Every year in March Madness we see one or two low ranked teams go on a magical run deep in the tournament. This year it is the ACC's own NC State. Ranked 11 in their division for the tournament and barley even making it into the tournament at all, nobody expected them to now be entering the final four where they will be set to take on Zach Edey and Purdue. So how exactly did they get to this point?
With a total of 14 losses in the regular season and only 9 regular season wins in the ACC, nobody really expected NC state to make the tournament at all heading towards the end of the season. Going on a fairly frightening loosing streak heading into to the ACC tournament, many thought they would loose first or second round and that there tournament hopes would be out of the window. This was simply not the case. NC state battled through adversity and out lasted Louisville, Syracuse, Duke, Virginia, and finally UNC in the ACC final. Winning 5 games in a row in the ACC tournament as a 10 seed, and outlasting teams like Duke and UNC is no easy task at all. NC State won when it really mattered and with that ACC victory they were able to punch there ticket into March madness.
Now many thought this magical run would end soon, as they were heading into the tournament as an 11 seed, but they simply weren't done yet. Upsetting almost every team in their way, and beating talented programs like Texas Tech, Marquette, and Duke once again, NC state as of yesterday is now on the way to a final four match up against 1 seed Purdue. So what is the secret to this random splurge of success. The answer is the DJ duo that NC State posses. DJ Horne and DJ Burns, Horne who is a quick and shifty guard, and Burns a 6'9 280 bruising big man are a special combination of speed and strength and are the main reason for this magical run by NC state. Burns, who has become a nationwide fan favorite for his joy filled attitude on the court and his unique build for a basketball player put the whole world on notice with the special talent that he has showcased throughout March. Scoring 29 points yesterday and grabbing 4 rebounds he helped propel NC State over a star studded Duke team in the Elite 8.
They are now onto the next tough matchup and many are wondering if they can keep this win streak going. None the less, win or loose, this run by NC State has been nothing short of special and is a prime example of the life changing stories that march madness can bring. DJ burns in just the span of the tournament has tripled his Instagram following, and signed deals with Adidas, Manscaped, Raising Cane's, and Turbo Tax. March madness is something that truly changes lives and brings to light to underrated talent of many players. No matter what happens next in these final two rounds, DJ burns and NC State will go down in history and will never be forgotten.
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