Looking for Cinderella? Here’s the biggest underdog left in March Madness

The North Carolina State Wolfpack, led by forward D.J. Burns Jr., has emerged as the standout underdog story in this year’s men’s NCAA basketball tournament. Despite being a power conference team with a history of success, including two national titles, their journey to the Sweet Sixteen as the only double-digit seed left has captured the attention of March Madness enthusiasts. Their unexpected run follows a challenging season where they ended with a mediocre 17-14 record, but they managed to secure their tournament berth by winning five games in five days during the ACC conference tournament. This resilience continued into the NCAA tournament, where they won their first two games, proving their capability to compete with higher-seeded teams. Burns, noted for his impressive size and skill, has played a significant role in drawing defensive attention, which has opened up opportunities for his teammates. The team’s unique composition and strategies, highlighted by individual stories like guard DJ Horne’s transfer closer to home and forward Mohamed Diarra’s performance while fasting for Ramadan, have contributed to their identity and success. As they prepare for their next challenge against 2-seed Marquette, N.C. State and Burns have become fan favorites.

Source: NPR