General Sports 24 Hours

Last updated: March 23, 2026, 5:30 PM ET

College Basketball Coaching Carousel & NCAA Tournament Action

The college basketball coaching landscape saw significant movement as Arizona State finalized a deal to hire Saint Mary's Randy Bennett on a five-year contract, signaling a major shift for the Sun Devils program. This hiring comes as other major programs manage retirements and transitions; for instance, Creighton coach Greg McDermott announced his decision to step down after the season, concluding a 16-year tenure where he secured 365 victories. Furthermore, in the wake of recent dismissals, Charlotte successfully secured Wes Miller as its new men's basketball coach following his exit from Cincinnati earlier this month. Meanwhile, Kansas coach Bill Self confirmed he has made no decision regarding his future following the Jayhawks’ season-ending loss to St. John’s.

The NCAA tournament continues to deliver high viewership and dramatic finishes, with this year’s tournament achieving its best rating start since 2011 since CBS and TNT began full coverage. The Men's Sweet 16 bracket is set, featuring matchups where analysts point to factors like Michigan-Alabama and Purdue-Texas as key determinants for advancing out of their respective regions. Excitement peaked in the second round, exemplified by Iowa eliminating defending champion Florida after Alvaro Folgueiras nailed a late three-pointer, while Minnesota punched their ticket to the Sweet 16 for the first time in 21 years when Amaya Battle hit a tiebreaking jumper in the final second against Mississippi. On the men's side, St. John's advanced after Dylan Darling’s buzzer-beating layup secured a 67-65 victory over Kansas, marking their first Sweet 16 appearance since 1999.

The Women's NCAA bracket solidified its Sweet, culminating in a hard-fought battle where TCU overcame Washington 62-59 in overtime, propelled by Olivia Miles’ 18 points and 10 rebounds. Texas demonstrated utter dominance in their second-round contest, as Madison Booker erupted for a career-high 40 points in a 100-58 rout of Oregon, positioning the No. 1 seed favorably heading into the regional rounds. Concurrently, the WNBA offseason is entering a chaotic phase, with players voting to ratify their new Collective Bargaining Agreement, which saw over 90% participation resulting in a unanimous approval, setting the stage for an expansion draft, college draft, and a busy free agency period over the next six weeks.

Pro Sports Personnel & Legal Challenges

The professional sports world is grappling with contract decisions and legal maneuvers; UConn coach Dan Hurley confirmed he consulted with Tom Izzo regarding the Lakers' reported approach, which included an offer worth approximately six years and $70 million before declining the NBA opportunity. In an unusual legal challenge, Oklahoma linebacker Owen Heinecke filed suit against the NCAA seeking an injunction for an additional year of eligibility, hoping for a ruling before the upcoming NFL Draft. Meanwhile, the NFL saw the Colts making a substantial investment in quarterback Daniel Jones, banking on his recovery from an Achilles injury, with early indicators suggesting positive rehabilitation progress.

Global Sports and Player Updates

In international football and rugby news, the Welsh Rugby Union granted a 30-day extension for the sale negotiations of Cardiff Rugby to the Ospreys owners, Y11, amid ongoing ownership uncertainty. Rugby refereeing history will be made this weekend when Tara Jones becomes the first woman to officiate a Super League match, taking charge of the Wigan versus Huddersfield fixture. Elsewhere, England's women's side is scheduled to face Canada in September in a WXV Global Series fixture, serving as a rematch of the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup final as part of a three-match series. In individual athlete news, Olympic champion Sifan Hassan withdrew from the London Marathon next month due to an Achilles injury sustained during a treadmill mishap.

Golf, Tennis, and Cricket Developments

The TGL playoffs are set for their championship finale, pitting Los Angeles Golf Club against Jupiter Links GC for the SoFi Cup in Year 2 of the league’s existence. In tennis, World No. 1 Iga Swiatek has parted ways with her coach, Wim Fissette, following her premature exit from the Miami Open, while Aryna Sabalenka advanced to the last 16 in Miami, keeping her ‘Sunshine Double’ hopes alive. On the links, Matt Fitzpatrick’s recent performance, marked by impressive statistics in fundamental categories, places him firmly among the favorites for the upcoming Masters at Augusta, particularly following his third US PGA Tour title. In cricket, Glamorgan bowler James Harris announced his immediate retirement, with the club praising him as a superb role model just two weeks before the new season begins.

Regulatory and Miscellaneous Updates

Regulatory scrutiny is increasing in the sports betting sphere, as a bipartisan Senate bill introduced Monday aims to prohibit prediction markets from facilitating transactions that closely mimic traditional sports wagering. Off the field controversies continue, including an incident where two non-league players from Rushden & Diamonds were told they are free to find new clubs following an on-pitch fight that resulted in both receiving red cards. In gymnastics, Alice Kinsella achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first British artistic gymnast to return to elite competition after giving birth, dedicating the moment to her son. Finally, a bizarre incident in German handball saw a trophy that had been reported stolen ultimately discovered inside the team's own basement.