RALEIGH, N.C. – There’s no way I could’ve predicted what I’d see through my lens this year as a photojournalist at Carolina Blitz. In a year that saw the NC State Men’s Basketball team no one was checking for claw its way to the Final Four and 3x AP NFL Coach of the Year, Bill Belichick, accept the head coach position for UNC Football, you couldn’t have either.
It’s been an exciting year and as 2024 comes to a close, let’s take a look back on some of my favorite moments in chronological order.
#10 No. 10 seed NC State wins the ACC Tournament
NC State fought through fatigue and post-season strain to win five games in five days to become the 2024 ACC Men’s Tournament champions, punching their ticket to the Big Dance they would’ve otherwise missed. This is also the first time a double-digit has won the ACC tournament.
#9 NC State vs Duke, Round 3
In the third matchup of the 2023-2024 season and the second time the matchup was NOT held in the state of North Carolina (derogatory), the NC State Wolfpack packed up the Duke Blue Devils for good. The Pack sent the Blue Devils back to Durham after their 76-64 win in the Elite Eight round of the NCAA Tournament in Dallas. Here, in what would be Jeremy Roach’s last game for the Blue Devils before transferring to Baylor, he nails a three-pointer.
#8 NC State Falls to Purdue in Final Four
Oh, nothing. Just a group of guys with the most heart and determination I’ve ever seen. The Wolfpack swept the nation in an incredible run to the Final Four of the NCAA Men’s Basketball tournament. The Pack couldn’t get past 7’4 Zach Edey and the Purdue Boilermakers for a chance at the title but reignited a fan base that has looked for more from head coach Kevin Keatts as he wrapped up his sixth season.
#7 Manny Diaz Era of Duke Football Begins 5-0
In his first season as head coach of Duke Football, Manny Diaz and his team got off to a historic 5-0 start to their season, defeating the North Carolina Tar Heels 21-20 in the Victory Bell rivalry game on September 24. Here, linebacker Tre Freeman glides in the end zone after returning an interception for a touchdown.
#6 UNC Men’s Basketball Media Day
Media Days are the first official points of contact with the public for the upcoming season. The richness of this moment is like the first day of school. Fans, by way of the media, learn the players, who they are and their mindset; gaining an idea of the season ahead. There’s also that feeling of innocence that some of the freshman and transfers have where they only have the talk surrounding the program to prepare them for what’s ahead at a school like North Carolina…and then they meet the media.
#5 Wolfpack star’s coaching career starts in Cameron Indoor Stadium
N.C. State legend Julius Hodge’s first head coaching game came against a familiar opponent, the Duke Blue Devils. On October 19 the reigning CIAA champions matched up with Jon Scheyer’s crew for an exhibition game where Duke won 107-56. He’s pictured here with alum and former politician, Wendell Murphy, who’s sporting a Hodge McDonald’s All-American jersey from 2001. The two former ACC players, now head coaches met up before the game for a quick hello (video).
#4 UNC introduces Bill Belichick as leader of UNC Football
I would’ve picked a perfect NCAA March Madness bracket before I would’ve ever predicted Bill Belichick would become the head football coach at North Carolina. I thought it was a rumor-joke kind of thing but alas, the Belichick era is here. On December 12, UNC held an introductory press conference where Belichick was presented with a custom UNC hoodie with his signature style torn sleeves before surprisingly showing off his own vintage UNC sweatshirt, once belonging to his father and former UNC football coach, Steve Belichick.
#3 Bill Belichick is introduced at a UNC Men’s Basketball game
UNC fans were in for a treat during halftime of UNC vs La Salle on December 14 when Bill Belichick, along with top recruit QB Bryce Baker made an appearance garnering excitement around the football program.
#2 Cooper Flagg leads all scorers with 22 in win over No. 2 Auburn
Following losses to high-ranked Kentucky and Kansas, the young Duke team put the pieces together for an 84-78 win over No. 2 Auburn on December 4. Leading the charge was then-17 year-old Cooper Flagg with 22 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocks. Wowie.
#1 Cade Tyson breaks out against La Salle
Prior to the home match up against La Salle, 6’7 junior transfer Cade Tyson had been scoreless in the previous four games. Tyson finished with an impressive 23 points, making five three-pointers for the first time at UNC. It was also his first 20-point game as a Tar Heel.
These moments have made for such an interesting and exciting year for fans in North Carolina. Thank you for following along with me and Carolina Blitz for your sports news. Here’s to bigger and better in 2025, cheers!
UNC Football Turns Page to Belichick Era