NC State feeds off energy from '74 team in win over Boston College
NC State defeated Boston College 81-70 Saturday afternoon with members of the Wolfpack’s legendary 1974 national title-winning team in attendance.
During yesterday’s practice, NC State’s first men’s basketball championship-winning squad met with the current players. At one point, 7-2 center Tommy Burleson took the court with some members of the Pack and demonstrated how to wall up defensively.
“I was like ‘It doesn’t make any difference Tommy. Nobody’s your height,” head coach Kevin Keatts joked after the game.
Burleson averaged 18.1 points and 12.2 rebounds per game during NC State’s run to a national championship 50 years ago. He received a loud ovation along with the rest of the 1974 team during a halftime ceremony.
After spending some time with the legendary big man this week, the Wolfpack’s post players stepped up. D.J. Burns led the team in scoring with 19 points. He scored 8 of the first 10 points for the Pack and helped contain Boston College star center Quinten Post, who fouled out in 20 minutes.
“Coach gives me the ball and puts me in the right position, so I tried to take full advantage and I think I did a pretty good job of that,” Burns said after the game.
Keatts complimented the Wolfpack post trio after the game. Junior forward Mohamed Diarra hit a pair of threes, blocked 3 shots and swiped 2 steals, while junior forward Ben Middlebrooks added 3 offensive rebounds and 2 more steals.
Burns said the 1974 team gave the Pack a boost against the Eagles.
“Those guys who have had success at this level, playing for this school and the history behind that, I think that gives us a little extra edge when we come out and play when they’re here,” Burns said.
Top 10
- 1Hot
Kirk Herbstreit
Shot fired at First Take, Stephen A. Smith
- 2
Duce Robinson commits
FSU lands highly-rated transfer WR
- 3New
Predicting AP Top 25
Top 10 shakeup coming
- 4
Ohio State vs. Oregon odds
Early Rose Bowl line released
- 5
Updated CFP Bracket
Quarterfinal matchups set
Get the On3 Top 10 to your inbox every morning
By clicking "Subscribe to Newsletter", I agree to On3's Privacy Notice, Terms, and use of my personal information described therein.
The Wolfpack forward said the team did not necessarily feel extra pressure in this matchup, but they definitely wanted to play well in front of the legendary NC State squad.
“It’s kind of like you don’t want to disappoint your big brother,’ Burns said.
Saturday’s scoring performance tied his season-high. Burns has scored double-digit points in each of NC State’s past five games. Once he scored two quick buckets to start the game, Boston College’s defense began to pay more attention to his post touches.
That led to open opportunities for other members of the Pack, and Burns made the Eagles pay with 3 first half assists.
“It makes it a lot easier,” graduate guard DJ Horne said after the game. “I don’t have to really put that much pressure on myself to score the ball.”
Horne scored 13 points against Boston College after recording 20 or more in the previous 6 contests. A total of 4 Pack players scored in double-digits Saturday, and everyone who saw the court recorded at least 1 point.
Keatts summed it up after the game. The Wolfpack needed to step up with the legends in the crowd.
“When the GOAT is in the building, you’ve got David Thompson in the building, you better not lose the game,” Keatts said. “And I thought that guys really responded.”
