WRAL Triangle and Two

WRAL's Mark Bergin and Pat Welter discuss whether UNC head coach Bill Belichick's job is on the line on Friday night when UNC plays on the road against California.

Welter talked about his reporting on a divided North Carolina locker room after a 2-3 start to the Belichick era in Chapel Hill.

The guys also discussed what Belichick, his assistant coaches and players said during this week's media availabilities in advance of Friday's game.

Bergin wonders whether UNC, NC State or Duke will be in the college football coaching carousel after Penn State's recent firing of James Franklin. It would require UNC and Belichick to part ways, NC State to move on from head coach Dave Doeren and another school to hire away Manny Diaz from Duke.

Bergin and Welter share what they'd like to see from the Tar Heels on Friday night.

The guys also preview Duke's home matchup against undefeated Georgia Tech.

Last, Pat Welter shares a funny story about traveling back from the ACC Tipoff in Charlotte.

WRAL's Brian Murphy spoke with North Carolina and NFL quarterback Bryn Renner about the Tar Heels' 38-10 loss to the Clemson Tigers.

The blowout loss was head coach Bill Belichick's first ACC game.

Murphy and Renner also discussed New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye's performance in the win on Sunday Night Football against the Buffalo Bills.

WRAL's Brian Murphy spoke with North Carolina and NFL quarterback Bryn Renner about what the Tar Heels should do at quarterback with starter Gio Lopez nursing an injury and backup Max Johnson looking good in relief.

The Tar Hels are coming off a bye week and face Clemson on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025.

WRAL's Chris Lea and Pat Welter take a deep dive into what went wrong in UNC's 38-10 loss to Clemson and why Bill Belichick needs to show serious improvement to warrant a second season in Chapel Hill.

They also discuss UNC basketball's Blue-White scrimmage and what to expect from Duke and NC State this season.

WRAL's Pat Welter sat down with Carolina Hurricanes general manager Eric Tulsky to discuss what he learned in his first season as GM, key offseason additions, the secret behind small forwards and what it'll take to win the Stanley Cup.

WRAL's Mark Bergin and Pat Welter discussed which team has had the more disappointing start to the 2025 season.

The guys also discussed which quarterback the Tar Heels could start between Gio Lopez and Max Johnson. Lopez left the UCF game with a leg injury.

Bergin and Welter also shared their thoughts on NC State (3-2) losing two consecutive games ahead of Saturday's game against Campbell (1-4).

The guys discussed whether head coach Dave Doeren is on the hot seat.

Plus, the guys previewed Duke's road matchup against California.

Last, Welter shared his thoughts on the new Paul Thomas Anderson movie "One Battle After Another," and what it was like meeting Anderson while working as Rob Schneider's assistant on the movie "Grow Ups."

WRAL's Mark Bergin and Pat Welter discuss North Carolina starting out 2-2 under head coach Bill Belichick. The Tar Heels are coming off a 34-9 loss to UCF.

Bergin and Welter discuss whether Belichick would consider a return to the NFL.

Specifically, Bergin suggests the Miami Dolphins as a potential suitor for Belichick if they fire current head coach Mike McDaniel. The Dolphins are off to a 0-3 start in the 2025 season. Plus, the Dolphins play in the AFC East, the same division as the New England Patriots, where Belichick coached for 24 seasons.

Belichick and Patriots owner Robert Kraft have had several issues after they decided to mutually part ways in 2024.

The guys also previewed NC State’s upcoming game against Virginia Tech. Sophomore quarterback CJ Bailey will try to rebound after committing four turnovers in the 45-33 loss to Duke. Bergin suggests another team could try to get Bailey to transfer in the offseason.

Last, the guys discuss Duke’s matchup against Syracuse. The Blue Devils finally won the turnover battle in their win over the Wolfpack.

WRAL's Brian Murphy spoke with former North Carolina and NFL quarterback Bryn Renner to discuss the Tar Heels' 34-9 loss against UCF.

Murphy and Renner discussed quarterback Gio Lopez's injury and whether Max Johnson should remain the team's starting quarterback.

WRAL's Chris Lea and Pat Welter  react to Duke's 45-33 win over NC State.

WRAL's Mark Bergin and Pat Welter discuss how NC State (3-0) is a 3.5-point road underdog against Duke (1-2).

Bergin and Welter share how quarterback CJ Bailey and running back Hollywood Smothers have gotten the Wolfpack off to a 3-0 start.

Meanwhile, Duke is looking to snap a two-game losing streak.

UNC travels to UCF on Saturday afternoon. The Tar Heels are a 6.5-point underdog in their final game before ACC play starts.

Quarterback Gio Lopez and running back Demon June have led the Tar Heels to a two-game winning streak.

In this exclusive interview, NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman sits down with WRAL’s Brian Murphy during her visit to Raleigh, North Carolina.

They discuss the league’s rapid growth, from record transfer fees and a new TV deal to upcoming expansions and investments driving women’s soccer forward.

Berman shares insights on how teams like the North Carolina Courage are adapting to an ever-competitive global market, the importance of infrastructure and stadiums, and how the league is working to retain top talent amid fierce international competition.

Learn more about the challenges and opportunities facing the NWSL, get behind-the-scenes details on franchise development, and find out what’s next for women's professional soccer in the U.S.

WRAL's Brian Murphy spoke with former North Carolina and NFL quarterback Bryn Renner to discuss the Tar Heels' 41-6 win against Richmond.

Murphy and Renner also discussed UNC's next game against UCF.

WRAL's Chris Lea and Pat Welter analyze the game as the Wolfpack are 3-0 for the first time since 2022.

Senior Duke defensive end Vincent "VJ" Anthony Jr. was named the ACC Defensive Player of the Week after his three-sack performance against Illinois.

In an interview with WRAL's Pat Welter, Anthony shared what it was it was like growing up in Durham, even though he rooted for North Carolina. He went to Jordan High School and said his family gets to watch him play at Duke.

WRAL's Mark Bergin and Pat Welter discussed what North Carolina needs to accomplish against Richmond when the two teams play Saturday afternoon.

Welter said the Tar Heels should look to establish their running game, outlining the running backs who have gotten carries through two games.

The guys also discussed Duke quarterback Darian Mensah taking on Tulane, his former team. Duke turned the ball over five times in its loss to Illinois.

Plus, NC State plays Thursday night against rival Wake Forest. Bergin and Welter went over the challenges for NC State playing on a shortened week. While CJ Bailey and Hollywood Smothers have impressed through two games, NC State's defense struggled against Virginia.

Last, Welter shares a story about his late-night visit to a Waffle House on his way back to Raleigh during last Saturday's UNC game in Charlotte. 

WRAL's Pat Welter and Brian Murphy share their reactions to UNC defeating Charlotte 20-3 on Saturday night.

It marked Bill Belichick's first win as head coach at North Carolina.

WRAL's Mark Bergin and Pat Welter discussed which UNC quarterback head coach Bill Belichick will start between Gio Lopez and Max Johnson for Saturday's road game against Charlotte.

Belichick said earlier this week that he would see how the two players look in practice.

Lopez left Monday's opener against TCU with a back injury. If healthy, the guys expect Lopez to get the start.

The guys also discussed the possible repercussions if UNC gets upset by Charlotte, whose starting quarterback is Conner Harrell, a former Tar Heel.

Bergin and Welter also talked about NC State hosting Virginia in a non-conference game.

Plus, Duke hosts No. 11 Illinois.

Pat Welter and Chris Lea try to make sense of UNC's performance in its blowout loss to TCU in Bill Belichick's collegiate coaching debut.

WRAL's Mark Bergin and Pat Welter discussed which quarterback the North Carolina Tar Heels will start in Bill Belichick's collegiate coaching debut against TCU.

UNC is expected to choose between transfer Gio Lopez and Max Johnson.

The guys also shared which running backs will help carry the load with the departure of Omarion Hampton. They also discussed what role Jordon Hudson will have.

Bergin and Welter also previewed Thursday night's game between NC State and ECU. It is a rematch of the 2024 Military Bowl, which saw several players ejected after a brawl.

Last, the guys discussed Duke's opening-week game against Elon before a huge Week 2 matchup against Illinois.

Welter wonders what the future holds for Manny Diaz if Duke replicates the success it had in 2024.

WRAL's Mark Bergin and Pat Welter draft the top college football players heading into the 2025 season for Duke, NC State and UNC.

1. Duke QB Darian Mensah
2. NC State QB CJ Bailey
3. NC State tight end Justin Joly
4. UNC QB Gio Lopez
5. Duke CB Chandler Rivers
6. NC State RB Hollywood Smothers
7. NC State LB Caden Fordham
8. Duke RB Jaquez Moore
9. UNC WR Jordan Shipp
10. NC State LB Cian Slone

WRAL's Mark Bergin and Pat Welter discuss the top storylines for UNC, Duke and NC State before the start of the 2025 college football season.

The top storylines include:

• Will the Bill Belichick experiment work at UNC?
• Duke QB Darian Mensah making a reported $8 million in 2 years
• How long will Manny Diaz stay at Duke?
• Is Dave Doeren on the hot seat?
• Will NC State continue its 4-game winning streak vs. UNC?
• What role will Jordon Hudson have at UNC?
• UNC QB battle: Gio Lopez vs. Max Johnson
• Can NC State's defense return to form?
• CJ Bailey's sophomore season
• College football chaos
• Duke CB Chandler Rivers
• Duke's British LB Memorable Factor
• Thank you for watching!

Ahead of the 2025 NBA Draft, WRAL's Mark Bergin and Pat Welter broke down why Duke's Cooper Flagg is heralded as a draft prospect. They discuss how Flagg compares to other top prospects in previous years, like Victor Wembanyama and Zion Williamson.

The guys also discussed why Kon Knueppel's stock is rising on many NBA Draft boards. Knueppel is a solid shooter, even if he doesn't have the highest upside.

Bergin and Welter also talked about how Khaman Maluach looks to bring a strong defensive presence to whichever team drafts him.

They also analyzed UNC's Drake Powell, who posted a 43-inch vertical at the NBA Combine.

Other players with ties to the Triangle who could get picked include Duke's Tyrese Proctor and Sion James, along with UNC's RJ Davis.

2025 NBA Mock Draft: https://www.wral.com/sports/nba-mock-draft-2025-cooper-flagg-kon-knueppel-khaman-maluach-june-brooklyn/

WRAL's Mark Bergin and Louis Fernandez discussed the best NBA team fits for Duke phenom Cooper Flagg.

The discussion comes before Monday night's NBA Draft Lottery, which determines which team gets the No. 1 pick and the rights to draft Flagg.

The draft lottery is set for 7 p.m. ET Monday, and it airs on ESPN.

The NBA Draft is scheduled for June 25-26 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

WRAL's Mark Bergin and Louis Fernandez previewed Saturday night's Final Four game between the Duke Blue Devils and the Houston Cougars.

Star freshman Cooper Flagg leads Duke, but it was the Blue Devils' defense that helped propel the team to the Final Four.

Bergin and Fernandez discussed why Duke is considered the favorite to win the national championship. Plus, they shared how the Blue Devils match up against a Houston team with lots of basketball experience.

Last, the guys discussed which team – Auburn or Florida – would be a more favorable championship matchup for the Blue Devils if they beat Houston.

WRAL's Mark Bergin and Louis Fernandez discuss how Duke will play Arizona on Thursday night in the Sweet 16.

Arizona guard Caleb Love used to play for North Carolina. Love's 3-pointer in the 2022 Final Four eliminated Duke from the tournament and ended legendary head coach Mike Krzyzewski's career.

If Duke wins, the Blue Devils will play the winner of Alabama and BYU in the Elite Eight.

Bergin and Fernandez discussed how Duke has its best team in years, whether any other Duke players deserved to make the All-ACC first-team and whether the Blue Devils would put in 5'8" guard Spencer Hubbard again.