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Chip Alexander

@chipalexander.bsky.social
992 followers 22 following 26 posts

N&O sports reporter. Devils, Pack, Canes, you name it. I'm usually there. Probably too old to be doing this but doing it anyway. Have covered sports in six decades. Still at it. For now.

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Reposted by Chip Alexander
Luke DeCock @lukedecock.bsky.social · 10/12/2025
Tom Brady has the opportunity to do the funniest thing.
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Reposted by Chip Alexander
Luke DeCock @lukedecock.bsky.social · 11/12/2025
Maybe something about the 2006 reunion jogged Rod Brind'Amour's memory, because when Peter Laviolette used his thirtysomething captain on the man advantage that year, Brind'Amour had a career-high 19 power-play goals. Twenty years later: Enter Jordan Staal. www.newsobserver.com/sports/spt-c...
newsobserver.com
Jordan Staal’s power-play promotion is Rod Brind’Amour’s subtle nod to 2006
As Peter Laviolette did with Rod Brind’Amour, Brind’Amour has done with Jordan Staal: Throw the thirtysomething captain on the power play.
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Luke DeCock @lukedecock.bsky.social · 13/11/2025
Will Wade’s Band of Outlaws has shown fight, literally and figuratively, and that’s all State fans ever wanted from their basketball team. Well, that and winning. Why not both? www.newsobserver.com/sports/spt-c...
newsobserver.com
Will Wade’s band of outlaws is racking up wins, points ... and technical fouls
No one has ever understood the assignment more than Will Wade, whose first N.C. State team has shown the fight fans want. Maybe too much.
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Reposted by Chip Alexander
Luke DeCock @lukedecock.bsky.social · 13/11/2025
Admired Larry for so many reasons but his absolute determination and conviction stood out. I learned a lot from him, directly and indirectly. After my first year on the NHL beat, I started using the same kind of notebook he did. Still do, for hockey. What a loss. nypost.com/2025/11/13/s...
nypost.com
RIP Brooksie: Larry Brooks, Post legend and Hall of Fame hockey writer, dead at 75
RIP Brooksie: Larry Brooks, Post legend and Hall of Fame hockey writer, dead at 75
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Reposted by Chip Alexander
Luke DeCock @lukedecock.bsky.social · 12/11/2025
Of all the pomp and circumstance and ceremony of Duke’s visit to Army on Veterans Day in honor of both schools’ former basketball coach, there was one event Mike Krzyzewski had anticipated most: a quiet lunch with four of his former Army players. www.newsobserver.com/sports/colle...
newsobserver.com
Coach K’s career comes full circle with visit to West Point, former Army players
The foundation for former Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski’s success was laid at Army, which celebrated his career while hosting the Blue Devils on Veterans Day.
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Luke DeCock @lukedecock.bsky.social · 19/10/2025
Jaccob Slavin is out with a mysterious knee injury. Pyotr Kochetkov is injured. Nikolaj Ehlers has yet to record a point. Andrei Svechnikov is on the fourth line. Now Shayne Gostisbehere is hurt, too? And yet the undefeated Hurricanes haven’t missed a beat. www.newsobserver.com/sports/spt-c...
newsobserver.com
Everything’s going wrong for the Hurricanes ... who haven’t missed a beat
Despite key injuries and a few slow starts, the Carolina Hurricanes are 5-0-0, the sign of a deep, talented, mature team.
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Reposted by Chip Alexander
Luke DeCock @lukedecock.bsky.social · 17/10/2025
You can get +2500 on Nikishin to win the Calder at BetMGM, if that is something you might be interested in.
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Luke DeCock @lukedecock.bsky.social · 17/10/2025
In column form: www.newsobserver.com/sports/spt-c...
newsobserver.com
A new golden era of women’s basketball in the Triangle has dawned
Duke, N.C. State and North Carolina are all in the top 11 nationally and 1-2-3 in the ACC preseason poll for the first time in 25 years.
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Reposted by Chip Alexander
Luke DeCock @lukedecock.bsky.social · 16/10/2025
We all know the pluses and minuses of the ACC’s football arrangement with Notre Dame. Does that calculus change now as the ACC moves to nine league games? Clemson is all-in, with its own annual game with the Irish. But everyone else is 10-49 under the deal. www.newsobserver.com/sports/spt-c...
newsobserver.com
ACC’s nine-game conference schedule means asking the Notre Dame question — again
Does the ACC’s five-game arrangement still make sense when teams will be playing nine ACC games plus a 10th game against a Power 4 opponent?
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Reposted by Chip Alexander
Luke DeCock @lukedecock.bsky.social · 08/10/2025
Gretzky's Oilers, famously, had the Islanders. The Panthers had the Lightning. Steel sharpens steel. Dethroning a dynasty can beget a new one. The biggest question facing the Hurricanes this season: Have they learned enough from the Panthers to overtake them? www.newsobserver.com/sports/spt-c...
newsobserver.com
Have the Carolina Hurricanes learned enough from the Panthers to dethrone them?
Steel sharpens steel. Every great team needs another great team to learn from. Are the Hurricanes ready to take the next step?
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Reposted by Chip Alexander
Luke DeCock @lukedecock.bsky.social · 03/10/2025
Regarding reports the Hurricanes have decided not to sign Michael McLeod … my understanding is the team has reversed course and backed off signing McLeod for now. Could yet change. But as of last night, anyway, no deal is imminent.
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Luke DeCock @lukedecock.bsky.social · 02/10/2025
At Centennial Authority meeting today, authority approved NC State's request to use its share of naming-rights revenue, about $500,000/yr, to support the basketball program, with restrictions on how the money is spent and a reserve fund. From May: www.newsobserver.com/sports/colle...
newsobserver.com
NC State asks to divert Lenovo Center improvement fund to support basketball
N.C. State is allocated $500,000 a year from the arena’s naming rights to fulfill the school’s requests for building upgrades. The university wants to spend that money on men’s basketball instead.
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Reposted by Chip Alexander
Luke DeCock @lukedecock.bsky.social · 30/09/2025
If the Hurricanes do sign Michael McLeod, it will be because they don’t think fans will, in the end, actually stop coming. They may be right. But it also feels like they’re playing with fire — and for what? A bottom-six center? www.newsobserver.com/sports/spt-c...
newsobserver.com
The Carolina Hurricanes may sign Michael McLeod, no matter what you think
The Carolina Hurricanes are considering signing a player acquitted of sexual-assault charges (but suspended by the NHL). Fans will have a decision to make.
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Reposted by Chip Alexander
Luke DeCock @lukedecock.bsky.social · 21/09/2025
Maybe it took a mental reboot — “We kind of hit ctrl-alt-delete,” Manny Diaz said — to get Duke back to where it always thought it should be. Either way, two rivals that came in going different directions exited going opposite directions. www.newsobserver.com/sports/spt-c...
newsobserver.com
Down and out, Duke rediscovers what makes it Duke, and leaves NC State behind
After losing to Illinois and Tulane, Duke was down two scores to N.C. State before running away on either side of halftime for a 45-33 win.
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Luke DeCock @lukedecock.bsky.social · 21/09/2025
By Sagarin’s updated predictor, UNC is the fourth-best team in the Sun Belt (and 14th in the ACC, ahead of Cal, Stanford and Wake Forest). The good news: The Tar Heels would be a clear No. 1 in Conference USA. Which is funny because I wrote this when ECU smoked UNC in Kenan in 2013. Plus ça change.
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Reposted by Chip Alexander
Luke DeCock @lukedecock.bsky.social · 20/09/2025
Caught up with Ehlers’ Switzerland-based agent (and teammate of Rod Brind’Amour with Kloten during the 2004-05 lockout) after this initially posted and he had some interesting insights on the process that are in there now. www.newsobserver.com/sports/spt-c...
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Reposted by Chip Alexander
Luke DeCock @lukedecock.bsky.social · 19/09/2025
Nik Ehlers took his time in July to talk to people and make sure he was going to the right place. After all those conversations, he decided Carolina was where he wanted to be. And he's here now. www.newsobserver.com/sports/spt-c...
newsobserver.com
For the Hurricanes and Nik Ehlers, time to find out if the wait was worth it
Unlike most sought-after free agents, Nik Ehlers took three days to decide. Both Ehlers and the Hurricanes are happy with the decision.
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Luke DeCock @lukedecock.bsky.social · 18/09/2025
It’s not just the new faces on the ice that’s enthralling on the first day of Hurricanes training camp. It’s also the possibility of even more new faces to come. www.newsobserver.com/sports/spt-c...
newsobserver.com
Hurricanes’ core starts again, wondering if these new faces are the only ones
Nik Ehlers and K’Andre Miller lead the new arrivals on the first day of training camp, but the Canes have the cap space to make a big move.
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Reposted by Chip Alexander
Luke DeCock @lukedecock.bsky.social · 11/09/2025
Bates Battaglia was the Hurricanes’ first fan favorite, before the team even really put down roots here — but Battaglia certainly did. His career took him away from Raleigh but he never left, and this weekend his bar Lucky B’s celebrates 20 years in business. www.newsobserver.com/sports/spt-c...
newsobserver.com
The Canes’ first fan favorite, Bates Battaglia’s move to businessman complete
Once famous for his long, flowing hair, former Hurricanes star Bates Battaglia is celebrating the 20th anniversary of his bar Lucky B’s.
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Chip Alexander @chipalexander.bsky.social · 05/09/2025
www.newsobserver.com/sports/nhl/c...
newsobserver.com
Why one Hurricanes TV host spent the summer helping others in war-stricken Burma
One requirement was both physical endurance and the “moral courage to stand with those under attack.”
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Reposted by Chip Alexander
Luke DeCock @lukedecock.bsky.social · 04/09/2025
Had a chance to talk with Ben Griffin this morning about making the U.S. Ryder Cup team and the incredible season that put him in position to be a captain’s pick. What an incredible story the Chapel Hill native and UNC grad has written this summer. www.newsobserver.com/sports/spt-c...
newsobserver.com
How one phone call changed Ben Griffin’s golf career — and his life — forever
A year ago, the Ryder Cup wasn’t on Ben Griffin’s radar. His exceptional summer put him in a position to represent the U.S. at Bethpage.
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Luke DeCock @lukedecock.bsky.social · 05/09/2025
Three months after he challenged the Hurricanes to do better this offseason, Sebastian Aho returned from Finland excited to see K’Andre Miller and Nik Ehlers. “We’ll see if we got better, but that’s my point, you’re willing to try and do those things,” Aho said www.newsobserver.com/sports/spt-c...
newsobserver.com
Canes’ Sebastian Aho left for Finland concerned and returns with new optimism
Carolina Hurricanes star Sebastian Aho challenged the front office to have a better offseason. At the end of it, he likes what he sees.
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Luke DeCock @lukedecock.bsky.social · 24/08/2025
Farewell to a Fish called Muddy, and a crazy dream that rose from tobacco fields in Zebulon to change minor-league baseball forever. www.newsobserver.com/sports/mlb/a...
newsobserver.com
Farewell to a fish called Muddy, and a logo that upended minor-league baseball
The Carolina Mudcats are moving to Wilson, but they were once bigger than the Durham Bulls, and they changed sports marketing forever.
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Luke DeCock @lukedecock.bsky.social · 15/08/2025
Florida's Vitek Vanecek pays tribute to late Canes center Josef Vasicek while taking the Stanley Cup to Havlickuv Brod: “I know Josef Vasicek was the first guy to ever bring the Cup to this town and we still have the photo with the Cup and me as a kid in the basement." www.nhl.com/news/topic/s...
nhl.com
Vanecek arrives with Stanley Cup on back of truck in Czech Republic | NHL.com
Goalie celebrates with fans, shows off matching tattoos with Nosek
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Luke DeCock @lukedecock.bsky.social · 15/08/2025
Requiem for a basketball dream: For 52 years, any male student at UNC had at least a chance to be a small part of the basketball program by trying out for the JV team. As a new academic year starts Monday, that quaint anachronism has been consigned to history. www.newsobserver.com/sports/colle...
newsobserver.com
As House settlement spells end for UNC JV basketball, alumni express regret
For the first time in more than 50 years, as classes begin, students at North Carolina won’t have the opportunity to try out for the junior varsity men’s basketball team.
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David Dayen @ddayen.bsky.social · 03/08/2025
The NHL's Dallas Stars bought up all the ice rinks in the Dallas metro area, in several cases got taxpayer money to build the rinks, and now control ice time for youth hockey, jacking up club fees and forcing leagues to play by their rules. Wild story.
usatoday.com
‘They control everything’: How the Dallas Stars monopolized Texas youth hockey
Ice is power in the lucrative world of youth hockey. In North Texas, the Dallas Stars hold almost all of it.
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Chip Alexander @chipalexander.bsky.social · 15/07/2025
Hurricanes prospect has new high-profile teammate at Penn State, eyes pro ranks www.newsobserver.com/sports/nhl/c...
newsobserver.com
Hurricanes prospect has new high-profile teammate at Penn State, eyes pro ranks
Penn State forward Charlie Cerrato, a second-round draft pick this year, will be joined next season by Canadian phenom Gavin McKenna, projected to be the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NHL draft.
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Reposted by Chip Alexander
Luke DeCock @lukedecock.bsky.social · 08/07/2025
The Hurricanes woke up on July 1 with oodles of cap space and a fisftul of draft picks worried they might end up with nothing. Over the next three days, they traded for K'Andre Miller and signed Nikolaj Ehlers ... and still have $10 million in cap space. www.newsobserver.com/sports/spt-c...
newsobserver.com
Inside the emotional highs and lows as Hurricanes worked to add Miller, Ehlers
The Carolina Hurricanes maneuvered throughout the first days of NHL free agency period before adding two key pieces for next season’s team.
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Andrew Carter @andrew-carter.bsky.social · 11/06/2025
Twenty years ago, the future pope attended Game 1 of the World Series in Chicago. A television camera caught him, by chance or by fate, for about three seconds in the ninth inning. A story about what lingers from that moment, and night, two decades later: www.chicagotribune.com/2025/06/11/c...
chicagotribune.com
Divine revelations: Pope Leo XIV’s attendance at 2005 World Series leaves champion White Sox with an immaculate legacy
As the Chicago White Sox honor Pope Leo XIV with an outdoor Mass on Saturday, his 2005 World Series seat has become a pilgrimage site for the faithful.
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Mike Commito @mikecommito.bsky.social · 11/06/2025
On this day in 1988, the Blues selected Rod Brind'Amour ninth overall at the NHL Entry Draft
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Luke DeCock @lukedecock.bsky.social · 06/05/2025
The Hurricanes are in Washington today and I am not, but that doesn’t mean I’m not out there getting to the heart of stories that matter the most. I will be on with the OGs postgame as usual, link to come later.
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Luke DeCock @lukedecock.bsky.social · 05/05/2025
Hurricanes in the playoffs so far: Four wins Two babies Sebastian Aho got the series-winner Tuesday, became a first-time father Friday. www.newsobserver.com/sports/nhl/c...
newsobserver.com
Carolina Hurricanes players averaging one baby per round in NHL playoffs
Sebastian Aho’s daughter, born Friday, was the second born to a Hurricanes player this postseason. Before Game 3 of Round 1 against New Jersey, Eric Robinson also welcomed a baby girl.
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Luke DeCock @lukedecock.bsky.social · 01/05/2025
Jesperi Kotkaniemi doesn't know how many stitches were needed to close the gash above his right eye, but he does know he dodged a bullet. “The doctor went pretty fast,” Kotkaniemi said. “I wanted to get out there as fast as I could so I don’t even really know.” www.newsobserver.com/sports/spt-c...
newsobserver.com
Hurricanes’ Jesperi Kotkaniemi’s eye doesn’t look good. He’s lucky it still works
A scary high stick to the Hurricanes’ Jesperi Kotkaniemi turned out to be a best-case scenario for the Hurricanes: The forward escaped a serious eye injury, and the Canes eliminated the Devils on the ...
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Luke DeCock @lukedecock.bsky.social · 28/04/2025
No hats for Andrei Svechnikov in North Jersey, but a few in … North Raleigh? www.newsobserver.com/sports/nhl/c...
newsobserver.com
Andrei Svechnikov hat trick drew no hats in New Jersey ... but a few in Raleigh
Carolina Hurricanes fans found a way to honor Andrei Svechnikov’s playoff hat trick in Game 4 on the road — at his home.
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Luke DeCock @lukedecock.bsky.social · 28/04/2025
The middle of Game 4 was not an ideal time to get Pyotr Kochetkov some action. But Game 5 is a perfect spot, regardless of Frederik Andersen’s status. www.newsobserver.com/sports/spt-c...
newsobserver.com
With Frederik Andersen hurt, Hurricanes are Pyotr Kochetkov’s team — for now
Even if Frederik Andersen is fine, Game 5 is a good time, with a 3-1 lead on the Devils, for the Hurricanes to get Pyotr Kochetkov some playoff game action.
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Luke DeCock @lukedecock.bsky.social · 21/04/2025
Jacob Markstrom on his friendly fire slash that injured teammate Cody Glass: “Whatever everyone has been seeing, that's what happened. I mean, it's pretty clear-cut. And I obviously feel really bad. You never want to see a teammate hurt. It’s a situation that you know didn't have to happen.”
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Chip Alexander @chipalexander.bsky.social · 21/04/2025
Why the Hurricanes’ Logan Stankoven fits in so well on Jordan Staal's line. www.newsobserver.com/sports/nhl/c...
newsobserver.com
Why the Hurricanes’ Logan Stankoven fits in so well with captain Jordan Staal
Rookie forward Logan Stankoven, acquired from the Dallas Stars in the Mikko Rantanen trade, had a pair of goals as Carolina defeated New Jersey in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
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Chip Alexander @chipalexander.bsky.social · 21/04/2025
NFL mock draft on NFL.com has UNC's Omarion Hampton going No. 20 to the Broncos. We'll see.
nfl.com
NFL.com | Official Site of the National Football League
The official source for NFL news, video highlights, fantasy football, game-day coverage, schedules, stats, scores and more.
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Luke DeCock @lukedecock.bsky.social · 20/04/2025
Eleven months ago, Jackson Blake was just along for the ride, watching the Hurricanes in the playoffs. Even he couldn’t see this coming. Blake hasn’t exceeded expectations this season so much as smashed them, in part because there were basically none this soon. www.newsobserver.com/sports/spt-c...
newsobserver.com
Even Jackson Blake can’t believe where Jackson Blake is now with the Hurricanes
Eleven months ago, Jackson Blake was just a kid observing the Carolina Hurricanes in the playoffs. As this postseason begins, he’s a key member of the team.
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Chip Alexander @chipalexander.bsky.social · 13/04/2025
UNC football coach Bill Belichick caps spring session with ‘Practice Like A Pro’ day www.newsobserver.com/sports/colle...
newsobserver.com
UNC football coach Bill Belichick caps spring session with ‘Practice Like A Pro’ day
North Carolina football held its final spring practice in front of fans on the newly turfed grass field at Kenan Stadium.
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Chip Alexander @chipalexander.bsky.social · 11/04/2025
Hurricanes announce long-awaited signing of top defensive prospect Alexander Nikishin www.newsobserver.com/sports/nhl/c...
newsobserver.com
Carolina Hurricanes announce long-awaited signing of top defensive prospect
The Hurricanes’ third-round draft pick in 2020 played for SKA in the Russian pro league, but has had his contract terminated, allowing him to come to NHL.
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Chip Alexander @chipalexander.bsky.social · 10/04/2025
Should be an interesting game tonight in DC with Canes-Caps. Some pregame reading on a player who starred in last week's game: Don't let Logan Stankoven's (lack of) size deceive you www.newsobserver.com/sports/nhl/c...
newsobserver.com
How Carolina Hurricanes newcomer Logan Stankoven uses his size to his advantage
Acquired in the trade that sent Mikko Rantanen to Dallas, Logan Stankoven stood up to Capitals forward Tim Wilson, defending a teammate in a chippy game against Washington.
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Luke DeCock @lukedecock.bsky.social · 09/04/2025
Campbell, in a league with Northeastern, Drexel and UNC Wilmington, has to find an edge somewhere. Why not grab a branch of college basketball’s most analytics-focused coaching tree and take a big swing? Enter John Andrzejek, 32, and his piece of Florida's net. www.newsobserver.com/sports/spt-c...
newsobserver.com
Campbell finally gets its man, three weeks and a national title after it hired him
Thirty-six hours after he was taking the NCAA championship trophy on a boat ride down the San Antonio River Walk, John Andrzejek was introduced as the new head coach at Campbell.
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Luke DeCock @lukedecock.bsky.social · 04/04/2025
It’s an interesting moment to be a college basketball star. After decades when they had to not only refuse commercial opportunities but pretend they didn’t exist, anyone and everyone can cash in. But no one has cashed in like Cooper Flagg. www.newsobserver.com/sports/spt-c...
newsobserver.com
Selling Cooper Flagg, Duke’s very model of a modern college basketball superstar
For decades, college athletes had to not only refuse commercial opportunities but pretend they didn’t exist. Now, everyone can cash in, but no basketball player has cashed in like Duke’s Cooper Flagg.
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Andrew Carter @andrew-carter.bsky.social · 26/03/2025
Honored this week to begin a new chapter at the Chicago Tribune, where I’ll be a Senior Reporter on the GA/enterprise team. In other words: I’ll be looking for great stories all over Chicago and Illinois. Excited to get to work in America’s best and most compelling city.
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Chip Alexander @chipalexander.bsky.social · 15/03/2025
Tar Heels, after loss to No. 1 Duke, must play the waiting game until NCAA selections www.newsobserver.com/sports/colle...
newsobserver.com
Tar Heels, after loss to No. 1 Duke, must play the waiting game until NCAA selections
UNC guard RJ Davis insists Tar Heels’ play down the stretch and showing in ACC Tournament warrants spot in the NCAA field.
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Chip Alexander @chipalexander.bsky.social · 10/03/2025
Welcome to Carolina: Hurricanes newest additions score in home win over Winnipeg Jets www.newsobserver.com/sports/nhl/c...
newsobserver.com
Welcome to Carolina: Hurricanes newest additions score in home win over Winnipeg Jets
Mark Jankowski and Logan Stankoven each scored and Frederik Andersen was stout in net to lead the Hurricanes to a fourth straight win.
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Chip Alexander @chipalexander.bsky.social · 09/03/2025
Starting fresh’: Why Hurricanes newcomer Logan Stankoven could fit in quickly — and well www.newsobserver.com/sports/nhl/c...
newsobserver.com
‘Starting fresh’: Why Hurricanes newcomer Logan Stankoven could fit in quickly — and well
Young forward Logan Stankoven was sent to Carolina as part of the trade that had forward Mikko Rantanen moving to the Dallas Stars.
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Chip Alexander @chipalexander.bsky.social · 09/03/2025
‘I want to see them again’: UNC turns gaze to ACC Tournament, potential Duke rematch www.newsobserver.com/sports/colle...
newsobserver.com
‘I want to see them again’: UNC turns gaze to ACC Tournament, potential Duke rematch
UNC guard R.J. Davis said the Tar Heels will take the approach they can win in Charlotte, get in the NCAA tournament and make a run.
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Chip Alexander @chipalexander.bsky.social · 07/03/2025
Why the Hurricanes traded Mikko Rantanen after 13 games, and what’s next in Carolina www.newsobserver.com/sports/nhl/c...
newsobserver.com
Why the Hurricanes traded Mikko Rantanen after 13 games, and what’s next in Carolina
The Hurricanes made a big splash acquiring Mikko Rantanen from the Colorado Avalanche in January. Friday, the Canes flipped Rantanen to the Dallas Stars.
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