PODCAST · sports
Big Hitters Only
by Ross Martin
The Big Hitters Only Podcast blends UNC sports with off-topic discussion of lifestyle, culture, and long-form interviews with compelling people. Tar Heel football and basketball gets you in the door, engaging conversation, lively takes, and laughs will keep you around. Host Ross Martin, who covered UNC football, basketball, and recruiting for 10 years, will be joined by a rotating cast of co-hosts and characters to inform, engage, and talk Tar Heels. The goal is to entertain -- we’ll react to games, break down any big news, and analyze the ins and outs of UNC football and basketball.
Episodes
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REACTION: UNC Hires Michael Malone
The Tar Heels have a new basketball coach. On Monday news broke that Michael Malone will be UNC’s next coach. Spenser Dalton, Michael Hardison and Ross Martin convene for a reaction podcast and process all the emotions of the day - from shock and surprise to anger and acceptance. An NBA veteran...
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UNC Coaching Search & Tommy Lloyd
Now deep into week 2, UNC’s search for a new basketball coach has narrowed in on Arizona’s Tommy Lloyd with Chicago Bulls’ Billy Donovan and Michigan’s Dusty May still in the picture. This episode of Big Hitters Only focuses on the search as the guys break down various scenarios surround the…
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UNC Coaching Search
UNC is in the midst of a coaching search. Big Hitters Only breaks down all the angles and all the candidates in the coaching search that is gripping college basketball. Julian Council and Mike Hardison join to dive into Tommy Lloyd, Dusty May and some of UNC’s top targets. Would Lloyd or May…
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REACTION: Hubert Davis OUT at UNC
Hubert Davis is out as UNC’s head coach. His five-year tenure came to an end Tuesday night following another first round exit from the NCAA Tournament. Ross Martin and Spenser Dalton break it all down on Big Hitters Only - from the decision to fire Coach Davis to what went wrong and where UNC…
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REACTION: Complete Meltdown, UNC Season Over
UNC squanders a 19 point lead and falls to VCU in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Carolina’s 2025-26 season is over. Spenser Dalton, David Ray Allen, and Ross Martin break it all down. How UNC lost, final thoughts on this team, and what it means for Hubert Davis and the Carolina…
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Standards, Truth Serum, Loyalty, and UNC Basketball
Adam Smith (35:50) and Andy Bagwell (00:18) join Big Hitters Only to discuss all the relevant and important topics concerning UNC basketball at this juncture in the Hubert Davis era. There is a bit of NCAA Tournament talk and a VCU preview mixed in but the conversations always come back to the...
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REACTION: UNC Gets No. 6 Seed in NCAA Tournament, State of Program Debate
UNC will face VCU in the NCAA Tournament Thursday at 6:50 pm in Greenville, S.C. - but this podcast is about much more than that first round matchup. Riley Davis and Mike Hardison join Ross Martin to dive into Carolina’s early exit from the ACC Tournament and the coaching, staff, and operations...
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REACTION: Duke Handles UNC
Duke takes over and dominates UNC in the regular season finale in Durham. Spenser Dalton and David Ray Allen join host Ross Martin to break down the game and dive into this UNC team now without Caleb Wilson heading into the postseason. A look into what this team is, what it can be moving forward,...
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UNC Basketball Enters Home Stretch with Adam Smith
Reaction to UNC’s win over Clemson, going 5-1 without Caleb Wilson, and previewing the Duke game with Adam Smith and host Ross Martin. The show wanders from a look at this Carolina team right now to how well Duke is playing to NCAA Tournament seeding and First Team All-ACC nods. It touches on NC...
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State of UNC Hoops with Brendan Marks
The Athletic’s Brendan Marks joins Big Hitters Only to discuss UNC without Caleb Wilson and Henri Veesaar, what the remainder of the season could look like, and the future of Hubert Davis. The pod dives into roster construction, the transfer portal, and the ebbs and flows of the Davis era in…
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REACTION: UNC Buzzer-Beater Stuns Duke
Unreal. A game-winning, buzzer-beater three by Seth Trimble gives UNC a 71-68 win over Duke on Saturday night in Chapel Hill. This rivalry always delivers. Spenser Dalton and Connor Sparrow join Ross Martin late night to break down the game and the closing minutes. The conversation evolves into...
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Adam Smith on UNC Basketball, Duke Preview
Adam Smith joins Big Hitters Only to talk UNC halfway through the ACC slate, heading into the Duke game. This episode provides an in-depth look at this Tar Heels team and what lies ahead with the Blue Devils, what has been going right for UNC, and what has to happen for Carolina to win on…
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The Smith Center Debate
A deep dive into the controversial and extremely interesting debate over whether UNC should build a new basketball arena off campus at Carolina North or renovate the Smith Center. WRAL’s Brian Murphy (00:18) and UNC walk-on Spenser Dalton (42:36) join host Ross Martin to discuss all the factors…
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REACTION: MASSIVE ROAD WIN AT VIRGINIA
No. 22 UNC comes back from down 16 in the second half to defeat No. 14 Virginia in Charlottesville. Former UNC walk-on Spenser Dalton, David Ray Allen and Ross Martin break down the game, what UNC did right and wrong in the win. Does this cool the Hubert Davis hot seat? What can we learn...
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UNC Season at a Crossroads
What’s wrong with this team? Two losses to Stanford and Cal follows poor performances vs. SMU and Wake Forest. The ACC Network’s Terrence Oglesby (25:08) and Riley Davis (00:18) from Sleeper’s Media join Big Hitters Only to dive deep into UNC’s defensive issues and perimeter personnel. The pod...
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Roy Cooper Joins Big Hitters Only, Adam Smith on UNC
Roy Cooper joins Big Hitters Only to talk UNC basketball and why he is running for US Senate (2:46). A two-time UNC alum, Cooper dives into his motivations and the issues facing the state of North Carolina. Then, Adam Smith joins to dive deep into UNC basketball following the 87-84 win over Wake...
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REACTION: SMU’s Offense Blasts UNC
SMU shot 51.9% from 3 and 60.0% from the field as the Mustangs pulled away from UNC for a dominant 97-83 win. David Ray Allen joins Ross Martin to break down the game and what went wrong for the Tar Heels. The conversation gets into the best perimeter rotation for Carolina who clearly has some...
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REACTION: UNC vs. Ohio State Thriller, Seth Trimble Returns
UNC escapes Atlanta with a 71-70 win over Ohio State, Spenser Dalton and Ross Martin provide instant reaction to the Tar Heel win. With Seth Trimble back in the fold — attacking and nailing threes, UNC went up 11 in the second half before giving up the lead and going down three with :48 seconds...
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State of UNC Football: Roster, Portal, Future
A deep dive and discussion into the next few weeks and months of UNC football in regards to roster construction, transfer portal and all the money involved. Andrew Jones of TarHeel247 joins Ross Martin to talk everything UNC football after the 2025 season heading into a critical offseason…
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REACTION: UNC vs. Kentucky
Instant breakdown of UNC’s 67-64 win over Kentucky. It wasn’t all pretty, but clutch play by Derek Dixon down the stretch gave the Tar Heels the win. Spenser Dalton, Connor Sparrow, and Ross Martin break down what went right and what went wrong in the BIG Carolina win. Check out...
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REACTION: UNC vs. Michigan State, Future of UNC Football
Breakdown and reaction to UNC’s 74-58 loss to Michigan State on Thanksgiving Day with David Ray Allen (00:18) followed by a deep dive into the future of Carolina football and Bill Belichick with WRAL’s Brian Murphy (34:30). Check out...
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NC Governor Josh Stein
North Carolina Governor Josh Stein joined Big Hitters Only and host Ross Martin to talk UNC basketball, his first year in office, the Japan trip, North Carolina’s economy, and Western NC. Check out https://rhoback.com/collections/university-of-north-carolina-licensed-collection and use code…
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REACTION: UNC vs. KANSAS
UNC used a fantastic second half to take it to Kansas for a refreshing 87-74 win. Host Ross Martin, UNC walk-on Spenser Dalton, and producer Connor Sparrow dive into the game and break it all down with an instant reaction podcast. From the uneven first half to a flurry of runs and threes in the...
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REACTION: Game 1 - UNC vs. Central Arkansas | Bryn Renner Talks UNC Football
Instant reaction to UNC’s 94-54 win over Central Arkansas in the 2025-26 season opener (00:18) followed by 20 mins on UNC football with Bryn Renner (36:17). Luka Bogavac gets cleared right before game time and Caleb Wilson explodes for 22 points and seven dunks in the win. Host Ross Martin and...
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Breaking Down UNC Hoops After Two Exhibition Games
A look inside the 2025-26 Tar Heels after two exhibition games vs. BYU and Winston Salem State. What are the biggest concerns? What player are you most excited about? What’s one question you want answered by January? Host Ross Martin, Producer Connor Sparrow and David Ray Allen dive in. Check out...
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Inside the Wild and Dysfunctional UNC Football Program Under Bill Belichick
Diving into all the intel, reports, and rumors with WRAL’s Pat Welter to try and figure out what the hell is going on with UNC football, Bill Belichick, and GM Michael Lombardi over the last few WILD days. From the Patriots beef to recruiting violations, upset parents, locker room issues, player...
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Complete Embarrassment: UNC Football is a Mess
A deep dive into everything that has gone wrong for UNC football. From roster building to the on-field product, coaching, and the money, this podcast covers the gamut of the Bill Belichick and Michael Lombardi experience after five games. What went wrong and where does UNC go from here for the…
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Euros Win Ryder Cup, UNC Football, Dave Doeren On The Way Out
Rodd Baxley (00:18), Joe Giglio (28:55), and David Ray Allen (45:10) join Ross Martin in three different discussions to break down UNC football, the 2025 Ryder Cup, and Dave Doeren’s potential demise at the helm of NC State football. Check out...
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Richard Johnson & Matt Zenitz Talk UNC, Belichick, College Football
CBS Sports’ Richard Johnson and Matt Zenitz join Big Hitters Only to provide National prospective on UNC, Bill Belichick and roster building situation in Chapel Hill. Johnson dives into the top 3 stories in college football right now (Florida, Alabama, and Arch Manning) (3:07) and Zenitz goes…
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REACTION: UNC, Bill Belichick Embarrassed in Season Opener
Breaking down UNC’s 48-14 beatdown loss to TCU in the first game of the Bill Belichick era in Chapel Hill. Mike Hardison joins Ross Martin to discuss what happen, what it means, and where Carolina goes from here (2:52). What’s the story at QB? Is there anything positive to take away from the…
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UNC Football Game Day Prep, Ben Portnoy From SBJ
With UNC vs. TCU in Chapel Hill just days away Big Hitters Only dives into the nitty gritty of Game Day. Aury St. Germain and Wayne House join the pod to chop it up on Tar Heel football, what to wear, what to eat and drink, and UNC’s new investment in football (2:29). We even dive into gardening,...
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What is Success for Bill Belichick and UNC in 2025? With Eric Mac Lain and David Hale
ACC Network’s Eric Mac Lain (3:05) and ESPN’s David Hale (25:34) join Big Hitters Only to discuss UNC football, Bill Belichick and what success looks like for the Tar Heels in 2025. In two separate discussions, host Ross Martin dives in the national and regional perspective on Belichick, what…
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ACC Kickoff, Bill Belichick at Media Day
It was a Bill Belichick circus in Charlotte on Thursday for ACC Kickoff and Media Day and BHO was there. This podcast features interviews with Josh Graham (03:14), Conor O’Neill (13:48), and WRAL’s Pat Welter (24:27) to discuss Belichick, UNC football and the big storylines for ACC football in...
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ESPN’s Dan Murphy on Impact of the House Settlement and Revenue Sharing on UNC
ESPN’s Dan Murphy joins Big Hitters Only to provide a full explainer of the House Settlement and Revenue Sharing and it’s impact on UNC and college athletics. The conversation dives into the NCAA, conference realignment, and NIL. Visit https://www.drinkdeltaspirits.com/shop and use code "BHO10"…
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Steve Newmark Named UNC’s Athletic Director in Waiting, Succession Plan in Place
On July 1 news broke that UNC Athletic Director Bubba Cunningham would stay in the role one more year before moving into a new role as Senior Advisor to the Chancellor and AD. Steve Newmark, former president of RFK racing steps in as UNC’s next AD. WRAL’s Brian Murphy joins Ross Martin on Big...
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Michelin Star Chef Brandon Sharp
Brandon Sharp, the owner and chef of Chapel Hill restaurants Hawthorne & Wood, Bluebird, and Proximo, joins Big Hitters Only to talk career, culinary journey, planning a menu, and opening a restaurant. From his start at Chi-Chi’s in Greensboro to Chapel Hill to Napa Valley, New Orleans, and…
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UNC Basketball: Lineups, Transfers, Roster, Hubert Davis Entering Year 5
This comprehensive UNC basketball podcast dives deep into Carolina’s roster and lineups following an offseason of transfer acquisitions. Sleeper Media’s Riley Davis (2:53) and CBS Sports Isaac Trotter (48:25) join host Ross Martin to dive deep into UNC’s incoming transfers, potential lineups, and...
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TV Meteorologist Tim Buckley
WFMY Chief Meteorologist Tim Buckley joins Big Hitters Only to talk career path, being a TV weatherman, tracking storms, hurricanes, snow, and social media. The show closes with Penn State football and Greensboro. Visit https://www.drinkdeltaspirits.com/shop and use code "BHO10" at checkout!…
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Diamond Heels Super Regional Preview with Pat James
With UNC baseball in the Super Regional this weekend vs. Arizona, Big Hitters Only brought on Diamond Heels expert Pat James to talk all things Tar Heel baseball. With hosts Ross Martin and Aury St. Germain, Pat dives deep in UNC’s excellent pitching staff including starters Jake Knapp and Jason...
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Duke Meltdown, Veesaar commits, UNC Transfer Portal Reset & White Lotus Season 3 Finale Reaction
Now deep into the transfer portal, Big Hitters Only reconvenes to dive into the UNC commitments of 7-foot center Henri Veesaar and wing Jonathan Powell before running through a list of other targets including PG Xaivian Lee (00:18). The podcast concludes with an instant reaction to White Lotus...
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UNC Transfer Portal & Roster Breakdown
Already deep into the transfer portal window, Big Hitters Only breaks down UNC’s roster, what the Tar Heels lost, need, and are targeting. Ross Martin is joined by Spenser Dalton and Mike Hardison (2:14). It starts with some Elliot Cadeau and Jalen Washington discussion before an examination of…
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REACTION: UNC’s Comeback vs. Ole Miss Falls Short, Season Over
Down 22, UNC cut it to two, but the comeback fell short in the first round of the NCAA Tournament as the Tar Heels lose to Ole Miss 71-64 in Milwaukee. It was a fitting end to a disappointing UNC season. Mike Hardison, Connor Sparrow, and Ross Martin break down the loss to Ole Miss and wrap up…
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REACTION: UNC Sneaks Into NCAA Tournament
The Tar Heels are a No. 11 seed in the NCAA Tournament and will play San Diego State in the play-in game on Tuesday night. Mike Hardison, Spenser Dalton, and Neil Pierre-Louis hop on with Ross Martin to react to UNC making the NCAA Tournament, their draw and potential opponents, and takeaways…
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Reaction: Duke Too Much For UNC, RJ’s Smith Center Finale
Despite a valiant effort, Duke was too much for the Tar Heels on Saturday night in the Smith Center. Spenser Dalton, David Allen (and his father) join Ross Martin to break it all down. The pod discusses what went right and what went wrong for the Tar Heels in a game where UNC led by seven in the...
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UNC in March, Bill Belichick PC, Carolina-Duke Preview
Rodd Baxley joins Big Hitters Only to talk UNC basketball in the midst of a six game winning streak and heading into a massive matchup with Duke on Saturday. What is working for the Tar Heels? Why are they playing so much better right now? Rodd and Ross preview the Carolina-Duke game and examine...
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Reaction: Heels Roll Hokies, Win 6th Straight
UNC blows out Virginia Tech, 91-59, on the road to notch its 6th straight win. David Allen and Connor Sparrow join Ross Martin on the Big Hitters Only podcast to break down the game, talk UNC’s winning streak, and the success of the new lineup and rotation. The conversation evolves into a look at...
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UNC Hires GM, Hubert Davis Gets Contract Extension w/ Brendan Marks & Brian Murphy
On Tuesday, two big North Carolina basketball stories broke: UNC hired NBA agent Jim Tanner as Executive Director and General Manager of basketball and UNC gave Hubert Davis a contract extension (00:18). Big Hitters Only brings on Brendan Marks from The Athletic to talk the hire of Tanner as GM...
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Reaction: Heels Handle ‘Hoos
UNC beats Virginia 81-66 to move to 17-11 overall and 10-6 in the ACC. Connor Sparrow joins Ross Martin to break down the action. Has UNC found a starting lineup that finally works? What does that mean for the Tar Heels moving forward? Visit https://www.drinkdeltaspirits.com/shop and use code...
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New Arena Location Debate, State of UNC Hoops w/ Andrew Carter
News broke on Wednesday that UNC was eyeing the Carolina North area as the location for a new basketball arena. Big Hitters Only brings on recent alums Neil Pierre-Louis and David Ray Allen to discuss. Andrew Carter then joins to talk the state of UNC hoops and Hubert Davis. Visit...
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Reaction: Clemson Completely Dominates UNC, Future of Hubert Davis, GM Discussion
Clemson steamrolls UNC, 85-65, in one of the worst Tar Heel losses of the season. Spenser Dalton, Connor Sparrow, and Ross Martin convene to discuss the loss, the remainder of the season, and the future of Hubert Davis at Carolina. The discussion evolves into the hiring of a General Manager and...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
The Big Hitters Only Podcast blends UNC sports with off-topic discussion of lifestyle, culture, and long-form interviews with compelling people. Tar Heel football and basketball gets you in the door, engaging conversation, lively takes, and laughs will keep you around. Host Ross Martin, who covered UNC football, basketball, and recruiting for 10 years, will be joined by a rotating cast of co-hosts and characters to inform, engage, and talk Tar Heels. The goal is to entertain -- we’ll react to games, break down any big news, and analyze the ins and outs of UNC football and basketball.
HOSTED BY
Ross Martin
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Big Hitters Only have?
Big Hitters Only currently has 91 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Big Hitters Only about?
The Big Hitters Only Podcast blends UNC sports with off-topic discussion of lifestyle, culture, and long-form interviews with compelling people. Tar Heel football and basketball gets you in the door, engaging conversation, lively takes, and laughs will keep you around. Host Ross Martin, who covered...
How often does Big Hitters Only release new episodes?
Big Hitters Only has 91 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Big Hitters Only?
You can listen to Big Hitters Only on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Big Hitters Only?
Big Hitters Only is created and hosted by Ross Martin.
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