The miraculous run for the NC State Wolfpack is continuing, as their onto the Final Four after capturing a victory over Duke in the Elite Eight on Sunday evening.
It’s their first Final Four appearance since their legendary 1983 run, which was helmed by Jim Valvano. That fact isn’t lost upon Wolfpack fans, as Brendan Marks of The Athletic shared a touching tribute from NC State faithful to their late iconic leader following their victory on Easter.
Evidently, Marks’ father is buried at the same cemetery as Valvano, so he decided to check out the coach’s gravesite for a moment on Monday. Many NC State fans had the same idea, as Valvano’s headstone was adorned with Wolfpack decorations. Check it out below.
“My dad is buried in the same cemetery as Jim Valvano (and Lorenzo Charles). Every time I come see Dad, I swing by Jimmy V’s headstone for a second,” Marks posted on X. “I’m not the only one today.”
As you can see, that’s a touching tribute to one of NC State’s legends as they enjoy the most success they’ve had since Valvano’s magical run. Even though this is a new Wolfpack team, NC State is refusing to forget about their illustrious past.
We’ll see if this NC State squad can match the legacy of Jim Valvano’s team with a national title. Their next game will come on Saturday evening, when they take on the Purdue Boilermakers in the Final Four.
Jay Bilas on NC State run to the Final Four: ‘It’s the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen in basketball’
Moreover, ESPN’s Jay Bilas is blown away by the Wolfpack’s magical march of destiny, even after they defeated his Blue Devils. Quite frankly, he’s never seen anything like it in his lifetime.
He dropped a brief video sharing his thoughts on their magical run on Sunday night, shortly after NC State defeated Duke to punch their tickets to the Final Four.
“NC State going to the Final Four this year is the most amazing thing I have ever seen in basketball. I was a freshman in 1983 when NC State won the national championship. But that wasn’t as amazing as this is,” Bilas began. “NC State this year was 17-14 heading into the ACC Tournament. And they were playing on Tuesday. And they had to win five games. And it wasn’t even a thought of any rational basketball person that the Wolfpack would win the ACC Tournament. And they did it. Mike O’Connell hits what a 40-footer with time expiring against Virginia after a missed free throw. They’re down three and he banks it in. And they go to overtime and end up winning the game. And that was in the semifinals.”
“Then they beat North Carolina. And move onto the tournament. You’re thinking, they’re gonna be emotionally and physically drained. Nobody can do that and just bounce back. And then they got a Thursday game [in the first round of the NCAA Tournament]. And they beat Texas Tech. You know, they get to the Sweet Sixteen. Then they’re in the Elite Eight. And they’re playing Duke, a team they had beaten in the ACC Tournament. You’re thinking, well, it’s gotta end sometime. And it never ends. They had lost seven of nine heading into that Tuesday of the ACC Tournament. What Kevin Keatts and his team have done is absolutely remarkable. It’s the wildest ride I’ve ever seen in basketball and I’m enjoying every minute of it.”
We’ll see if the Wolfpack can continue their amazing run all the way to a national title, and continue to make the college basketball world as a whole root for them every step of the way. Well, maybe Connecticut, Purdue and Alabama fans.
On3’s Wade Peery contributed to this article.
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