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Top 10 Moments of the Decade in North Carolina Sports

By Christian Candeloro

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 08: Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers runs onto the field during player introductions before their game against the Los Angeles Rams at Bank of America Stadium on September 08, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 08: Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers runs onto the field during player introductions before their game against the Los Angeles Rams at Bank of America Stadium on September 08, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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4. Austin Rivers shot over UNC

In one of the greatest moments in what is arguably the best rivalry in all of college sports, Austin Rivers sank the hopes of UNC late on the road. Rivers scored 29 points on the night and found his Blue Devils down two points as the final seconds of the game ticked off the clock.

Rivers dribbled out the clock and drilled a three-point shot that gave the Blue Devils a one-point victory.

At the end of the year, it would be UNC fans laughing at Duke, who lost to Lehigh in one of the biggest upsets of the decade.

3. Duke Beats Butler in National Championship

This was nearly the greatest Cinderella story in NCAA Tournament history. The fifth-seeded Butler Bulldogs had already dispatched Syracuse, Kansas State and Michigan State en route to the National Championship Game and were lead by stars in Gordon Hayward and Shelvin Mack, as well as head coach Brad Stevens.

Duke won 35 that season, led by Jon Scheyer, Kyle Singler, and Nolan Smith.

The two teams battled it out right until the bitter end when Hayward nearly hit one of the greatest shot in college basketball history, nearly banking in a half-court shot at the buzzer.

2. Hurricanes Defeat Capitals in Double Overtime

The Carolina Hurricanes made the playoffs for the first time in 10 years last postseason, drawing the hated Washington Capitals in the first round of the playoffs. The atmosphere in PNC Arena was electric all throughout the series and the Hurricanes were able to tie the series on home ice to force a decisive Game 7 in Washington.

The Hurricanes trailed 3-1 in the second period before goals by Teuvo Teravainen and Jordan Staal tied the game and forced overtime.

What ensued next was one of the best moments in Hurricanes’ history. In double overtime, captain Justin Williams threw the puck towards the net, finding Brock McGinn’s stick and sliding past Braden Holtby for the game-winner. The celebration began and the Bunch of Jerks moved on.

The Hurricanes would sweep the New York Islanders in the 2nd round, eventually meeting their match in the Boston Bruins in the Eastern Conference Finals. It was a wildly successful season for the Hurricanes, one that reenergized the hockey fanbase throughout the state. The

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