The Best of the Sports Shop

The Best of the Sports Shop

By 99.9 The Fan | Raleigh, North CarolinaSports
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The Best of the Sports Shop episodes

  • Is UNC Basketball Still Relevant? - What Is The Biggest Factor Influencing Where Top Basketball Recruits Choose To Go?

    Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss Jay Williams’ assessment of UNC’s current relevance and the biggest factor influencing where top basketball recruits decide to go.

    Durign an ESPN appearance, Jay Williams argued that UNC is not currently a top-five “relevant” team in college basketball and suggested that if it didn’t have its iconic brand and history, people might not still consider it a true blue blood program. His point wasn’t about UNC’s historical importance, but rather its recent performance, implying that the program’s reputation is carrying more weight than its current results on the court. Is Jay right?

    What is the biggest factor influencing where top basketball recruits choose to go?

    15 min
  • UNC Basketball's Relevance Questioned + Are UNC Fans Overreacting?

    Reese, Pam and Alex discuss Jay Williams’ assessment of UNC’s current relevance, UNC fans' feelings surrounding their season and Hubert Davis' tenure at UNC.

    Durign an ESPN appearance, Jay Williams argued that UNC is not currently a top-five “relevant” team in college basketball and suggested that if it didn’t have its iconic brand and history, people might not still consider it a true blue blood program. His point wasn’t about UNC’s historical importance, but rather its recent performance, implying that the program’s reputation is carrying more weight than its current results on the court. Is Jay right? Are UNC fans "going through things" and overreacting to this season?

    18 min
  • Jay Williams Sparks Debate: Is UNC Still A Top Team Or Just A Brand?

    Reese, Pam and Alex discuss Jay Williams’ assessment of UNC’s current relevance and Hubert Davis tenure at UNC.

    Durign an ESPN appearance, Jay Williams argued that UNC is not currently a top-five “relevant” team in college basketball and suggested that if it didn’t have its iconic brand and history, people might not still consider it a true blue blood program. His point wasn’t about UNC’s historical importance, but rather its recent performance, implying that the program’s reputation is carrying more weight than its current results on the court. Is Jay right?

    15 min
  • UNC Fans Fight Back Against Jay Williams' Claim That UNC Basketball Has Lost Relevancy

    Reese, Pam and Alex discuss whether Jay Williams’ assessment of UNC’s current relevance is fair as UNC fans call it to "clap back" at Williams.

    Durign an ESPN appearance, Jay Williams argued that UNC is not currently a top-five “relevant” team in college basketball and suggested that if it didn’t have its iconic brand and history, people might not still consider it a true blue blood program. His point wasn’t about UNC’s historical importance, but rather its recent performance, implying that the program’s reputation is carrying more weight than its current results on the court. Is Jay right?

    15 min
  • Jay Williams Claims UNC Basketball Is Not As Relevant As It Once Was: Is He Right?

    Reese, Pam and Alex discuss whether Jay Williams’ assessment of UNC’s current relevance is fair.

    Durign an ESPN appearance, Jay Williams argued that UNC is not currently a top-five “relevant” team in college basketball and suggested that if it didn’t have its iconic brand and history, people might not still consider it a true blue blood program. His point wasn’t about UNC’s historical importance, but rather its recent performance, implying that the program’s reputation is carrying more weight than its current results on the court. Is Jay right?

    The 2026 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournamenthas been exciting. 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. Have you been watching?

    17 min
  • 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?

    12 min
  • 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?

    18 min
  • 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.

    16 min
  • 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?

    25 min
  • 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?

    20 min

About The Best of the Sports Shop

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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…

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