State capped off a miraculous ACC Tournament run by defeating Carolina, 84-76, marking a generational win for a program that has struggled for decades. The Wolfpack's victory was fueled by a two-man game, with DJ Horne scoring 29 points and DJ Burns adding 20, including Burns' unexpected three-pointer, his first of the season. State shot an impressive 54.9% for the game, making it difficult for the Tar Heels to keep up.
Carolina, on the other hand, seemed unable to match State's intensity, with possessions often ending in contested shots. Despite RJ Davis scoring 30 points and Armando Bacot adding 18, the team lacked a third or fourth scorer, which became evident as Davis attempted 26 shots, 17 of which were in the second half. The Heels struggled from beyond the arc, shooting just 26.7% from three in the game.
Despite State's dominance, they struggled with turnovers late in the game, giving Carolina opportunities for a comeback. However, the Tar Heels missed several crucial three-pointers down the stretch, making only two of 16 attempts in the closing minutes.
The game also saw some contentious moments, including a missed foul call on Horne early in the second half and a moving screen by Jalen Washington that negated a Cormac Ryan three-pointer for Carolina. These plays had a significant impact on the game's outcome.
The first half was a battle between Burns and Horne for State and Davis and Bacot for Carolina. Burns and Horne combined for 24 of State's 39 first-half points, while Davis and Bacot had a combined 21 of Carolina's 40.
Off the court, the ACC Tournament featured a half-court shooting contest won by NC State manager James Rolf Blizzard against former Duke standout Jay Williams. The tournament also saw the attendance of former Tar Heels, including Tyler Zeller, Joel Berry II, Marcus Ginyard, Ty Lawson, Jackie Manuel, and former head coach Roy Williams.
Despite the loss, Carolina's ultimate goal remains unchanged, with this game only mattering if the Tar Heels have a disappointing NCAA Tournament. State, on the other hand, will continue its journey into the NCAA Tournament, with best wishes to longtime Wolfpack announcer Gary Hahn, who announced his retirement after this season. Hahn's final call of an ACC Tournament title was a fitting end to his broadcasting career, which has spanned over three decades.
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