N.C. State went to the ACC Tournament in Greensboro in dire need of résumé building wins if it was to return to the NCAA Tournament for the third straight season under head coach Mark Gottfried. After a major upset, tight loss and tons of speculation, the Wolfpack will get to dance once again.
After winning two-of-three games in the conference tournament, N.C. State (21-13 overall) earned a berth to the NCAA Tournament and will be one of four schools playing in the first round in Dayton, Ohio on Tuesday. The Pack will face Xavier of the Big East Conference, with the winner facing fifth-seeded St. Louis in Orlando on Thursday. The Musketeers hail from nearby Cincinnati and are certain to benefit from the easier travel, but Gottfried was in no mood to complain.
“I thought our players earned their way into the tournament,” the third-year coach said moments after N.C. State’s selection. “It doesn’t matter where this game is. You can play it in Dayton. You can play it in Alaska. Our guys are going to be ready to play. If you have to pay in front of an opposing crowd, so be it.”
The Wolfpack entered Greensboro with a chance not only to solidifying its RPI standing but also opportunities at redemption against schools that had dealt State losses during the regular season.
On Thursday, the Pack toppled Miami 67-58, winning its 20th game of the campaign for the third straight year. State held a seven-point lead with less than eight minutes remaining, but the Canes used a 13-4 run during a five-minute span to take two point lead heading into the final media timeout.
N.C. State clamped down and finished the final three minutes on a 16-5 spurt that closed out the victory and sent the Wolfpack into the ACC Tournament quarterfinals to face No. 11 Syracuse. State shot 60 percent in the second half against Miami and committed only five turnovers in the game. Sophomore forward, and ACC Player of the Year, T.J. Warren finished with 24 points and junior guard Ralston Turner added 22.
On Friday, State faced the Orange in what could potentially be its final shot at securing a marquee victory needed to impress the NCAA selection committee. The Pack fell at Syracuse 56-55 while the Orange was ranked No. 1 and still undefeated, with a highly controversial disallowing of a T.J. Warren basket being a particular source of consternation.
N.C. State went into halftime on Friday leading by three points and increased its advantage to 8 points before the Orange rallied, Syracuse held a 59-57 advantage with 3:41 remaining. The Pack tied it up and then Turner banked in a three-pointer with 2:28 left to give the Wolfpack a 62-59 advantage.
“That is definitely one of the biggest threes I’ve ever hit. I called “bank” inside my head.” Turner said.
Syracuse trailed by one point with 26 seconds to go and then a wild sequence ensued. The Orange had six shot attempts on one possession but were unable to connect. The Pack got the ball with less than two seconds remaining.
“Well obviously I am very, very excited for our players,” Gottfried said. “I am extremely proud of a young team that keeps battling, doesn’t get down and bounces back.”
The Pack returned on Saturday, appearing in the ACC Tournament semifinals for the third consecutive season and 12th time in 18 years, and faced Triangle rival Duke. The seventh-rank ed Blue Devils held a 39-38 lead at intermission despite N.C. State shooting 66.7 percent (16-for-24).
After the break the Wolfpack faltered from the floor, going only 11-for-31 (35.5 percent) and Duke opened up a 13-point lead with less than four minutes remaining. The Devils held on despite shoddy free throw shooting (12-for-23). State got the reprieve its looking for on Sunday with its selection for the NCAA Tournament. Gottfried is confident his young team will embrace the experience.
“You take a deep breath and enjoy it,” Gottfried said. “We are going to be ready to play. We are going to play to win. It is the greatest show on the earth. It is a privilege to play in the tournament and hopefully we are going to play well.”
