Final Four expert picks: Does Purdue or North Carolina State prevail in semifinals?
It's Cinderella and another team that isn't used to being at the ball. North Carolina State hasn't been to the Final Four of the NCAA men's basketball tournament since 1983. The Wolfpack went on unlikely run to win a national championship. For Purdue, it last appearance was three years before that. And the Boilermakers were unable to advance past the semifinals.
Now the two sides will meet with the opportunity for the winner to play for the national championship. Purdue is blessed with the player of the year in Zach Edey. North Carolina State will counter with its own big man DJ Burns. The inside battle could determine which team advances or it could come down to the backcourt. Either way, it should be well worth watching. Our staff predicts who will prevail.
It's close but Purdue advances
All eyes will be on the Zach Edey vs. DJ Burns Jr. matchup, but one other battle to watch will be the guards of DJ Horne and Braden Smith. Horne has been just as instrumental to NC State’s run as Burns, and Smith has the ability to feast outside with all the attention on Edey. A No. 11 seed has never made it to the national championship game, and it will stay the same after this one after Purdue is able to hold off a late rally from the Wolfpack to advance to the title game. Purdue 73, North Carolina State 70 - Jordan Mendoza
Edey, Purdue too much for N.C. State, Burns
N.C. State’s DJ Burns is going to find things a little more difficult near the rim with Purdue’s Zach Edey patrolling the paint. That’s going to be a damper on the Wolfpack offense and make the Boilermakers the favorite to advance to the title game. With size, depth and experience across the board, Purdue is going to be a very difficult matchup. Purdue 78, North Carolina State 59 - Paul Myerberg
Slowly but surely Purdue pulls away from N.C. State
As much as North Carolina State arriving at the Final Four was unexpected, it wasn't a fluke. The Wolfpack took down Texas Tech, Marquette and Duke in mostly comfortable fashion. Purdue represents a tougher challenge with Zach Edey and guards Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer all capable of having big games. N.C. State can keep this close for a half, but look for the Boilermakers to slowly pull away and reach their first title game. Purdue 75, North Carolina State 66 - Erick Smith
Purdue end the ride for North Carolina State
It’s been a fun ride, Wolfpack. It truly has been. But, to borrow a line from Harriet Wheeler and the Sundays, here’s where the story ends. Purdue has been preparing for this stage for a full year, and the Boilermakers aren’t going home just yet. Purdue, 82, North Carolina State 75 - Eddie Timanus
North Carolina State still team of destiny
Team of destiny? Maybe. NC State hasn't flinched for even a moment during this tournament, and I think their guards are going to really give Purdue a lot of trouble. The way this team can defend and use three bigs fairly interchangeably will be helpful against Zach Edey. North Carolina State 64, Purdue 63 - Dan Wolken
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Final Four picks: Does Purdue or NC State win March Madness semifinal?