CHARLOTTE — After a huge comeback win over Clemson, NC State stayed close but ultimately fell short against top-seeded Virginia, who is likely to be a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Although coming back from 18 points down against the Tigers and playing a great second half, the momentum did not transfer over to the quarterfinal match. In the second half, NC State couldn’t stop the trio of Kyle Guy, who went off for 29 points, Jack Salt and De’Andre Hunter, who scored 18 and 16 points, respectively.
Earlier in the season, the Pack lost a 66-65 overtime game to Virginia, a prime opportunity to collect a quadrant one win that just slipped through its fingers. It also lost close games to UNC-Chapel Hill, Wisconsin, Louisville and Florida State.
Speaking of the Big Dance, NC State has been considered a bubble team here in recent weeks due to a terrible nonconference schedule and lack of big ACC wins, but the team’s resume, especially in the ACC, is good enough to be called on Selection Sunday.
“If the selection crew, if they value what they’ve said all year long,” said head coach Kevin Keatts. “Then there shouldn’t be any issues with us. We’ve always talked about quad-one and quad-two wins, where we just played the No. 1 NET team in the country, and we’re 9-9 in quad-one and quad-two games after today.”
NC States record against quadrant one is 3-9 after today with wins over Auburn, Penn State and Clemson, yesterday. Although it shows it was not able to get a big win in the ACC, the Pack is 6-0 in quad-two games, certainly a valuable stat when deciding who gets in.
“I’m not really the type to worry,” said redshirt sophomore forward DJ Funderburk. “I don’t think anybody on our team is going to worry. Our resume speaks for itself, so we’re going to let the committee figure it out and we’re just going to practice and stay ready and wait until Sunday.”
Many of its 9 losses in quadrant one come at the hands of the best teams in the country including two to UNC, two to UVa and one to Duke, all three of which could hold on for a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
“This league is good. They’re talented. They’re athletic,” said Virginia head coach Tony Bennett. “They pretty much play four guards all the time, whether it’s Dorn at the four or whoever else they put in. Again, I think they’re a heck of a team. Coach Keatts does a great job, and I’m not on the selection committee, but I believe the way this league is and how they played, I would hope that they’re in.”
The ACC is the toughest and most competitive conference in the country and its not even close. UVa, UNC and Duke are all in the top four in the rankings and if other conference tournaments don’t work out for the other top teams, all three could potentially get a No. 1 seed.
“This is the first year that the selection committee has put value on the NET,” Keatts said. “I don’t think anybody in this room, I don’t think anyone in the country knows what that means… But I feel good about us.”
Since NC State is currently No. 32 in the NET rankings, and it’s a neutral site, Virginia is credited with a quad-one win. If UVa gets a quad-one win for beating the Pack, something that only improves its case for a No. 1 seed, then the loss shouldn’t hurt NC State’s chances.
Redshirt sophomore forward DJ Funderburk attempts to break through a double-team effort by Virginia during the ACC Tournament on Thursday, March 14, 2019 in the Spectrum Center. Funderburk scored 12 points and shot 4-6 against the Cavaliers. The Wolfpack lost to Virginia 76-56.
