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Dennis Smith Jr. adds exclamation point dunk in upset of Duke (Video)

By Cody Williams

Jan 23, 2017; Durham, NC, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Dennis Smith Jr. (4) drives to the basket against Duke Blue Devils forward Harry Giles (1) in the first half at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2017; Durham, NC, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Dennis Smith Jr. (4) drives to the basket against Duke Blue Devils forward Harry Giles (1) in the first half at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dennis Smith Jr. ended NC State’s upset of Duke in style, throwing down a breakaway dunk after the buzzer to add insult

As the NC State Wolfpack went into Cameron Indoor Stadium on Monday night to face the Duke Blue Devils, one narrative was clear and apparent. If the Wolfpack were going to have a shot at knocking off a preseason title favorite, Duke, they were going to need star freshman Dennis Smith Jr. to lead the way. From the very start, that’s exactly what the young guard did.

In the first half alone, Smith notched 18 points to his credit to keep his NC State squad within striking distance. They went into the locker room trailing by just six points thanks to a three at the first half buzzer. However, it was what happened after the final buzzer that was truly beautiful.

Behind 14 more points in the second half from Smith, NC State stifled the home team in Cameron and erased the deficit. After taking a late lead, the Wolfpack needed to just notch one stop to take the two-point win. They were able to do so as they forced a turnover that sent Smith into the open court. And even though the buzzer sounded, the freshman didn’t mind throwing down a monstrous jam to add insult to upset:

Style points and swag get an A+ for a move like that—and from a freshman, no less.

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Coming into this game in Durham, the cross-Triangle rivals hadn’t won in Cameron in over two decades. However, a player like Smith changes things. Even though they’ve disappointed at times this season, they have the ability to beat anyone with an otherworldly talent like the freshman.