NCAA Tournament 2024: Ranking the starting lineups of each Sweet 16 team

16. NC State (11-seed)

D. J. Burns Jr. (Senior – Forward)

A massive presence during the Wolfpack’s recent run, Burns redshirted at Tennessee before becoming a star for three years at Winthrop. He transferred to NC State two seasons ago and is ending his career on a high note. Burns averages 12.8 points and 4.1 rebounds for the Wolfpack but has been electric during their crazy run in recent weeks, including a 24-point, 11-rebound effort against Oakland in the second round of the Big Dance, and several great efforts during the ACC Tournament.

Mohamed Diarra (Senior – Forward)

Diarra was a junior college player who had a minor presence last season at Missouri, but has improved his game and been an important frontcourt weapon for NC State this season. He’s averaging 6.4 points and 7.7 rebounds per game and has a certain presence down low for the Wolfpack. He’s a decent shooter from all over the court and is one of the ACC’s best defensive pieces, especially on the boards.

DJ Horne (Senior – Guard)

Following two years at Illinois and two at Arizona State, Horne arrived at NC State in the offseason and has played a major role during the Wolfpack’s recent success. Having the best season of his career, Horne is averaging 16.7 points and 3.3 rebounds a game at NC State, with decent numbers across the board. Horne scored 29 points in the ACC Tournament championship game against North Carolina and can be an impact shooter and scorer for this program.

Casey Morsell (Senior – Guard)

Very familiar with life in the ACC, Morsell started out at Virginia for two seasons before leaving for NC State back in 2021. He’s been a much more important piece during his time with the Wolfpack, averaging 11.4 points and 2.8 rebounds per game this season. Morsell is certainly an impact piece who’s had some explosive performances this season, including a 28-point game against BYU four months ago, though he hasn’t quite found his outside shot down the stretch this season.

Michael O’Connell (Senior – Guard)

O’Connell was at Stanford each of the last three seasons but has fit in nicely this season with the Wolfpack. He’s averaged 5.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game, numbers that don’t exactly stand out, though his presence has been felt. He’s found his way into the starting lineup in the back half of the season, but has scored in double figures in six of NC State’s last seven games, including a 12-point, 8-assist effort against Oakland.