The Best of the Sports Shop

Reese, Pam and Alex discuss Aaron Rodgers vs Joe Flacco in the Icy Hot Bowl.

The Cincinnati Bengals defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 33-31 in a thrilling game last night on Thursday Night Football. Quarterback Joe Flacco led the Bengals with a standout performance, throwing for 342 yards and three touchdowns. Star receiver Ja’Marr Chase had a record-setting night, catching 16 passes for 161 yards and a touchdown, setting a new Bengals franchise record for receptions in a game. The win improved Cincinnati’s record to 3-4, while the loss dropped Pittsburgh to 4-2. How good are Flacco and Rodgers? Can Cincinnati keep it going?

Reese, Pam and Alex discuss the 2025 ACC Women’s Preseason Poll and Cooper Flagg.

The 2025 ACC Women’s Preseason Basketball Poll came out this week! Who is in the top 5 of the rankings? Who is expected to be on the 2025-26 Preseason All-ACC First and Second Teams? Who will be the ACC Preseason Player of the Year? Who will be the ACC Preseason Rookie of the Year? Where are the triangle teams: Duke, NC State and UNC?

The Dallas Mavericks closed out their preseason with a dominant 121-94 win over the Los Angeles Lakers last night. Despite trailing at halftime, Dallas surged in the second half to take full control of the game. Dallas’s depth and defense overwhelmed L.A. down the stretch. Duke's Cooper Flagg scored 13 points and added 3 assists and 2 rebounds in just 28 minutes of play which was his longest outing of the preseason. Flagg even played some point guard last night. How good is Flagg? How will the Mavericks play this season?

Reese, Pam and Alex discuss the firing of James Franklin.

James Franklin was fired as head coach of Penn State recently despite winning 70% of his games. However, Franklin's record against top 25 teams was 15-28 and his record against top 10 teams was 4-21. This includes a 1-15 record against top 5 teams. Was Franklin's firing justified? What do these schools/college football programs truly value?

This weekend, the #6 Alabama Crimson Tide will play the #11 Tennessee Volunteers at 7:30 on Saturday Night (Oct. 18). Who will win?

It is Throwback Thursday and we are honoring D'Angelo!

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

Dr. Stroman discusses what do we want in Power 4 football, james franklin, won 70% of his games. What is enough?

James Franklin was fired as head coach of Penn State recently despite winning 70% of his games. However, Franklin's record against top 25 teams was 15-28 and his record against top 10 teams was 4-21. This includes a 1-15 record against top 5 teams. Was Franklin's firing justified? What do these schools/college football programs truly value?

Reese, Pam and Alex speak with Grady Bussey and GameDay Charlie.

Grady Bussey is a longtime public servant and community leader based in Wake County, North Carolina. Currently serving as a Community Engagement Analyst for the City of Raleigh, he’s spent over a decade working to strengthen neighborhoods through youth programs, parks, and civic outreach. Bussey has also been active in voter outreach and civic engagement particularly around early voting in Raleigh and Wake County.

For more information, just search online - Wake county board of elections

GameDay joins the Sports Shop to discuss Bill Belichick, UNC and Alabama Football.

Reese, Pam and Alex discuss the Steelers vs Bengals game tonight and Cooper Flagg's preseason play.

The Pittsburgh Steelers will travel to Ohio to play the Cincinnati Bengals in the Icy Hot Bowl tonight on Thursday Night Football. Aaron Rodgers is 41 and Joe Flacco is 40 and the two will face off tonight. Are we calling this the Icy Hot Bowl? How far will Rodgers and the Steelers go this season? Who will win tonight?

The Dallas Mavericks closed out their preseason with a dominant 121-94 win over the Los Angeles Lakers last night. Despite trailing at halftime, Dallas surged in the second half to take full control of the game. Dallas’s depth and defense overwhelmed L.A. down the stretch. Duke's Cooper Flagg scored 13 points and added 3 assists and 2 rebounds in just 28 minutes of play which was his longest outing of the preseason. Flagg even played some point guard last night. Flagg's feel for the game, defensive instincts, confident shot-making and performance against the Lakers, showed poise beyond his years and solidified his readiness to contribute in meaningful NBA minutes right away. How good is Flagg?

Reese, Pam and Alex discuss Adidas allegedly pushing out James Franklin, Steelers vs. Bengals in the ‘Icy Hot Bowl’ and whether Chris Brown is worth $1K.

WVU Sports Now reports that Adidas is allegedly assisting Penn State with a significant portion of former head coach James Franklin’s nearly $50M buyout, following his dismissal on Sunday. The brand, which recently agreed to a 10-year, $300M apparel partnership with the university starting in 2026, is also rumored to have influenced the decision to make the coaching change. Did Adidas want a new coach? Did Adidas fire James Franklin? What coaches could replace James Franklin at Penn State?

The Pittsburgh Steelers will travel to Ohio to play the Cincinnati Bengals in the Icy Hot Bowl on Thursday Night Football. Aaron Rodgers is 41 and Joe Flacco is 40 and the two will face off tomorrow night. Are we calling this the Icy Hot Bowl? How far will Rodgers and the Steelers go this season?

Chris Brown performed at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, NC last night. Would you pay $1K to go to a Chris Brown concert? How much would you pay? What artist would you pay to see?

South Carolina Gamecocks head basketball coach Dawn Staley said she doesn’t think the NBA will hire a female head coach in her lifetime. Is she right?

Also, today marks 6 years for Pam at the Sports Shop! Congratulations Pam!

Reese, Pam and Alex discuss the passing of D’Angelo, Alexis Ohanian firing back at Stephen A. Smith and UNC Football.

R&B and neo-soul artist D’Angelo passed away yesterday at the age of 51. According to a statement from his family, he died following a prolonged and courageous battle with cancer. Known for his influential contributions to music, D’Angelo’s passing marks a significant loss in the world of soul and R&B.

In early 2025, Stephen A. Smith stirred controversy when he criticized Serena Williams for her appearance during Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show, suggesting it reflected poorly on her marriage. He implied that if his own wife did something similar he would consider leaving her, saying, “If I’m married and my wife is going to join trolling her ex … go back to his ass.” Then this month, Serena’s husband, Alexis Ohanian, appeared on First Take and directly addressed Smith’s remarks. He challenged Smith’s authority to give marital advice. Who 

South Carolina Gamecocks head basketball coach Dawn Staley said she doesn’t think the NBA will hire a female head coach in her lifetime. Is she right?

Reese, Pam, and Alex discuss South Carolina Gamecocks head basketball coach Dawn Staley’s recent statement that she doesn’t believe the NBA will hire a female head coach in her lifetime.

South Carolina Gamecocks head basketball coach Dawn Staley said she doesn’t think the NBA will hire a female head coach in her lifetime. Is she right?

Today marks 6 years for Pam at the Sports Shop!

Reese, Pam and Alex discuss the 2025 ACC Preseason Poll.

The 2025 ACC Preseason Poll came out this week! Who is in the top 5 of the rankings? Who is expected to be on the 2025-26 Preseason All-ACC First and Second Teams? Who will be the ACC Preseason Player of the Year? Who will be the ACC Preseason Rookie of the Year?