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🏀 Off the court with Jay Bilas
Jay Bilas has served as a college basketball commentator and analyst for ESPN for 30 years. | Photo via Wikimedia Commons
Before we get our brackets busted during the NCAA Championship, few voices can offer greater insight and perspective into the current storylines and minutia of men’s college basketball than ESPN college basketball analyst and longtime Charlottean, Jay Bilas.
“I’m the lucky one in all this,” shared Bilas who spoke to CLTtoday before calling the SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament in Nashville.
Bilas’ voice will fill living rooms and sports bars across the country this week as he marks 30 years as an integral and widely-acclaimed commentator for the cable sports giant.
North Carolina’s top basketball teams will take the court for the ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament in Charlotte.
Photo by CLTtoday
During our conversation, Bilas provided insight into the teams competing in this week’s ACC Tournament happening at Spectrum Center in Uptown, featuring North Carolina’s most prestigious men’s college basketball programs — including Bilas’ alma mater, the top-ranked Duke University.
Duke is the favorite to win the ACC Tournament. Which team has the best chance to upset them?
Probably Clemson, because they’ve already done it and they’ve got experienced guards and experienced big guys. They play a physical style that can help control tempo, they rebound at a high level, and they’ve got experience winning.
ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament| 2:30 p.m. | Spectrum Center | $44+ | Cheer on the Tar Heels as they play to clinch the NCAA Tournament.
Sycamore Run Club | 6:30 p.m. | Sycamore Brewing | Free | Take advantage of the warm temps with a three-, four-, or six-mile jog + grab a free drink afterwards.
Thursday, March 13
Taste of the Mint: Food for Thought Art Tours | 3:30-5:30 p.m. | The Mint Museum Uptown | $50+ | Savor a specially designed tasting and wine pairing from Mariposa in the presence of fine art.
KC and The Sunshine Band | 7:30 p.m. | Ovens Auditorium | $55 | “Get down tonight” and see the beloved band take the stage.
Candlelight: A Tribute to Taylor Swift | 8:45-10 p.m. | Great Aunt Stella Center | $32+ | Have you “Wildest Dreams” come true listening to the pop icon’s greatest hits under candlelight.
Friday, March 14
Tree Adoptions| 10 a.m. |City of Charlotte Landscape Management | Free | Adopt one of 800 trees in need of new homes this spring.
Science on the Rocks at Discovery Place | 6-10 p.m. | Discovery Place Science | $27+ | Grab a cocktail, pet an animal, and get hands-on in the labs at Uptown’s largest recurring social event.
Come for the melt-in-your-mouth ribs, stay for the fun. | Photos by Bain Stewart Media
Good food for a great cause? Count us in.
The fourth annual Southern Roots BBQ Reunion returns Saturday, April 12 at Trailblazer Park in Travelers Rest, SC — just a 2.5-hour drive from Charlotte.
Feast on all-you-can-eatbarbecue from 35+ pitmasters (think: Lewis Barbecue, Henry’s Smokehouse, and more), enjoy live music, shop the artisan market, and savor a selection of beer, wine, and spirits.
Plus, every ticket supports IDefine, a nonprofit supporting kids with Kleefstra Syndrome.
Attention, shoppers. Publix’s new south Charlotte location opens today at 7 a.m. The 55,477-sqft grocery store at 11525 Carmel Commons Blvd plans to hire around 150 full- and part-time employees.
Coming Soon
Speaking of groceries... Reid’s Fine Foods is coming to Ballantyne. The gourmet specialty grocer and restaurant is opening a 6,500-sqft store this fall at the former Duckworth’s Grill & Taphouse within the Ballantyne Quad shopping center. Construction is slated to start in May. (Charlotte Business Journal)
Concert
If you have tickets to see the iconic Billy Joel and Sting concert at Bank of America Stadium this May, you’ll be waiting a little longer. Billy Joel’s team cited a medical condition, prompting the postponement. The duo will now perform in the Queen City on July 3, 2026. (WCNC)
Community
What’s in a name? A new public park is coming to Huntersville at Fire Station No. 4, packed with a splash pad, pickleball courts, and nature trails. The community is asked to submit name recommendations on the park’s official title.
Civic
The City of Charlotte received a $1 million grant from the US Department of Transportation’s Reconnecting Communities Pilot (RCP) program. The goal is to study existing interchanges at Interstate 77 (I-77) and West 5th Street/West Trade Street in hopes to make these routes more walkable.
Biz
The NC Main Street Conference continues today in Mooresville, aiming to revitalize culture in North Carolina’s downtowns. The annual event is recognized as one of the largest downtown revitalization conferences in the country. (WCNC)
Feel Good
Cheerwine announced the top 10 finalists in its Festival T-Shirt Design Contest, including four students from the Charlotte area. The winning design will be featured as the official 2025 Cheerwine Festival artwork. The public can vote for their favorite design now through Friday, March 21.
Charlottean
Charlotte native Steph Curry has been announced as an assistant general manager for Davidson College’s basketball program. You may remember Curry led the Wildcats to a historic Elite Eight run in 2008.
Sports
The Panthers are focusing on defense during the first day of the negotiating period. Who’s getting signed? Go beyond the field for the biggest stories on the Carolina Pantherswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Job
Do you have a passion for all things Northern Virginia, a knack for storytelling, and a drive to engage readers? We’re hiring a creative and dynamic Newsletter Editor to join our team at NOVAtoday and craft daily, hyper-local content. We’ve got the perks just for you: competitive salary, 401K with company match of 4%, and so much more. Apply now.
Try This
Looking to build your dream team? Connect with incredible local talent right here in your community. Post your job listing with us today — first one is free — and find the perfect fit for your team in no time.
Announcement
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Category
Outdoors
🪶 A story that’ll leave you humming
If you see a bird like this, you’ve spotted a ruby-throated hummingbird. | Photo via @meckparkrec
Attention bird lovers. The ruby-throated hummingbird is expected to migrate through the Charlotte area around April 1-15.
During the winter, the birds migrate to Mexico and Central America to avoid the cold, but once temperatures start warming up, they move back north.
Catch a glimpse
If you want to see the hummingbirds before they flutter away, you’re in for a pretty sight. The species is known for being nectar feeders, and are attracted to wildflowers, particularly tubular ones that are red or orange. Grab your binoculars, and head to a local birding hot spot like:
Freedom Park — The area has many spots that attract birds and their watchers.
A pair of buttery soft joggers. They’re available in 16 different colors, including posh pastels like pink suede and mint green that are perfect for spring.
I’d like to give a huge “thank you” to Jay Bilas for speaking with me for our story. Meanwhile, I’ve found the perfect squad to enjoy this week’s ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament with. I didn’t tell the group but... let’s go Louisville!
