There were plenty of ups and downs in the sports world throughout the year 2018, but while you can find plenty of articles online about what the best sports moments were, we decided to focus on what some of the best moments in the North Carolina world of sports were.
We asked some of our WFNZ personalities five questions about North Carolina sports in the year 2018.
1. What was the biggest/most memorable sports moment/storyline in North Carolina this year?
Nick Wilson: There are quite a few worthy contenders for this but my two favorites are Kemba Walker's hot start this season and Cam Newton's evolution. Seeing Charlotte embrace Kemba during those first 15 games was fascinating with his 103 point-2 game stretch in November a high point.
As for Cam, he was pure joy to watch the first 8 games of this season. Its a shame the final 6 games were impacted by his shoulder injury and that we're not sure what to expect going forward. That said, seeing Cam play with such joy & at such a high level while also watching Panthers fans enjoyment of him was a joy for me as a broadcaster.
Kyle Bailey: David Tepper purchasing the Carolina Panthers.
Editor's Note: Tepper officially purchased the team on July 9, 2018, and made a big splash after his introductory press conference. He brought a new era after Carolina has only known Jerry Richardson as the founder/owner of the team.
Mac: The change from Jerry Richardson to David Tepper
Josh Parcell: I'm going to use a technicality here, but UMBC upsetting UVA inside the Spectrum Center was without a doubt the most surreal sporting event I've ever seen in person. You had 20,000 people having an out-of-body experience all at once. Even after going into halftime with the lead, you never really felt like UMBC could actually do the damn thing. Yet once the second half started and they just kept pouring buckets on Tony Bennett's defense, you knew this was a real moment. I'll never forget it.
T-Bone: The Panthers go from Super Bowl contenders to also-rans in 2 months.
Editor's Note: What happened? Once 6-2 and the talk of the town, things went south in a hurry, dropping seven straight games.
Kyle Bailey: Army quarterback Kelvin Hopkins.
Editor's Note: Hopkins didn't play for a North Carolina school, but he is a born and raised Charlottean and led the Army Black Knights to a Top 25 ranking and blowout victory over Houston in the Armed Forces Bowl.
Mac: Cam Newton- He was a different, better QB to start the year but ended it as an injured question mark.
Josh Parcell: Eric Reid. Whether you agree or disagree with his stance on protesting social inequalities during the national anthem, his involvement in the movement Colin Kaepernick helped start two years ago has changed the NFL forever. To see the Panthers sign a player who was actively suing the league was a seminal moment in franchise history. Once they signed him, the team handled a very tenuous situation without a hitch. Could it pave the way for a Kaepernick sighting in the NFL next season? Stay tuned.
T-Bone: Zion Williamson.
Editor's Note: Monster dunks, a freak athlete and in talks to be the best NBA prospect since LeBron, what else is there to say?
Nick Wilson: UMBC upsetting Virginia at the Spectrum Center tops my list. I never expected a 16 seed to beat a 1 seed and I certainly never thought Virginia would be the one seed stunned. Tony Bennett has such a great program and I expected the Cavaliers to make a deep run. Even during the game, I refused to believe Virginia was going to lose. That said, I was happy to see my bracket take the fall for such an unprecedented win by UMBC.
Kyle Bailey: The Thursday Night game at Pittsburgh when the Steelers ended the Panthers season.
Editor's Note: Cam hurt his shoulder, the Panthers were embarrassed and things never got better. The game will go down in Panthers infamy.
Mac: The Fall of Jerry Richardson
Josh Parcell: The Panthers' collapse from 6-2 and playoff locks to 7-9 and Ron Rivera's job in jeopardy. This team was built for a playoff run, and through eight games it felt like they were making good on that potential. Then, Cam's shoulder basically unraveled like a ball of yarn week after week, and the season collapsed around him. If Cam Newton was healthy for the entire season, this team would be playing another game this weekend as a wild-card team.
T-Bone: UMBC as a 16 seed upsets 1 seeded VA in Charlotte. Just as Nick said, nobody expected that.
Kyle Bailey: Mack Brown’s first season back at UNC. Fedora is out and Brown returns.
Editor's Note: He's already picked up some highly touted recruits and it'll be interesting to see if he can lead the Tar Heels back to the promised land that Brown did once before.
Mac: Zion and Duke go after a national title
Josh Parcell: I'm fascinated to see if Duke can win a national championship. More than 20 years after the Fab Five, the New Devils are the most hyped college basketball team in a generation. Only two teams have won a national title in the one-and-done era starting predominantly freshmen (2012 Kentucky and 2015 Duke), and I can only imagine the fallout if this team, with possibly the three top picks in next year's draft on the same team, falls short. I need "COACH K IS OVERRATED" takes like I need air to breathe.
T-Bone: What happens with Kemba Walker and free agency? Will the Hornets break the bank or will Kemba decide to leave? Or will they trade him before the season end?
Nick Wilson: Drama. Exhausting. Amazing.
Kyle Bailey: Frustration. And. Disappointment.
Mac: Disappointing. Frustrating. Bummer
Josh Parcell: Still no championships.
T-Bone: Stuck. In. Mediocrity.
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