The Next Play: Here’s what’s on deck this week in Carolina sports
As Christmas approaches, teams prepare for late out of conference showdowns before league play begins. Duke appears to be the class of the ACC (again), as UNC is starting to take shape.
The rest of the league looks to be as wide open as ever. In the NFL, the Carolina Panthers prepare for a big divisional showdown with the defending champs.
THE GOAT COMING TO TOWN
The day after Christmas, Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers come to Charlotte for a contest with the Panthers.
Tampa Bay won both games last season versus Carolina, including a 46-23 win in Charlotte. The Panthers last win in the series came in London in 2019. Carolina is 2-1 in the division this season.
ACC PLAY
Duke will play its first ACC game on Dec. 22, then travel to Clemson on Dec. 29. The Blue Devils are the only Triangle team that hasn’t played an ACC opponent.
North Carolina defeated Georgia Tech on Dec. 5 in Atlanta. The Tar Heels will host Virginia Tech on Dec. 29. N.C. State lost to Louisville, 73-68, on Dec. 4 in Raleigh. The Pack opens league play on Dec. 29 in Miami.
EAGLES SOAR TO TEXAS
Levelle Moton and the North Carolina Central men’s basketball team continue to fly all over the country to play games. The Eagles don’t start league play until January, but will end December in El Paso, Texas, taking on either Bradley or Sam Houston State in the Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational.
In non-conference play, the Eagles have played in Texas, New Jersey, Alabama, Iowa and Tennessee.
This story was originally published December 19, 2021 at 5:30 AM with the headline "The Next Play: Here’s what’s on deck this week in Carolina sports."
