Purdue (34-4) moves on to Monday night's final to play the winner of the later game between Alabama and defending champion UConn. N.C. State (26-15) ended its season two victories shy of a repeat of 1983 when it came through in nine straight must-win games to capture one of history's most unlikely titles.
The Wolfpack's record in ACC play is 15-11. NC State ranks eighth in the ACC with 35.6 rebounds per game led by Mohamed Diarra averaging 7.9.
Purdue averages 8.3 made 3-pointers per game, 1.1 more made shots than the 7.2 per game NC State allows. NC State has shot at a 45.1% rate from the field this season, 3.4 percentage points higher than the 41.7% shooting opponents of Purdue have averaged.
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LAST 10 GAMES
Boilermakers: 9-1, averaging 79.7 points, 40.3 rebounds, 20.3 assists, 4.8 steals and 2.9 blocks per game while shooting 48.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 68.0 points per game.
Wolfpack: 9-1, averaging 78.3 points, 36.7 rebounds, 14.3 assists, 6.9 steals and 4.7 blocks per game while shooting 47.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 70.3 points.
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The Associated Press contributed.