the #10 seed and with little hope to make the NCAA tournament. However, they proceeded to beat Louisville, Syracuse, Duke, Virginia, and North Carolina to earn a bid to the big dance as an #11 seed.
Led by center D.J. Burns, guard D.J. Horne and Head Coach Kevin Keatts, the Wolfpack have looked unstoppable. They took down Texas Tech, Oakland, Marquette, and Duke to reach the Final 4. During the surprising run, Burns has become a national treasure due to his strength and toughness in the paint. Against Purdue and Zach Edey, Burns will have to continue playing at a high level if NC State is to advance to the National Championship game.
This season, Keatts and his squad have easily been the surprise of the tournament. Just over a month ago, the coach was barely holding onto his job. Now, he has earned a 2-year contract extension because of his team’s resurgence.
A huge test awaits against Purdue, a team on their own quest for glory. Can NC State pull off a miracle and perhaps do the unthinkable? Only time will tell as the two teams face off this weekend in what figures to be an amazing game between programs with something to prove.
