E8: Purdue 72 Tenn 66 Final

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NC State’s eight-game win streak technically began two contests earlier, but it was really the Wolfpack’s ACC Tournament quarterfinal win over Duke that announced it was a threat. The Wolfpack threw some new looks at the Blue Devils, outshot them and escaped with a 74-69 victory as 11-point underdogs. Yes, 11-point underdogs. That makes this line as large of an adjustment as you’ll ever see between two healthy teams playing each other at neutral sites twice in a span of less than three weeks. It might be too much. The Wolfpack is certainly playing much better now, but it also took an overtime victory to get past No. 14 seed Oakland as 6-point favorites two rounds ago. This is the same spread Duke commanded on N.C. State’s home floor less than a month ago ahead of a 79-64 victory that made the former look significantly better than the latter. And the Blue Devils may still be that much better. Lean: Duke -6.5.

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Here’s yet another rematch from earlier in the season, but with a spread that doesn’t stray from the one sports books posted for a semifinal in the Maui Invitational in November. Purdue was also a 3-point favorite against Tennessee in that game before winning 71-67. The Volunteers are one of the best defensive teams in the nation but guarding Zach Edey proved a problem as the 7-footer scored 23 points while making seven of his 10 field-goal attempts. Denying entry passes will be Tennessee’s gameplan again, but the Boilermakers have only gotten better at feeding their superstar in the post without fault. One of these coaches is bound to get castigated for falling short again, but the truth is, they’ve both done strong work with their respective teams this year. There’s not an advantage on the sideline either way, so it comes down to the players. With apologies to Tennessee’s always-electric Dalton Knecht, Purdue has the player most likely to take over the game in Edey. I didn’t expect to take all favorites in the Elite Eight — and think that’s a first in the 13-year history of this series — but a few teams have simply separated themselves from the pack in this year’s tournament. Lean: Purdue -3.

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lets see how much edey is protected

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lets see how much edey is protected

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I won't be drunk enough to get through this game today

Roll Tide.

TBF we were the ones carrying this sport for the longest time.

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TBF we were the ones carrying this sport for the longest time.

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It takes a huge amount of resources to make it work through the decades. The SEC has completely changed their basketball mindset and spending habits.

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NC State is not a fluke. And those teams hate each other - should be a great game

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I think they've been fortunate with their matchups. They haven't played a single team above 150th in possession/game metric. I look at them and see one of those teams that doesn't want to go up and down because they're good but not great at guard and their bigs probably would run into a fitness issue.

With that said, Duke is another team that doesn't really naturally push pace and I don't think it would be in their best interest to do it either. So I think NCST has a great shot of making the Final Four. Houston was not a high tempo team but they - like UCONN - have the versatility to play multiple styles. Fortunately for NCST, Snead got injured and they drew Duke instead.

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NC State is a fluke

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I know Marquette was absolutely terrible shooting the last game, but NCST is playing some very good ball.

I don't think they beat Duke, but they've been solid this tournament.

The Final Four being two football schools v. Blue Blood basketball schools is compelling to me.

I mean you have the order reversed pio

Not up to your usual extremely quality game thread standards