Hey there, everyone. Welcome to another episode of Wrrl Triangle and two. I am Luis Fernandez. He is Mark Bergen. Uh the NCAA tournament at this time of recording is done for the women and for the men, there's only one game left to go. Unfortunately, the Wolf pack are not involved. Mark both the men's and women's teams, their uh their magic ran out. We'll say in the final four. Uh What was your initial thoughts watching everything unfold this week? It's sinking in today that the Wolf Pack would be playing for a championship against uconn. We've got the eclipse today and it's just like, man so close. But if you want to keep this into full perspective, I still think everyone else is playing for second place against uconn. We'll see what happens tonight. Uconn against Purdue, but I think uconn is going to run away with it, the back to back national champions Lewis, which I mean, Mark, that would be the first time that's happened since 0607 with Florida. Um And really, that was like when I was looking at bracket stuff and things like that before this tournament started, that was one of my main reasons not to go with uconn is that it's just, it hasn't happened in so long, but the Huskies have truly been one of the best teams all season. Um, the way they've retooled the way, uh, Dan Hurley continues to find every little, uh, grievance and, and uses it to his advantage, um, whether it be the airports or, or, or whatever. Um, the Huskies just, just, just getting it done, just getting it done. Um, and I think it's gonna be, uh, assuming they do end up beating Purdue. Um, wow, what, what a couple of years it's been for uconn and we'll see what happens tonight's game. Uh, Lewis with this NC State team. Heck of a run. Yeah. You see the love that they have, but both going out to Arizona for the NCAA tournament and then coming back, even though they weren't victorious the first time they had gone to a final four since 1983. They salvaged Kevin Keat's job nine straight wins to close out the season and just what a remarkable run it was for the Wolf pack and just came up short. I mean, really for me, that final four matchup against Purdue came down to three things and Zach Edie not getting him off his spot, not getting him off the block. He played all 40 minutes posted double, double, 20 points, 12 rebounds. To me it was all true. Also neutralizing DJ Horn on the offensive end. So you had that part of it other than DJ Horn, I really thought State struggled to score cause burns is neutralized. Casey Morsel didn't score. He's your fourth leading scorer. And then Jaden Taylor was your only other double digit scorer other than DJ Horn. So it's like it's tough to win a game. We only scored 50 points. Uh going up against the naismith player of the year back to back in Zach Ty. Uh There's a reason he has an NBA future. I'm not gonna say he's gonna be a superstar. I won't go that far, but I'm very curious tonight to see what can he do up against a loaded uconn team? Uh By the time people are listening or watching this, we'll probably know the result of that game in the national title game, Lewis. But um you're playing with house money with the Wolfpack, man. There's nothing to be ashamed about, nothing to be mad about. Um I'm rambling at this point. Hop in here, Lewis. No, no, no, I think, I think that's fair and I, I agree on, on all parts, right? Um I mean, DJ Burns said it after the game, he wished he would have done a better job at keeping Zach Edie from going to his right hand. Um You know, we, we talked about it a little bit earlier this week um on WRL. It's like even this, the massive size difference there between Edie and Burns like you, you see DJ Burns like, wow, it's a big guy, like, you know, he's super tall. Ok, great. But like Zack Edie, according to the rosters weighs more and is, well, what, seven inches taller than DJ Burns? He's a math, he's massive fan. He's just a big, big, big, big dude. And, you know, I think it was Kevin Keith said after the game that, um, you know, the, the defense that NC State had played with all tournament, it traveled, it was there with them in that final four. They, you know, obviously Purdue won, but they were held well below their season average from a scoring perspective. Um, you know, so defensively that was there offensively, they did not bring that along and I think you saw a little bit more of what we kind of were used to when it comes to NC State in the regular season where they would have these spurts of just not scoring. Um, you know, and that was one of the, one of the things that in state was really succeeding at, in the postseason was, um, efficient and much needed buckets, you know, when they needed a three, that's where you had like Michael o'connell when they needed something to happen inside. That's where you had DJ burns and then, oh, and he kicks it out to DJ Horn or whatever it might be. So, um, now I, I, I'd like to ask you this mark because I have questions for you too, Lewis. But go first. I think there, there's always this kind of interesting way to look at a tournament run or postseasons in general in sports. Right? It's, you win a championship or no nothing title or bust. When you look at this NC state run, do you label it a massive success or is there an asterisk on it in your mind because they did not win a title? You go first and I'll include what I have to say. I go with the massive success because the reality of this situation was, had ST gotten bounced early in the AC C tournament, whether it be to Louisville, whose coach got fired after that game, uh, was it on the, was it the Tuesday or Wednesday? They played on the very first day of the AC C tournament was in Tuesday, the 55 wins in five days if you lose in the, that first game against Louisville or the second game that you play. Kevin Keats probably doesn't have a job with the NC State Wolfpack beyond this current season. So I, I see it as a massive success. You make your first final four since 1983 to be able to rally, to be able to rally when you enter the AC C tournament, having lost four straight games and to awaken a fan base that's been wanting something like this for so long. Uh We'll talk a little bit about what this roster is going to look like next season here in a second Lewis. But to me, it's a success considering what you expected going into the AC C tournament Lewis all season long on this podcast, we barely talked about the Wolf Pack because there was no reason short of short of winning the AC C tournament. They weren't gonna play in the big tournament in the big dance. You know what I mean? They, they were not on the bubble, they were several bubbles away, um going into the AC C tournament. And so, yeah, I agree. I think that, um, it's, it's easy to look at sports and say, ok, yes, win or lose. Those are the only options and not to call this a moral victory for State by any means like that. I think that's also a little bit absurd. I, I think just when you compare historically, what state has done, you know, over the past four decades, having this kind of moment, it's big. It will forever be ingrained in the minds of, um, NC State fans. Um I mean, it's, I imagine, right, like, I mean, this, I'm not, I don't want to try and speak out of turn here, but I imagine right, for, for NC State fans, you know, over the past four decades, 83 is the number one moment and then I would say this one would be number two for sure. Um Maybe maybe 74. We're not, we're not older since 8383 since that 83 title. So, I mean, I think that's, you know, I, I just, it's um it's about the moments that the memories that you create and to get sappy, but I, I think that's a big part of it. What was your favorite moment of the wolf packs? Run Louis? Oh, I would say so. I think there are a couple of easy options. I might, I'm thinking I might be picking the easiest one here. I would say the star power of DJ Burns to kind of put like a uh an all encompassing type thing. I thought it was really cool how these NC State players became central figures in the NCAA tournament. Um And I think you can make the argument that DJ burns was the star of the NCAA tournament the way he, he was just get every, every year. There's always a couple of players who people gravitate towards. Um and DJ Burns the way he, he had success, the way he acted on the court. Nothing but smiles just, you know, complete joy in the game that he was playing in the moment. I think it's very rare um for just people in general to take that much joy in the present. Um And so I DJ burns stardom is, is mine. What about you, Mark, I'll go with the Michael o'connell three in the AC C semifinal against Virginia off a missed free throw. You bank in a three descended into overtime and it was like, you take care of business against Virginia, which was a tournament team. And then, oh, you beat Duke, you beat Virginia. You have to play UN C in the final. You still have to win that game to make it. And to think back of that's really what kind of ignited the spark with this run where it was like, oh my gosh, they're now a game away from making the tournament and then they went on a final four run. So to me, that would be, you know, you could do a win play show. That would be the winner. I'm with you with DJ Burns personally too. I loved that, that first round game in the tournament after they beat Texas Tech and there were the reports that NC State eats ice cream in the locker room in the post game one on one with CBS Evan Washburn when he says gives DJ burns the ice cream. It's like, you know, thanks. He just, he just hands it to someone else as soon as the interview is over. Uh, there was a little bit too much thought process going into the production of that. I do too much on that one. Yeah. Yeah, I personally just because I'm petty and a little bit weird. Lewis, uh, I love that part two but, um, DJ Burns Star Power definitely I mean, DJ Horn the way he played throughout the tournament run. Yeah, I mean, like, and he showed up in the final four game. I just wish he could have gotten a little bit of help in that final four game because he was ready to go. He was putting the ball in the hoop. It was just the Wolf pack needed another score and Jaden Taylor was the only other player in double digits for the Wolf pack. He just needed a little bit of help. Uh the run he went on in the whole, why not us mentality? It falls short of a title but considering what the expectations were for pretty much everyone outside of the program, everyone not in that locker room is really inspiring, man. Like that's a life lesson that you can take with you moving forward even beyond outside of sports. Yeah, I, I think that, um, you know, there is not, not only, only one team can win a championship in a league in a season, right? And there are plenty of people whose favorite teams have never won championships. And I think that when you look at the moments that still stand out to you, like you, you still have those, those little snippets of absolute joy that you get even if your team does not win championships. Um And so I just, I don't know, it's, it's definitely not, you know, it's, it's, I think it's exciting and it's a run that a lot of people are going to remember for a very long time. Did you have any other questions before we move on to NC State? Women? I do. I do. And this might be the dumbest question I've asked you in the history of Triangle and two that you do not know, you do not know that this is coming either. We. Is there any chance Ronnie James transfers to one of the Triangle schools? Oh, it's very random. I don't, I don't know, man, I couldn't even begin to tell you. I think, um, you know, I think that with Ronnie, I, um you know, I, I think that we sometimes look over the fact that he had a major heart problem like a few months ago before the season started and that impacted um who, how he played, who he is, how he prepared all that stuff. Um I can't even imagine what he has went through from that perspective. Also, the pressure that comes with just being lebron James junior. Um You know, I think if, if Ronnie can come in and be like a nice kind of like piece to a puzzle like he, I mean, if it is his way to success in the NBA is to be a three and D guy. Um And so if you can come in and be a piece to a puzzle for a good team, I'm sure that would be great. I just, I think that there's, there's so much that comes with just lebron James Junior coming to your school. Um, you know, I, I think there's a lot more to it than just the on court stuff, uh, for better or worse. Um, so, I don't know, I, I mean, also you have to remember too, right. Like part of the reason why Ronnie was in USA US C is just because, you know, lebron plays in L A. Um You know, I know that he's gonna go through the draft process um and have the ability to come back and then enter the transfer portal. Um I don't know, I would be, I'd be curious because like, I, I think that a lot of people kind of you bri, oh he's not lebron. So that means he's not good bla bla bla he's, he's just a different kind of player. Um And so if you put that hat on, um and I, I, you put those glasses on those eclipse glasses um And, and view the situation like that and I think it, it kind of changes the way you view Ronnie and um the possibility of him coming to uh an AC C team in the triangle. I think Duke is too stacked. I don't know if Jeremy Roach will be back. Tyrese Proctor also question mark there. Uh Caleb Foster also, is he coming back? I'd imagine Jared mccain will go pro. So Duke, I'd say probably not. You've got a loaded class with Cooper Flag and Company NC State. Not sure it's high profile enough. Um There's a need there just considering DJ Horn, DJ Burns Casey Morc, their careers are over but Un C Lewis un C and ok, RJ Davis, I don't think he'll be back, he could come back, but he's the AC C player of the year. He's gonna have a worse roster. He was a finalist for the Naismith award. Like, how much better could RJ Davis play at the collegiate level to improve his draft stock? And? Yeah, and that's, and that's something nothing gonna continue. I'm sorry. Well, so if it's Elliott Cao showed a run and maybe Harrison Ingram is back BK out of eligibility along with Cormac Ryan Tar heels. Yeah, I mean, they've got a good class coming in too but it's, yeah, I, I mean, I guess that like technically if you wanted to look at it like that, but it's, it's gonna be interesting because there's just, we're RJ Davis and correct me if I'm wrong here. But I believe RJ Davis, like his class is like the last group that can use that COVID year. Um So, you know, we're, we're gonna be entering a territory here that we've never really seen before where you have these players who are seeing who have been in school for quite some time already and have known that this opportunity this moment would be coming. This isn't like you know, with Armando Bacot where, oh, you know, everything happens and then like a year later he's like, oh, could I use my COVID year? Yeah, I guess I could, like, you know, RJ Davis has known this is gonna be happening for a while now, this would be a possibility. So it's gonna be really interesting to see how he and other players across the country react to this opportunity. Um, yeah, I mean, I guess, I guess that kind of makes sense. Uh just at least from a numbers perspective, but a lot of changes to take away, let's also take away Kentucky because Cal is now going to Arkansas reportedly allegedly, he he was walking his dog and he didn't have any comment. Did you see that this morning? He was pushing his dog in a stroller down the highway and he was like, why are you talking to me about that? So whoever that Kentucky reporter is that got that be on that video? Uh He deserves to raise Lewis Fernandez can, can you imagine? Can you imagine if you were cause like John like imagine being John Calipari and like even in that situation, you could not catch me walking my dog in a stroller outside where a bunch of cars are driving in this moment. I I would need to wait until everything was official. Like I'm not, that's not what I'm trying to do. You're gonna be in, in your home in your bunker, Lewis in the same situation. There's a disconnect there, but I love this. I, I don't know, you can go to, uh, the NC State women. If you like, let's, let's go ahead and wrap up here at the N State women who did lose in the final four to South Carolina. Um, and as we saw on Sunday, South Carolina winning the whole shebang and was undefeated. So I don't think there's any, um, I, I don't think there's any kind of shame in losing to this South Carolina team the way they did. Lewis, you're in my brain and, uh, Don Staley, take this outside of just women's basketball, one of the best coaches in all sports right now. And to figure out a way to make adjustments after Kaitlin and Clark came out in that game shooting hot. She had 18 in the first quarter and to figure out how to slow her down throughout the course of that game and to get the freshman going and to finish what they couldn't complete a year ago. Kudos to them. And then with stated that, uh, final four matchup on Friday night, it's just a third quarter that didn't go their way to where, uh, South Carolina just came out guns blazing if you will just really, really hot. And that third quarter to me was the difference in that final four game. What was pretty close at halftime. So, no shame in losing to the champion and undefeated champion if you will too. And then just what they were able to do against the best player in the history of the sport. And Kaitlyn Clark, I mean, like, if you're able to do that against her, you deserve to win the title. No shame in losing to the team that was able to do that. And kudos to South Carolina Gamecocks. Yeah. Oh, and, and I, I look at the run the NC state, the Nate women's went on to, they not as bad as Nate men's, but they were in a similar situation towards the end of the year where they were a little bit up and down, they were struggling. They weren't playing great necessarily. And then come to AC C tournament, they turn it on, get all the way to the title game, losing to, you know, a future star, if not already a star and Hannah Hidalgo, um, and Notre Dame and then, you know, play the way they do in the NCAA tournament playing pretty comfortably and well in their home site. Um, beating, um, uh, gosh, who was it? They played, uh Stanford and then beating Texas. Um, you know, ending Cameron Brink's career at Stanford, you know, like it's, it's, it's, it's very impressive what Westmore and Company did. And I think when you look at it too, right, they are losing Sania Rivers. Um, not soar rivers, excuse me, they're losing River Baldwin, thinking of the wrong River there. Los losing River Baldwin, they're losing Mimi Collins. Um So they're definitely gonna have some pieces there, but they bring back Sana Rivers. Aiah James, I believe, I don't believe Isiah James entered the NBA draft or anything like that. W NBA draft. Um Zoe Brooks. Um Can you get it, can you get it done because this was the first time under Westmore, you've gone to a final four. Can you take this experience and get the job done next season? That's, that's what we're looking at and look first time he's been in the final four since he took over at NC State in 2013. So, I mean, having both teams in the final four, it's like, you know, move over uconn Raleigh, North Carolina is now the Mecca of college basketball. You can, you can people, I think people forget to uconn was there too this year. They had men's and women's in the final four too this year. But um yeah, no, I just, I think NC State triangle triangle women's basketball is gonna be super interesting next year. If I may get on my soap box really quick. Triangle, women's basketball is gonna be super interesting whether it be um you know, NC State and that big, all those leaders and scorers that they have returning, they can just get some pieces, you know, in the front court to kind of compliment all the different guard play. They've got um you know, uh Kara Lawson and Duke has some potentially very good players coming in as well as a lot of return is because how young that team was. Um And then of course, uh from the perspective of um at UN C reportedly Deja Kelly is entering the transfer portal, so that's big and you know, that's the kind of feels there might be some pressure on UN C to perform um next season as well. There's just, there's gonna be a lot of, a lot of really interesting storylines for all of college basketball, particularly the women um in the Triangle next year. Yeah. And we will have all that information on WRL Sports fan.com about what you need to know with the transfer portal NC state. The men's got some help there, Lewis, it's Masters Week too. So, yes, we're bummed about the Wolf pack. Yes, we've got a very late tip in tonight's national title game. You can like Purdue but absurdly late tip, absurdly late. Just I don't disagree. I don't disagree. But the glass half full perspective for the listeners and the viewers of WRL Triangle and two is come Thursday, Augusta, Georgia Masters Week. It is going to be glorious. Spring time is here. You get all of the greenery. I can't wait for this weekend. It's, it's like one of the best weekends coming off the national championship and then you get just the best of all the majors when it comes to golf spring here, man. I'm excited like I cannot wait. I'm bummed about the wolf pack but the masters, it's gonna be a nice constellation prize for us. Two masters related shout outs. One Wake Forest's own like Wake Forest is in like the, you know, neighborhood outside of Raleigh Wake Forest, not the university. Um He won the Valero Texas Open his second ever PGA tour win. And in doing that on Sunday, he has uh qualified for the masters. So he'll be there, battled through a, a shoulder injury where he popped his shoulder out, celebrating. Go, you know, forcing a, a playoff. Um It was, it was wild man. It was, if you were not watching the Valero Texas open on, uh on WRL on Sunday, you were missing out. Um And then of course, um uh so that's, so that's gonna be interesting. We'll have more on his journey coming up here this week also. Second. Shout out just Pimento cheese in general. Good stuff. It's good stuff. I just wanted to make sure I got that out there. Mark. Yeah. If you bring 20 bucks to the masters, you can load up on all the different assortments. And it's like, how do you best spend $20? And it's a trick question. Really, you bring a $50 bill to get all the delights that you might need in Augusta. I, I've never been, I would love to go one day but the fact that you can't have your phone either to me just sounds very liberating and freeing as well. Uh I can't wait for Thursday if you can't tell already. I'm very, very excited. Like I'm not willing to wish my life away Luis Fernandez, but I am counting down the minutes between now and then. Nice. Um Well, that is gonna do it for us here on WRL Triangle and two. I'm Lewis Fernandez. He's Mark Bergen. Uh You can catch us wherever you listen to your podcast. Make sure you leave a five star review. You can also catch us on the 99 9 the fan youtube page or on WRL Sports fan.com in the Watch now section. Thank you all so much for listening. We will see you next week.