On March 9, 1974 All-american David Thompson Wins
1974:Â In what is probably the greatest game in Atlantic Coast Conference history, top-ranked North Carolina State tops Maryland, 103-100, in overtime to win the conference tournament. The victory earns North Carolina State the conference’s bid to the NCAA tournament, as only one team from each league is eligible.
The game features five players who receive first or second-team All-American honors in their careers (including three-time first-team All-American David Thompson) and 11 players who will be drafted by the NBA. Seven-foot-four center Tom Burleson scores 38 points and Thompson 29 as N.C. State (26-1) overcomes a 13-point first-half deficit.
Phil Spence’s layup gives N.C. State a 101-100 lead with 2:04 left in overtime. Monte Towe’s two foul shots with six seconds remaining seal the Wolfpack’s 24th straight victory and stretches its winning streak over ACC teams to 32. While Maryland — which is led by Tom McMillen (22 points), John Lucas (18) and Len Elmore (18) — falls to 23-5, three of its losses come against the Wolfpack.
N.C. State will go on to win the NCAA tournament, dethroning Bill Walton’s UCLA team in double overtime in the semifinals and beating Marquette in the final.
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