The Drive with Tim Donnelly

In honor of North Carolina's very own Chris Paul being traded from the Phoenix Suns, Chris Lea & Dennis Cox for their four-of-a-kind discuss the best trades of all time. They also run through the latest sports headlines with Hit It & Quit including the celebration of Juneteenth, Chris Paul being traded by the Phoenix Suns, Dariq Whitehead's NBA draft stock potentially falling, Draymond Gre...

The Wake Forest Demon Deacons have a balanced lineup that hit for power and average, and their bullpen is one of the best in the country. Les Johns of the Demon Deacon Digest joins Chris Lea & Dennis Cox to discuss how Wake Forest will need to continue to play their brand of baseball in order to advance in the CWS. That means hitting the ball well, pitching well, and playing good defense.&nbsp...

This year's Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament saw a record-breaking 271 boats compete for the top prize. In the end, the team on board 'Sushi' took home the top honors with a 484.5-pound blue marlin. 'Sensation' caught a 600-plus pound blue marlin on the final day, but it was disqualified based on 'mutilation.' Chris Lea & Dennis Cox discuss  Also, will the Carolina Hurricanes be trading aw...

In the Daily Checkdwon, Dennis Cox & Pat Welter discuss the latest from the Big Rock Blue Marlin Fishing Tournament, the U.S. Open at Los Angeles Country Club, Ja Morant's 25-game suspension to begin the 2023-2024 NBA season, and the issues regarding Wake Forest's Bob Klintmant and what happened with his NBA agent? Also, Michael Jordan is selling a majority stake in the Charlotte Hornets after...

In honor of Michael Jordan selling his majority stake in the Charlotte Hornets for $3 billion dollar, Dennis Cox & Pat Welter shared what they'd buy with that amount of money. They also run through the latest sports headlines with Hit It & Quit It including the college world series starting this weekend, the U.S. Open, Mike Dunlevey Jr. becoming general manager of the Golden State Warriors...

Jarkel Joiner is a 6-foot-3, 190-pound guard who is known for his shooting and playmaking ability. He averaged 15.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game as a senior at NC State. Joiner has been working out with multiple NBA teams in recent weeks including the Charlotte Hornets. Dennis Cox & Pat Welter discuss Joiner's strengths as a prospect, his chances of being drafted, and his goa...

 Michael Jordan has agreed to sell the majority stake of the Charlotte Hornets to a group led by Gabe Plotkin and Rick Schnall. Jordan, who has owned the Hornets since 2010, will retain a minority stake in the team. The deal leaves the NBA without any Black majority owners. Dennis Cox & Pat Welter discuss the implications of Jordan's decision and what it means for the future of the Hornet...

In the Daily Checkdown Dennis Cox & Pat Welter discuss the first day of the U.S. Open, the Carolina Panthers training camp schedule has been released, along with the SEC Schedule for 2024, and the likelihood of Major League Baseball coming to North Carolina. Also, the PGA Tour's merger with LIV Golf and Saudi backers is being investigated by the Justice Department. It seems like this merger wa...

In honor of Michael Jordan's 'Catch 23' yacht participating in the Big Rock Blue Marlin Fishing Tournament and his competitive nature, Dennis Cox & Pat Welter discuss what side bets he'd be willing to make in the tournament. Plus, they run through the latest sports headlines with Hit It & Quit It, including the U.S. Open, Zion Williamson potentially getting traded, Roy Cooper wanting an ML...

Today marks the 35th-anniversary debut of the movie Bull Durham which was filmed in North Carolina. The Durham Bulls will celebrate the film tomorrow with "Bull Durham" night at Durham Bulls Athletic Park. Dennis Cox & Pat Welter discuss the history of the film and how it put the triangle area on the map.  Also, we're officially one week away from the 2023 NBA Draft. Are we going to see Z...

Governor Roy Cooper made it known yesterday that the state of North Carolina is already known for college sports. We have several top-level pro sports teams in the Carolina Hurricanes, Carolina Panthers, Charlotte Hornets, Charlotte FC, and NC Courage. Roy Cooper said he wants to add another. He wants a Major League Baseball team in North Carolina. Dennis Cox & Pat Welter discuss if this is po...

In the Daily Checkdown, Dennis Cox & Louis Fernandez discuss the Carolina Panthers' mandatory minicamp, the Vegas Golden Knights winning their first Stanley Cup Final in franchise history, the potential of the Charlotte Hornets trading their pick to the New Orleans Pelicans to acquire Zion Williamson, and Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon wanting to sign Sebastian Aho this summer. Also, Gov...

Dennis Cox & Louis Fernandez run through the latest sports headlines with Hit It & Quit It, including the of North Carolina getting more fun with online and mobile sports betting becoming official, the Vegas Golden Knights winning their first Stanley Cup Final in franchise history, Tom Dundon making it a priority to resign Sebastian Aho this off-season, and more. Also, the amount of money...

Online and mobile sports betting is expected in North Carolina as early as January 8th. Earlier today Gov. Roy Cooper addressed sports wagering in the state already, but the safeguards that will come with this upcoming legislation. Dennis Cox & Louis Fernandez discuss the benefits beyond just fans that will help the local teams and community.  Also, are the New Orleans Pelicans willing to...

With the signing of Gov. Roy Cooper, it’s now official. Online, mobile sports betting becomes legal in North Carolina as early as January 8th. Dennis Cox & Louis Fernandez discuss where we could see the sportsbook located at venues in North Carolina and how this will affect upcoming renovations at PNC Arena. Also, Dallas Austin is the captain and owner of the “Sashimi,” fishi...

In the Daily Checkdown, Chris Lea & Dennis Cox discuss day two of the Big Rock Blue Marlin fishing tournament, Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals, Charlotte pro sports including updates from the Panthers minicamp, and the Denver Nuggets winning their first-ever NBA Final. Also, Jordan Reid, ESPN NFL Draft Analyst, discusses how important this upcoming season is for North Carolina quarterback Dra...

As the 65th annual Big Rock Blue Marlin fishing tournament continues in Morehead City, NC, the executive director of the Big Rock, Madison Struyk, provides an update on the tournament and how much it has grown throughout the year. She also describes what it's like to have Michael Jordan's yacht 'Catch 23' competing in the tournament and the coverage he brings to the area.  Also, Chris Lea &am...

We're now just nine days away from the 2023 NBA draft. The Charlotte Hornets hold the second overall pick, but New Orleans Pelicans have their eyes on Scoot Henderson. Does this mean they could trade up to No. 2? Chris Lea & Dennis Cox discuss how the Hornets could make a trade with the Pelicans to gain Kinston, NC, native Brandon Ingram.  Also, Chris Spatola, ESPN, provides insight on fo...

The Denver Nuggets won their first-ever NBA Finals in franchise history as they defeated the Miami Heat 94-89 in Game 5. Nikola Jockic led the team in scoring providing 28 points, and was awarded the Finals MVP. Chris Lea & Dennis Cox discuss if the Nuggets can repeat next season and the beginning of the Carolina Panthers' mandatory minicamp. Also, last week we saw the hypocrisy of PGA Commiss...

In the Daily Checkdown, Chris Lea & Dennis Cox discuss Day 1 of the Big Rock Fishing Tournament, NC State basketball landing guard Kam Woods in the transfer portal from NC A&T basketball, the weak points for the Carolina Panthers, and the latest with Bobi Klintman of Wake Forest basketball as he has withdrawn from the 2023 NBA Draft. 

Chris Lea & Dennis Cox run through the latest sports headlines win Hit It & Quit It, including a live update from The Big Rock Fishing Tournament in Morehead City, NC, Wake Forest baseball making it to Omaha in the College World Series, NC State landing another player in the transfer portal, former UNC basketball commit Simeon Wilcher going to St. John's, and more. Plus, former WNBA player...

The Carolina Panthers' biggest questions this offseason aren't with QB Bryce Young and the offense, but with the defense and their depth.  NC State men's basketball lands Kam Woods in transfer portal. Dennis Cox & Chris Lea discuss how head coach Kevin Keatts has built his deepest roster in his time with Wolfpack basketball.

Wake Forest baseball advanced to the College World Series after defeating Alabama baseball in the Super Regional round of the NCAA Baseball Tournament. John Johnson of WXII shared with Chris Lea & Dennis Cox if he believed there were any flaws with the Demon Deacons. Also, NBA Finals Game 5 is underway, and there is a chance Tyler Herro will play for the Miami Heat as the Denver Nuggets look t...

During the Daily CheckDown. Dennis Cox & Brian Murphy discuss Duke baseball's 5-4 win in Game 1 of the NCAA Super Regional, Zion Williamson expecting his first child, the Florida Panthers' overtime win in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals, and the Miami Heat needing to get a win tonight against the Denver Nuggets in Game 4 of the NBA Finals. Also, SEC Commissioner, Greg Sankey discussed complex...

Dennis Cox & Brian Murphy "Hit It & Quit It" on various topics of sports including conference realignments, Bryce Young continuing to get first-team reps, Lionel Messi going to Inter Miami, the Florida Panthers Game 3 win in the Stanley Cup Finals, Game 4 of the NBA Finals, the NBA Draft, and Marcus Paige joining UNC's coaching staff. Also, Duke baseball play-by-play commentator discusses...