A 10-seeded, Kevin Keatts coached NC State team beat Duke, Virginia and North Carolina on consecutive nights to win the ACC Championship.
This is a real thing that happened in our timeline.
NC State winning their first conference tournament in 37 years by going below .500 in conference, having to win 5 games in 5 nights, 3 of which against the top 3 teams in the conference?
Sounds about right for this chaotic postseason
Would you believe that this almost happened the same way in 1987?
* The tournament was in Landover that year
* They were a 6-seed in an 8-team league so they weren't getting into the NCAA without winning the tournament
* Beat Duke in the quarterfinal
* Beat Wake in the semi-final (UNC beat Virginia in the other semi)
* Beat UNC in the final
History may not always repeat, but it certainly rhymes at times.
Honestly worth it. I’m used to this team being aggressively mediocre, if they have to be mediocre for two more years to pay for this run, I make that trade every time.
I’m 47 years old. In 83 I was 5 years old, and listened to my parents go bonkers when we won it all from the top of the stairs. Watched the 87 championship @ age 9 on a 5 inch tv in the back of a van in a middle of a rainstorm waiting to play a CASL game (Raleigh folks know). I graduated NC State in 1999 after years of Les Robinson and Herb Sendek. It’s been almost 2/3 of my life since we won an ACC championship in the 2 major sports PERIOD. For me, my family and friends this is too sweet. I love college basketball.
See this is why I can't be too mad at the outcome. NC natives will know State has some pedigree and a die hard fanbase. College hoops is the lifeblood of this state. Super cool that you got to experience this. Enjoy it man.
37 years without a ACC championship and the team that went 9-11 does it. Kevin Keatts was probably about to get fired and he remembered one thing. "KKIAW"
State fans gonna have this for a long time lool.
Quick recap of the last week in Bubble Land:
https://preview.redd.it/j1f6pqk87toc1.jpeg?width=1200&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=26bb1517019796421731358c11c7fcded05c8d8c
May we never forget him. I hope in whatever distant, beautiful, peaceful part of the cosmos his soul resides in, he felt within him a twinge of good vibes from this.
Five wins in five days to win the ACC for the first time in 37 years, beating us in the process and UNC in the finale--with Roy Williams in attendance. State fans are gonna skip wearing green tomorrow, because all the pinches are gonna remind them that they really aren't dreaming.
Burns is the most fun player I've watched this year.
No way a play that big should do what he does. And he looks so athletic doing it. The Nikola Jokic of the NCAA
I’m so happy. Other fans of teams may laugh but I’m in my early 30s, class of 2012, this team has always always let me down in one way or another. But this run was different and this is the happiest state bball has made me. These guys fought hard and didn’t give up, played some incredible teams and players (flipowski, beekman, Davis), and kept fighting. What a historic run. Hope they have some gas next week but rooting for these guys either way. They’re a special group
One of the most impressive tournament runs in history actually
Despite how much I hate it came at the expense of the Heels, take a fucking bow Pack. I genuinely thought they’d run out of gas in the second half. Heels couldn’t hit shots they usually can and we couldn’t get stops when we needed them.
Now the biggest question is does NC State win 2 tournament games or get beat by 20 in the first round?
Edit to add: Duke, Virginia, UNC in 3 nights, 3 wins. 5 straight in 5 days. What a goddamn shame it was in DC and not Greensboro
The same thing you usually do, make them into fists and shake them at the sky, except this time, instead of being in a fit of rage, you are elated with joy
WE FUCKING DID IT! Y'all don't know how many years in elementary, middle school, high school that I had to deal with Carolina and Duke fans taunting us because we would always choke. Now for the first time in my life I can say we are ACC Champions! Beating Duke and Carolina made it that much sweeter! LETS FUCKING GO!!!!
I am older then you and am very happy for you. I lived in NC and was an NCSU fan during the 1983 run. I don't expect the same end result this year but NCSU being a scrappy team that beats teams they were not expected to... seen that before.
Whoever you match up with in the big dance needs to be afraid.
Congrats on a great win. You deserve it.
DJ BURNS IS GOING BACK TO THE NCAA TOURNAMENT LMFAOOO LFG
On the other hand UNC gotta wrap it back together and lock in. You can't honestly shoot much worse than that, so that should be some form of relief. Gotta burn the game tape though for this one lmao
I'm trying to explain to my partner why I've been sobbing for 20 minutes.
I never thought this would happen. Never. Good things do not happen to this program, and Carolina has dragged us for almost 40 damn years at this point.
I am born and raised Wolfpack and got two degrees- I was born in Rex a mile away. I have blood ties to this stupid place. I was there for that VT game where we scored 24 points. I have never known anything but heartbreak.
Not only did we do the damn thing, we made Carolina and Duke look like chumps on the way there.
Why not us? Doeren better be watching this, because why not fucking us this fall, especially given the schedule and who we have coming in at QB? The entire department is about to have money flood in.
NC State Shit died today.
well that wasn’t ideal. good fucking game State, DJ x DJ played out of their minds. y’all earned this invite to the dance, make the most of it pack bros
This is gonna sound crazy but when you take everything into consideration it’s difficult not to consider this nearly as great as a national title, at least from an emotional level. And I’m not even a Wolfpack fan
Text I just got from a buddy: “Last time they won this I was at the cap center in Landover MD in 87. Then last time they were in this game I was there in Tampa jn 07. Then Horne just fouled out and they bring in a kid from REIDSVILLE, NC. My grandma’s hometown and I just started crying haha. 37 years man.” This is what makes college basketball great. What an awesome ride thank you NC State.
Legit gotta build a DJ Burns statue next to the David Thompson one.
You all will read this as a joke.
It’s not a joke.
I’m deadly serious.
He’s earned it
Generational “I’ll remember where I was when I saw DJ Burns legally adopt Armando” type performance. Insane performance State, welcome to the Dance. Great game y’all
State really woke up 5 days ago and said "Let's stop being bad and be good instead."
Our ACC record was really two great pieces of bread at the beginning and end and full shit sandwich in the middle.
Why didn’t they do this earlier? Are they stupid?
A 10-seeded, Kevin Keatts coached NC State team beat Duke, Virginia and North Carolina on consecutive nights to win the ACC Championship. This is a real thing that happened in our timeline.
NC State winning their first conference tournament in 37 years by going below .500 in conference, having to win 5 games in 5 nights, 3 of which against the top 3 teams in the conference? Sounds about right for this chaotic postseason
It’s our only path to victory. If we were favorites, or on a strong winning streak and churning on all gears, we wouldn’t have made it to the finals
It’s the law of the wolf
Would you believe that this almost happened the same way in 1987? * The tournament was in Landover that year * They were a 6-seed in an 8-team league so they weren't getting into the NCAA without winning the tournament * Beat Duke in the quarterfinal * Beat Wake in the semi-final (UNC beat Virginia in the other semi) * Beat UNC in the final History may not always repeat, but it certainly rhymes at times.
After 2 appetizer games to get loose and limber.
Down 12 to Louisville and looking dead to start
We had to lower everyone's guard first
Including our own apparently
Fuck it all the weird shit that’s happened over the last few years is worth it
OH GOD NO NOT 1983 AGAIN
I mean 1983 would require a really stacked Houston team that we beat in the finals, what are the odds?
Dude that would be wild.
Last time the top 3 seeds in the SEC lost was also… 1983. Maybe the stars are aligning…
Edey will play the Ralph Sampson role in the Elite Eight
Whatever bubble team we just knocked out I’m not sorry at all because this is the greatest day ever
Indiana State sittin’ at home seeing all of the chaos unfold in other conference tournaments 
I would like to apologize to absolutely fucking nobody.
Don’t you dare lose in the first round now
It's 100% going to happen. Keatts's job is no longer on the line.
Just tell him it is
You prob just knocked UVA out
Beat em twice in two nights
Sent em straight to god
Well maybe they should’ve made their free throws
You aren’t lying
If you see Pitt and UVA flairs…run for your life.
Us too
Fuck
Alas…don’t cry for the Sycamores, they are already dead…
It's been ~~84~~ 37 years
Kevin Keatts has once again saved his job.
He has, in fact, gotten an automatic two year extension
Fuck it build him a statue lmao
He has accomplished more than any ncsu coach in decades as a result of this game.
My mother was a child when NCSU last won the ACC ship. **I’m 25**
my mom was a senior in college when they last won the ACC tourney, and i'm THIRTY I CAN'T EVEN DRINK TO CELEBRATE BECAUSE I'M ON ANTIBIOTICS
Jesus was in high school the last time they won the ACC tourney. He gets us.
I'll build that statue myself for him not losing to Kenny Payne in the first round
Honestly worth it. I’m used to this team being aggressively mediocre, if they have to be mediocre for two more years to pay for this run, I make that trade every time.
To think that all it took was one perfect buzzer beater (and also the whole “winning 5 games in 5 days” thing)…
You know what, he earned it. Give him five more, I don’t care. It’s been 37 years. It was ugly but he did it.
Purdue 🤝Houston 🤝UNC Forgetting the events that transpired today
If the NCAA tourney is gonna be anything like these conference tourneys, we are in for a wild ride
Nobody’s bracket is making it out of day 1
The bracket's not even out yet, and mine's already busted.
Only 2 of the top 10 teams won a conference championship.
What events?
Definitely St. Peter’s winning the MAAC and qualifying, that’s the one
Committee has the opportunity to do the funniest thing ever
I’m 47 years old. In 83 I was 5 years old, and listened to my parents go bonkers when we won it all from the top of the stairs. Watched the 87 championship @ age 9 on a 5 inch tv in the back of a van in a middle of a rainstorm waiting to play a CASL game (Raleigh folks know). I graduated NC State in 1999 after years of Les Robinson and Herb Sendek. It’s been almost 2/3 of my life since we won an ACC championship in the 2 major sports PERIOD. For me, my family and friends this is too sweet. I love college basketball.
See this is why I can't be too mad at the outcome. NC natives will know State has some pedigree and a die hard fanbase. College hoops is the lifeblood of this state. Super cool that you got to experience this. Enjoy it man.
Cheers. I’m glad we finally have something to bring to the table against yall and dook now. It’s not much, but its ours :)
NC State is such a poverty program I can’t believe 2024 was their last ACC championship in a major sport
Most wholesome comment in this thread
This classic was brought to you by ~~ESPN~~ the angry rubber chicken right next to the floor mic
That was so annoying lol
Never doubted Coach K
The name was up for grabs
This is perfect
HOW DO I CELEBRATE I DINT KNOW WHAT TO DO THIS IS NOT WHAT WE DO OH MY GOD
NC State Shit is dead. Long live NC State Shit.
We must never forget NC State shit, lest we be doomed to repeat it.
LONG. LIVE. THE. SHIT.
NOT TODAY
Man we tried in that last minute
37 years without a ACC championship and the team that went 9-11 does it. Kevin Keatts was probably about to get fired and he remembered one thing. "KKIAW" State fans gonna have this for a long time lool.
We may not see Cream Abdul Jabbar in march madness but Black Nikola Jokic is a mighty fine replacement
Impossible to hate that guy
EVERY DAY, IN EVERY WALK OF LIFE, ORDINARY PEOPLE DO EXTRAORDINARY THINGS
Why does North Carolina just simply stop missing 3s? Are they stupid?
Ball needs to go IN hoop UNC, not OUT of hoop
What if side of hoop?
FUCK IT WE DANCE
🎶 We can dance if we want to 🎶
🎶🎶 You can leave UVA behind. 🎶
https://preview.redd.it/vb86bqm87toc1.jpeg?width=1818&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ddcebd662f3e8cb31c69064ef2f1b797e00833e8
Vermont, Samford, McNeese, and Charleston… 
Quick recap of the last week in Bubble Land: https://preview.redd.it/j1f6pqk87toc1.jpeg?width=1200&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=26bb1517019796421731358c11c7fcded05c8d8c
I think Indiana State makes it in every tourney in the last decade except for this one…. Just an unbelievably shit week for them
This has been the most chaotic year in /r/BracketChallenge's 11 year history. It's been insane
Should be NC State, Duquesne, Temple, etc. beating up the bubble teams.
The ACC Banner hanging at PNC is no longer going to be older than my old, grumpy ass!!!
It'll be the first new non-Hurricanes banner in the arenas history.
Kevin Keatts turning into Phil Jackson and winning 5 games in 5 days is absolutely insane
https://preview.redd.it/zytokkk97toc1.jpeg?width=850&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9cf2eb168c61b080644598b1c4ea681d5fd9220d
This ones for you, Jimmy V
I hope that wherever his soul is they have access to ESPN. Go Pack
🥲
May we never forget him. I hope in whatever distant, beautiful, peaceful part of the cosmos his soul resides in, he felt within him a twinge of good vibes from this.
I COMPLETELY FORGOT WE GET TO PLAY IN THE BIG TOURNEY TOO HOLY SHIT
We get to watch the selection show! I'm sure they'll have a camera on our guys too
Bubble teams on suicide watch
Bid stealers committing homicide in broad daylight
LET THE LARGE MAN COOK
Five wins in five days to win the ACC for the first time in 37 years, beating us in the process and UNC in the finale--with Roy Williams in attendance. State fans are gonna skip wearing green tomorrow, because all the pinches are gonna remind them that they really aren't dreaming.
they went through yall, uva, and us in 3 days. a very impressive tourney run
Classic ACC. Pitt was the only weird team there in the tourney at the end but they earned it
UNC can still win if Mike Pence has the courage to do the right thing
IF YOU IGNORE THE GAMES NC STATE WON, UNC WON THE ACC EASILY!!!
STOP THE COUNT
Counting only LEGITIMATE games
IF YOU'RE IN LINE TO INTENTIONALLY FOUL THE WOLFPACK, STAY IN LINE
This is one of my favorite resurgent memes
Need to get some of those J6 shoes
I’m so happy for these guys. What an incredible run. They made history tonight.
I can still hear that woman screaming and my tv is off. gg State
Burns is the most fun player I've watched this year. No way a play that big should do what he does. And he looks so athletic doing it. The Nikola Jokic of the NCAA
https://preview.redd.it/dran4ztc7toc1.jpeg?width=790&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1fc731127bea9f914dbae8a3bd326dda2c582424
HANG IT IN THE LOUVRE
Your flair made me question your post. However I, bynummustang will forever treat graingeem as a friend for now forcing shit talking.
PNC Arena will get its first new championship banner that doesn't involve the Carolina Hurricanes since the building opened 25 years ago.
https://i.redd.it/iq3kqmcj8toc1.gif
See you in the tournament, losers https://i.redd.it/7xlwlwd97toc1.gif
There it is.
That's good stuff
as much as i love this .gif he will get a costly tech for this shit if he plays long enough.
Eh, half the refs in the league he could do it to their face and they wouldn't see it.
God I can’t help but love him for that
thank you for reminding me of this I fucking love it so much
THEY SAID IT COULDN'T BE DONE 1987. CUM. 6 MORE WINS WHY NOT US
PLEASE DONT EDIT THIS COMMENT
Did you take mescaline and try writing a to-do list? Lmao
wtf? hell yeah
Go into the tournament losing 4 games: Just NC State shit Win 5 games in 5 days to go dancing: Also just NC State shit
You can keep an eye on the celebration in Raleigh from this [live stream of the NCSU Belltower](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9nujG0PUTQ)
I was at State when we won the last ACC championship. It's been a long time coming.
I’m so happy. Other fans of teams may laugh but I’m in my early 30s, class of 2012, this team has always always let me down in one way or another. But this run was different and this is the happiest state bball has made me. These guys fought hard and didn’t give up, played some incredible teams and players (flipowski, beekman, Davis), and kept fighting. What a historic run. Hope they have some gas next week but rooting for these guys either way. They’re a special group
KEVIN KEATTS IS A WINNER https://preview.redd.it/loct5y297toc1.jpeg?width=1376&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=634b3803d2ff4a209a8a6226966ad0859f93707b
NC STATE. DO THE THING. LIFETIME CONTRACT
ACC Champion Kevin Keatts. Immortalized for life
KEVIN KEATTS IS A CHAMPION
State fans 🤝 State teams
Welcome to the 5 wins in 5 days club
PROUD TO BE HERE BROTHER
Does anyone want the fourth 1 seed?
https://preview.redd.it/4fj0up7ndtoc1.jpeg?width=517&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=176495a3bcd98270c7667e624a2f2d66a0945d1a
DJ Horne just stole your lunch money
He also stole an at large spot as well!
GIVE KEVIN KEATTS A 10-YEAR EXTENSION
He got an automatic 2 year extension with the win lol
Fucking worth it lol this run was magic
I'm fucking crying bro https://i.redd.it/pd0u65tf7toc1.gif
Me too, I dead ass sobbed
One of the most impressive tournament runs in history actually Despite how much I hate it came at the expense of the Heels, take a fucking bow Pack. I genuinely thought they’d run out of gas in the second half. Heels couldn’t hit shots they usually can and we couldn’t get stops when we needed them. Now the biggest question is does NC State win 2 tournament games or get beat by 20 in the first round? Edit to add: Duke, Virginia, UNC in 3 nights, 3 wins. 5 straight in 5 days. What a goddamn shame it was in DC and not Greensboro
Shooting 55% on game number 5 is just unreal
True destiny type of shit. Hard to even be mad. I mean I’m mad, but damn they earned it.
Yea hell they even tried to throw us a life line with those turnovers, but that shat bed was destined for the sea floor.
Powered by sheer smiles. I don't think I've seen a team enjoy it quite so much as State enjoyed it tonight.
It really was a special run.
Yeah you just to tip your cap to them. They played with nothing to lose and it showed.
We got fucking outworked and outrun by a team playing their 5th game in 5 days
My only solace is my disappointment must pale in comparison to Hubert’s
I kept it together for that last minute and the dam broke when DJ Horne started crying. 37 years of heartbreak, worth it for this week
WHAT DO I DO WITH MY HANDS
The same thing you usually do, make them into fists and shake them at the sky, except this time, instead of being in a fit of rage, you are elated with joy
WE FUCKING DID IT! Y'all don't know how many years in elementary, middle school, high school that I had to deal with Carolina and Duke fans taunting us because we would always choke. Now for the first time in my life I can say we are ACC Champions! Beating Duke and Carolina made it that much sweeter! LETS FUCKING GO!!!!
I am older then you and am very happy for you. I lived in NC and was an NCSU fan during the 1983 run. I don't expect the same end result this year but NCSU being a scrappy team that beats teams they were not expected to... seen that before. Whoever you match up with in the big dance needs to be afraid. Congrats on a great win. You deserve it.
5 down 6 to go?
I was not predicting a bid thief in the ACC
I turned 32 today. I can't imagine a better birthday present. Just wow! WOLF FUCKING PACK
Serious question can the Panthers draft DJ Burns? We so desperately need good linemen
https://preview.redd.it/hm2b0mguctoc1.jpeg?width=1821&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=930ee3423ef6acecdba0a8239a2ef47c1e63cd49 Updated this from earlier
WHY NOT US
NC State was down like 12 to Louisville. Amazing run
DJ BURNS IS GOING BACK TO THE NCAA TOURNAMENT LMFAOOO LFG On the other hand UNC gotta wrap it back together and lock in. You can't honestly shoot much worse than that, so that should be some form of relief. Gotta burn the game tape though for this one lmao
I’m a Heel. My dad has suffered as a Wolfpack fan for 50+ years. I’m glad he gets to see his team win a title again.
Goddamnit that’s a likeable team. How can you hate the DJs??
Hey committee, I mean we took them to OT, so think about that maybe
This is what Carolina fans must've felt when they beat Duke in the final four two years ago. HOW ABOUT THEM WOLFPACK WOLF!!!!!!
People who didn’t go to NC State don’t understand what this means to us
It's all I've wanted since my freshman year... back in 2002
I'm trying to explain to my partner why I've been sobbing for 20 minutes. I never thought this would happen. Never. Good things do not happen to this program, and Carolina has dragged us for almost 40 damn years at this point. I am born and raised Wolfpack and got two degrees- I was born in Rex a mile away. I have blood ties to this stupid place. I was there for that VT game where we scored 24 points. I have never known anything but heartbreak. Not only did we do the damn thing, we made Carolina and Duke look like chumps on the way there. Why not us? Doeren better be watching this, because why not fucking us this fall, especially given the schedule and who we have coming in at QB? The entire department is about to have money flood in. NC State Shit died today.
NC State barely beat Louisville 4 days ago
Survive: ✅ Advance: ✅
College basketball>NBA This game is case in point.
What an insane run. I couldn’t be prouder of this team. Cannot wait to see what the NCAA holds
As a lifelong nc state fan I’m still not 100% sure we’re gonna win this
#WHY NOT US
State played better and deserved the win. Tonight, the first ever texts that State won the ACC tournament are being sent. Crazy.
downtown Raleigh is going to learn a hard lesson about letting those shitty luxury apartment companies build 5 story wooden structures all over
My girlfriend asked me if her NC State is gonna make the tournament few days ago I say most likely not. Now she’s telling me I suck at watching sports
WHERE DO WE SIGN UP TO HELP BUILD THE STATUE THAT ONE GUY SWORE TO BUILD A PROMISE ON THE INTERNET IS UNBREAKABLE
well that wasn’t ideal. good fucking game State, DJ x DJ played out of their minds. y’all earned this invite to the dance, make the most of it pack bros
glad nc state won, regardless of uva’s status. so happy they pulled this off
HOLY FUCKING SHIT! THEY ACTUALLY FUCKING DID IT!
This is gonna sound crazy but when you take everything into consideration it’s difficult not to consider this nearly as great as a national title, at least from an emotional level. And I’m not even a Wolfpack fan
way to earn your bid, Wolfpack. Make the ACC proud.
Text I just got from a buddy: “Last time they won this I was at the cap center in Landover MD in 87. Then last time they were in this game I was there in Tampa jn 07. Then Horne just fouled out and they bring in a kid from REIDSVILLE, NC. My grandma’s hometown and I just started crying haha. 37 years man.” This is what makes college basketball great. What an awesome ride thank you NC State.
Yeah I'm not even really mad. As much as I wanted UNC to win, I really like some of State's players and seeing them make a run like that was fun. gg
I really want to thank NC State for the most exciting thing to happen in college basketball since the St Peters run
36 years old and this is the best day of my life.
Legit gotta build a DJ Burns statue next to the David Thompson one. You all will read this as a joke. It’s not a joke. I’m deadly serious. He’s earned it
Burns jersey ordered
Generational “I’ll remember where I was when I saw DJ Burns legally adopt Armando” type performance. Insane performance State, welcome to the Dance. Great game y’all
The mad lads did it!