CBB Review hands out awards for each conference tournament in 2024. Up next: The ACC Tournament.
The ACC Tournament never disappoints.
NC State had a run for the ages. After Jim Boeheim commented on the Wolfpack’s celebration and recent postseason struggles, NC State ran the table. A leader fighting through injury, a buzzer-beater against Virginia, and back-to-back-to-back upsets against NCAA Tournament at-large bids cemented NC State as the ACC’s fifth representative in the big dance. So if you’re looking for a team ready to bust some brackets, NC State has already gotten off to a hot start.
CBB Review ACC Tournament Most Outstanding Player
DJ Horne, NC State
You can make a case here for DJ Burns Jr., as he is well-deserving of this award as well. The duo accounted for over 36% of NC State’s offense over their five-game Cinderella run, and Burns had an extra game played over Horne. But what gives the 5th-year guard the edge is the way he came back to lead the Wolfpack to their first ACC Tournament Title since 1987.
Horne sustained a “lower extremity injury” after playing the first 12 minutes against Pitt in NC State’s final regular season matchup. After sitting out against Louisville in the first round, Horne came off the bench for the next three games to give the Wolfpack a lift. In the championship, Horne led all scorers with 29 points and got NC State the win over No. 4 UNC, which is now a 1-seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.
CBB Review All-ACC Tournament First Team
- G: RJ Davis, North Carolina – 3 GP (24.3 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 3.3 APG, 1.0 SPG)
- G: DJ Horne, NC State – 4 GP (17.8 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 1.3 APG, 1.5 SPG, 48.0 FG%)
- F: Quentin Post, Boston College – 3 GP (21.3 PPG, 11.3 RPG, 3.7 APG, 1.3 BPG, 1.0 SPG, 2 double-doubles)
- F: DJ Burns Jr., NC State – 5 GP (15.2 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 3.4 APG, 62.7 FG%)
- F: Armando Bacot, North Carolina – 3 GP (17.0 PPG, 11.0 RPG, 1.0 APG, 1.0 BPG, 1.0 SPG, 61.3 FG%, 3 double-doubles)
NC State’s NCAA Tournament Prediction
First Weekend
The Wolfpack have first-round exits in their past three tournament appearances, not making it to the second round since 2015. But they draw an interesting matchup against 6-seed Texas Tech in 2024.
The Red Raiders had a great stretch midseason and had a nice run in the Big 12 Tournament. But they have dropped head-scratchers this year, notably to UCF and Butler. This is a great pick if you want the 11-over-6 upset. However, if the Wolfpack can get past Texas Tech, it’s safe to say they will lose to Kentucky in the Round of 32.