DJ Horne says NC State not a Cinderella in 2024 NCAA Tournament
By Sam Fariss
The NC State Wolfpack is still dancing after a nine-point victory over the Marquette Golden Eagles. NC State dominated the Sweet Sixteen game and led Marquette in scoring for nearly every second of the 40-minute matchup.
At the center of attention once again was beloved Wolfpack player DJ Horne. The fifth-year senior led NC State in scoring for the Sweet Sixteen meeting with 19 points.
After the game, Horne gave one of his (now) classic postgame statements to the press. This time around, Horne shared his feelings about NC State being a Cinderella story in the NCAA Tournament.
Horne’s response? The Wolfpack is the real deal and they’re not a Cinderella story at all.
“You’re not a Cinderella are you? Nah…….” enough said @PackMensBball
— Jeff Lampkin (@lampdizl) March 30, 2024
Fans reacted in turn, that NC State is the Cinderella story of the season. Severe underdogs compared to the other teams remaining in the tournament, the Wolfpack has quite an uphill battle ahead of them.
Poor guy got set up with the we’re not a Cinderella curse
— CCC father of 2 (@cccfatherof2) March 30, 2024
What a run for @PackMensBball into the elite eight. The Cinderella story of this tournament.
— GJE (@GJE__1) March 30, 2024
Would not have gotten in if they hadn’t won the ACC conference tournament.
Not a typical Cinderella, but no one expected the Wolfpack in the NCAAs let alone the Elite Eight. #NCAAMarchMadness
— Larry Dougherty (@Ldoc32) March 30, 2024
Horne has averaged 16.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.1 assists throughout this season. He has turned into a leader for the Wolfpack on the court and throughout the NCAA Tournament this postseason.
DJ Horne & DJ Burns as soon as the ACC Tournament started: pic.twitter.com/7RkNw0upnH
— College Sports Only (@CollegeSportsO) March 30, 2024
DJ. HORNE. 🤫@PackMensBball | CBS
— ACC Men's Basketball (@accmbb) March 30, 2024
pic.twitter.com/jxLtV7XA36
DJ Horne got it like that pic.twitter.com/9b03Zi0IjQ
— Barstool Gambling (@stoolgambling) March 30, 2024
Horne’s postseason performances have coupled nicely with that of DJ Burns Jr. The duo has become iconic amongst some of the star players in the tournament and they have made their own names for themselves as NC State marches through round after round.