NC State vs. Purdue: Glendale, Ariz. — NC State Wolfpack basketball saw its March Madness run end with a 63-50 loss to the Purdue Boilermakers on Saturday in the Final Four of the 2024 NCAA Tournament.
The Wolfpack (26-15) finished the season as ACC Tournament champions for the first time since 1983. The Boilermakers (34-4) will play either No. 1 seed UConn (35-3) or No. 4 seed. Alabama (25-11) is seeded in Monday’s national championship game.
Michael O’Connell injured his hamstring in the first half of the loss and Jack Eddy showed why he is the national player of the year with another dominant performance for Purdue. Raleigh native DJ Horn scored 20 points in his final game for the Wolfpack
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Purdue cruised to a 63-50 victory over NC State in the Final Four
The Wolfpack saw its season come to an end, but the Boilermakers would play for the national title.
NC State, Purdue is missing a ton of shots at State Farm Stadium
Neither offense got off to a fast start in the second half, but Purdue leaned on the play of Zach Eddy to stay ahead.
Purdue leads at halftime vs. NC State
Purdue takes a 35-29 lead into the locker room against NC State.
DJ Horne makes a late run for the Wolfpack vs. Purdue
DJ Horn, who had 13 points in the first half, made it a three-point game with back-to-back jumpers to make it a two-possession game before Purdue hit his fifth 3-pointer of the half.
Michael O’Connell is dealing with a hamstring injury vs. Purdue
NC State starting guard Michael O’Connell tweaked his hamstring in the first half against Purdue, but returned to the game.
Breyon pass, Jayden Taylor provokes NC State on the bench
Breyon Pass and Jayden Taylor provided nine points off the bench to pull NC State within five with 3:24 left in the first half.
NC State’s DJ Barnes picked up his second foul late in the first half
DJ Barnes was the first post player to get into foul trouble, picking up his second foul with 6:29 left in the first half and State trailing by 10.
Jack Eddy, Lance Jones gave Purdue a double-digit lead
Purdue jumped out to a 23-13 lead behind strong starts from Lance Jones and Zach Eddy.
NC State falls into an early hole vs. Purdue
NC State allowed 10 points on five offensive rebounds in the opening minutes as Purdue built a 12-4 lead.
NC State’s starting lineup vs. Purdue
The Wolfpack didn’t have any surprises in its starting lineup against Purdue, sticking with the team that powered NC State this season. DJ Horn, Michael O’Connell, Casey Morsell, Mo Diarra and DJ Burns Jr. will start against the Boilermakers.
NC State vs. Purdue start time, TV info, location
Time: 6:09 PM ET
TV info: TBS
Location: State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona
Streaming: NCAA March Madness Live App, Sling TV
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NC State vs. Purdue will be televised on TBS with Ioan Eagle, Bill Raftery, Grant Hill and Tracy Wolfson at State Farm Stadium. Gene Steratore will be prepared to query as a rules analyst.
NC State vs. Purdue preview
NC State: DJ Burns and DJ Horne continue to shine as the tournament’s two best players, but NC State’s supporting cast is at the center of the team’s late-season turnaround. The Wolfpack’s defense has been elite, so if it can make life difficult for Purdue’s secondary options, State has a chance to pull off an upset.
Purdue: It all starts with 7-foot-4 center Jack Eddy, the most dominant player in college basketball the past two seasons. After losing by 16 last season, the Bowlermakers are looking to follow Virginia’s path in 2019. If Braden Smith and Co. knock down shots, it could be a long night for the Wolfpack.
NC State vs. Purdue Betting Odds, Spread, Over/Under in March Madness
Courtesy of BetMGM.
Spread: Purdue is a 9.5-point favorite
Moneyline: NC State (+350), Purdue (-450)
Over/Under: 146.5 points
NC State vs. Purdue Predictions, Game Picks
Purdue 76, NC State 70: The Wolfpack leaned toward a prove-it mentality throughout the basketball tournament, but so did the Boilermakers. After losing to a 16 seed last basketball game season, Purdue won’t take NC State lightly in Arizona. Zach Edey, the sport’s most dominant force, will be the difference.