Last updated: March 21, 2026, 10:30 PM ET
NCAA Men’s Tournament Shocks & Sweet 16 Picture
The men’s NCAA bracket provided major drama as the field narrowed, headlined by Texas capping an improbable run by downing Gonzaga 74-68, becoming the first First Four team in five years to reach the Sweet. Top-seeded Michigan punched its own ticket by handling Saint Louis, powered by Yaxel Lendeborg’s 25-point performance, setting up a regional semifinal matchup between coaches Dusty May and Josh Schertz who have a history of exchanging scouting notes. As the winners prepare for the next round, analysts are already reranking the 32 remaining teams following Saturday's intense second-round contests across venues from Buffalo to Portland tracking all the action.
NCAA Women’s Tournament Dominance & Upsets
The women’s first round saw massive blowouts alongside dramatic overtime finishes, as defending champion Florida began its title defense with a 114-55 pounding of Prairie View A&M, marking the second-largest margin of victory in tournament history. In contrast, No. 10 seed Virginia authored the first major upset by defeating No. 7 Georgia 82-73, while USC advanced only after a buzzer-beater was nullified by review, allowing them to ultimately topple Clemson 71-67 in overtime. South Carolina asserted its power early, as Joyce Edwards posted 27 points and eight rebounds in a 103-34 rout of Southern, while No. 2 seed UConn survived a scare thanks to Tarris Reed Jr.’s historic 31-point, 27-rebound effort in an 82-71 victory staving off Furman. Meanwhile, in Knoxville, Coach Caldwell took the blame after Tennessee’s loss to NC State resulted in the Lady Vols finishing the season on an eight-game losing streak, leading to ongoing discussions regarding Coach Hubert Davis’s future at UNC following another first-round exit.
UFC & Combat Sports Developments
In mixed martial arts, Movsar Evloev delivered a gritty majority decision victory over Lerone Murphy in the main event at UFC London, effectively derailing Murphy’s featherweight title ambitions following a card that featured numerous compelling matchups including the primary headliners. In boxing news, Chinese Taipei’s Olympic champion Lin Yu-ting gained clearance to return to competition after successfully completing the World Boxing governing body’s new sex verification testing protocol. Elsewhere, former amateur star Michael Conlan was unable to realize his professional ambition of becoming a multi-weight world champion despite an initial fanfare surrounding his transition to the paid ranks.
Global Athletics & Cycling Victories
The world of track and field saw a triumphant return for Josh Kerr, who reclaimed his world indoor 3,000m title in thrilling fashion, completing his ascent back to the global podium following a significant injury layoff. Cycling witnessed Tadej Pogacar capture his first Milan-San Remo title after engaging in a fierce contest with Britain’s Tom Pidcock in the closing kilometers of the Italian classic, though the women’s race was marred when Italian rider Debora Silvestri was transported to the hospital following a crash. On the slopes, Great Britain’s Mia Brookes secured her fifth career World Cup gold medal in the slopestyle event at Flachnau, Austria, continuing a strong run for the British winter sports contingent.
College & Professional Roster Moves
In college baseball, Paul Mainieri is out as South Carolina’s head coach midway through his second season, unable to replicate the sustained success he achieved during his tenure at LSU. In the NHL, the Colorado Avalanche became the first team to formally clinch a playoff berth this season after dispatching the Blackhawks with a 4-1 victory on Saturday night. Meanwhile, quarterback Kenny Pickett expressed his belief that joining the Carolina Panthers under coach Dave Canales aligns with his ultimate goal of regaining a starting job in the NFL. In women’s college hockey, Wisconsin defender Caroline Harvey received the highest individual honor, being voted the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award winner for the nation’s top player.
Rugby League, Union, & Cricket Milestones
The Rugby Super League saw Warrington Wolves move into second place in the standings following a commanding victory over Castleford, driven by Kelepi Tanginoa’s impressive four-try performance. In Premiership Rugby, Exeter secured a spot in the play-off positions after defeating Sale by a score of 26-14 at Sandy Park. In African football, Glentoran managed only a 1-1 draw with 10-man Coleraine, which allowed them to narrow the gap to league leaders by just one point ahead of the league split. In international cricket, 15-year-old Fanny Utagushimaninde of Rwanda earned global recognition after she became the youngest woman to score a T20 international century at just 15 years and 223 days old.
Other Sports Notes & Technological Shifts
In tennis, officials are preparing for a technological shift at Wimbledon, which will see video review technology deployed for the first time in the tournament’s history. In the world of sailing, Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos group is initiating legal proceedings to reclaim a boat utilized by Sir Ben Ainslie’s team during the previous America’s Cup cycle. Separately, the growth of virtual golf continues to accelerate, with projections suggesting that by the end of 2028, the UK could see more rounds of virtual golf played than those played outdoors. Finally, referee Phil Edwards offered insight into the pressures of officiating, discussing criticism and the debate over whether implementing VAR could ever be feasible in professional boxing.