Photos: NC State defeats North Carolina to win the ACC Tournament Championship
By Ethan Hyman and
Robert Willett
N.C. State’s head coach Kevin Keatts hugs DJ Burns Jr. (30) after N.C. State’s 84-76 victory over UNC in the championship game of the 2024 ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., Saturday, March 16, 2024.
Ethan Hyman
ehyman@newsobserver.com
The NC State Wolfpack won five games in five days to win the ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament championship game, defeating the UNC Tar Heels 84-76.
The indefatigable Wolfpack, an unheralded No. 10 seed entering the ACC Tournament, won its fifth game in five nights Saturday, slaying top-seeded bitter rival North Carolina, 84-76, for the program’s first ACC championship since 1987.
Here are photos from the game.
N.C. State’s DJ Burns Jr. (30) celebrates as he leaves the floor after N.C. State’s 84-76 victory over UNC in the championship game of the 2024 ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., Saturday, March 16, 2024. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
The N.C. State mascot Mr. Wolf is buried beneath a shower of confetti as they celebrate their 84-76 victory overt North Carolina to clinch the ACC Tournament Championship at Capitol One Arena on Saturday, March 16, 2024 in Washington, D.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
N.C. State’s head coach Kevin Keatts and the team celebrate as they come up to the podium after N.C. State’s 84-76 victory over UNC in the championship game of the 2024 ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., Saturday, March 16, 2024. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State’s head coach Kevin Keatts celebrates after cutting down the net after N.C. State’s 84-76 victory over UNC in the championship game of the 2024 ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., Saturday, March 16, 2024. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State head coach Kevin Keatts acknowledges the crowd as he heads off the floor after N.C. State’s 84-76 victory over UNC in the championship game of the 2024 ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., Saturday, March 16, 2024. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State’s DJ Burns Jr. (30) celebrates with George Hatem after N.C. State’s 84-76 victory over UNC in the championship game of the 2024 ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., Saturday, March 16, 2024. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State’s Jayden Taylor (1), Kam Woods (2) and Casey Morsell (14) celebrate after N.C. State’s 84-76 victory over UNC in the championship game of the 2024 ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., Saturday, March 16, 2024. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
The N.C. State team raises the championship trophy after the Wolfpack’s 84-76 victory over UNC in the championship game of the 2024 ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., Saturday, March 16, 2024. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State coach Kevin Keatts celebrates the Wolfpack’s ACC Tournament Championship following their 84-76 victory over North Carolina at Capitol One Arena on Saturday, March 16, 2024 in Washington, D.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
N.C. State’s Kam Woods (2) celebrates the Wolfpack’s 84-76 victory over North Carolina in the ACC Tournament Championship t Capitol One Arena on Saturday, March 16, 2024 in Washington, D.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
N.C. State head coach Kevin Keatts heads up the ladder to cut down the net after N.C. State’s 84-76 victory over UNC in the championship game of the 2024 ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., Saturday, March 16, 2024. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State coach Kevin Keatts embraces his son K.J. Keatts (13) as they celebrate the Wolfpack’s ACC Tournament Championship following their 84-76 victory over North Carolina at Capitol One Arena on Saturday, March 16, 2024 in Washington, D.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
N.C. State’s DJ Horne (0) hugs Michael O’Connell (12) as time runs down in N.C. State’s 84-76 victory over UNC in the championship game of the 2024 ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., Saturday, March 16, 2024. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State’s Kam Woods (2) celebrates as the Wolfpack defeats North Carolina 84-76 to clinch the ACC Tournament Championship at Capitol One Arena on Saturday, March 16, 2024 in Washington, D.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
N.C. State’s DJ Horne (0) celebrates after making the basket while being fouled during N.C. State’s 84-76 victory over UNC in the championship game of the 2024 ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., Saturday, March 16, 2024. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State’s D.J. Burns Jr. (30) hoists the ACC Tournament MVP trophy following his 20 point performance in the Wolfpack’s 84-76 victory over North Carolina at the ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament Championship at Capitol One Arena on Saturday, March 16, 2024 in Washington, D.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
N.C. State’s N.C State’s D.J. Horne (0) cuts down the net following the Wolfpack’s 84-76 victory over North Carolina in the ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament Championship at Capitol One Arena on Saturday, March 16, 2024 in Washington, D.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
N.C. State’s Mohamed Diarra (23) blocks the shot by North Carolina’s Harrison Ingram (55) during the second half N.C. State’s 84-76 victory over UNC in the championship game of the 2024 ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., Saturday, March 16, 2024. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
N.C. State’s Mohamed Diarra (23) celebrates as time runs out in the game during N.C. State’s 84-76 victory over UNC in the championship game of the 2024 ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., Saturday, March 16, 2024. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State’s DJ Horne (0) celebrates after making the basket while being fouled during the second half N.C. State’s 84-76 victory over UNC in the championship game of the 2024 ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., Saturday, March 16, 2024. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State players celebrate after putting their sticker on the wall after the Wolfpack’s 84-76 victory over UNC in the championship game of the 2024 ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., Saturday, March 16, 2024. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State’s Casey Morsell (14) responds to the crowd after N.C. State’s 84-76 victory over UNC in the championship game of the 2024 ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., Saturday, March 16, 2024. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State’s DJ Horne wipes a tear from his eye after hugging his family after the Wolfpack’s 84-76 victory over UNC in the championship game of the 2024 ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., Saturday, March 16, 2024. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
ACC Tournament MVP, N.C. State’s D.J. Burns Jr. (30) climbs the ladder to cut down the net following the Wolfpack’s 84-76 victory over North Carolina at the ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament Championship at Capitol One Arena on Saturday, March 16, 2024 in Washington, D.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
N.C. State celebrates after punching their ticket to the NCAA Tournament after the Wolfpack’s 84-76 victory over UNC in the championship game of the 2024 ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., Saturday, March 16, 2024. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State’s Mohamed Diarra (23) celebrates making a three-pointer during the first half of N.C. State’s game against UNC in the championship game of the 2024 ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., Saturday, March 16, 2024. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State’s Mohamed Diarra (23) dunks over North Carolina’s Seth Trimble (7) in the first half during the ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament Championship at Capitol One Arena on Saturday, March 16, 2024 in Washington, D.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
N.C. State’s Mohamed Diarra (23) dunks over North Carolina’s Seth Trimble (7) in the first half during the ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament Championship at Capitol One Arena on Saturday, March 16, 2024 in Washington, D.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
N.C. State’s head coach Kevin Keatts poses with the championship trophy with ACC commissioner Jim Phillips after N.C. State’s 84-76 victory over UNC in the championship game of the 2024 ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., Saturday, March 16, 2024. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State’s Casey Morsell (14) blocks the shot by North Carolina’s RJ Davis (4) during the second half N.C. State’s 84-76 victory over UNC in the championship game of the 2024 ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., Saturday, March 16, 2024. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State’s Casey Morsell (14) blocks a shot by North Carolina’s R.J. Davis (4) during the second half during the ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament Championship at Capitol One Arena on Saturday, March 16, 2024 in Washington, D.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
N.C. State’s Mohamed Diarra (23) dunks ahead of North Carolina’s Seth Trimble (7) in the first half during the ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament Championship at Capitol One Arena on Saturday, March 16, 2024 in Washington, D.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s R.J. Davis (4) tangles with Casey Morsell (14) for control of the ball in the second half during the ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament Championship at Capitol One Arena on Saturday, March 16, 2024 in Washington, D.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s D.J. Burns Jr. (30) and Mohamed Diarra (23) smother North Carolina’s R.J. Davis (4) with defense in the second half during the ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament Championship at Capitol One Arena on Saturday, March 16, 2024 in Washington, D.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s D.J. Burns Jr. (30) defends North Carolina’s Armando Bacot (5) in the second half during the ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament Championship at Capitol One Arena on Saturday, March 16, 2024 in Washington, D.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
N.C. State’s Mohamed Diarra (23) shoots during N.C. State’s 84-76 victory over UNC in the championship game of the 2024 ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., Saturday, March 16, 2024. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
N.C. State’s Ben Middlebrooks (34) celebrates after cutting the net after the Wolfpack’s 84-76 victory over UNC in the championship game of the 2024 ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., Saturday, March 16, 2024. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
N.C. State’s Mohamed Diarra (23) and Jayden Taylor (1) defend North Carolina’s Harrison Ingram (55) during the first half of N.C. State’s game against UNC in the championship game of the 2024 ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., Saturday, March 16, 2024. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State’s Casey Morsell (14) ties up North Carolina’s Harrison Ingram (55) in a battle for a close ball in the first half during the ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament Championship at Capitol One Arena on Saturday, March 16, 2024 in Washington, D.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
The Wolfpack are introduced before N.C. State’s game against UNC in the championship game of the 2024 ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., Saturday, March 16, 2024. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State and North Carolina tipoff the championship game of the 2024 ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., Saturday, March 16, 2024. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s R.J. Davis (4) reacts after sinking a three point basket in the first half against N.C. State in the first half against N.C. State during the ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament Championship at Capitol One Arena on Saturday, March 16, 2024 in Washington, D.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
N.C. State’s Jayden Taylor (1) puts up a shot over North Carolina’s R.J. Davis (4) in the first half during the ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament Championship at Capitol One Arena on Saturday, March 16, 2024 in Washington, D.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
N.C. State’s DJ Burns Jr. (30) works against North Carolina’s Armando Bacot (5) during the first half of N.C. State’s game against UNC in the championship game of the 2024 ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., Saturday, March 16, 2024. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State’s DJ Burns Jr. (30) is fouled by North Carolina’s Armando Bacot (5) during the second half N.C. State’s 84-76 victory over UNC in the championship game of the 2024 ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., Saturday, March 16, 2024. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
This story was originally published March 16, 2024 at 9:38 PM.
