In the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament, the Duke Blue Devils have been making waves, with player Jared McCain playing a significant role. McCain had a standout performance in the Round of 32, scoring 30 points while going 8-for-11 from 3-point range, setting a record for the most threes by a Blue Devil in tournament history. His impressive play during the tournament led to him securing an NIL deal. One of the things that fans have noticed about McCain is that he likes to paint his nails, with his nails being painted in Duke’s colors of blue and white for the tournament. This unique fashion statement caught the attention of beauty brand Sally Hansen, leading to McCain signing a deal with the company.
McCain announced his deal with Sally Hansen in a recent TikTok post, where he was painting his nails and talking about the importance of self-care. Despite receiving some negative feedback about his nail painting, McCain remained unapologetic, stating that he just wanted to be himself and do what made him feel good. He explained that painting his nails helped him break the habit of nail-biting and that he thought it looked nice. The positive impact of painting his nails seemed to extend to his performance on the court, as he believed it helped him play better in games where his nails were colored.
The Duke Blue Devils, a No. 4 seed, managed to defeat No. 1 seed Houston with a score of 54-51 in the Sweet 16. Duke is now set to face ACC rival N.C. State for a chance to advance to the Final Four. N.C. State has also been on a miraculous run, winning the ACC tournament as a No. 10 seed by winning five games in five days. This impressive feat earned them a No. 11 seed in the March Madness tournament, and they have continued their winning streak by securing wins in all three of their NCAA Tournament games so far. The upcoming matchup between Duke and N.C. State promises to be an exciting clash between two teams in top form.
As the tournament progresses, McCain has maintained his unique nail painting practice, noting that he believes it has helped him play better in games where his nails were painted. While not overly superstitious, McCain has found a routine that works for him and has stuck with it throughout the tournament. His dedication to his self-care routine and his authenticity in expressing himself have garnered attention and support from fans. With the Elite Eight matchup on the horizon, McCain and the Blue Devils are focused on making a strong push towards the Final Four, while N.C. State looks to continue their remarkable streak and secure a spot in the next round. The clash between the two ACC rivals is sure to be a thrilling and closely contested game that fans are eagerly anticipating.
