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Steve Victory JOURNAL – Sweet Sixteen 2027
UNC-Asheville boasts an impressive resume coming into its 2027 Sweet 16 matchup with the Wolfpack. The Bulldogs beat LSU and Jackson State in the NCT as well as 26 other foes during the season. But their Cinderella Story ends right here – State rolls 84-43. PG Ian Demory plays well in his return from injury…
One number-one seed does get upset at this point. Louisville, ranked second in the nation the last part of the season, falls to St. Joe’s.
State’s next opponent: UCLA, which jksander reminds us is NOT the last college program to go undefeated. That honor goes to the ’76 Indiana Hoosiers, coached by the great Bobby Knight… Again, the author of this dynasty regrets the error and the subsequent pain it has caused IU fans…
UCLA and NCSU have a storied history, dating back more than half a century. The Wolfpack interrupted John Wooden’s magical string of NCT titles in 1974, led by David Thompson, Tommy Burleson and Monte Towe. Will the Bruins return the favor some 50-plus years later? Nope, UCLA hangs tough but falls 86-75. Ian Demory scores 19 points and dishes out nine assists to lead the Pack back to their third Final Four in a row!
The big bummer – SG Marcus Hill dislocates his hip in the game (that was pretty painful to watch). He is lost for the rest of the tournament (déjà vu all over again!)… Sophomore Calvin Carstensen will be given another chance to shine as a backup-turned-starter… Get ready, Mr. Todd Holliway. You may have to contribute as well…
Also making the Final Four: Georgetown (State’s first opponent), Illinois and Victory’s old rival at Alabama, Mississippi State. G-town is the only team not a number one seed. The Hoyas – losers of 17 games during the regular season – have been the ultimate in Cinderella this season, carrying a number 14 seed all the way to St. Louis… Wow, and some argued that they didn’t even belong in the tournament…
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