NC State headed home after 63-50 loss to Purdue in 2024 Final Four

WTVD-AP

Saturday, April 6, 2024

NC State headed home after 63-50 loss to Purdue in Final Four

The Wolfpack took on the Boilermakers in Arizona.

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The NC State Wolfpack (26-14, 15-11 ACC) is heading home after a 63-50 loss against the Purdue Boilermakers (33-4, 18-4 Big Ten) in the NCAA Final Four Tournament on Saturday in Phoenix.

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.

WATCH | Final Four: NC State soaking in the moment ahead of tall task in Purdue

"To have the opportunity to have your own recognition ... to make your own history," Casey Morsell said.

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.

WATCH | NC State men's basketball cheered on as they depart for Final Four