The Best of the Sports Shop

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex speak with Nolan Smith. Nolan Smith is a basketball coach and former professional player who currently serves as the head coach of the Tennessee State Tigers men's basketball in the Ohio Valley Conference. Smith first gained national recognition as a standout guard at Duke University, where he helped lead the Blue Devils to the 2010 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship and was later named ACC Player of the Year and a consensus All-American in 2011. He was selected 21st overall in the 2011 NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers and played professionally in the NBA and overseas before transitioning into coaching. After assistant coaching stops at Duke, Louisville, and Memphis, Smith became Tennessee State’s head coach in 2025. In his first season, he led the Tigers to a share of the OVC regular-season title, earned OVC Coach of the Year honors, and was named a finalist for the Hugh Durham Award and the Joe B. Hall Award. Smith also guided Tennessee State to the Ohio Valley Conference Men's Basketball Tournament championship, securing the program’s first appearance in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament since 1994 and ending a 32-year tournament drought.

Reese, Pam and Alex discuss last night’s ACC Tournament action, Duke’s injury challenges and upcoming quarterfinal matchup, Bam Adebayo’s historic 83-point game and the fallout from Maxx Crosby’s voided trade. The ACC Tournament is underway! What happened last night and what's on tap for today? The Duke Blue Devils men’s basketball team has had an outstanding 2025-26 season, finishing with a 29-2 overall record and 17-1 in ACC play, earning the No. 1 national ranking and the ACC regular-season title under head coach Jon Scheyer. However, as the ACC Tournament begins in Charlotte, Duke has faced some setbacks. Caleb Foster is out with a fractured foot and Patrick Ngongba II is also unavailable due to foot soreness, meaning the team will have to lean more on other contributors, like Cayden Boozer. Despite the injuries, Duke holds a double bye in the tournament as the No. 1 seed and will not play until the quarterfinals tomorrow at 7 p.m. ET, where they will face the winner of the Florida State vs. California second‑round game. Will these injuries stop the Blue Devils from winning the ACC Championship? Bam Adebayo delivered one of the most historic individual performances in NBA history last night, scoring 83 points for the Miami Heat in a 150-129 win over the Washington Wizards. Adebayo's 83 points is the second-highest single-game scoring performance in NBA history, behind only Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point game in 1962 and surpasses Kobe Bryant’s famous 81-point game from 2006. How impressive was his performance? The situation involving Maxx Crosby has turned into one of the strangest stories of the NFL offseason. The Las Vegas Raiders had reportedly agreed to a blockbuster trade that would send Crosby to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for two first-round picks, which would have been a huge move for both teams. Baltimore would have added one of the league’s elite pass rushers, while Las Vegas would have gained major draft capital to help reshape its roster. However, the deal suddenly fell apart after Crosby reportedly failed his physical with the Ravens due to concerns related to his knee following meniscus surgery. Because the physical is required for the trade to be finalized, the Ravens backed out and the deal was voided before it became official. Now Crosby is effectively back with Las Vegas while continuing his recovery, but the failed deal has raised questions around the league about his health and whether another team might still try to trade for him. What does this mean for the Raiders?

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss the drama surrounding Maxx Crosby’s voided trade, NC State’s chances in the ACC Tournament and just how historic Bam Adebayo’s 83-point game really was. The situation involving Maxx Crosby has turned into one of the strangest stories of the NFL offseason. The Las Vegas Raiders had reportedly agreed to a blockbuster trade that would send Crosby to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for two first-round picks, which would have been a huge move for both teams. Baltimore would have added one of the league’s elite pass rushers, while Las Vegas would have gained major draft capital to help reshape its roster. However, the deal suddenly fell apart after Crosby reportedly failed his physical with the Ravens due to concerns related to his knee following meniscus surgery. Because the physical is required for the trade to be finalized, the Ravens backed out and the deal was voided before it became official. Now Crosby is effectively back with Las Vegas while continuing his recovery, but the failed deal has raised questions around the league about his health and whether another team might still try to trade for him. What does this mean for the Raiders? The NC State Wolfpack men's basketball team has had an up-and-down 2025–26 season, finishing with a 19-12 overall record and 10-8 in ACC play, placing them in the middle of the pack heading into the ACC Men's Basketball Tournament in Charlotte. Standout players such as Quadir Copeland and Darrion Williams earned All-ACC recognition, highlighting NC State’s key contributors despite some uneven performances. Entering the ACC Tournament as the 7-seed, the Wolfpack are set to face the No. 15 seed Pittsburgh Panthers in a second-round matchup today at 12 p.m. ET. The tournament represents a critical opportunity for NC State to gain momentum, advance through the bracket, and secure an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Bam Adebayo delivered one of the most historic individual performances in NBA history last night, scoring 83 points for the Miami Heat in a 150-129 win over the Washington Wizards. Adebayo's 83 points is the second-highest single-game scoring performance in NBA history, behind only Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point game in 1962 and surpasses Kobe Bryant’s famous 81-point game from 2006. How impressive was Adebayo's performance?

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss Bam Adebayo’s historic 83-point game and where this performance ranks in NBA history. Bam Adebayo delivered one of the most historic individual performances in NBA history last night, scoring 83 points for the Miami Heat in a 150-129 win over the Washington Wizards. Adebayo's 83 points is the second-highest single-game scoring performance in NBA history, behind only Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point game in 1962 and surpasses Kobe Bryant’s famous 81-point game from 2006. Adebayo shot 20-for-43 from the field, made 7 three-pointers and shot 36-for-43 from the free-throw line, setting new NBA records for free throws attempted and made in a single game. He also contributed nine rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks. Adebayo came out blazing, scoring 31 points in the first quarter and 43 by halftime and continued his scoring barrage throughout the game.

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss Dak Prescott calling off his wedding, the latest NFL free agency moves including Tua Tagovailoa going to the Falcons and Rico Dowdle signing with the Steelers, and debate broader football questions such as how Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. will fit together in Atlanta, whether Aaron Rodgers should return or retire and which NFL team currently has the worst quarterback situation. Dak Prescott and his fiancée, Sarah Jane Ramos, have officially called off their April 10, 2026, destination wedding in Lake Como, Italy. They informed their roughly 250 invited guests via email, describing it as a “very difficult decision” and asking for understanding and prayers. The cancellation came about five weeks before the planned ceremony, reportedly following issues in their relationship, with some sources noting a heated argument during their joint bachelor and bachelorette parties in the Bahamas may have contributed to the breakup. Rumors also emerged that Ramos may have been unwilling to sign an alleged prenup. What happened? The NFL's free agency period has partially opened. The league’s “legal tampering” or negotiation window began at noon yesterday, allowing teams to talk with agents and negotiate contract terms with players who are about to become free agents. However, these agreements cannot be officially signed yet. The official start of free agency happens when the new NFL league year begins tomorrow at 4:00 p.m. ET, at which point contracts can be formally signed and announced by teams.  However, several major agreements have already been reached during the opening of the NFL free-agency negotiation period. Quarterback Malik Willis agreed to a three-year deal worth about $67.5M with the Miami Dolphins after moving on from Tua Tagovailoa. How will Tua and Michael Penix Jr. fit together in Atlanta? Also, the Pittsburgh Steelers have agreed to a two-year, $12.25M deal with former Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle. Pittsburgh pursued Dowdle to replace departing running back Kenneth Gainwell, who signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Why did Dowdle leave Carolina? Should Aaron Rodgers come back for another season or retire? What's the worst quarterback situation in the NFL?

Reese, Pam and Alex discuss the worst quarterback situations in the NFL, the controversy surrounding the Atlanta Hawks’ canceled Magic City Night promotion and more. What's the worst QB situation in the NFL? Recently, Luke Kornet publicly criticized the Atlanta Hawks for planning a promotional event connected to Magic City, a famed Atlanta adult‑entertainment club, during a game against the Orlando Magic. The team had announced a themed promotion called “Magic City Night” (originally scheduled for March 16), meant to celebrate the club’s cultural influence in Atlanta with items like its famous lemon‑pepper wings, themed merchandise and a halftime performance by Atlanta rapper T.I. The Hawks described Magic City as an iconic cultural institution because of its influence on Atlanta’s hip‑hop scene and nightlife. Kornet objected to the promotion and urged the Hawks to cancel it, arguing that celebrating a strip club at an NBA game conflicted with the league’s family‑friendly image and could make the NBA “complicit in the potential objectification and mistreatment of women.” He said the league should focus on protecting and respecting women and maintaining an environment appropriate for all fans. Despite initial plans to proceed, the NBA ultimately intervened and canceled the Hawks’ Magic City Night promotion after receiving significant pushback from players, fans, partners, and league stakeholders. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said that canceling the event was “the right decision for the broader NBA community,” and while some elements like the T.I. halftime performance and the wings may remain, controversial components like branded merchandise have been scrapped. Do you agree with the NBA shutting down the Atlanta Hawks’ Magic City Night promotion?

Reese, Pam and Alex discuss the Men's ACC Basketball Tournament and Greg Sankey comments on The Paul Finebaum Show.  The ACC Men's Basketball Tournament begins today and runs through Saturday, March 14, 2026. The tournament opens with the first round today, followed by the second round tomorrow. The quarterfinals are played on March 12, the semifinals on March 13 and the event concludes with the championship game on March 14. All games are being held at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte. Who plays today SEC Commissioner Greg Sankeye recently appeared on The Paul Finebaum Show and discussed topics including talks among some SEC schools about possibly breaking away from the National Collegiate Athletic Association — though he said he doesn’t think that’s the right path forward — and broader issues facing college athletics. During that appearance he also discussed NIL and other issues. What does the Sports Shop crew think?

Reese, Pam and Alex discuss Duke’s historic sweep of the ACC postseason awards and the most notable NFL free agency moves, such as Tyler Linderbaum joining the Raiders, Rico Dowdle signing with the Steelers and more. The Duke Blue Devils men's basketball dominated the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) postseason awards, becoming the first team in conference history to sweep the major honors. Freshman star Cameron Boozer won both ACC Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year, while teammate Maliq Brown earned Defensive Player of the Year and Sixth Man of the Year. Head coach Jon Scheyer was named ACC Coach of the Year after leading Duke to a dominant season and the conference’s top seed. Several other Blue Devils also received recognition, including Isaiah Evans (All-ACC Third Team) and Dame Sarr (All-Defensive Team). Were there any snubs or surprises? The NFL's “legal tampering” or negotiation window began at noon yesterday, allowing teams to talk with agents and negotiate contract terms with players who are about to become free agents. However, these agreements cannot be officially signed yet. Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum reportedly agreed to a three-year, $81M contract with Reese's Las Vegas Raiders after previously playing for the Baltimore Ravens. Also, the Pittsburgh Steelers have agreed to a two-year, $12.25M deal with former Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle. Pittsburgh pursued Dowdle to replace departing running back Kenneth Gainwell, who signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and to bolster a backfield that includes Jaylen Warren and emerging second-year back Kaleb Johnson. Why did Dowdle leave Carolina? In addition, star running back and Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III has agreed to terms with the Kansas City Chiefs. Walker agreed to a three‑year contract reportedly worth up to $45M, making it one of the richest free‑agent deals ever for a running back. What were the best and most surprising free agency moves yesterday?

Reese, Pam and Alex discuss the recent NFL Free Agent signings.  The National Football League (NFL) free agency period has partially opened. The league’s “legal tampering” or negotiation window began at noon yesterday, allowing teams to talk with agents and negotiate contract terms with players who are about to become free agents. However, these agreements cannot be officially signed yet. The official start of free agency happens when the new NFL league year begins tomorrow at 4:00 p.m. ET, at which point contracts can be formally signed and announced by teams.  However, several major agreements have already been reached during the opening of the NFL free-agency negotiation period. Quarterback Malik Willis agreed to a three-year deal worth about $67.5M with the Miami Dolphins after moving on from Tua Tagovailoa. Veteran wide receiver Mike Evans reached a three-year agreement with the San Francisco 49ers, ending his long tenure with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum reportedly agreed to a three-year, $81M contract with Reese's Las Vegas Raiders after previously playing for the Baltimore Ravens. In addition, star running back and Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III has agreed to terms with the Kansas City Chiefs. Walker agreed to a three‑year contract reportedly worth up to $45M, making it one of the richest free‑agent deals ever for a running back. What were the best and most surprising free agency moves yesterday?

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss Tua Tagovailoa being released by the Dolphins and what teams should pursue him. The Tua Tagovailoa has been released by the Miami Dolphins, with the team using a post–June 1 designation. This allows Miami to spread an NFL‑record $99M in dead cap over two years instead of taking the full salary‑cap hit in a single season. Tagovailoa, the No. 5 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, had been Miami’s starter for six seasons. The Dolphins previously tried to trade him, but his large contract—including a four‑year, $212.4M extension with substantial guarantees—made a deal difficult to finalize. The team’s new general manager, Jon-Eric Sullivan, said the organization is moving in a “new direction at the quarterback position” while acknowledging Tagovailoa’s contributions. Once officially released, he will become a free agent, able to sign with any team, likely on a smaller contract given the guarantees already paid. Where is the best destination for Tua? Where should he go? What teams should pursue him?

Reese, Kmac, Pam, and Alex break down the women’s ACC Tournament and discuss how ACC teams might fare in the NCAA Tournament. The women’s ACC Basketball Tournament has concluded and Pam was on-site in Duluth, Georgia, covering the action for the Sports Shop! The Duke Blue Devils captured the championship with a 70-65 overtime victory over the Louisville Cardinals in the title game. Duke overcame a late deficit, tied the game in regulation and then pulled ahead in overtime to claim their second straight ACC Tournament title. Taina Mair earned tournament MVP honors with 19 points and 12 rebounds, while Riley Nelson hit a clutch three-pointer in overtime to secure the win. With the victory, Duke improved to 24-8, claimed their 10th ACC Tournament title and became the first back-to-back champion since NC State in 2020–21. Now, the conversation turns to the NCAA Tournament: How do ACC teams stack up? Can they compete for a national title? Which teams have the best chance to make a deep run?

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss Duke's win over UNC on Saturday night and the Men's ACC Basketball Tournament.  The Duke Blue Devils men's basketball defeated the North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball 76-61 in their regular-season finale at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Duke, ranked No. 1 in the country, led 39-34 at halftime before taking control in the second half with a strong defensive performance and a 24-2 scoring run that helped seal the victory. Duke freshman Cameron Boozer led the Blue Devils with 26 points, 15 rebounds and 5 assists, playing a major role on both offense and defense. For North Carolina, Derek Dixon led the team with 17 points, including several three-pointers that kept the Tar Heels competitive early in the game. The win allowed Duke to finish the regular season 29-2 overall and 17-1 in ACC play, and it also meant the teams split the season series in the long-running Carolina–Duke rivalry. The ACC Men's Basketball Tournament begins tomorrow, March 10, 2026, and runs through Saturday, March 14, 2026. The tournament opens with the first round on March 10, followed by the second round on March 11. The quarterfinals are played on March 12, the semifinals on March 13 and the event concludes with the championship game on March 14. All games are being held at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte. Can Duke be beat in the ACC Tournament?

Reese, Pam and Alex recap the ACC Women's Basketball Tournament.  The women's ACC Basketball Tournament is over! Pam took a trip down to Duluth, Georgia to cover the tournament for the Sports Shop! What did Pam see down in Georgia? The ACC Women’s Basketball Tournament was won by the Duke Blue Devils women's basketball, who claimed the championship with a 70-65 overtime victory over the Louisville Cardinals women's basketball in the title game. Duke rallied from a late deficit, tied the game in regulation, and then pulled ahead in overtime to secure their second straight ACC Tournament title. Taina Mair was named tournament MVP after leading the Blue Devils with 19 points and 12 rebounds and Riley Nelson hit a crucial three‑pointer in overtime to help seal the win. With the win, Duke (24-8) claimed its 10th ACC Tournament title in program history and became the first repeat champion since NC State in 2020 and 2021.

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss Duke's win over UNC on Saturday night, Caleb Wilson's injury, NC State's late season decline and more. The Duke Blue Devils men's basketball defeated the North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball 76-61 in their regular-season finale at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Duke, ranked No. 1 in the country, led 39-34 at halftime before taking control in the second half with a strong defensive performance and a 24-2 scoring run that helped seal the victory. Duke freshman Cameron Boozer led the Blue Devils with 26 points, 15 rebounds and 5 assists, playing a major role on both offense and defense. For North Carolina, Derek Dixon led the team with 17 points, including several three-pointers that kept the Tar Heels competitive early in the game. The win allowed Duke to finish the regular season 29-2 overall and 17-1 in ACC play, and it also meant the teams split the season series in the long-running Carolina–Duke rivalry. Caleb Wilson is a freshman standout for the North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball and one of the most highly regarded young players in college basketball. During the 2025-26 season, Wilson quickly became one of the team’s most important players, averaging about 19.8 points, 9.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game while shooting roughly 58% from the field. Because of his size, athleticism, and ability to impact the game on both offense and defense, many analysts view him as a potential lottery pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. However, his freshman season ended early after he first fractured his left hand during a game against Miami on February 10, and then broke his right thumb during a non-contact drill in practice, which required surgery and kept him out for the rest of the season. How distraught was Reese when he heard the news? The NC State Wolfpack men's basketball finished the 2025-26 regular season 19-12 overall and 10-8 in ACC play, earning roughly the 7th seed in the ACC Tournament. The team struggled down the stretch, losing six of their last seven games, including a close 85-84 loss to Stanford and earlier defeats to Duke, Virginia and Notre Dame, though they had a strong 82–58 win over North Carolina in mid‑February. Under head coach Will Wade, this was a notable improvement over their 12-19 finish in 2024–25. Expectations were high for Darrion Williams, who transferred from Texas Tech after averaging 15.1 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists and earning All-Big 12 First Team honors. Williams was voted ACC Preseason Player of the Year, and media picked NC State to finish fourth in the ACC, reflecting the belief that his scoring, leadership, and experience could make the Wolfpack a contender. Heading into the ACC Tournament, the team looks to regain momentum and meet those high expectations, despite the late-season slump. Can NC State catch fire in the ACC Tournament?

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss this weekend's Duke vs UNC matchup, the women's ACC Tournament and more. The Duke Blue Devils men’s basketball team will host the North Carolina Tar Heels tomorrow night at Cameron Indoor Stadium, with tip-off expected around 6:30 p.m. ET. Duke enters the matchup ranked No. 1 nationally and riding an impressive ACC regular-season performance, while North Carolina, ranked in the top 20, is coming off a win against Duke earlier this season. Caleb Wilson has been sidelined since Feb. 10 with a fractured left hand suffered in a loss to Miami. With UNC already locked into a top-four seed and a double bye in the conference tournament, the team now has extra time before its next postseason game, which could make resting Wilson the safer long-term decision. However, the rivalry matchup against Duke, one of college basketball’s most intense rivalries, adds emotional weight, especially if Wilson is close to returning and could provide a boost for UNC heading into March. What should Wilson do? Will he return Saturday? Should he? Is Duke truly the best team in the country? Reese says Duke has no flaws. Is he right? Who will win? What is happening in the women's ACC Tournament?

Reese, Kmac and Alex speak with Tyrek Whitfield. Tyrek Whitfield is the promoter behind Raleigh Rumble and the founder of Whitfield Entertainment Promotions, which organizes boxing and entertainment events in the Raleigh area. Raleigh Rumble is coming March 14th! Come out for a night of entertainment at the Hilton North Hills in Raleigh, featuring action-packed fights, live music, great food and an open bar. Doors open at 6 PM and the first fight begins at 7 PM with anywhere from 7-9 fights scheduled for the event. Javon "Pop" Woodard is scheduled to fight in the main event. Don’t miss this exciting night—get your tickets now at TKOTIX.COM

Reese, Kmac and Alex discuss tomorrow night's matchup between Duke and Carolina.  The Duke Blue Devils men’s basketball team will host the North Carolina Tar Heels tomorrow night at Cameron Indoor Stadium, with tip-off expected around 6:30 p.m. ET. Duke enters the matchup ranked No. 1 nationally and riding an impressive ACC regular-season performance, while North Carolina, ranked in the top 20, is coming off a win against Duke earlier this season. Caleb Wilson has been sidelined since Feb. 10 with a fractured left hand suffered in a loss to Miami. With UNC already locked into a top-four seed and a double bye in the conference tournament, the team now has extra time before its next postseason game, which could make resting Wilson the safer long-term decision. However, the rivalry matchup against Duke, one of college basketball’s most intense rivalries, adds emotional weight, especially if Wilson is close to returning and could provide a boost for UNC heading into March. What should Wilson do? Will he return Saturday? Should he? Is Duke truly the best team in the country? Does this Duke team have any flaws? Who will win?

Reese, Kmac and Alex speak with Ian Parks to discuss his weekend picks and the Rookie of the Year Race in the NBA. 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: Charlotte Hornets or Miami Heat? New Orleans Pelicans or Phoenix Suns? St. John's Red Storm or Seton Hall Pirates? Jayson Tatum is set to make his return for the Boston Celtics against the Dallas Mavericks tonight. Tatum tore his achilles nearly 10 months ago and this would be Tatum's first game since then. In his return, wil tatum score more than 13.5 points? Will he record more than 3.5 rebounds? The Charlotte Hornets have been one of the surprise teams in the league lately and rookie guard Kon Knueppel has been a major reason why. Charlotte has surged back into the Eastern Conference play-in race while winning roughly 15 of its last 18 games, with Knueppel providing efficient scoring and elite shooting that has helped fuel the run. The rookie has averaged around 19 points per game while shooting over 44% from three and even broke the NBA rookie record for most three-pointers in a season. His play has pushed him to the front of the NBA Rookie of the Year race ahead of Cooper Flagg of the Dallas Mavericks. While Flagg still has slightly bigger counting stats — about 20 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game — Knueppel’s efficiency, Charlotte’s winning stretch, and Flagg missing games with injury have shifted the momentum of the award race toward the Hornets rookie as the season enters its final stretch. Who should win ROTY: Knueppel or Flagg?

Reese, Kmac and Alex discuss LeBron’s historic milestone and whether it truly reflects his greatness, as well as the Charlotte Hornets' impressive largely in part due to the play of Kon Knueppel. Last night, LeBron James made NBA history by breaking the all-time field goals made record, surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s long-standing mark of 15,837. James hit his record-breaking basket during the Los Angeles Lakers’ game against the Denver Nuggets, marking his 15,838th career field goal and later extended the record even further in the same game. At age 41 in his 23rd NBA season, this milestone highlights not just his longevity but also his sustained excellence, as he continues to perform at an elite level decades into his career. The historic achievement cements his place as one of the greatest scorers in basketball history and adds yet another remarkable chapter to his legendary career. However, Reese and Kmac feel differently. However, Reese and Kmac remain unconvinced—does this achievement truly underscore LeBron’s greatness, or is their shared lack of enthusiasm warranted? The Charlotte Hornets have been one of the surprise teams in the league lately and rookie guard Kon Knueppel has been a major reason why. Charlotte has surged back into the Eastern Conference play-in race while winning roughly 15 of its last 18 games, with Knueppel providing efficient scoring and elite shooting that has helped fuel the run. The rookie has averaged around 19 points per game while shooting over 44% from three and even broke the NBA rookie record for most three-pointers in a season. His play has pushed him to the front of the NBA Rookie of the Year race ahead of Cooper Flagg of the Dallas Mavericks. While Flagg still has slightly bigger counting stats — about 20 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game — Knueppel’s efficiency, Charlotte’s winning stretch, and Flagg missing games with injury have shifted the momentum of the award race toward the Hornets rookie as the season enters its final stretch. Who should win ROTY: Knueppel or Flagg?

Reese and Alex discuss the Battle of the Blues, Duke vs UNC tomorrow. The Duke Blue Devils men’s basketball team will host the North Carolina Tar Heels tomorrow night at Cameron Indoor Stadium, with tip-off expected around 6:30 p.m. ET. Duke enters the matchup ranked No. 1 nationally and riding an impressive ACC regular-season performance, while North Carolina, ranked in the top 20, is coming off a win against Duke earlier this season. Caleb Wilson has been sidelined since Feb. 10 with a fractured left hand suffered in a loss to Miami. With UNC already locked into a top-four seed and a double bye in the conference tournament, the team now has extra time before its next postseason game, which could make resting Wilson the safer long-term decision. However, the rivalry matchup against Duke, one of college basketball’s most intense rivalries, adds emotional weight, especially if Wilson is close to returning and could provide a boost for UNC heading into March. What should Wilson do? Will he return Saturday? Should he? Is Duke truly the best team in the country? Who will win?