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DJ Horne on returning from injury, reveals NC State's 'why not us' mindset

Barkley-Truaxby:Barkley Truax•03/13/24•

BarkleyTruax

DJ Horne
Dec 20, 2023; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack guard DJ Horne (0) scores a three pointer and reacts with forward DJ Burns Jr. (30) during the second half against Saint Louis Billikens at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-USA TODAY Sports

DJ Horne was a game-time decision for NC State vs. Syracuse after injuring his hip during the regular season finale last weekend. Scoring 16 points in 20 minutes on the court, Horne appeared healthy as his team cruised to an 83-65 win over the Orange.

Now winning its second game of the ACC Tournament, NC State has set itself up with a quarterfinal against Duke on Thursday. With two big-time wins behind the Wolfpack heading into a third consecutive win-or-go-home scenario, Horne explained why NC State might be poised for a big run this week.

“We’ve just been as locked in as we can be,” Horne said postgame. “I feel like we’ve been as locked in as we’ve been all season. Going into the tournament, we just kind of went into it with a ‘Why Not Us’ mindset. I think we’re showcasing that right now.”

NC State opened its ACC Tournament slate with a meeting against Louisville in the first round where they defeated the Cardinals 94-85. The point total was good for the Wolfpack’s highest-scoring mark of the season. Now, they’ve followed that up with a double-digit victory over a higher-seeded Syracuse team.

Horne was dressed out for the Louisville game on Tuesday but eventually did not play. He was deemed able to suit up against Syracuse — and looked like his normal self coming off the bench.

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“I’m feeling good,” he continued. “To get hurt in the last couple of games in my season remaining was definitely tough on me mentally. My teammates, my coaches and the staff did a great job of me getting treatment, just making sure my head stayed in it I’m glad that we were able to come out here and get this win.”

However, at 19-14 overall after Wednesday’s win, it’s clear that NC State is going to need to win the ACC Tournament to earn its way into the 2024 NCAA Tournament. As it stands, ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi has four teams — North Carolina, Duke, Virginia and Clemson — from the conference within the bracket’s bubble. Win and you’re in will be the mindset for all other ACC teams still in the mix throughout the week.

Tip-off between NC State and the Duke Blue Devils is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET and will air live on ESPN. The victor will face the winner either Clemson, Boston College or Virginia in the semifinals of the ACC Tournament.