MARCHing Forward - NC State Basketball

With the NCAA tournament set to commence this week, I feel the need to show my appreciation for NC State University and their basketball program for what they just accomplished. For me, NC State has always embodied myself and vice versa. The team that was overlooked, the person who was given nothing but has the will to achieve the 'unachievable.' My name is Atlas Johnson, a recent graduate of NC State University, home of the Wolfpack.

This past weekend, NC State shocked the world by winning 5 games in as many nights, ultimately hoisting the 2024 ACC Championship. This, from a lifelong NC State fan, was the best moment in my history of cheering on the Pack. All the way from the start of the season to before the tournament, an ACC title seemed out of reach. In typical NC State Fashion, the phrase 'Cardiac Pack' was embraced and fans were left waiting until the last moment to accept the fate of the team.

Going into this storied tournament, hosted in Washington, D.C., NCST knew there was no way into March Madness without holding up the first ACC Championship in program history since 1987. As the schedule was released, a daunting task came to fruition. The 10 seeded Wolfpack would then seek to become the first double digit seed to win the ACC Championship in the history of the conference.

As the team entered the nation's capital for their first game against Louisville, the pack would be without the help of graduate guard and Raleigh native DJ Horne. Led by the scoring (25pts) of another graduate guard, Casey Morsell, NCSU came up on top to defeat the Cardinals 94-85. As Horne stated after the tournament, "They gave me a chance." This would be the final game of the bracket in which NC State was the favorite.

Game 2 would bring another familiar foe to the court, this being #7 Syracuse Orange in for their first game. Important to note: During the NCSU vs. LOU game the night prior, former Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim stated "I don't know why anybody that's got the recent history of these guys is celebrating." Boeheim's words lit a fire under the pack, and with 4 scorers in double digits, NC State won 83-65. This game shows that despite what the outside world says, self belief is the only thing that can help you reach your full potential.

This is the part of the story where the magic happens. NC State would face Duke, historically one of the best teams in NCAA history, and a bitter rival. The 2 seeded Blue Devils, littered with 5-star talent, would be heavy favorites and hoped for a 3rd win over the pack this season. From start to finish, this game was a fight between the big men, as Kyle Filipowski of Duke finished with 28 points and 14 rebounds. No one shined brighter than Mohamed Diarra, who finished with 14 points, 16 rebounds, 4 blocks, and 3 steals. Diarra played the whole tournament while fasting for Ramadan, truly a remarkable feat. NC State ended up winning this game 74-69, bringing them to the ACC Championship Semifinals.

After overcoming Duke, my confidence in the team skyrocketed even more, and I was hopeful more life was on the horizon for the team from Raleigh. The next challenge was to reach the ACC Championship, with #3 UVA being in the way. The Cavaliers are perennial ACC heavyweights and just found themselves on the verge of losing to #11 Boston College. This matchup would not be easy, but it would make the pack stronger and forever enshrined in ACC history. In UVA fashion, the game was low scoring and posed challenges scoring against the Cavaliers defense. As the game came down to the wire, NC State was left with a 6 point deficit and a 97% chance to go home defeated (ESPN).

Due to a fortunate turn of events and UVA missing a free throw, NCSU found themselves down by 3 with the ball and less than 6 seconds remaining. Casey Morsell rushed up the court and found Michael O'Connell, a transfer from Stanford, who had the last chance to save the season for the pack. Surrounded by defenders, O'Connell put up a prayer and it was answered, as his 3 pointer banked off the glass and went in! CARDIAC PACK!!! Hope was restored, and overtime awaited. NC State would then ride on the energy from that shot, defeating UVA 73-65.

Last but not least, the finalé, a storybook ending to an incredible run, as NC State would match up with the UNC Tarheels. The same Tarheels that beat the pack by 23 in Raleigh and by 9 in Chapel Hill. The #1 team in the ACC, UNC was the definite pick to win this game, by a wide margin I might add. As tension reached new heights for fans of both sides, NC State still had a mission to complete. That mission: Reach the NCAA tournament through beating UNC for the first time this season.

As Sunday morning progressed to Sunday evening, tip off was just around the corner. Fans from both sides filled the courts, but it was evident that UNC packed the house by the amount of blue that flooded Capital One Arena. The game tipped off and NC State got off to a scorching start, but UNC came right back, much in part to the lethal scoring of guard R.J. Davis. When the first half came to a close, UNC regained the lead on a buzzer-beater 3 pointer from Cormac Ryan. I was proud of NCSU for competing with the best team in the ACC, but I was nervous that NC State would become too tired in the second half of their 5th straight game.

It was clear to see as the second half started that NC State was there to compete and wanted to win more than the other side. Countless big plays were made by DJ Burns, DJ Horne in foul trouble, Casey Morsell playing with cramps, and the rest of the team playing short handed. Everyone stepped up when it mattered and Coach Keatts gave the inspiration and wisdom to overcome the improbable. DJ Burns making his first collegiate 3 pointer as the shot clock expired gave us all hope that the Wolfpack could win. Surely enough, the clock hit triple zeros and NC State was able to celebrate in a shower of confetti. Light the Bell Tower Red!!!!!

After looking back on the journey it took for NC State to get to this point, to win 5 games in 5 days to control their own destiny, it is historic. All 5 opponents have been National Champions, and with our backs against the wall, we overcame all odds to bring an ACC Championship back to Raleigh.

DJ Horne, from Raleigh, to come back to his home city for his final year of eligibility and win the ACC is the ultimate underdog story. DJ Burns winning tournament MVP after being overlooked and written off, also an amazing story.

So many things came together for the Wolfpack to rewrite history, and I am proud to be an Alumni.

Now, LET'S DANCE !

#WhyNotUs #ACCChamps #NCState