Culture State

Culture State

In this weekly series, Chris Lea (WRAL-TV) and Dennis Cox (99.9 The Fan) interview famed sports figures, entertainers and pop-culture icons about their love of and contributions to the North Carolina sports culture and the state's large, sometimes over-looked, impact on the national sports scene. Culture State instills pride in natives, residents and fans in what’s produced or influenced by our state, while also generating intriguing continuing fan conversations and water-cooler moment laughs. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @CultureStatePod @ChrisLeaTV (Chris Lea) @TheFanRookie (Dennis Cox)

Episodes

April 29, 2023 23 mins

The Carolina Hurricanes are moving on to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs after a 2-1 overtime win over the New York Islanders. Remember when fans weren't happy over the lack of production from the Canes at the trade deadline? Chris and Dennis remember. They break down how other teams have failed in the playoffs despite the players they acquired at the deadline, and how the Canes are doing just fine...

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Yesterday afternoon, the Carolina Panthers held their introductory press conference at Bank of America Stadium for the first overall pick, Bryce Young. Some of the topics he addressed were earning the locker room's respect immediately, his relationship with the second overall player drafted, CJ Stroud, and whether or not he'll wearing the No. 9 in Carolina. One quarterback already wearing the No. 9 is Matt Corr...

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Bryce Young was the number one guy for the Carolina Panthers with their first overall pick. In honor of Bryce's birthday year which is 2001, Chris and Dennis recap the Panthers' draft history in 2001 and what they went on to accomplish that season. Apparently, Panthers great Steve Smith is a Carolina Panthers expert. He called it when it came to the Panthers selecting Mingo Johnson in the second round of the dr...

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Paul Stastny's overtime goal gave the Carolina Hurricanes a 2-1 victory in game six over the New York Islanders and the Canes are now moving on to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. They'll now await the winner of the New Jersey Devils and New York Rangers series. Also, with the first overall pick in the NFL Draft, the Carolina Panthers selected Bryce Young. The Panthers held their introductory press...

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History will be made at the Kenan Memorial Stadium on July 19th, as the home of North Carolina's football team will host a different kind of football. Wrexham AFC will meet Chelsea in an international friendly as part of the 2023 FC Series. This will mark the first-ever meeting between the two clubs at a natural site. UNC women's soccer head Anson Dorrance describes the significance of an event like this coming...

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After the Carolina Hurricanes' 5-1 loss to the New York Islanders in Game 3, do the Canes actually have the Islanders in a position they want them to be in? They can win Game 4 tomorrow, return to Raleigh on Tuesday for Game 5, and clinch the series in front of their home crowd. Hanna Yates, Hurricanes Bally Sports South host/reporter discusses the team's strategy moving forward in the remainder of this series....

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April 22, 2023 23 mins

Everything was looking good for the Carolina Hurricanes ahead of their Game 3 matchup against the New York Islanders in their first road trip of the playoffs. In Game 1, the Hurricanes scored two power-play goals in a 2-1 win. In Game 2, Jesper Fast came up huge in overtime as they won 4-3. Yesterday, the Hurricanes had a solid effort the whole game until the third period, when they allowed the Islanders to sco...

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April 15, 2023 20 mins

Graham Hill, producer of Culture State was born in the year 1998 and that has Dennis and Chris feeling old. So, they decided to take a trip down memory lane and discuss all the things that took place between the year 1997, and '98 that he missed out on. Also, is it officially time to be concerned about Zion Williamson's having a long-term career in the NBA since he hasn't played a full season yet?

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Last weekend was very eventful for show host Dennis Cox to say the least... On the way to do play-by-play commentary for the ECU women's Lacrosse game, he was in a wreck on US-264 near Wilson. The good news is that Dennis was fine, but the bad news is that Dennis's car wasn't and the two trucks went to the wrong location to pick it up. 

Also, last night former Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule was sp...

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April 15, 2023 22 mins

As we get closer and closer to the NFL Draft have the Carolina Panthers already decided who their guy is? Apparently Bryce Young is the current betting favorite to be taken as the first overall pick. How much value does this actually hold within the Panthers organization? 

Also, it's common for fans to purchase the jersey of a college athlete, but now that the transfer portal plays a major factor into thin...

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The stage is now set... After winning the Metropolitan Division for a third straight season, the Carolina Hurricanes will now face the New York Islanders in the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Hurricanes will play Monday and Wednesday at home both at 7 PM. Friday and Sunday they'll be on the road. What are the chances that the Canes don't even have to worry about playing games five-seven in th...

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It feels like it's a new era for the Carolina Panthers getting ready to begin in Charlotte with the hiring of Frank Reich who brought in a new coaching staff with him, they've made good acquisitions during free agencies, and they have the first overall pick in this year's draft. Chris and Dennis discuss how serious our expectations should be for this team while breaking down this year's schedule. 

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The big news coming out of yesterday was that former North Carolina Guard Caleb Love would be transferring to Michigan. The Tar Heels have only grabbed one player out of the transfer portal thus far, but how long does Hubert Davis have to keep improving next year's squad? Speaking of next season for local teams, Duke has had some players declare for the draft, but they also have players returning such as Tyrese...

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This past Wednesday it was announced that the endeavor group which owns the UFC is merging UFC and WWE to be sold as a stock together. Now that they're under the same parent group, they can collaborate on resources. Chris and Dennis discuss how the live programs are such a premium when it comes to television since UFC already has a deal with ESPN and WWE has contracts with FOX and USA, how can this merge improv...

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April 8, 2023 22 mins

Yesterday, North Carolina Guard Caleb Love announced that he will be transferring to Michigan. Love averaged 16.7 points as a junior, but shot just 29% from 3-point range for the Tar Heels. How will this move affect the new career that he's about to begin and can he regain the flash that he had during North Carolina's NCAA tournament run? 

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Earlier this week, Senate Bill 430 was introduced by the North Carolina General Assembly. The bill will prohibit awards in youth recreational activities of local government based solely on participation. Chris and Dennis have a deep discussion on how there are a lot more important issues to be focused on rather, than participation in youth sports. Also, in honor of Wrestlemania taking place this weekend, Chris ...

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As if the Carolina Panthers needed to look at any more quarterbacks in this year's draft class, they decided to attend Anthony Richardson's pro day last week. Dennis believes this is a bad move, even though Richardson has the body and structure of an athlete you would want as a quarterback, but how reliable are his playmaking abilities? Also, Dennis was under the impression that it was either going to be CJ Str...

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Regarding the transfer portal and the number of players in it currently from North Carolina's basketball team, what other programs would work out best for them? Chris gives a full breakdown for Duke, NC State, and UNC of players in the country that each team should look at recruiting. Also, two years ago today was the announcement of Roy Williams's retirement from UNC. Dennis explains how Tar Heels fans on that...

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Happy April fool's day folks... Be careful with what headlines you read today, Chris Lea already got GOT this morning. Speaking of Chris, he's upset because Dreamville is taking place today in Raleigh, and the Final Four and Wrestlemania are also happening, but Chris has to be a responsible adult and not attend any of them. Also, Caitlin Clark is an honorary North Carolinian today as Iowa defeated South Carolin...

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Out of our three triangle teams, which program has the early advantage heading into college basketball next season? NC State is looking at two Kinston natives in Dontrez Styles, and Damian Dun, an All-AAC player from Temple. North Carolina, received good news within their program at Bacot and Davis would be returning, but the question remains of what Caleb Love will do next season. Finally, could we be seeing a...

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