Ayrton Oneill
The NC State Wolfpack men's basketball team has won two national championships, in 1974 and 1983. The Wolfpack have appeared in the NCAA tournament 29 times, with four Final Four appearances (1950, 1974, 1983, and 2024). In 1974, the team won its first national title, defeating Marquette 76-64. Led by coach Jim Valvano, the Wolfpack won their second national championship in 1983, defeating Houston 54-52 with a buzzer-beating dunk by Lorenzo Charles.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of national championships won | 2 |
| Years of national championships | 1974, 1983 |
| Opponents in the national championship games | Marquette (1974), Houston (1983) |
| Scores of the national championship games | 76-64 (1974), 54-52 (1983) |
| Number of Final Four appearances | 4 |
| Years of Final Four appearances | 1950, 1974, 1983, 2024 |
| Number of NCAA Tournament appearances | 29 |
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What You'll Learn
NC State Wolfpack won their first national championship in 1974
The NC State Wolfpack men's basketball team won its first national championship in 1974, defeating Marquette 76-64 in the finals of the NCAA Tournament. The team was coached by Jim Valvano and led by David Thompson, who has been recognized as one of college basketball's greatest players. Thompson, a star high-jumping forward, was named the Tournament MVP. The Wolfpack also received key contributions from Tom Burleson, Monte Towe, Tim Stoddard, and Mo Rivers.
The 1973-74 NC State Wolfpack team represented North Carolina State University during the 1973-74 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Wolfpack played their home games at Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh, North Carolina, and competed as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). While losing only one game throughout the season, the team finished undefeated in the ACC conference play, winning the 1974 ACC men's basketball title. The Wolfpack then went on to win the NCAA tournament, becoming national champions.
NC State began the 1973-74 season ranked #2 in the nation, behind John Wooden's UCLA. On December 15, 1973, the two top-ranked teams met in St. Louis, with UCLA beating NC State by a score of 84-66. This would be the only loss for the Wolfpack that season. In the NCAA tournament semi-final game, NC State met UCLA again and emerged victorious, defeating the Bruins 80-77 in two overtimes. This ended UCLA's streak of seven straight national championships.
The NC State Wolfpack's road to the 1974 national championship was not without its challenges. In the national championship game, they faced a powerful Marquette team led by coach Al McGuire. However, McGuire received two technical fouls and was ejected from the game, sparking a 10-0 Wolfpack run just before halftime. NC State maintained their lead in the second half and ultimately clinched the victory with a final score of 76-64.
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NC State won their second national championship in 1983
NC State has won the national championship in men's basketball twice in its history, in 1974 and 1983. The 1983 victory was particularly remarkable, as the team was only able to secure a bid to the NCAA Tournament by beating a North Carolina team that featured Michael Jordan, and a Virginia team led by Ralph Sampson.
Coached by Jim Valvano, the Wolfpack won the national title with a 54-52 victory over the Houston Cougars, who were considered the favourite to win. The game ended with a buzzer-beating dunk by Lorenzo Charles, off a missed desperation shot from 30 feet out by Dereck Whittenburg. This final play has since become a staple of NCAA tournament coverage.
The 1983 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament involved 52 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion. The tournament, which began on March 17, 1983, ended on April 4 at The Pit, officially known as University Arena, on the campus of the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque.
The victory was considered one of the greatest upsets in college basketball history, with Houston's Akeem Olajuwon named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player, despite his team losing. This was the last time a player won the award while playing for a team that failed to win the championship.
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NC State has appeared in the NCAA tournament 29 times
NC State has a rich history in NCAA basketball tournaments, having appeared 29 times. The team has made it to the Final Four on four occasions: in 1950, 1974, 1983, and 2024. The Wolfpack, as they are known, have also won two national championships.
The team's first national title came in 1974, when they defeated Marquette 76-64. This victory was led by junior forward David Thompson, who was named Tournament MVP. Other key players in this championship run included Tom Burleson, Monte Towe, Tim Stoddard, and Mo Rivers.
NC State's second national championship came in 1983, with a memorable 54-52 victory over Houston. This win was sealed by a buzzer-beating dunk from Lorenzo Charles, pulling off one of the biggest upsets in tournament history. The 1983 team, coached by Jim Valvano, is considered one of the greatest Cinderella stories in NCAA basketball.
In addition to their NCAA Tournament appearances, NC State has also achieved notable successes in other tournaments. They placed third in their first appearance in the National Invitational Tournament (NIT) and have won multiple conference championships within their respective conferences.
The Wolfpack has a proud basketball tradition, with a history of overcoming challenges and achieving impressive victories. Their appearances in the NCAA Tournament, particularly their two national championship wins, have solidified their place in the sport's history.
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NC State has four Final Four appearances
NC State has participated in 29 NCAA Tournaments, with an overall record entering the 2024 Final Four of 41-27. The Wolfpack has four Final Four appearances, in 1950, 1974, 1983, and 2024. In 1950, they lost to the City College of New York in their first appearance. They rebounded to beat Baylor in the tournament's third-place game. In 1974 and 1983, they went on to win the national championship.
In 1974, NC State won its first national title, defeating Marquette 76-64 in the championship game. David Thompson, later known as "Skywalker" for his 44-inch vertical leap, was named Tournament MVP. The Wolfpack also received key contributions from Tom Burleson, Monte Towe, Tim Stoddard, and Mo Rivers during the championship run.
In 1983, NC State won its second national championship, defeating Houston 54-52 thanks to a buzzer-beating dunk by Lorenzo Charles. The 1983 team was considered one of the greatest Cinderella stories in tournament history. Led by coach Jim Valvano, the Wolfpack pulled off one of the biggest upsets in tournament history.
In 2024, NC State made its fourth Final Four appearance, hoping to add another trophy to its case. The Wolfpack has won nine consecutive games, dating back to the first round of the ACC Tournament. They defeated No. 6 seed Texas Tech, No. 14 seed Oakland, No. 2 seed Marquette, and No. 4 seed Duke to reach the Final Four.
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NC State's 1983 win was a Cinderella story
NC State has won the national championship in men's basketball twice, in 1974 and 1983. The 1983 win is considered one of the greatest Cinderella stories in the history of college basketball.
The 1983 NC State team, coached by Jim Valvano, was not expected to make it to the Final Four. In fact, they barely made it to the NCAA Tournament, having first to win the ACC Tournament. In the national championship game, they faced off against the powerful Houston Cougars, who were known as "Phi Slama Jama", with a superstar lineup featuring future Hall of Famers Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler. The Cougars were heavily favoured to win, and the Wolfpack were considered underdogs.
The final game, played in Albuquerque, New Mexico, was a close contest. NC State led at halftime by a score of 33-25, but Houston came back in the second half and established a seven-point lead. However, the Cougars' poor free-throw shooting and the high altitude of Albuquerque worked in NC State's favour. With just over a minute left, NC State's Alvin Franklin was fouled and sent to the line, but he missed the shot. With the score tied at 52, Dereck Whittenburg of NC State launched a desperation shot in the final seconds. The shot fell short, but Lorenzo Charles of the Wolfpack took advantage of the indecision by Olajuwon and scored a buzzer-beating dunk to secure the national championship for NC State with a final score of 54-52.
The ending of the game is considered one of the most famous in college basketball history, with Coach Valvano running around the court in celebration. The 1983 NC State team's Cinderella story has become the archetype of the "Cinderella team", the underdog that fans look to as an inspiration.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, NC State has won two national championships in basketball, in 1974 and 1983.
In 1974, NC State beat Marquette 76-64 in the finals.
The 1983 team was coached by Jim Valvano.
Junior forward David Thompson was named Tournament MVP in 1974.
NC State has participated in 29 NCAA tournaments.
