NC State vs. North Carolina: Highlights, Twitter Reaction, Grades and Analysis

It was anything but easy for them, but the North Carolina Tar Heels advanced to the finals of the ACC Tournament on Saturday, narrowly beating the North Carolina State Wolfpack, 69-67.

They will now face either Duke or Florida State in the finals tomorrow. The game was a tough one, so let's see just how the Tar Heels escaped. 

Tweets of the Night

When North Carolina was plugging back into the game after trailing for most of the first half, Jeff Schultz of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution noted that some of the fans at the game were getting nervous, and not just those belonging to the Wolfpack.

"

UNC on 9-0 run to take 48-46 lead. NC State and Duke fans not happy.

— Jeff Schultz (@JeffSchultzAJC) March 10, 2012"

North Carolina State entered the game on the bubble. Dick Vitale believes that they belong in the tournament.

"

No doubt NC State is one of the best 37 at-large teams.

— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) March 10, 2012"

UNC's Kendall Marshall made the game's winning shot, where there was contact. Brendan Prunty of the Newark Star-Ledger noted that he thought it was a foul.

"

Len Elmore is losing it at the lack of a call there on the Kendall Marshall basket. And you know what? He's absolutely right.

— Brendan Prunty (@BrendanPrunty) March 10, 2012"

Grades for Key North Carolina Players

Tyler Zeller, B+

Zeller was everything the Tar Heels needed him to be with John Henson out. The senior had 23 points and nine rebounds, providing UNC with the dominant paint presence that they need for most of the game. 

Unfortunately, he was not there at the end of the game when the team needed him, as Zeller fouled out with just over a minute left. The team will need him in crunch time during the NCAA tourney.

Kendall Marshall, B

This wasn't his best game, and Roy Williams even benched Marshall in the first half. But when he was needed, the guard came through for the team.

Harrison Barnes, B-

This would not be a perfect game for the Carolina star, but after only three points in the first half, he came back with a solid second, totaling 16 points. Ideally, you want one of your top players to do better all throughout the game, but Barnes was there when his team needed him. 

Grades for Key North Carolina State Players

Lorenzo Brown, A

He worked incredible hard all game, especially after C.J. Leslie fouled out. Brown had 16 points, consistently finding ways to make plays. 

C.J. Leslie, B+

Leslie and Zeller fall into the same category. On the one hand, he had a spectacular 22 points and seven rebounds. He led NC State as they were making a great first half run at UNC. 

The reason Leslie can't get an A is because of the foul trouble he was in, which led to him fouling out with a lot of time on the clock. He did a great job making it a game, but when his team needed all the help it could get, Leslie's foul trouble kept him from even being on the court. 

Scott Wood, F

Behind Leslie, Wood was the team's best scorer in the regular season, and he did not get it done on Saturday, recording only two points. 

State was too dependent on Leslie all game long. He is a fantastic player, but had he been around for the full game, North Carolina State would not have outlasted Duke. Wood needed to do a lot better to give his team a chance. 

Deciding Factor: Fouls

Both teams had some foul trouble, but North Carolina is a much deeper team than NC State. They could afford a little foul trouble, the Wolfpack couldn't. If they had stayed out of foul trouble, State would have won this game.

We can debate about whether the calls (or no-calls) should have been made all we want, but the fact of the matter is that being in trouble hurt NC State a lot more. 

Game MVP: Kendall Marshall

He was clutch. On the winning shot, he fought through contact, making a nice basket in a tight spot, putting his team in the finals. Realistically, you can't ask for anything more in a tight game. 

What's Next

UNC waits to see whether they'll face Duke or Florida State in the finals. Unless they are on the wrong end of a blowout, they deserve a No. 1 seed.

North Carolina State has to wait. Joe Lunardi has them right on the bubble, so they will need the right things to happen from here on out.

Follow @mdixon1985