Streaking Wolfpack Beats Blue Devils, Capture Last Final Four Spot
Photo Credit: Kevin Jairaj, USA TODAY Sports
In what was North Carolina State’s second win over Duke in this month, the Wolfpack(26-14) beat the Duke Blue Devils(27-9) by a score of 76-64, according to ESPN, in order to reserve a matchup with the Purdue Boilermakers in Arizona.
North Carolina State, one of the hottest teams in the country, was able to continue their hot streak in the Elite Eight Round, easily handling another team that is proven to deliver to their fans in the month of March. While the teams put up similar statistics in the areas of three-point percentage and free throw percentage, the field goal percentage differential(North Carolina State shooting 46.7% from the field compared to Duke’s 32.2% field goal percentage), and Duke’s nine turnovers compared to five turnovers truly sealed the game for the Wolfpack. Not only did Duke turn over the ball, North Carolina State took advantage of those turnovers, cashing in on 13 points.
Photo Credit: Patrick Smith, Getty Images
A matchup that was known to be interesting in the game was going to be the Wolfpack’s DJ Burns Jr. against Duke’s seven-footer Kile Filipowski. A five-star recruit out of high school, Filipowski was expected to produce more than his showing in the 2022-2023 season, considering his decision to pass on the NBA Draft and return to college for another year. Burns dominated this game, putting up 29 points to Filipowski’s 11. The Wolfpack destroyed the Blue Devils in the paint, scoring 38 points compared to Duke’s 26. Burns hopes to continue his recent success in what will be a much more difficult matchup in Zach Edey, one of the most dominant centers coming off of a 40-point outburst against Tenenssee.
Photo Credit: Kevin Jairaj, USA TODAY Sports
Looking at the Wolfpack’s statistics for the Tournament, nothing about the 47.2% field goal percentage or 34.7% three-point percentage is too shocking. However, their ability to hold on the defensive end(holding opponents to 35.3% from the field and 23.9% from beyond the arc) has kept them in games and will hope to keep them in the tournament with a huge matchup against Purdue looming.
