Final Fours: Join the Wolfpack for an Unforgettable Weekend
The NC State community holds its breath as men’s and women’s basketball compete in the national semifinals.
The madness of March may be over, yet NC State basketball continues to survive and advance.
This weekend, both the men’s and women’s teams compete in the Final Four of their respective NCAA tournaments. Their shared success has drawn national buzz, and as the Wolfpack gets ready for a historic weekend of basketball, millions more will be joining us to cheer on NC State’s storybook run.
In the Elite Eight, the women overcame No. 1 seed Texas 76-66 to reach their first national semifinal in 26 years. The 11th-seeded men upset rivals Duke 76-64 to book their passage to the Final Four for the first time since winning it all in 1983, more than four decades ago.
For the women, this year’s run builds on recent success. Head coach Wes Moore and his teams won three consecutive ACC tournament titles from 2020-2022, as well as the regular-season ACC title in 2022; the program also reached the Elite Eight that year.
On the men’s side, this national bid was built on an astonishing victory in the 2024 ACC tournament: Back in March, the Wolfpack won five games in five days to claim their first title since 1987, beating UNC-Chapel Hill in the final. Only that victory guaranteed NC State a spot in the national tournament — which means they’ve had to win nine straight games to reach the Final Four.
This week, The New York Times declared Raleigh and NC State “the new epicenter of college basketball.” So join us, Wolfpack and friends, as our teams prepare to send shockwaves across the nation.
What You Need to Know
Women’s Basketball
- Who: No. 1 South Carolina vs. No. 3 NC State
- When: Friday, Apr. 5 at 7 p.m. EDT
- Where: Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio, home of the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers
- How you can watch: ESPN, including ESPN.com
Men’s Basketball
- Who: No. 1 Purdue vs. No. 11 NC State
- When: Saturday, Apr. 6 at 6:09 p.m. EDT
- Where: State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, home of the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals
- How you can watch: TBS/TNT/truTV, or stream the game via March Madness Live
How to Find Your Wolfpack
We may call Raleigh home, but NC State’s loyal alumni and friends can be found all across the country. Join hundreds of thousands of other Wolfpack fans cheering on their teams at a campus or regional watch party, local business or at home.
On Campus
NC State watch parties will be held on Stafford Commons outside of Talley Student Union during the Friday and Saturday games.
Women’s Basketball Watch Party
When: Friday, Apr. 5 at 6 p.m. (doors open) and 7 p.m. (game begins)
Where: Stafford Commons
Who: NC State students, faculty and staff
Men’s Basketball Watch Party
When: Saturday, Apr. 6 at 5 p.m. (doors open) and 6:09 p.m. (game begins)
Where: Stafford Commons
Who: NC State students, faculty and staff
Event sponsors: Coca-Cola, the Black Students Board, the Inter-Residence Council, Student Government, the University Activities Board, Student Leadership and Engagement, the NC State Student Centers and NC State Dining.
Throughout the Community
The NC State Alumni Association is hosting Wolfpack alumni and friends at a series of events in Cleveland and Phoenix this weekend for the women’s and men’s games, respectively. You can find all the details on their website.
- Head to one of more than two dozen regional game watch events hosted by the Alumni Association.
- Enjoy watch parties at Raleigh Brewing Company and Redline Beer & Wine on both Friday and Saturday.
- Stop by a block party hosted by Mitch’s Tavern between 5 p.m to 11 p.m. on Saturday night. Hillsborough Street will be closed for crowds to enjoy the event between Horne Street and Chamberlin Street.
- Back the Pack at Carolina Ale House on Friday and Saturday. Up to $5,000 in donations made at all North Carolina locations will be matched to benefit the College of Education, the restaurant’s longtime partner.
Welcome Home
After an incredible run, it’s only right we give our teams an incredible homecoming. Both the men’s and women’s teams will be honored during public celebrations at the Belltower once their time at the tournaments is complete.
Stay tuned for the latest details on NC State and Pack Athletics social media channels.
