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GREENSBORO (MCT) — In October 2008, Derrick Favors visited N.C. State for the open-to-the-public workout at Reynolds Coliseum that started the Wolfpack's preseason practice.

Favors made the visit alongside John Wall, raising N.C. State fans' hopes that two of the nation's top recruits were coming their way. Alas, Wall, the point guard from Word of God, signed with Kentucky.

And 17 months after his visit to Raleigh, Favors sparked Georgia Tech in a 57-54 win that eliminated N.C. State from the ACC tournament. After scoring a game-high 17 points and grabbing eight rebounds, Favors said it was a special win for him.

''I beat them in a big game," said Favors, the freshman forward who was the ACC's rookie of the year, "so I've got something to brag about."

Favors said N.C. State was one of the final three schools he considered. He said he liked Wolfpack coach Sidney Lowe and some of the players he met, and was impressed with their player development plan.

But ultimately he decided to stay in his hometown of Atlanta at Georgia Tech. He struggled at times with foul trouble and stamina.

''I told him, 'I've never had a player ask out of a game as much as you do,' " Georgia Tech coach Paul Hewitt said. "I told him, 'This is ridiculous. You're a big-time player raising your hand every two minutes to come out of the game. You've got to play through this.' "

Favors has done that. He's averaged 16 points and 9.5 rebounds over his last eight games, and 15.3 points and 9.7 rebounds in the ACC tournament.

He also kept his composure after N.C. State guard Javi Gonzalez grabbed the back of his jersey and dumped him to the floor to prevent a breakaway basket with 1 minute, 29 seconds remaining.

Gonzalez was called for an intentional foul.

''I didn't want to retaliate because I knew if we won I'd probably get suspended for the next game against Duke," Favors said. "So I just walked away from it."

He said he had no hard feelings. He did have bragging rights, though, and that was enough.

Plumlees shine off bench: For two consecutive days, Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski has praised the contributions of backup big men Mason and Miles Plumlee.

Miles scored seven points in 12 minutes. Mason grabbed six rebounds, blocked two shots, scored four points and assisted on a Miles alley-oop dunk in 16 minutes.

''They had been playing well, but I think their play has gone up a level. They've been very athletic. They're moving their feet even better. ... I'm really pleased with how they're coming along."

Why Georgia Tech won

The Yellow Jackets were better — and deeper — in the low post for the first 20 minutes and the final 6½ minutes. Tech won the boards 42-36, blocked three shots in the first half and altered more than a dozen more.

Why N.C. State lost

The Wolfpack was woeful no matter where it put up shots. State missed nine of 19 from the free-throw line, 20 of 26 from 3-point range and 43 of 62 overall from the floor.

Play of the game

N.C. State didn't actually make a shot it took from the floor for 4 minutes of the final 4:16. Only an "own goal" by Derrick Favors counted until Javier Gonzalez's 3-pointer with 12.4 seconds to play cut the Pack's final deficit to three points.

The key player

Georgia Tech's Gani Lawal, a 6-foot-9 junior forward, was often all that was between State's Tracy Smith and the basket. Lawal's defense won the day, with Smith missing more shots than he made. Lawal finished with 12 points, a game-high 10 rebounds and two blocks.

What they're saying

"We've got a chance to make ourselves a lock tomorrow and that is the mindset we have right now." — Paul Hewitt, Georgia Tech coach, on his team's NCAA tournament chances

"It's tough. We're hurting right now. Everybody's disappointed. We thought we had the game in our hands." — Tracy Smith, N.C. State forward

"We certainly had the opportunity, but we just couldn't finish it off." — Sidney Lowe, N.C. State coach

"Favors backed up a little bit, and I had enough room to get it off. I got it off, but I missed." — Javier Gonzalez, N.C. State guard, on his potential tying 3-pointer

Noting the game

Tech is in the championship game for the first time since losing to Duke in the 2005 tournament in Washington, D.C. ... The Jackets' 22 wins are the most for the program since the 2004 national runner-up squad won 28. ... N.C. State nearly became the first No. 11 seed to reach the ACC tournament final. The Wolfpack is the only 10th (2007) or eighth seed (1997) to play for the title. ... Referee Les Jones did his best to get it right all afternoon. But he didn't hear what he thought he heard late in the first half. Jones thought Tech coach Paul Hewitt was asking for a timeout. Instead, Hewitt was shouting a play. Tech was assessed the timeout with 1:18 to play, then set up a 3-pointer for Maurice Miller and a 27-19 lead.

N.C. STATE (19-15) — Gonzalez 3-14 0-0 9, Degand 3-9 2-6 8, Wood 3-7 1-3 9, T.Smith 6-13 3-4 15, Horner 2-12 2-4 7, Howell 1-1 0-0 2, Vandenberg 0-1 0-0 0, Williams 1-2 2-2 4, Mays 0-3 0-0 0. Totals 19-62 10-19 54.

GEORGIA TECH (22-11) — Shumpert 3-7 1-4 7, Bell 1-3 6-6 9, Favors 7-10 3-5 17, Lawal 5-7 2-7 12, Rice Jr. 0-1 3-6 3, Udofia 0-0 0-0 0, M.Miller 1-2 0-0 3, Oliver 1-6 0-0 2, Peacock 0-5 4-4 4. Totals 18-41 19-32 57.

N.C. State 19 35 — 54
Georgia Tech 29 28 — 57

Percentages—N.C. State (FG .306, FT .526), Georgia Tech (FG .439, FT .594)

3-point goals—N.C. State 6-26 (Gonzalez 3-8, Wood 2-5, Horner 1-8, Williams 0-1, Degand 0-4), Georgia Tech 2-10 (Bell 1-1, M.Miller 1-1, Rice Jr. 0-1, Peacock 0-1, Shumpert 0-3, Oliver 0-3).

Fouled out—None.

Rebounds—N.C. State 36 (Horner 8), Georgia Tech 42 (Lawal 10).

Assists—N.C. State 9 (Degand 4), Georgia Tech 13 (Bell, Rice Jr. 4).

Blocks—N.C. State 2 (Wood, Williams), Georgia Tech 4 (Favors 2, Lawal 2)).

Turnovers—N.C. State 6 (Gonzalez 2), Georgia Tech 16 (Shumpert 5, Bell 3).

Steals—N.C. State 7 (Horner 2), Georgia Tech 6 (Shumpert 2, Favors 2).

Total fouls—N.C. State 23, Georgia Tech 18.

A—23,381.

Officials—Brian Kersey, Les Jones, Mike Eades.