In a hard-fought battle, the NC State men's basketball team emerged victorious against Duke, securing their sixth consecutive win against NCAA Tournament teams. The Pack's exceptional performance solidified their position as a force to be reckoned with in the postseason.

The first half of the game remained tight until NC State's Filipowski picked up his second foul and was forced to sit out. The Pack took advantage of this opportunity and surged ahead, taking a 35-32 lead at halftime. Despite Duke's late resurgence, NC State continued to dominate throughout the second half, ultimately clinching the win.

Filipowski delivered an outstanding performance, tying his second-highest point total of the season with 28 points and contributing 14 rebounds. However, it was NC State's defensive efforts that played a pivotal role in the game. The Pack effectively shut down Duke's guards, limiting them to just 23 points.

NC State's offensive prowess was further emphasized by the balanced contributions of their players. DJ Horne led the Pack with 18 points, while four others also reached double figures. The team showcased their long-range shooting skills, converting 43.8% of their shots from beyond the arc, while holding Duke to a mere 25% success rate.

The difference in the final score was attributed to NC State's superior performance in both three-point shooting and free throws. They made two more three-pointers and three more free throws than Duke, enabling them to secure the victory. Additionally, Mo Diarra delivered a standout performance with 14 points, 16 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, and 4 blocked shots.

Beyond this victory, NC State has demonstrated a consistent and impressive postseason identity. Since a narrow defeat to O'Connell, the team has outplayed their competition with exceptional defensive prowess and an improved offensive strategy. This newfound success is not a fluke, as they have defeated several highly ranked teams, including those ranked #5, #8, #13, and #22 by the AP.

A significant factor in their recent successes has been the Pack's ability to defend against three-point shooting. In the first two meetings with Duke, the team that made the most three-point shots emerged victorious. However, NC State's strong shot selection and defensive efforts have limited opponents' success from beyond the arc. Notably, they held both #22 Texas Tech to a 22.6% shooting percentage and #8 Marquette to a mere 12.9%.

Another crucial area of focus for NC State is winning the turnover battle. In the first game against Duke, the Pack suffered 10 turnovers, resulting in 21 points for their opponents. While their average of 10 turnovers per game is not unfavorable, Duke's ability to force only five turnovers limited NC State's opportunities. However, in the recent victory, the Pack managed to force nine turnovers, leading to a balanced points off turnovers tally.

As NC State continues to showcase their strength in the postseason, maintaining their defensive prowess, effective shot selection, and winning the turnover battle will be vital. With their consistent performances against tough opponents, the Pack has established themselves as contenders with a real shot at postseason success.