'It's just been awesome': NC State fans welcome Wolfpack home from Final Four, remain hopeful for future

The NC State Wolfpack men's basketball team had an unforgettable run in the 2023 NCAA Division I Basketball Championship, making it all the way to the Final Four before ultimately falling to the Purdue Boilermakers with a score of 63-50 on Saturday, April 1, 2023. The team's journey to the Final Four was nothing short of impressive, as they had previously defeated the University of Virginia Cavaliers in the Elite Eight with a thrilling come-from-behind victory.

Following their loss to Purdue, the Wolfpack players and coaching staff boarded a chartered flight back to Raleigh, North Carolina, with their heads held high. The team took off from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport around 2 p.m. Mountain Time and touched down at Raleigh-Durham International Airport just before 7 p.m. Eastern Time.

As the team's plane approached the runway, NC State fans and students gathered at the Dail Basketball Center on the campus of North Carolina State University to welcome the team home. The atmosphere was electric as the crowd chanted and cheered in support of the Wolfpack.

NC State students interviewed by local news outlets expressed their pride in the team's accomplishments despite the disappointing loss in the championship game. "It's just been awesome to see our team make it this far," said one student. "We're proud of them no matter what."

Another student added, "They gave us something to believe in and to be excited about. Even though we didn't win it all, we still have a lot to be proud of."

The Wolfpack finished the season with an impressive record of 33-6, marking the most wins in a single season since the 1974-1975 team that went on to win the ACC championship and reach the Elite Eight. The team's success this year has reinvigorated the basketball program and given the NC State community a renewed sense of pride and excitement.

As the team made their way off the plane and into the arms of their supporters, it was clear that the Wolfpack's journey to the Final Four had left a lasting impact on the university and its fans. The future looks bright for NC State basketball, and the memories of this magical run will be cherished for years to come.