DJ Burns reflects on improbable win over Virginia: 'All the odds were stacked against us'

DJ Burns couldn’t be denied in NC State’s 73-65 win over Virginia in overtime of the ACC semifinals. After the game, the NC State big man reflected on his team’s stunning victory.

“All the odds were stacked against us and our guys came through and we got it done,” Burns said.

In only 24 minutes, DJ Burns exploded for a team-high 19 points while shooting an efficient 8-11 from the field. Seven of Burns’ 19 points came in the five-minute overtime period. Following the win, Burns reflected on his mindset down the stretch.

“To be honest, I felt myself getting a little frustrated when I was not getting foul calls and I told myself you have two options: you can get in your feelings or you can go win this game, and that’s what we did,” Burns said.

NC State won in fashion. With 52 seconds left in the game, the Wolfpack trailed Virginia 58-52. However, due to several missed free throws by Virginia, NC State guard Michael O’Connell was able to drain a miraculous 3-pointer to send the game into overtime.

NC State finished the game on a 9-0 run. The Wolfpack will now square off against in-state rival North Carolina at 8:30 p.m. ET on Saturday in the ACC Championship. It’s NC State’s first appearance in the ACC title game since 2007 when the team fell to UNC.

DJ Burns receives rave reviews around the league

Burns is averaging 23.0 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game this season while shooting 50.3% from the field. While Burns numbers don’t jump off the page, his size is something to behold. At 6-foot-9, 275 pounds, Burns has earned the respect of his opponents.

“DJ Burns is a one-of-one type of player,” Duke standout Kyle Filipowski said after the Pack’s win over the Blue Devils on Thursday night. “Just the way he plays is very unique. You’ve got to always be prepared for something he throws at you. I mean, credit to him because, like I said, he’s one hell of a player, as well, and it’s always a battle going up against him, too.”

Filipowski isn’t the only ACC talent who Burns has garnered compliments from. Ahead of NC State’s win over the Cavaliers on Friday evening, Virginia forward Blake Buchanan also gave Burns his flowers.

“He is something,” Buchanan said. “He’s just there. There’s not much you can do with someone that size. You just have to try to use everything you can, your quickness, try to force him to his off hand, don’t let him get the catch. He’s a unit… I’ve played against people that size, but I’ve never played against people that size with that skill.”