Exhale, NC State fans. Or in the case of some of you, start breathing again.

You didn’t think it was going to be easy, did you?

A lot has changed over the past 2 weeks for the Wolfpack’s basketball program. But if Kevin Keatts and his players are truly going to channel the spirit of the legendary Jim Valvano and continue this most improbable of postseason runs, there’s got to be at least a little drama.

OK, a lot of drama.

Survive and advance.

Right?

It was on full display in Pittsburgh on Saturday.

This version of the Cardiac Pack needed a late defensive stop, a favorable video review and 5 extra minutes to get it done. But somehow, it found a way to outlast the darlings of the NCAA Tournament’s opening round, Oakland, to win 79-73 in overtime to earn its first trip to the Sweet 16 since 2015. The Pack will face the winner of Sunday’s Marquette-Colorado game next Friday in the Sweet 16 in Dallas.

As has been the case throughout the Wolfpack’s run of 7 consecutive victories – 5 in 5 days to win the ACC Tournament championship and 2 in the NCAA South Region – this win was a team effort. All 5 starters scored in double figures, led by emerging folk hero DJ Burns’ 24 points.

What made this game different from almost all the others is that for the first time since an opening round ACC Tournament takedown of Louisville, the worst team in the ACC, State was actually favored to win, according to ESPN BET sportsbook.

That’s what made this, arguably, its most difficult test to date.

It’s one thing to muster the urgency and focus needed to win at this time of the year when it’s “us against the world” and you’re the underdog fighting for your tournament life.

But human nature is a dangerous thing. No matter how hard you try to convince yourself otherwise, it’s not as easy keeping that edge when you’re wearing the white uniforms, playing a team seeded worse than you.

Even when you’re seeded 11th, yourself.

There was a very real danger that with its regional bracket broken wide open for it, the mid-to-late February Wolfpack might strut into PPG Arena, take things for granted and give a lackluster effort.

Especially with the “neutral” crowd pulling hard for its giant-killing opponent.

Doing so would have earned the Wolfpack a plane ticket home.

But that didn’t happen. State is still heading back to Raleigh. But only to wash some clothes, repack and head to Dallas.

It resisted the urge to take a deep breath by getting off to a strong start, then withstanding an inspired effort by a Cinderella team looking to make a little history of its own. And it didn’t crumble under the pressure after the 14th-seeded Grizzlies took a late lead.

Instead the Wolfpack forced a turnover, confirmed only after a nerve-racking review in the final 1.8 seconds of regulation, before Jayden Taylor came off the bench in overtime to deliver a 3-point coup de grace.

Survive and advance.

Just the way Jimmy V drew it up.