NC, SC and Indiana secretaries of state make friendly wager on NCAA Final Four match-ps

Published 12:00 am Sunday, April 7, 2024

RALEIGH — Why not both? That’s the mantra buzzing around the campus of N.C. State University as both the men’s and women’s basketball teams compete in the Final Four of the NCAA Basketball Championships. North Carolina Secretary of State Elaine F. Marshall is wagering legendary North Carolina food products that the Wolfpack will win both semifinal match-ups on Friday and Saturday.

“I am so proud and confident of our Wolfpack women and men that I’m willing to double-up on these friendly wagers with my colleagues in South Carolina and Indiana,” Marshall said.

In a friendly wager with South Carolina Secretary of State Mark Hammond, Marshall will be putting up trademark Eastern North Carolina BBQ while Secretary Hammond will be sending South Carolina-style BBQ if the Wolfpack women defeat the University of South Carolina Gamecocks on Friday. This will be a basketball and BBQ border war.

“The USC women’s basketball team has had a wonderful year, which I expect to continue,” Hammond said. “I anticipate that the South Carolina women’s team will enjoy trying out some North Carolina barbecue.”

In a friendly wager with Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales, Marshall will wager North Carolina-grown sweet potatoes and Morales will be sending famous Indiana popcorn if the Wolfpack men defeat Purdue University on Saturday. North Carolina is the No. 1 producer of sweet potatoes in the United States and the sweet potato is North Carolina’s official state vegetable. Popcorn is Indiana’s official state snack.

“As a Purdue alum, I have no doubt our basketball team will be in the championship game,” Morales said. “I look forward to tasting sweet victory, and sweet potatoes from North Carolina. Boiler up.”

Marshall added, “As we get ready to watch the National Championship games on Sunday night and Monday night, we will be ready to feast on South Carolina BBQ and Indiana popcorn. Go Pack.”