Final. NC. State just out toughed the Blue Devils in this one. Duke just had a very bad shooting game in which they actually made 2 more FT's than they did FG's. Duke shot just 32% from the floor and 25% from 3. The Blue Devils with a minute to play was only shooting 29% and 12% from 3 before McCain hit 3 late 3's after the game had been decided. The Wolfpack play's very hard nosed defense. Duke looked at lot to me like Kentucky today in that the had no post presence as DJ Burns just had his way and they did not shoot the ball well at all.

Duke was lucky to get past Houston. I thought NC State would win this. D.J. Burns Jr has played an amazing tournament and been fun to watch. There’s no doubt in my mind that Jimmy V is smiling from heaven now.

Oakland  gave North Carolina State the best game so far in the NCAA tournament. Craziness. 

Shades of Jim Valvano.  
 

Burns was a load.  

Just now, futurecoach said:

Oakland has now gave North Carolina State the best game so far in the NCAA tournament. 

Crazy to think isn’t it? Further proof to show how much the game has changed compared to what it once was.

4 minutes ago, hrcarrier said:

Crazy to think isn’t it? Further proof to show how much the game has changed compared to what it once was.

Yep. Oakland had the ball in a tie game with a chance to win the game at the end of regulation. Then lost in OT.
 

It goes to show how tough it is to win this tournament. One bad day, or face a team that is hot and your season is over. Also shows anything is possible. North Carolina State was 17 and 14 going into the conference tournament and had lost 4 straight. Yet now they are in the final four. Craziness. 

I am going to beat the dead horse a little - Duke is too young to win this one against a group of experienced men. Two freshmen and two sophomores in their top 5. If Shead did not get hurt, they would have lost the last game. 

You gotta be on the moon if you are an NC State fan. To be in a Final Four and taking down Duke to do so. Awesome for their fans!

What a run, all the way back to the conference tournament.

Good for NC State. Talk about a University that never wins at anything athletically. A few blips now and then with a solid football season, but that is about it.