Peter Koutroumpis (@pksport)

editor@trianglesportsnet.com

RALEIGH, NC – As the Carolina Hurricanes Stanley Cup celebration continues throughout the summer with various players and team personnel getting to have their ‘Day with the Cup’, the Grayson Murray Foundation announced on Thursday a unique experience for two lucky fans and supporters to share in it all with defenseman Jaccob Slavin.

In an email release sent out to its patrons and supporters, titled “VIP Exclusive: THE STANLEY CUP, Jaccob Slavin + You!”, the Grayson Foundation online auction item offered up an opportunity to join in the Stanley Cup celebration with Slavin and his family.

The proceeds from the auction will support the Grayson Murray Foundation and its mission to raise awareness of mental health and addiction while advancing innovative services and research.

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Bid Here: “VIP Exclusive: THE STANLEY CUP, Jaccob Slavin + You!”

As of 7/25/26 (3:25 p.m.), the current bid is $1200. The winning bid must be paid in full by August 22, 2026.

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He was a Caniac

Grayson Murray, a Raleigh native, passed away at the age of 30 years old on May 24, 2024, as a result of suicide.

He forged his path to the PGA Tour early, embarking on a winding and adventurous journey and eventually becoming a pro golfer following many junior/high school and college days spent on the course and range around the country.

He set his mark in pro golf early in 2010, playing in Raleigh at the Country Club at Wakefield Plantation, making the cut at the Korn Ferry Tour’s UNC Health Championship, then known as the Rex Hospital Open, at the age of 16.

From there, he began and continued living the journeyman life of a pro golfer, eventually making it to the PGA Tour and winning his second career Tour event, the Sony Open, just months before his passing.

Keeping faith

Growing up a Carolina Hurricanes fan, Murray connected with the organization and players like Slavin, cheering on the team and being honored to show his support as a siren sounder at games on various occasions.

He and Slavin connected on a personal basis through their Christian faith and developed a bond that kept them in touch, including via text messages.

As an invited speaker at Murray’s memorial, Slavin shared a prayer and recollection of moments texting with Grayson during the Hurricanes’ playoff run that season.

Slavin noted during the memorial one of the final texts between the two:

“We had an exchange back and forth a little bit more”, Slavin began.

“He (Grayson) then went on to say, ‘I say life on Earth is a pre-game to the real party. Let’s enjoy while Jesus put us here for this short time, but recognize he has a purpose for us while we’re here. To impact people.’”

Making an impact

Such words seemed a precursor to the upcoming event that Slavin will be hosting in August.

As quoted per the Foundation’s release:

“The Grayson Murray Foundation is excited to offer an exclusive opportunity for one winner and a guest to celebrate the Carolina Hurricanes’ Stanley Cup victory with Jaccob Slavin and his family.

On the morning of August 22, 2026, you will have the opportunity to meet Jaccob, spend time with the Stanley Cup, and capture photos from an experience you will never forget.”

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VIP Experience Includes:

• An opportunity to see and take photos with the Stanley Cup
• Meet Jaccob Slavin and his family
• Admission for you and one guest to attend the event with the Grayson Murray Foundation Leadership team
• Priceless sports experience in Raleigh

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When you think about it, though not listed, one final key item that this experience will include, which Slavin is helping to facilitate,  is that far more people – golf and hockey fans alike, among others – will learn more about Grayson Murray and help his legacy “to impact people” prophetically take hold even more.

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LAS VEGAS, NV – The Carolina Hurricanes became the 2026 Stanley Cup champions, following a 3-0 win over the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 6 of the NHL Stanley Cup Final series played at T-Mobile Arena on Sunday.

The Hurricanes capped off their run through the 2026 NHL playoffs with a 16-3 record, led by captain Jordan Staal who was voted the Conn Smythe Trophy winner, as the most valuable player in the playoffs.

Fueled by goals from Taylor Hall, Jackson Blake, and Nikolaj Ehlers and a 22-save shutout performance from goaltender Brandon Bussi, the Hurricanes won the Final series 4-2 overall – raising The Cup for the second time in franchise history, twenty years after winning the first.

Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind’Amour became the fourth individual in NHL history to captain a Stanley Cup winner (2006) and then lead that club to a championship as head coach.

Notables: Staal became the oldest Conn Smythe Trophy winner and claimed the first individual award of his 20-season NHL career. Staal completed a postseason in which he tied the NHL record for longest goal streak in a Stanley Cup Final (5 GP) and became the first player in 70 years to score in each of the first five games of the Final. Staal also became the first player in NHL history to go 17 years from one Stanley Cup to the next, adding to a championship he won with the 2009 Penguins…Bussi, who closed out the championship series with a shutout and a 3-1 record through four appearances (1.60 GAA, .931 SV%, 1 SO), became the first goaltender since 1975 (when the Preliminary Round was introduced) with a title-clinching win after not appearing in any of the previous three rounds. Bussi was also the second netminder in the NHL’s expansion era (since 1968) and eighth in League history with a Cup clincher after not starting during Game 1 of the Final.

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RALEIGH, NC – Just one more win – that’s all the Carolina Hurricanes need to raise the Stanley Cup.

The Hurricanes’ run through the 2026 National Hockey League (NHL) playoffs has been historic, exhilarating, and filled with suspenseful moments, and that has been magnified facing an equally formidable Vegas Golden Knights squad.

Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal extended his goal streak in the Final series to five games, tying the score 1-1 in the first period of Game 5 on Thursday at Lenovo Center.

As the Hurricanes eventually claimed a 4-2 win, the marker tied an NHL record and set a new franchise benchmark for goals in any playoff series.

Support from the franchise leaders

During the second and third periods, Andrei Svechnikov scored twice on the power play, and Sebastian Aho rounded out the offense with a goal to the delight of the raucous Canes faithful inside and outside of the building and at ‘watch parties’ throughout the city and state.

Goaltender Brandon Bussi earned his second straight win, stopping 21 of the 23 shots he faced, including 11 of 12 in the third period.

With the Stanley Cup in the building on Sunday night in T-Mobile Arena in Vegas, a third straight win in Game 6 over the Golden Knights will put Lord Stanley’s ‘holy grail’ firmly in the Canes hands to raise high in triumph for the first time in 20 years.

Notables: Goals from Svechnikov and Aho added to their career totals as the franchise’s two all-time playoff scoring leaders…Bussi became the first goaltender in NHL history to make his first two career playoff starts in the Stanley Cup Final and win both games…Carolina will try to win the organization’s second Cup, the first coming in 2006, after falling behind 2-1 in the series against the Golden Knights…In doing so the Canes will become the sixth team in NHL history – and first in more than a decade – to fall behind 2-1 in a best-of-seven Final and win three straight games to claim the Cup.

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Peter Koutroumpis (@pksport)

editor@trianglesportsnet.com

RALEIGH, NC – The 2026 UNC Health Championship cut line was drawn at 1-under par on Friday at Raleigh Country Club.

Leading the 69 remaining in the field of the Korn Ferry Tour event was Jeremy Paul, who carried his 36-hole lead at 13-under par into the weekend.

To start the third round, Alvaro Ortiz sits just two strokes behind the lead at -11, with Theo Humphrey in third at 8-under par, while Rick Lamb, Ross Steelman, and Tyler Wilkes start the weekend close at 7-under par.

Paul is set to tee off along with Ortiz at 12:35 p.m. on Saturday as the lead group.

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2026 UNC Health Championship – Tee Times

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Soft, but getting fast and firm quickly

Paul noted some significance related to the greens and the difficulty and ease of play he had on them during the first two rounds.

“Now with the rain at the beginning of the week, greens are a little bit more receptive, but they’re kind of firming up,” Paul said.

“It’s very difficult to judge some greens that are in the shade, they are kind of softer than others, so I think the difficult part is just judging, in terms of where you want to land it on the greens – because there’s so many little ridges, and just judging how firm the first bounce is gonna be.

“I mean, you know, over two days, I’ve been doing this for long enough that I know, like, you know, you don’t get ahead of yourself…My mindset’s always going into the round, I’m trying to, you know, play as I would be playing a week prior, and just do my own thing, play my own golf, and then at the end, see where the score ends up. I don’t I try to not watch the leaderboard too much because, you know, it doesn’t really help.”

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2026 UNC Health Championship – Leaderboard

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Notables: Paul is leading the event, only his third start at the UNC Health Championship – his best finish came in 2022 (T19)….He holed a 44-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole to card a 6-under 64 to finish with nine birdies in the second round…Paul recorded a new 36-hole career-low score at 13-under 127, passing his previous 36-hole low score of 131…The lead marks the lowest 36-hole score at Raleigh Country Club as host of the UNC Health Championship – it matches the lowest 36-hole score in the history of the UNC Health Championship, posted in 2019 when the event was played at The Country Club at Wakefield Plantation.

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RALEIGH, NC  – The Carolina Hurricanes continue their quest for the Stanley Cup on Thursday night.

The National Hockey League (NHL) on Monday confirmed the matchups for the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs Conference Finals.

The Eastern Conference Final begins Thursday (May 21) in Raleigh, as the Hurricanes will host the Montreal Canadiens at Lenovo Center.

On the other side of the bracket, the Western Conference Final features the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Colorado Avalanche against the Vegas Golden Knights as that series kicks off conference play on Wednesday (May 20) in Denver.

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2026 NHL Playoffs

Conference Final schedules

All times listed are ET and subject to change.

The starting time for the potential Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Final, if necessary, will be announced when available.

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Peter Koutroumpis (@pksport)

editor@trianglesportsnet.com

DURHAM, NC – The No. 3-seeded Duke Blue Devils moved on to the second round of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament following an 81-64 win over No. 14 Charleston on Friday.

The opening round of the NCAA Tournament at Cameron Indoor Stadium underscored the pragmatic “survive and advance” philosophy that defines March Madness.

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2026 NCAA WBB Tournament Bracket

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Mission accomplished

For the Blue Devils, the objective against Charleston was twofold: maintain their perfect record (28-0) in making it to the Second Round, and to manage the high-variance energy of a first-time tournament participant.

Head Coach Kara Lawson articulated postgame a mandate that prioritized achieving the desired final result over aesthetic perfection, emphasizing that in the postseason, the primary goal is simply to earn the right to play another day.

The win over the Cougars was a testament to this resilience, as the Blue Devils utilized their superior interior length to counteract a gritty underdog performance.

Paying attention to detail at both ends

The final score, while decisive, masked a complex tactical battle where Duke’s elite rim protection eventually wore down Charleston’s perimeter-heavy “David vs. Goliath” effort.

While the final margin suggests comfort, the tactical story reveals a rigorous stress test for Duke’s defensive discipline and rotational depth.

Toby Fournier established her post defense early and throughout and held Charleston to a dismal 26% field goal conversion rate from the field.

Complementing that at the other end of the floor was a career-best perimeter performance from Jordan Wood, who provided a masterclass in efficiency by shooting a perfect 5-for-5 from beyond the arc.

Not going down without a fight

Regardless, the Cougars refused to yield.

Despite its shooting woes, going scoreless for multiple stretches of five-plus minutes, Charleston exhibited extraordinary scrappiness, hauling in 19 offensive rebounds and forcing 20 Duke turnovers to stay within striking distance.

Taryn Barbot proved her ability to exhibit “power conference” caliber play by scoring 36 points for the Cougars.

Barbot’s production was a direct result of her aggressive “attack the basket” mentality, which exploited Duke’s defensive lapses to earn 16 free-throw attempts.

Spreading the workload around

Tightening of the score in the fourth quarter was not a result of accidental fatigue, but a strategic decision by Lawson.

With an eye toward the Second Round, Lawson deliberately “took the foot off the gas” with seven minutes remaining to preserve the legs of her primary rotation.

This allowed freshman Anna Wikstrom—who did not play a single minute in the ACC Tournament — to see 13 minutes of action.

While this narrowed the final margin of victory, it served the broader mandate of managing and cushioning a seven-player rotation to hopefully endure a deep tournament run.

Reviewing Three Pillars of Opponent Scoring

Lawson’s postgame breakdown identified that 56 of Charleston’s 64 points (87.5%) originated from three specific tactical lapses rather than Duke’s set defensive scheme:

Points off Turnovers (22 Points)

Duke’s 20 turnovers handed the Cougars direct transition opportunities.

So What? Elite shot-clock defense is rendered irrelevant if the opponent is permitted to bypass the set defense entirely through live-ball turnovers.

Second-Chance Points (12 Points)

Charleston secured 19 offensive rebounds, nearly doubling Duke’s typical allowance threshold for a team with our size advantage.

So What? Defensive stops are only completed upon securing the glass; failing to “box out” forces our personnel into extended rotations and increases the probability of “fatigue fouls.”

Free-Throw Disparity (22 Points)

Charleston exceeded our seasonal Opponent FT Made average by +9.9 points.

So What? Fouling provides a struggling offense with a consistent scoring “floor” while the clock is stopped, neutralizing the psychological pressure created by our length.

The efficiency of our set defense was elite, but our possession discipline was poor, necessitating a refocus on “clean” basketball for the rounds ahead.

Looking ahead to the rematch with No. 6 Baylor

The Blue Devils now prepare for a high-stakes Second Round rematch against the No. 6 Baylor Bears, the team that handed them a narrow 58-52 loss in Paris back in November.

This contest will be a far more physical encounter than the Charleston matchup was, requiring immediate adjustments in the paint.

To advance to the Sweet 16, Duke must address the physical and mental lapses seen on Friday in its game review and scout of the Bears which they’ve already started to ponder.

As noted by Wood and Fournier, Baylor presents a much different challenge with “taller posts and stronger physical play.”

The Blue Devils cannot afford to surrender 19 rebounds or 20 turnovers against a team with Baylor’s interior depth and transition efficiency.

Furthermore, Lawson will require “cleaner adherence to the scheme” from depth players like Anna Wikstrom to ensure the rotation remains viable.

Keys to the Game: Duke vs. Baylor

Reduce Turnovers: Cut the 20-turnover mark in half to the 10-12 range to prevent Baylor’s fast-break points. Focus on “clean” entry passes to the post and better decision-making when the defense spreads the floor.

Paint Protection & Rebounding: Maintain the 6.3 blocks-per-game average while improving box-out discipline to neutralize Baylor’s taller frontcourt – cannot rely on height alone against tournament-caliber post players; we must initiate contact and secure the defensive glass to eliminate second-chance leakage.

Discipline at the Line: Eliminate the “fouling out of frustration” that allowed Charleston to stay competitive via 22 free-throw points.

Duke’s path forward in the 2026 bracket depends on its ability to elevate its execution against the Bears.

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DURHAM, NC – The pregame talk described Friday’s 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament First Round matchup between No. 3 seed Duke and No.14 seed College of Charleston as a David and Goliath-type contest.

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2026 NCAA WBB Tournament Bracket

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Cougars head coach Robin Harmony framed the matchup that way in a press conference on Thursday, trying to deflect away from her team, a somewhat psychological positioning designed to direct the immense pressure of the moment more onto the Blue Devils, so to speak.

For Charleston, this game marks a historic first-ever appearance in the NCAA Tournament after a 40-year drought.

In contrast, host Duke is making its 28th appearance, boasting a perfect 27-0 record all-time in the Tournament’s opening round.

The game centers on a clash of styles: Charleston’s reliance on speed, transition play, and perimeter shooting against Duke’s elite, length-based defense and disciplined seven-player rotation.

While Duke holds significant advantages in height and tournament pedigree, Charleston’s coaching staff and players emphasized a “belonging” mentality, banking on their basketball IQ and quickness to bridge the talent gap.

Strategic Outlooks

Charleston acknowledges their disadvantage in height but intends to work to counter with:

Speed and Quickness: Utilizing their smaller lineup to outpace Duke’s taller defenders.

Perimeter Shooting: Acknowledged by Coach Harmony as a necessity, so “they’re going to have to hit some 3s”.

Pressure-Free Mindset: Having already achieved their primary goal of making the tournament, the Cougars are focused on competing without the burden of expectation.

Challenges the Blue Devils will present include:

Height Advantage: The roster features nine players at 6’0″ or taller.

Defensive Anchors: Duke’s defense is the cornerstone of its identity, leading the ACC in scoring defense (58.9 ppg) and ranking third nationally in blocks per game (6.3). Toby Fournier (2.31 blocks per game) and Arianna Roberson (1.10 blocks per game) lead a rim-protection unit that recorded 14 blocks in a single game earlier this season.

Seven-Player Rotation: Duke has primarily used a shortened seven-player rotation for the last 20 games, finding success against ranked opponents.

Fourth Quarter Performance: The Blue Devils can finish, outscoring opponents 457-347 in the final frame over the last 23 games.

Who to watch

Duke Blue Devils

Toby Fournier (So., Forward): Recently announced Third Team All-American as well as consensus All-ACC First Team selection. She leads Duke in scoring (17.3 ppg), rebounding (8.2 rpg), and blocks (2.3 bpg). Fournier is the top-scoring forward in the ACC and is the only player in the conference to average at least 17 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 blocks per game.

Taina Mair (Sr., Guard): The ACC Tournament MVP and an All-ACC First Team selection. As the team’s point guard, she leads Duke in assists (5.5 apg) and steals (2.4 spg). She is one of only three Blue Devils in program history to reach 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, and 500 assists while in uniform.

Ashlon Jackson (Sr., Guard): An All-ACC Second Team honoree and the team’s top perimeter threat, having hit a team-high 68 three-pointers this season. She often draws the toughest defensive assignment on the perimeter and ranks third in Duke history for career three-pointers made.

Delaney Thomas (Jr., Forward): Described as the team’s “Steady Eddy,” she averages 10.7 points on a team-high 60.4% shooting. She is second on the team in rebounding (6.3 rpg) and steals (1.8 spg).

Arianna Roberson (R-Fr., Center): The ACC Sixth Player of the Year, she provides critical production off the bench, averaging 8.2 points and 5.5 rebounds. She recorded three double-doubles off the bench this season, tying for the most in the ACC.

Charleston Cougars

Taryn Barbot (Jr., Guard): The two-time CAA Player of the Year and the program’s all-time leading scorer in the Division I era. She leads the team with 19.6 points per game and leads the conference in both scoring and three-pointers per game.

Taylor Barbot (Jr., Guard): An All-CAA First Team selection who serves as the team’s primary playmaker. She leads the CAA in assists per game (6.0) and total assists (193) and is one of only 24 players nationally to record a triple-double this season.

Grace Ezebilo (Jr., Forward): The CAA Defensive Player of the Year, she is a dominant force on the glass. She ranks 7th nationally in rebounds per game (11.9) and 4th in offensive rebounds per game (4.8). She set a program D1 record earlier this season with 24 rebounds in a single game.

Sophia Tougas (R-Sr., Guard): A significant perimeter threat who set a career-high with six three-pointers in the CAA Quarterfinals. She averages 9.3 points and has made 69 triples this season.

Tyja Beans (Jr., Guard): A versatile contributor averaging 10.0 points and 4.2 rebounds. She is a strong interior finisher, notably shooting 10-of-11 from the field in a game against Hampton this season.

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DURHAM, NC – The Nebraska Cornhuskers emerged from the First Four, outdistancing themselves from the Richmond Spiders by a 75-56 margin in NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament play at Cameron Indoor Stadium on Wednesday.

Nebraska’s Britt Prince led all scorers with 22 points, while Richmond’s Maggie Doogan finished her collegiate career with a 24-point performance.

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2026 NCAA WBB Tournament Bracket

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The Cornhuskers led by only two points at the break, but eventually secured the victory through a dominant third-quarter performance, outscoring the Spiders 27-6.

Nebraska utilized a 19-2 run in that period to increase its halftime lead into a 19-point advantage.

The Huskers shot a dominating 56.9% from the floor, including 50% from the three-point line, while outscoring Richmond by 21 points at the arc.

The win marked Nebraska’s 10th NCAA Tournament victory and its first since 2024.

Despite the loss, Richmond concluded its third consecutive season with 26 or more victories, the longest such streak in program history.

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