Last updated: March 20, 2026, 3:30 AM ET
NCAA Basketball Upsets & Streaks Shattered
The opening rounds of the NCAA men's tournament delivered immediate drama as several established programs faced startling exits and streaks met their abrupt end. Two-time defending champion NYU saw its remarkable 91-game winning streak abruptly halted Thursday night when Scranton defeated the Violets 60-52 in the Division III Final Four. In major upsets, 11th-seeded VCU stunned sixth-seeded North Carolina 82-78 in overtime after erasing a substantial 19-point second-half deficit, highlighted by Terrence Hill Jr.'s decisive stepback three-pointer in the final seconds. Furthermore, 16th-seeded Siena pushed No. 1 overall seed Duke to the brink, forcing the Blue Devils to rally from a 13-point hole before securing the win late in the game. Nebraska also achieved a historical milestone, recording its first-ever NCAA tournament victory by dominating Troy 76-47, while No. 12 seed High Point stunned fifth-seeded Wisconsin 83-82 behind Chase Johnston’s season-defining two-point basket.
Freshman phenom AJ Dybantsa, whose performance coaches previously broke down as one built for March moments, managed 35 points but could not prevent sixth-seeded BYU from falling 79-71 to No. 11 seed Texas in the opening round. Following the loss, Dybantsa indicated that he will take the "next couple of weeks" to deliberate his future playing status. Meanwhile, North Carolina coach Hubert Davis firmly rejected suggestions that fatigue contributed to his team's overtime collapse against VCU, stating the responsibility for the outcome rested squarely on his coaching decisions. In other college basketball news, Kentucky coach Mark Pope offered no definitive comment regarding reports that Yaxel Lendeborg received a multimillion-dollar offer to join the Wildcats.
WNBA Labor & Player Movement
The WNBA is poised for significant financial shifts as sources confirm a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) is nearing finalization, which includes a key provision that expedites the timeline for players on rookie-scale deals to access maximum and supermax salaries. This pending CBA is widely regarded as transformational for league economics and player earning potential. Separately, the Miami Heat are reportedly planning to waive guard Terry Rozier prior to the playoffs to clear a roster slot specifically for their postseason push.
Combat Sports Title Contention & Events
In mixed martial arts, Lerone Murphy is emphasizing that Saturday's bout against Movsar Evloev in London is a direct eliminator for the featherweight title, asserting that the victor "shouldn't be any other way" than securing the next shot at the belt. The fight card will also feature several other notable athletes, as the PFL has scheduled upcoming bouts for champions like Costello van Steenis and fan-favorites such as Paul Hughes over the next five weeks. Across the Atlantic, Irish boxer Michael Conlan views his upcoming Belfast fight against Kevin Walsh as an "all or nothing" proposition in his pursuit of a world title shot.
European Rugby & Football Updates
The United Rugby Championship (URC) run-in sees several Welsh clubs fighting for postseason positioning as the league heads toward its conclusion. Cardiff and Ospreys remain heavily involved in the play-off contention race, while the Dragons and Scarlets are currently engaged in a battle to avoid finishing with the Welsh Wooden Spoon. Key personnel returns are bolstering these efforts; Taulupe Faletau is slated to return to the Cardiff matchday squad against the Bulls for the first time since New Year's Day, and Wales captain Jac Morgan is poised for a comeback from a shoulder injury for Ospreys against Benetton. In Super League rugby, Wigan Warriors extended their perfect start to the season by overcoming a 14-0 deficit to defeat York Knights, while attention also turns to injury concerns, with Ulster facing a three-month absence for star wing Rob Baloucoune due to an elbow injury.
Darts, Snooker, & Other Global Competitions
The Premier League Darts final in Dublin witnessed a stunning comeback from Luke Littler, who rallied from a 5-0 deficit to defeat Gerwyn Price 6-5, featuring two maximum 170 checkouts within a single game. In snooker, Ronnie O'Sullivan advanced to the World Open quarter-finals in Yushan after producing a superb performance to beat Shaun Murphy 5-3. On the slopes, Great Britain's Kirsty Muir secured her second consecutive World Cup slopestyle victory, propelling her to the top of the season's standings ahead of the final event. Meanwhile, in rugby union, the Six Nations Team of the Tournament featured four Irish players but notably excluded any representatives from England, drawing from France, Italy, Scotland, and Wales.
Golf, Racing, & Player Support
Kelsey Macdonald established a commanding lead at the Australian WPGA Championship after she broke Sanctuary Cove's course record with a seven-under 64. In a heartwarming display of familial support, Payton Sandfort appeared courtside less than 12 hours after making his NBA debut to cheer on his brother Pryce during a Nebraska win. Elsewhere, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has initiated a new strategy aimed at addressing what it describes as a "consistent pattern" of racism experienced by individuals working within the sport.