NC State Students Celebrate March Madness Win
If you thought that the partying on the campus of North Carolina State University was going to come to an end after the men’s basketball team’s amazing 5-win run to an ACC Tournament title, you would be mistaken. NC State students celebrated the school’s first March Madness win in 9 years until the wee hours of the morning.
If you couldn’t be in Pittsburgh to witness the game against Texas Tech in person, the place to be (as it was during the team’s improbable run in the ACC Tourney last week) was at the popular spot, Player’s Retreat. Like last week, patrons were spilling out of the bar/restaurant and onto the sidewalk. Once the 80-67 victory over the Red Raiders was final, NC State students celebrated from the bar to the historic Belltower until 1 am. For the uninitiated, the Belltower is on Hillsborough (right in the mix of campus) and whenever big wins occur, NC State “lights it red.” It was major crimson-glowing last night.
One NC State student tells WRAL, “I’m so proud, proudest I’ve ever been in my whole life. I’ve never felt better for these guys, really. This is the best team in college basketball history. Mark my words five more games, five more games!” No doubt the teams in on quite a roll. Last weekend, the first ACC Tournament title in 37 years. Last night the first NCAA Tournament win in 9 years. Telling me that NC State students celebrated until 1am makes me question, “What happened and where AFTER 1am?!”
So, what’s next? The North Carolina State Wolfpack will next play on Saturday against Oakland University (from suburban Detroit, Michigan) for the chance to punch their ticket to “The Sweet 16” of the NCAA Tournament. If you think NC State students celebrated LAST night’s win? Katie bar the door Saturday night at Player’s Retreat and the Belltower.
March Madness: These Teams Could Screw Up Your Bracket
It’s the most wonderful time of the year: March Madness. Seriously. Who doesn’t love this time of year? It’s always so exciting to see which teams make the NCAA Tourney and how the chips fall. Upsets are fun, too. Unless it’s your team getting upset, of course. This year, there are a handful of teams that could really screw up your bracket.
NCAA Tourney Fun
The teams going to the NCAA Tournament are starting to shape up. It’s cool to see some teams that haven’t been in March Madness for years getting the nod. For one, the Oakland Golden Grizzlies are in the tournament for the first time since 2011. The Rochester, Michigan, team beat No. 4 seeded Milwaukee earlier this week to win the Horizon League championship game and get to the big dance. It’s always so great to see the underdogs succeed.
As for other teams in the NCAA Tourney, most of the teams in the Top 25 in the national polls, if not all, are guaranteed a spot in the tournament, even if they don’t do well in their respective conference tournaments. Likewise, if a team has tanked all year but wins their respective conference tournament, then they’ll advance to March Madness. For some teams that have unfortunately had terrible seasons, this is their last hope. The Michigan Wolverines come to mind. They’ve had it rough this year, but if they win the Big Ten tournament, they’ll advance. Of course, nobody is likely to get past Purdue, so that’s another story.
We know which teams are super strong this year: Purdue, Houston and Connecticut. These guys aren’t going anywhere. But, there are some less assuming teams that could bust your bracket. So, as you’re carefully crafting your March Madness bracket this year, don’t forget about these underrated teams. Let’s get into a bunch right now.
Charlie Nance is the Afternoon Drive co-host (along with his wife) of "The Charlie and Debbie Show" at WSOC, Country 1037 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The couple have been with the radio station since 2006. Charlie has won the prestigious CMA (Country Music Association) Award for Radio Personality of the Year and has been a finalist for the Country Radio Hall of Fame four times. Prior to his time in Charlotte, Charlie (along with Debbie) spent more than a decade hosting successful morning radio shows in Greenville, SC; Augusta, Ga; and Birmingham, Al. As a content creator for Country 1037, Charlie writes about dream lottery windfalls, sports, restaurants and bars, and travel experiences in North and South Carolina.
