The Drive with Tim Donnelly

<p>Tim Donnelly says Duke basketball is in a tough spot dealing with an injury to Caleb Foster as head coach Jon Scheyer has shortened his rotation for much of the season, but will have to adjust going into the final stretch of the regular season before the ACC Tournament and NCAA Tournament.</p> <p>Also, the NFL combine doesn't carry as much weight now to elevate players, but it can validate them. </p>

<p>Tim Donnelly is joined by WRAL Sports Investigative Reporter Brian Murphy about how the UNC System Board of Governors voted Thursday to give the system president and the board itself the final say over a school's ability to change athletic conferences, including what that would mean for UNC & NC State, as well as the ACC as North Carolina has been rumored for looking to leave the Atlantic Coast Conference. </p> <p>Tim Donnelly says ACC football is being 'little brothered' by SEC football & Big Ten football based on the latest conversations surrounding the College Football Playoff possibly expanding to 14 schools, with the SEC & Big Ten getting three automatic qualifiers, but the ACC & Big 12 only getting 2 AQ's.</p>

<p>Jamie Hersch of the NHL Network joined Tim Donnelly to discuss the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline, and what potential moves the Carolina Hurricanes can do leading up to the trade deadline, including adding to their forward group.</p> <p>Plus, goalie Spencer Martin will be facing his former team, the Columbus Blue Jackets, for the first time since the Blue Jackets placed him on waivers. </p>

<p>During Hit It & Quit It, Tim Donnelly & Dennis Cox discuss NC State football beginning spring football practice, former NC State football LB Payton Wilson at the 2024 NFL Combine, the latest mock draft from Mel Kiper and why he has UNC QB Drake Maye as the third QB in the 2024 NFL Draft. Also, why Carolina Hurricanes forward Seth Jarvis is making winning plays that don't necessarily show up in the stat sheet. </p>

<p>Tim Donnelly says that the Carolina Panthers' roster can be picked over in a ruthless manner by new head coach Dave Canales because of Canales' comments at the 2024 NFL Combine about how he will assess the roster.</p> <p>Also, Tim argues why the Carolina Panthers should look to acquire Bengals WR Tee Higgins or 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk.</p>

<p>Tim Donnelly says NC State basketball and head coach Kevin Keatts have lacked a consistent rotation all season, and the lack of continuity has loomed large, including in their 90-83 loss at Florida State basketball.</p> <p>Tim Donnelly says the Carolina Hurricanes simplified their approach by focusing on getting more shots towards the goal in their 3-2 win over the Minnesota Wild.</p>

<p>Tim Donnelly & Dennis Cox share their confidence & concerns for the ACC basketball schools in North Carolina, including UNC basketball, NC State basketball, Duke basketball, and Wake Forest basketball.</p>

<p>During Cop or Drop, questions were asked about the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline, including if the Carolina Hurricanes will make a trade for a forward if a goalie is no longer in the works, but also what the Carolina Panthers might do with left tackle Ikem Ekwonu after GM Dan Morgan spoke to the media at the 2024 NFL Combine. </p>

<p>During Cop or Drop, questions were asked about the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline, including if the Carolina Hurricanes will make a trade for a forward if a goalie is no longer in the works, but also what the Carolina Panthers might do with left tackle Ikem Ekwonu after GM Dan Morgan spoke to the media at the 2024 NFL Combine. </p>

<p>Tim Donnelly says RJ Davis solidified himself as ACC Player of the Year after his 42-point performance for UNC basketball as North Carolina basketball beat Miami basketball, 75-71.</p> <p>Also, a vital time for NC State football as they began spring practices and try to get all of their transfers for buy in for the 2024 football season. </p>

<p>Tim Donnelly says that the Carolina Panthers have more to do than 'fix' QB Bryce Young, as head coach Dave Canales said as the 2024 NFL Combine that the season isn't about 'fixing' Bryce Young, but making sure the offense is build around Bryce Young and for Bryce Young.</p> <p>Also, former NC State QB Russell Wilson spoke out publically about how the Denver Broncos wanted him to waive the injury clause in his contract and threated to bench him if he didn't. </p>

<p>Tim Donnelly says RJ Davis solidified himself as ACC Player of the Year after his 42-point performance for UNC basketball as North Carolina basketball beat Miami basketball, 75-71.</p> <p>Also, NC State basketball visits Florida State football, and Wake Forest basketball looks to follow up their win over Duke basketball as they travel to Notre Dame basketball. </p>

<p>Tim Donnelly & Dennis Cox rank the four ACC basketball schools in the State of North Carolina on the Podium with Wake Forest basketball, UNC basketball, NC State basketball, and Duke basketball. </p> <p>Also, the disrespect towards ACC basketball by the likes of Joe Lunardi and others continues to devalue the league, even though the postseason success in the NCAA Tournament continues to be there. </p>

<p>After back-to-back losses on the weekend, Tim Donnelly says the Carolina Hurricanes need to get back to their shoot-first mentality after back-to-back losses to the Dallas Stars and Buffalo Sabres, and wonders if a the team will make a trade for a forward at the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline.</p> <p>Also, former Carolina Panthers QB Cam Newton got into an altercation with several people who approached him at a 7-vs-7 tournament. </p>

<p>Tim Donnelly says UNC basketball got a much needed win on the road over UVA basketball, the first win for the Tar Heels over Virginia basketball since 2012, which should be a confidence boost for Hubert Davis & Cormac Ryan after Tony Bennett slowed down RJ Davis, Harrison Ingram, and Armando Bacot.</p> <p>Also, NC State basketball earned a home win over Boston College basketball. </p>

<p>Tim Donnelly says Wake Forest basketball should be in the NCAA Tournament, and that their 83-79 win over Duke basketball. Tim Donnelly says after the Kyle Filipowski injury for Duke basketball after a loss at Wake Forest basketball after fans stormed the court, that players should be protected, but that banning court storming shouldn't be banned, instead remedied to allow fans to still enjoy the moment after players clear the court.</p>

<p>Tim Donnelly & Dennis Cox discuss ACC men's basketball, including what Wake Forest basketball, UNC basketball, NC State basketball, and Duke basketball need to do this weekend. </p>

<p>Tim Donnelly says that the Carolina Panthers have to be cautious when signing veteran free agents this offseason because not all veterans will be onboard when a franchise is rebuilding and not competing for the playoffs.</p> <p>Also, a pivotal ACC basketball matchup as No. 8 Duke basketball visits Wake Forest basketball with Wake Forest on the bubble of making the NCAA Tournament and in need of a win. </p>

<p>Tim Donnelly says UNC basketball must control the tempo vs UVA basketball, but that North Carolina Basketball must be ready to win a rock fight against Virginia basketball, and that the Tar Heels need to be efficient offensively running the offense through Armando Bacot, Harrison Ingram, and RJ Davis.</p> <p>Also, NC State basketball faces Boston College basketball with the team already looking ahead to the ACC basketball tournament.</p>

<p>Tim Donnelly says the Carolina Hurricanes earned a massive 1-0 win over the Florida Panthers with Pyotr Kochetkov and Sebastian Aho leading the way, and that Kochetkov seems to be the No. 1 goalie headed into the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Also, a look ahead to the Hurricanes vs. the Dallas Stars and Buffalo Sabres. </p>

<p>Tim Donnelly & Dennis Cox share their points of confidence and level of concerns for the Carolina Hurricanes, while also stating how center Sebastian Aho continues to be one of the most underrated players in the NHL.</p>

<p>Tim Donnelly says the College Football Playoff is already looking to expand to at least 14 teams, but says that people who run college football do not actually care about what's best for the sport and only think about money. Also, Tim Donnelly discusses how EA Sports College Football 25 is allowing college football players to opt-in on the game to receive $600 payment and a free copy of the game. </p>

<p>Tim Donnelly says that the Carolina Panthers and Brian Burns must negotiate a contract extension in good faith, and that Burns likely doesn't want to play the 2024 NFL season on a franchise tag.</p> <p>US Olympic swimmer Claire Curzan discusses with Tim Donnelly her preparation for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, what it was like competing in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo while there were several restrictions due to COVID-19, transferring to Virginia from Stanford, competing in the world championships, and more.</p>

<p>Tim Donnelly says Duke basketball is starting to look like a national title contender and might be peaking at the right time heading into March Madness after crushing Miami basketball, 84-55.</p> <p>Also, Tim Donnelly points out hot takes by former Duke players, including JJ Redick talking about how fans don't want to be educated when it comes basketball, and how Jay Williams sayd Caitlin Clark can't be considered one of the greats of women's college basketball because she has yet to win a national championship. </p>

<p>During Hit It & Quit It, Tim Donnelly & Dennis Cox discuss Carolina Panthers players that could be released to save money on the team's salary cap for the 2024 NFL Season, the latest updates with the Carolina Panthers are Frederik Andersen is working his way back into practices, NC State women's basketball, and more. </p>

<p>Tim Donnelly says NC State basketball's season has been a disappointment this season after losing to Syracuse basketball, 87-83, which likely means NC State basketball and head coach Kevin Keatts will have to win the ACC Tournament in order to make the NCAA Tournament.</p> <p>Also, will head coach Kevin Keatts be back as the head coach of NC State basketball after this season, and should his approach with the transfer portal change? </p>

<p>Tim Donnelly says that teams should look at the Carolina Panthers and what happened to their franchise after trading up for the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft as teams look to add a franchise quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft with Drake Maye, Caleb Williams, or Jayden Daniels and potentially trade up to the No. 1 overall pick with the Chicago Bears.</p> <p>Also, could Raleigh, North Carolina eventually get an expansion MLB franchise? </p>

<p>Tim Donnelly & Dennis Cox share their confidence levels, and concerns about Wake Forest basketball, UNC basketball, NC State basketball, and Duke basketball as they discuss ACC basketball in the State of North Carolina.</p>

<p>During Cop or Drop, Tim Donnelly & Dennis Cox discuss if the Carolina Panthers will bring back safety Jeremy Chinn, what trades the Carolina Hurricanes will make before the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline, if Kevin Keatts will return as NC State men's basketball coach, and more. Also, Tuesday Feedback from listeners who have left comments. </p>

<p>Tim Donnelly says NC State basketball and head coach Kevin Keatts are in another must-win situation as they face Syracuse basketball at home at PNC Arena to keep their NCAA Tournament hopes alive. </p> <p>Also, UCONN basketball is the team to beat in college men's basketball this season, and might the 'villain' that college basketball needs. Also, changes to the selection process for the 12-team College Football Playoff. </p>

<p>Tim Donnelly says the Carolina Hurricanes are looking like a team ready for the Stanley Cup Playoffs after their most recent win, 6-3, over the Chicago Blackhawks, which also showcased the talent of skill of Connor Bedard for Chicago, but also shows that the Hurricanes under head coach Rod Brind'Amour can be successful no matter who's in goal, including Spencer Martin.</p> <p>But questions still remain about who the goalies will be as the playoffs approach. </p>

<p>Tim Donnelly says Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales and GM Dan Morgan have to be strategic about how they approach the franchise tag Brian Burns, and more potential free agent signings, such as OL Trent Brown from the New England Patriots, and WR Mike Evans from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.</p> <p>Tim Donnelly discusses a trade scenario that has been floated about the Carolina Panthers trading Brian Burns to the Detroit Lions for the 29th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, but Donnelly says that more than the 29th pick needs to be part of the trade, which could mean Jameson Williams.</p>

<p>Tim Donnelly says Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales emphasized familiarity when rounding out his coaching staff, which is a correction from the previous staff with Frank Reich where owner David Tepper had influence on the coaching staff.</p> <p>Tim Donnelly says the Carolina Hurricanes earned two strong wins on the road over the Arizona Coyotes and Vegas Golden Knights, even with questions about the future in goal with Frederick Andersen working his way back from blood clots, Antti Raanta out with a lower body injury, Pyotr Kochetkov playing strong, and Spencer Martin earning wins in two starts this season.</p>

<p>Tim Donnelly says UNC basketball is at their most efficient offensively when running through Armando Bacot down low, and through Harrison Ingram, which allows RJ Davis to be his most efficient as a shooter for head coach Hubert Davis.</p> <p>Also, Wake Forest basketball struggles to win on the road once gain, this time a 49-47 loss at Virginia basketball as Wake Forest and head coach Steve Forbes are on the outside looking in for the NCAA Tournament. </p>

<p>Tim Donnelly says NC State basketball and head coach Kevin Keatts have a tough road to making it to the NCAA Tournament, but that their recent win over Clemson basketball with a late game-winning bucket by DJ Horne was a step in the right direction.</p> <p>Also, Duke basketball freshman guard Jared McCain is leading the Blue Devils after a 35 point performance against Florida State basketball and is the heartbeat for head coach Jon Scheyer's team. </p>

<p>Tim Donnelly & Dennis Cox discuss the Carolina Hurricanes facing the Arizona Coyotes & Vegas Golden Knights in a back-to-back on the road, but questions still rise about what Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon & President/GM Don Waddell will do at the trade deadline regarding goaltending. </p>

<p>NC State basketball travels to Clemson basketball as their NCAA Tournament hopes are hanging by a thread, and Wake Forest basketball travels to Virginia basketball searching for a win on the road at UVA Basketball. </p>

<p>Tim Donnelly says UNC basketball needs to turn their level of play and season around quickly, and it starts for head coach Hubert Davis against Virginia Tech basketball.</p> <p>Also, Duke basketball is on the road at Florida State basketball where they look to continue to build off of recent wins. </p>

<p>Tim Donnelly says that the Carolina Panthers and owner David Tepper have to rebuild their image as a franchise, and it starts with how they treat their current players as NFL Free Agency approaches.</p>

<p>Would the Carolina Hurricanes consider trading forward Martin Necas to the Nashville Predators for goalie Juuse Saros ahead of the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline? </p> <p>Also, Tim Donnelly says ACC basketball continues to produce as a conference in the NCAA Tournament, yet is disrespected by voters and seeding in the NCAA Tournament despite March Madness success.</p>

<p>Tim Donnelly says UNC basketball needs to run the offense more through Armando Bacot, and that head coach Hubert Davis needs adjust North Carolina basketball's offense right now while RJ Davis hasn't been as efficient.</p> <p>Also, are UNC basketball and Duke basketball trending in opposite directions? </p>

<p>Tim Donnelly says that Carolina Panthers QB Bryce Young needs to have a say in who the number one wide receiver is moving forward, and that head coach Dave Canales & GM Dan Morgan need to approach Bryce Young about who he wants as a No. 1 receiver.</p> <p>Also, more about San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan firing defensive coordinator Steve Wilks. </p>

<p>Tim Donnelly says that Carolina Panthers QB Bryce Young needs to have a say in who the number one wide receiver is moving forward, and that head coach Dave Canales & GM Dan Morgan need to approach Bryce Young about who he wants as a No. 1 receiver.</p> <p>Also, more about San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan firing defensive coordinator Steve Wilks. </p>

<p>Tim Donnelly & Dennis Cox share where their confidence is, and what their concerns are regarding NC State basketball, UNC basketball, Wake Forest basketball, and Duke basketball. </p>

<p>Tim Donnelly & Dennis Cox have fun with Valentine's Day by writing poems and giving flowers out to sports figures in the State of North Carolina. </p>

<p>Former Carolina Panthers DE Julius Peppers spoke to the media for the first time since the announcement of his induction into the NFL Hall of Fame, including how he felt slighted being the No. 2 overall pick.</p> <p>Also, Tim Donnelly & Dennis Cox discuss the breaking news that San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan has fired defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, who is the former interim head coach of the Carolina Panthers.</p>

<p>Tim Donnelly says there's something off right now with UNC basketball after No. 7 North Carolina basketball loses on the road, 86-79, against Syracuse basketball. Head coach Hubert Davis and the Tar Heels have lost 3 of their last 5 games.</p> <p>Also, the Carolina Hurricanes lose a close game against the Dallas Stars, 4-2, with Jack Drury continuing to grow for head coach Rod Brind'Amour. </p>

<p>During Cop or Drop, Tim Donnelly & Dennis Cox discuss the anniversary of the John Calipari and John Chaney argument from 1994, Where Justin Fields will end up and if the Pittsburgh Steelers are the team to trade for the Chicago Bears QB, ACC basketball teams in the NCAA Tournament, and more. </p>

<p>Tim Donnelly says that Mark Mitchell & Jared McCain for Duke basketball are the driving forces for head coach Jon Scheyer after the Blue Devils defeated Wake Forest basketball, 77-69, and that Kyle Filipowski can be the guy that still puts up big points. Tim Donnelly & Dennis Cox share their current confidence level in the Carolina Hurricanes and head coach Rod Brind'Amour as they get set to face the Dallas Stars on the road as the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline approaches.</p>

<p>Tim Donnelly discusses UNC basketball going on the road against Syracuse basketball, and there are small & subtle things that North Carolina basketball and head coach Hubert Davis can sharpen late in the season. Also, after suffering a 77-69 loss on the road at No. 9 Duke basketball, Tim says Wake Forest basketball is a hard team to figure out.</p>