The Best of the Sports Shop

The Best of the Sports Shop

The Sports Shop with Reese and K-Mac: The best urban sports talk show heard weekday mornings from 7 to 10 on Buzz Sports Radio, 99.3 FM in Raleigh, NC, 96.5 FM in Durham, 99.9 HD2, and always streaming through WRALSportsFan.

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The Best of the Sports Shop
Is John Calipari Right About Who Wins Championships? + What Will Happen With Hubert Davis And UNC?

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss the growing uncertainty surrounding North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball, including the pressure on Hubert Davis after another early NCAA Tournament exit and whether the program is headed toward a coaching change as support continues to fade.

The current situation around North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball is tense and increasingly uncertain after a disappointing end to the season. Despite making the NCAA Tournament, UNC suffered a first-round loss to VCU, blowing a large second-half lead and exiting far earlier than expected. That collapse has intensified scrutiny on head coach Hubert Davis, whose future with the program is now very much in doubt. While he led UNC to a national title game in 2022, the years since have been inconsistent, including missing the tournament in 2023 and back-to-back first-round exits in 2025 and 2026. Right now, whether Davis will stay is unclear, but the trend is not in his favor. UNC officials have not made a final decision and are actively evaluating the program, but multiple reports say his future is “in doubt” and that it would surprise many people if he returns next season. What should happen with Hubert Davis? Should he return? Will he?

High Point Panthers men's basketball enjoyed a historic and memorable run in the 2026 NCAA Tournament, marking the most successful March showing in program history. The Panthers made waves in the Round of 64 by pulling off a stunning 83-82 upset of No. 5 seed Wisconsin. That victory was the first NCAA Tournament win in program history and also High Point’s first win ever over a Power Five opponent. High Point then advanced to the Round of 32, where they lost to the No. 4 seed Arkansas 94-88, ending High Point’s historic march just short of the Sweet 16. After High Point's loss, Arkansas head coach John Calipari praised High Point. Calipari said administrations win championships. Is he right?

00:10:33
Mar 23, 2026 10:36 AM
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The Best of the Sports Shop
March Madness: St. John’s Buzzer-Beater, High Point’s Historic Run Earns Praise From John Calipari + Florida Shocked By Iowa

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss the thrilling buzzer-beater that sent St. John’s Red Storm men's basketball to the Sweet 16, the shocking early exit of Florida Gators men's basketball at the hands of Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball and the historic tournament run by High Point Panthers men's basketball, including the praise from John Calipari acknowledging High Point’s program.

St. John’s Red Storm men's basketball pulled off one of the most thrilling wins of the early 2026 NCAA Tournament, defeating No. 4 seed Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball 67-65 with a buzzer-beating layup from guard Dylan Darling in their second-round matchup. Darling’s shot, his only made field goal of the game, came at the horn after Kansas had fought back from a deficit and tied the game with under 15 seconds left, sending St. John’s to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1999. The Red Storm had opened the tournament with a convincing first-round win over Northern Iowa, showcasing balanced play under head coach Rick Pitino. With the win, St. John’s improved to 30-6 on the season and advanced to face No. 1 overall seed Duke Blue Devils men's basketball in the Sweet 16, marking a major milestone for the program and its first deep March run in nearly three decades. How good is St. Johns?

Florida Gators men's basketball saw its 2026 NCAA Tournament run end in heartbreaking fashion with a 73-72 second‑round loss to the Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball. The top‑seeded defending national champions, who entered the tournament after a strong 27-8 season and as SEC regular‑season champs under head coach Todd Golden, won their first‑round game decisively but couldn’t get past Iowa in the Round of 32. Did anyone see this upset coming? What happened?

High Point Panthers men's basketball enjoyed a historic and memorable run in the 2026 NCAA Tournament, marking the most successful March showing in program history. After a dominant regular season in which they finished 31–5 overall, won the Big South regular season and conference tournament, and earned the highest tournament seed in school history (No. 12), the Panthers made waves in the Round of 64 by pulling off a stunning 83-82 upset of No. 5 seed Wisconsin. That victory was the first NCAA Tournament win in program history and also High Point’s first win ever over a Power Five opponent. High Point then advanced to the Round of 32, where they lost to the No. 4 seed Arkansas 94-88, ending High Point’s historic march just short of the Sweet 16. After High Point's loss, Arkansas head coach John Calipari praised High Point. What did Calipari say?

00:16:34
Mar 23, 2026 10:33 AM
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The Best of the Sports Shop
March Madness Update: Tennessee Volunteers Advance to Sweet 16 + ACC Women Shine

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss the impressive Sweet 16 run by Tennessee Volunteers men's basketball, review the women's NCAA Tournament from the ACC perspective and High Point basketball.

The Tennessee Volunteers have put together another strong run in the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, continuing its reputation as one of the more consistent programs in recent years. Entering as a No. 6 seed, Tennessee opened the tournament with a convincing first-round win over Miami (Ohio), then followed that up with an impressive 79-72 upset victory over No. 3 seed Virginia Cavaliers in the Round of 32. With that win, Tennessee advanced to the Sweet 16 for the fourth consecutive year, highlighting the program’s consistency under head coach Rick Barnes. They now move on to face Iowa State Cyclones men's basketball in the Sweet 16, as they continue their pursuit of a long-awaited Final Four appearance.

The 2026 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament has again highlighted the league’s depth. The ACC sent nine teams to the tournament, one of the highest totals of any conference, showing its overall strength. Duke Blue Devils women's basketball entered March as a major contender after winning the ACC Tournament. The North Carolina Tar Heels also positioned themselves as dangerous threats and defeated the Maryland Terrapins yesterday. Overall, the ACC has lived up to expectations as one of the strongest conferences in women’s college basketball, with several teams still in contention and capable of making a Final Four push.

00:13:52
Mar 23, 2026 10:24 AM
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The Best of the Sports Shop
Hubert Davis' UNC Future In Question: Should The North Carolina Tar Heels Bring Davis Back?

Reese, Pam and Alex discuss the growing uncertainty surrounding North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball, including the pressure on Hubert Davis after another early NCAA Tournament exit and whether the program is headed toward a coaching change as support continues to fade.

The current situation around North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball is tense and increasingly uncertain after a disappointing end to the season. Despite making the NCAA Tournament, UNC suffered a first-round loss to VCU, blowing a large second-half lead and exiting far earlier than expected. That collapse has intensified scrutiny on head coach Hubert Davis, whose future with the program is now very much in doubt. While he led UNC to a national title game in 2022, the years since have been inconsistent, including missing the tournament in 2023 and back-to-back first-round exits in 2025 and 2026. At the same time, roster instability has added to the problem, especially with the departures of key young guards like Elliot Cadeau and Ian Jackson, which has raised concerns about player development and retention.

Right now, whether Davis will stay is unclear, but the trend is not in his favor. UNC officials have not made a final decision and are actively evaluating the program, but multiple reports say his future is “in doubt” and that it would surprise many people if he returns next season. What should happen with Hubert Davis? Should he return? Will he?

00:22:54
Mar 23, 2026 10:12 AM
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The Best of the Sports Shop
Uncertainty In Chapel Hill: North Carolina Tar Heels Weigh Future Of Hubert Davis After Another Early NCAA Tournament Exit

Reese, Pam and Alex discuss the growing uncertainty surrounding North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball, including the pressure on Hubert Davis after another early NCAA Tournament exit and whether the program is headed toward a coaching change as support continues to fade.

The current situation around North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball is tense and increasingly uncertain after a disappointing end to the season. Despite making the NCAA Tournament, UNC suffered a first-round loss to VCU, blowing a large second-half lead and exiting far earlier than expected. That collapse has intensified scrutiny on head coach Hubert Davis, whose future with the program is now very much in doubt. While he led UNC to a national title game in 2022, the years since have been inconsistent, including missing the tournament in 2023 and back-to-back first-round exits in 2025 and 2026. At the same time, roster instability has added to the problem, especially with the departures of key young guards like Elliot Cadeau and Ian Jackson, which has raised concerns about player development and retention.

Right now, whether Davis will stay is unclear, but the trend is not in his favor. UNC officials have not made a final decision and are actively evaluating the program, but multiple reports say his future is “in doubt” and that it would surprise many people if he returns next season. What should happen with Hubert Davis? Should he return? Will he?

00:18:19
Mar 23, 2026 10:10 AM
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The Best of the Sports Shop
Guest: Cassius Grimsley - Standout Fuquay-Varina (HS) Baseball Player

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex speak with Cassius Grimsley.

Cassius Grimsley is a 2026 outfielder and right-handed pitcher from Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina, where he plays for Fuquay-Varina High School. Grimsley has developed into a strong two-way player, contributing both at the plate and on the mound. Grimsley has emerged as one of the most productive hitters in the state, highlighted by a standout junior season in which he posted a .567 batting average and a .649 on-base percentage, ranking among North Carolina’s top performers. In addition to his offensive production, he has shown effectiveness as a pitcher, pairing his hitting with strong results on the mound, including a sub-1.00 ERA during his breakout campaign. His performance has earned him multiple honors, including All-Conference and All-State recognition, and he is committed to continue his baseball career at UNC Wilmington, where he projects as a key future contributor.

00:14:15
Mar 20, 2026 10:48 AM
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The Best of the Sports Shop
UNC Tar Heels’ Season Ends In Stunning Collapse: What’s Next for Hubert Davis?

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss UNC's loss to VCU, UNC's season-ending collapse, how a 19-point lead turned into a season-ending collapse, what went wrong in crunch time and whether Hubert Davis and the North Carolina Tar Heels should stay together.

The North Carolina Tar Heels delivered one of the more painful collapses of the tournament, blowing a massive second-half lead in an 82-78 overtime loss to the VCU Rams. Once it reached overtime, it got even worse, UNC scored just three points while VCU completed the comeback, one of the largest in tournament history. The loss also puts a harsh spotlight on head coach Hubert Davis. After guiding UNC to the national title game in his first season and later winning ACC Coach of the Year, his tenure has become increasingly uneven, with a missed tournament in 2023 and now back-to-back early exits. Following this collapse, Davis faced questions about his late-game decisions, rotation, and the team’s inability to adjust as VCU surged. His postgame responses drew attention as well, as he appeared frustrated and somewhat at a loss to explain how the game slipped away.

Zooming out, this is the kind of loss that lingers. UNC came in with some expectations of making somehting of a run, but instead exits immediately after blowing a 19-point lead—raising real questions about the program’s direction under Davis. Should Hubert Davis and UNC stay together or should they part ways?

00:08:17
Mar 20, 2026 10:44 AM
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The Best of the Sports Shop
North Carolina Tar Heels Bounced In NCAA Tournament: Should Hubert Davis And UNC Part Ways?

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss UNC's loss to VCU, UNC's season-ending collapse, how a 19-point lead turned into a season-ending collapse, what went wrong in crunch time and whether Hubert Davis and the North Carolina Tar Heels should stay together.

The North Carolina Tar Heels delivered one of the more painful collapses of the tournament, blowing a massive second-half lead in an 82-78 overtime loss to the VCU Rams. Once it reached overtime, it got even worse, UNC scored just three points while VCU completed the comeback, one of the largest in tournament history. The loss also puts a harsh spotlight on head coach Hubert Davis. After guiding UNC to the national title game in his first season and later winning ACC Coach of the Year, his tenure has become increasingly uneven, with a missed tournament in 2023 and now back-to-back early exits. Following this collapse, Davis faced questions about his late-game decisions, rotation, and the team’s inability to adjust as VCU surged. His postgame responses drew attention as well, as he appeared frustrated and somewhat at a loss to explain how the game slipped away.

Zooming out, this is the kind of loss that lingers. UNC came in with some expectations of making somehting of a run, but instead exits immediately after blowing a 19-point lead—raising real questions about the program’s direction under Davis. Should Hubert Davis and UNC stay together or should they part ways?

00:19:16
Mar 20, 2026 10:42 AM
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The Best of the Sports Shop
Always Bet On Black w/ Ian Parks + High Point Panthers Upset Wisconsin + What's Next For UNC?

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex speak with Ian Parks to discuss his NCAA Tournament picks.

Ian Parks from Always Bet On Black w/ Ian Parks joins the Sports Shop to share his picks in the NBA. Who will win this weekend: Texas Tech Red Raiders or Akron Zips? Alabama Crimson Tide or Hofstra Pride? Kansas Jayhawks or Cal Baptist?

The High Point Panthers pulled off a historic upset in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament, knocking off the No. 5 seed Wisconsin Badgers 83-82 to record the first NCAA Tournament victory in program history. The win was a landmark moment for High Point basketball: not only its first NCAA Tournament victory ever, but also the first time the Panthers have taken down a Power 5 opponent in March Madness, elevating the program’s national profile and setting up a second‑round matchup with No. 4 Arkansas. This breakthrough comes in coach Flynn Clayman’s first season leading High Point after guiding the team to a 31-4 record and both a Big South regular‑season and tournament championship.

The North Carolina Tar Heels delivered one of the more painful collapses of the tournament, blowing a massive second-half lead in an 82-78 overtime loss to the VCU Rams. Once it reached overtime, it got even worse, UNC scored just three points while VCU completed the comeback, one of the largest in tournament history. The loss also puts a harsh spotlight on head coach Hubert Davis. After guiding UNC to the national title game in his first season and later winning ACC Coach of the Year, his tenure has become increasingly uneven, with a missed tournament in 2023 and now back-to-back early exits. Following this collapse, Davis faced questions about his late-game decisions, rotation, and the team’s inability to adjust as VCU surged. His postgame responses drew attention as well, as he appeared frustrated and somewhat at a loss to explain how the game slipped away.

Zooming out, this is the kind of loss that lingers. UNC came in with some expectations of making somehting of a run, but instead exits immediately after blowing a 19-point lead—raising real questions about the program’s direction under Davis.

00:09:17
Mar 20, 2026 10:39 AM
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The Best of the Sports Shop
Crunch-Time Chaos: UNC Falls Apart Late vs. VCU Rams — Is Hubert Davis On His Way Out?

Reese, Pam and Alex discuss Hubert Davis' comments after UNC's loss to VCU, UNC's season-ending collapse, how a 19-point lead turned into a season-ending collapse, what went wrong in crunch time and whether Hubert Davis and the North Carolina Tar Heels should stay together.

The North Carolina Tar Heels delivered one of the more painful collapses of the tournament, blowing a massive second-half lead in an 82-78 overtime loss to the VCU Rams. UNC looked completely in control early, leading by double digits at halftime and stretching the margin to nearly 20 points before everything unraveled. VCU chipped away as UNC’s offense stalled and the defense broke down, and the Tar Heels couldn’t execute late in regulation, missing key opportunities to close the game. Once it reached overtime, it got even worse, UNC scored just three points while VCU completed the comeback, one of the largest in tournament history.

The loss also puts a harsh spotlight on head coach Hubert Davis. After guiding UNC to the national title game in his first season and later winning ACC Coach of the Year, his tenure has become increasingly uneven, with a missed tournament in 2023 and now back-to-back early exits. Following this collapse, Davis faced questions about his late-game decisions, rotation, and the team’s inability to adjust as VCU surged. His postgame responses drew attention as well, as he appeared frustrated and somewhat at a loss to explain how the game slipped away.

Zooming out, this is the kind of loss that lingers. UNC came in with some expectations of making somehting of a run, but instead exits immediately after blowing a 19-point lead—raising real questions about the program’s direction under Davis.

00:14:25
Mar 20, 2026 10:32 AM
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The Best of the Sports Shop
UNC’s 19-Point Collapse: North Carolina Tar Heels Melt Down Vs. VCU Rams - Does Hubert Davis Have A Future With UNC?

Reese, Pam and Alex discuss UNC's loss to VCU, UNC's season-ending collapse, how a 19-point lead turned into a season-ending collapse, what went wrong in crunch time and whether Hubert Davis and the North Carolina Tar Heels should stay together.

The North Carolina Tar Heels delivered one of the more painful collapses of the tournament, blowing a massive second-half lead in an 82-78 overtime loss to the VCU Rams. UNC looked completely in control early, leading by double digits at halftime and stretching the margin to nearly 20 points before everything unraveled. VCU chipped away as UNC’s offense stalled and the defense broke down, and the Tar Heels couldn’t execute late in regulation, missing key opportunities to close the game. Once it reached overtime, it got even worse, UNC scored just three points while VCU completed the comeback, one of the largest in tournament history.

The loss also puts a harsh spotlight on head coach Hubert Davis. After guiding UNC to the national title game in his first season and later winning ACC Coach of the Year, his tenure has become increasingly uneven, with a missed tournament in 2023 and now back-to-back early exits. Following this collapse, Davis faced questions about his late-game decisions, rotation, and the team’s inability to adjust as VCU surged. His postgame responses drew attention as well, as he appeared frustrated and somewhat at a loss to explain how the game slipped away.

Zooming out, this is the kind of loss that lingers. UNC came in with some expectations of making somehting of a run, but instead exits immediately after blowing a 19-point lead—raising real questions about the program’s direction under Davis.

00:17:11
Mar 20, 2026 10:27 AM
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The Best of the Sports Shop
NCAA Tournament: First Round Preview

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss some first round matchups occurring today in the men's NCAA Tournament.

00:13:43
Mar 19, 2026 10:19 AM
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The Best of the Sports Shop
Dishin' It Up w/ Dr. Deborah Stroman: Kevin Mays Scandal + A Historic WNBA CBA Deal

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex speak with Dr. Deborah Stroman.

Dr. Stroman discusses alleged gross misconduct from Kevin Mays, the importance of building a strong ethical culture and how leadership, accountability, and clear standards are essential to creating safe and professional athletic programs, while also touching on the historic WNBA CBA negotiations.

Kevin Mays is a former college basketball player and assistant coach who has recently drawn national attention due to a major criminal case connected to the California State University, Bakersfield men’s basketball program.

In 2025, Mays became the subject of a serious criminal investigation. He was arrested in September of that year after authorities received an anonymous tip alleging involvement in sex trafficking. Prosecutors claim he operated across multiple states while employed by the university, and he now faces 11 charges, including pimping and human trafficking, drug trafficking, illegal firearm possession and possession of child sexual abuse material.

The case has had significant repercussions for the university’s basketball program and athletic department. In the aftermath, both Rod Barnes and the school’s athletic director lost their jobs and the university launched internal reviews into how the situation developed. When things like this happen in colleg sports, it raises the question, how does this happen and how do you build the right culture?

After 17 months of negotiations, the WNBA and WNBPA reached a tentative new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) in March 2026, pending player ratification and approval by the Board of Governors. The deal is considered “historic,” significantly raising player pay and benefits: a $7M salary cap, average salaries near $600,000, minimums above $300,000, and supermax contracts around $1.4M. Entry-level salaries jump from $66,000 to $300,000, with players receiving roughly 20% of league revenue. Additional benefits include housing support, retirement plans, parental leave, and stronger professional standards.

00:26:51
Mar 19, 2026 10:17 AM
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The Best of the Sports Shop
Guests: CL Brown & GameDay Charlie - NCAA Tournament

Reese, Pam and Alex speak with CL Brown and GameDay Charlie.

CL Brown and GameDay Charlie discuss the NCAA Tournament including potential first round upsets, Mikel Brown Jr.'s health, if Hubert Davis is on the hot seat, Duke's Final Four chances and more.

00:24:12
Mar 19, 2026 10:8 AM
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The Best of the Sports Shop
Miami and Prairie View A&M Advance In First Four + UNC Prepares For First-Round Clash Vs VCU

Reese, Pam and Alex discuss last nights 2 First Four NCAA Tournament games and UNC's game against VCU today.

In the 2 First Four games of the 2026 Men’s NCAA Tournament played last night, the Miami RedHawks defeated the SMU Mustangs 89-79. Miami was led by Eian Elmer, who scored 22 points to help secure the victory and advance the team into the full tournament bracket. In the other First Four matchup, the Prairie View A&M Panthers beat the Lehigh Mountain Hawks 67-55. Prairie View A&M overcame a halftime deficit with a strong second half, highlighted by 25 points from Dontae Horne, earning the program its first NCAA Tournament win in history. Both Miami RedHawks and Prairie View A&M now move on to face seeded opponents in the Round of 64 this weekend as part of March Madness.

The North Carolina Tar Heels are playing tonight in the first round of the Men’s NCAA Tournament. They are a No. 6 seed in the South Region and are matched up against the No. 11‑seed VCU Rams in a Round of 64 game. Can Hubert Davis lead UNC to the next round?

00:15:46
Mar 19, 2026 10:4 AM
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The Best of the Sports Shop
March Madness First Four Preview: Prairie View A&M vs. Lehigh & Miami vs. SMU + Venezuela’s Historic WBC Title Over USA

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss how Venezuela claimed its first-ever World Baseball Classic title with a 3-2 win over the United States in the championship game, discuss how they would explain the sport of baseball for someone unfamiliar with the sport and preview tonight’s matchups between Prairie View A&M vs. Lehigh and Miami vs. SMU as they look ahead to who will advance in March Madness.

The United States national baseball team fell 3-2 to the Venezuela national baseball team last night in the World Baseball Classic championship, a game decided in the final inning. The victory gives Venezuela its first-ever World Baseball Classic title, while Team USA finishes as runner-up for the second consecutive tournament, following their loss in the 2023 final. How would you explain baseball to someone who has never seen or heard of it?

The NCAA First Four begins the 2026 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the University of Dayton Arena and feature eight teams competing for four spots in the main 64-team bracket. Two games were playd last night and two will be played tonight. The winners of these games will advance to the main tournament bracket and continue their March Madness run when the Round of 64 begins later in the week. Last night, the UMBC Retrievers lost to the Howard Bison and now Howard will move on to face the Michigan Wolverines. Then later, the Texas Longhorns defeated the NC State Wolfpack. Tonight, the Prairie View A&M Panthers will face the Lehigh Mountain Hawks. Then later, the Miami RedHawks will face the SMU Mustangs, with the winner advancing to play the Tennessee Volunteers in the next round. How will Howard fare against Michigan? Who wins in the two First Four games tonight?

00:12:35
Mar 18, 2026 10:46 AM
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The Best of the Sports Shop
First Four Recap And Preview: Howard’s Historic Win, Tonight’s Matchups + Maxx Crosby Opens Up On Ravens Trade Drama

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss the outcomes of last night’s First Four games, preview tonight’s matchups between Prairie View A&M vs. Lehigh and Miami vs. SMU, debate Howard’s chances against Michigan in the main bracket, and break down Maxx Crosby’s frustrating near-trade to the Baltimore Ravens.

The NCAA First Four begins the 2026 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the University of Dayton Arena and feature eight teams competing for four spots in the main 64-team bracket. Two games were playd last night and two will be played tonight. The winners of these games will advance to the main tournament bracket and continue their March Madness run when the Round of 64 begins later in the week. Last night, the UMBC Retrievers lost to the Howard Bison and now Howard will move on to face the Michigan Wolverines. Then later, the Texas Longhorns defeated the NC State Wolfpack. Tonight, the Prairie View A&M Panthers will face the Lehigh Mountain Hawks. Then later, the Miami RedHawks will face the SMU Mustangs, with the winner advancing to play the Tennessee Volunteers in the next round. How will Howard fare against Michigan? Who wins in the two First Four games tonight?

Maxx Crosby recently opened up about his near-trade to the Baltimore Ravens, describing a confusing and frustrating process that ultimately fell apart. Crosby said he fully believed the deal was going through and even traveled to Baltimore to finalize it, but quickly felt something was off due to a lack of clear communication from the organization. The situation unraveled when the Ravens raised concerns about his knee during the physical, despite Crosby believing he was on track in his recovery from meniscus surgery. What happened?

00:13:19
Mar 18, 2026 10:42 AM
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The Best of the Sports Shop
NC State Season Ends With Loss To Texas: Will NC State Always Be Third Place In The Triangle?

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss NC State’s narrow tournament loss to Texas, evaluate Will Wade’s coaching and postgame comments, break down Darrion Williams’ season performance—including whether he lived up to his preseason Player of the Year expectations—and debate whether NC State can realistically move past a third-place spot in the Triangle behind UNC and Duke.

The NC State Wolfpack’s season came to a dramatic end last night with a 68-66 loss to the Texas Longhorns in the NCAA Tournament First Four, decided in the final seconds. Texas guard Tramon Mark led the way with 17 points and knocked down a go-ahead jumper with about one second remaining, while NC State was paced by Darrion Williams, who finished with 21 points. Although NC State made a push with timely three-point shooting to get back into the game, Texas executed better down the stretch with clutch shot-making and free throws and the Wolfpack were unable to generate a clean look on their final possession. The loss ends NC State’s season at 20-14 overall and eliminates them before reaching the main 64-team bracket, while Texas advances to face BYU and it also caps a difficult finish for the Wolfpack, who dropped eight of their last ten games, raising questions about late-season consistency and execution. How do we evaluate Will Wade's season? Did the Pack disappoint or was the season successful? Back in October, Darrion Williams was named the 2025-26 ACC Preseason Player of the Year and Reese was one of the voters. What do we think of Darrion Williams' season? Will NC State always be third place in the triangle behind UNC and Duke?

00:14:41
Mar 18, 2026 10:36 AM
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The Best of the Sports Shop
NC State Wolfpack Eliminated In First Four - Did Will Wade Handle the Postgame Right?

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss Will Wade's comments following NC State's loss to Texas in the First Four.

The NC State Wolfpack’s season came to a dramatic end last night with a 68-66 loss to the Texas Longhorns in the NCAA Tournament First Four, decided in the final seconds. Texas guard Tramon Mark led the way with 17 points and knocked down a go-ahead jumper with about one second remaining, while NC State was paced by Darrion Williams, who finished with 21 points. Although NC State made a push with timely three-point shooting to get back into the game, Texas executed better down the stretch with clutch shot-making and free throws and the Wolfpack were unable to generate a clean look on their final possession. The loss ends NC State’s season at 20-14 overall and eliminates them before reaching the main 64-team bracket, while Texas advances to face BYU and it also caps a difficult finish for the Wolfpack, who dropped eight of their last ten games, raising questions about late-season consistency and execution. How do we evaluate Will Wade's season? Did the Pack disappoint or was the season successful? Did Will Wade handle the loss well?

00:10:57
Mar 18, 2026 10:32 AM
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The Best of the Sports Shop
Will Wade, NC State Wolfpack Lose In First Four + Maxx Crosby Opens Up About Ravens Trade Drama

Reese, Pam and Alex discuss NC State’s close tournament loss, evaluate Will Wade’s coaching and Darrion Williams’ performance and break down Maxx Crosby’s frustrating near-trade to the Baltimore Ravens and what it reveals about the NFL trade process.

The NC State Wolfpack’s season came to a dramatic end last night with a 68-66 loss to the Texas Longhorns in the NCAA Tournament First Four, decided in the final seconds. The loss ends NC State’s season at 20-14 overall and eliminates them before reaching the main 64-team bracket, while Texas advances to face BYU and it also caps a difficult finish for the Wolfpack, who dropped eight of their last ten games, raising questions about late-season consistency and execution. How do we evaluate Will Wade's season? Did the Pack disappoint or was the season successful? Back in October, Darrion Williams was named the 2025-26 ACC Preseason Player of the Year. What do we think of Darrion Williams' season?

Maxx Crosby recently opened up about his near-trade to the Baltimore Ravens, describing a confusing and frustrating process that ultimately fell apart. Crosby said he fully believed the deal was going through and even traveled to Baltimore to finalize it, but quickly felt something was off due to a lack of clear communication from the organization. The situation unraveled when the Ravens raised concerns about his knee during the physical, despite Crosby believing he was on track in his recovery from meniscus surgery. What happened?

00:17:27
Mar 18, 2026 10:28 AM
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The Best of the Sports Shop
NC State Wolfpack Fall In Heartbreaker, Howard Makes History: Evaluating Will Wade, Darrion Williams And March Madness Surprises

Reese, Pam and Alex discuss NC State’s close loss to Texas, evaluate Will Wade’s coaching, Darrion Williams’ season performance and celebrate Howard Bison’s historic win over UMBC while speculating on their chances against No. 1 seed Michigan.

The NC State Wolfpack’s season came to a dramatic end last night with a 68-66 loss to the Texas Longhorns in the NCAA Tournament First Four, decided in the final seconds. Texas guard Tramon Mark led the way with 17 points and knocked down a go-ahead jumper with about one second remaining, while NC State was paced by Darrion Williams, who finished with 21 points. Although NC State made a push with timely three-point shooting to get back into the game, Texas executed better down the stretch with clutch shot-making and free throws and the Wolfpack were unable to generate a clean look on their final possession. The loss ends NC State’s season at 20-14 overall and eliminates them before reaching the main 64-team bracket, while Texas advances to face BYU and it also caps a difficult finish for the Wolfpack, who dropped eight of their last ten games, raising questions about late-season consistency and execution. How do we evaluate Will Wade's season? Did the Pack disappoint or was the season successful? Back in October, Darrion Williams was named the 2025-26 ACC Preseason Player of the Year. What do we think of Darrion Williams' season?

Howard Bison earned a historic 86-83 win over UMBC Retrievers in the NCAA Tournament First Four, a game that came down to the final seconds. The win marks the first NCAA Tournament victory in program history for Howard and sends them into the main bracket to face No. 1 seed Michigan, while UMBC’s season ends at 24-9 after a strong year that included a conference title and a 12-game winning streak entering the tournament. Can Howard compete with Michigan?

00:12:06
Mar 18, 2026 10:23 AM
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March Madness First Four Preview: Texas vs. NC State Wolfpack + UMBC vs. Howard - Battle for Round of 64 Spots

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex preview tonight’s NCAA First Four matchups, breaking down UMBC vs. Howard, Texas vs. NC State and tomorrow’s Prairie View A&M vs. Lehigh and Miami vs. SMU games, while analyzing which teams have the best chance to advance in the main 64-team bracket.

The NCAA First Four takes place this week and officially begins the 2026 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament. The games are played tonight and tomorrow night at the University of Dayton Arena and feature eight teams competing for four spots in the main 64-team bracket. The winners of these games will advance to the main tournament bracket and continue their March Madness run when the Round of 64 begins later in the week. Tonight, the UMBC Retrievers will play the Howard Bison men's basketball and the winner will move on to face the Michigan Wolverines. Then later, the Texas Longhorns men's basketball take on the NC State Wolfpack men's basketball. Did NC State earn their positioning in the NCAA Tournament First Four? Will NC State beat Texas tonight? How will NC State vs Texas go tonight? Howard or UMBC?

Tomorrow, the Prairie View A&M Panthers will face the Lehigh Mountain Hawks. That same night, the Miami RedHawks will face the SMU Mustangs, with the winner advancing to play the Tennessee Volunteers in the next round The winners of these games will advance to the main tournament bracket and continue their March Madness run when the Round of 64 begins later in the week.

00:10:24
Mar 17, 2026 11:7 AM
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First Four Showdown: Texas Longhorns Face NC State Wolfpack Tonight In NCAA Tournament Opener

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss tonight’s Texas vs. NC State game.

The NCAA First Four takes place this week and officially begins the 2026 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament. The games are played tonight and tomorrow night at the University of Dayton Arena and feature eight teams competing for four spots in the main 64-team bracket. The winners of these games will advance to the main tournament bracket and continue their March Madness run when the Round of 64 begins later in the week. Tonight, the the Texas Longhorns men's basketball take on the NC State Wolfpack men's basketball. Did NC State earn their positioning in the NCAA Tournament First Four? Will NC State beat Texas tonight?

00:09:23
Mar 17, 2026 10:59 AM
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Bruce Pearl Replacing Jay Wright: Does Anyone Want This? + Alabama's Aden Holloway Arrest

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss Bruce Pearl replacing Jay Wright on the CBS March Madness panel, the First Four matchups including NC State vs. Texas and the affect of Aden Holloway’s arrest on Alabama’s tournament prospects.

Bruce Pearl is apparently replacing Jay Wright on this year’s CBS/NCAA March Madness studio panel for the 2026 NCAA Tournament. Do people want this?

The NCAA First Four takes place this week and officially begins the 2026 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament. The games are played tonight and tomorrow night at the University of Dayton Arena and feature eight teams competing for four spots in the main 64-team bracket. The winners of these games will advance to the main tournament bracket and continue their March Madness run when the Round of 64 begins later in the week. Tonight, the the Texas Longhorns men's basketball take on the NC State Wolfpack men's basketball. Did NC State earn their positioning in the NCAA Tournament First Four? Will NC State beat Texas tonight?

Aden Holloway, a guard for the Alabama Crimson Tide men's basketball, was arrested just days before the start of NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament. Authorities say a search of a residence uncovered more than a pound of marijuana, along with drug paraphernalia and cash, leading to charges of first-degree marijuana possession and failure to affix a tax stamp, a felony. Holloway was briefly jailed and later released on a $5,000 bond. It remains unclear whether he will face disciplinary action from the team or be available to play in Alabama’s upcoming tournament matchup against Hofstra Pride men's basketball, adding uncertainty as the Crimson Tide enter March Madness as a No. 4 seed.

00:13:25
Mar 17, 2026 10:56 AM
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Alabama Faces Uncertainty After Holloway Arrest + Is Duke A Final Four Team?+ How Dangerous Is #3 Michigan State? + St. Patrick’s Day Festivities

Reese, Kmac and Alex discuss the impact of Aden Holloway’s arrest on Alabama’s tournament chances, break down Duke’s ACC Championship run and how the potential absence of Caleb Foster and Patrick Ngongba II could affect their NCAA Tournament hopes, debate whether Michigan State is the most dangerous #3 seed and even touch on St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.

Aden Holloway, a guard for the Alabama Crimson Tide men's basketball, was arrested just days before the start of NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament. Authorities say a search of a residence uncovered more than a pound of marijuana, along with drug paraphernalia and cash, leading to charges of first-degree marijuana possession and failure to affix a tax stamp, a felony. Holloway was briefly jailed and later released on a $5,000 bond. Alabama has an upcoming tournament matchup against the Hofstra Pride men's basketball. How does this affect Alabama? Will Holloway be able to play?

The Duke Blue Devils defeated the Virginia Cavaliers 74-70 over the weekend to claim the 2026 ACC Men’s Basketball Championship, marking Duke’s second consecutive ACC tournament title. The victory came under head coach Jon Scheyer and adds another championship to the program’s storied history in the conference. Notably, Duke secured the win without two key starters, Caleb Foster and Patrick Ngongba II. If both players miss the NCAA Tournament, how significantly could their absence affect Duke’s chances? Is Duke a Final Four team? Is Michigan State the most dangerous #3 seed in the tournament?

Today is St. Patrick's Day. Do you celebrate St. Patty's Day?

00:18:54
Mar 17, 2026 10:43 AM
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