Last updated: March 20, 2026, 2:30 PM ET
NCAA Basketball Tournament Upsets & Upswing
The opening rounds of the 2026 NCAA Men's Tournament delivered immediate drama, with No. 12 seed High Point stunning Wisconsin 83-82 on a last-second basket from Chase Johnston, who hit his first two-point shot of the season to seal the upset over the fifth-seeded Badgers. In another major shocker, Nebraska secured its first-ever NCAA win, crushing 13th-seed Troy 76-47, while the No. 1 overall seed Duke squad needed a late surge to escape 16th-seed Siena after trailing by 13 points. Meanwhile, the action on the women's side kept pace, with reporters tracking all 16 first-round games nationally as the brackets got underway Friday.
The chaos continued as 11th-seed VCU mounted a massive comeback, erasing a 19-point second-half deficit to defeat sixth-seed North Carolina 82-78 in overtime, a loss North Carolina coach Hubert Davis attributed to decision-making, not fatigue. Texas also advanced by slowing down BYU's AJ Dybantsa, who poured in 35 points in the 79-71 defeat, though Dybantsa is expected to decide his future The tournament also featured heartwarming underdog stories, such as Queens University, whose team drew inspiration from "Buddy the Dog", while LIU's "fins up" chant helped transform a nearly empty gym into a center of March magic.
Coaching Carousel & Legal Matters
In the ongoing college basketball hiring cycle, Georgia Tech formally announced the hiring of former Troy coach Scott Cross to lead its men’s program on Friday. This contrasts sharply with the situation at Cal State Bakersfield, where the administration is reportedly targeting USC assistant Todd Lee to take over following the departure of Coach Rod Barnes in September and a related assistant facing serious charges. Separately, the legal battles continue for some coaches, as Tuskegee coach Benjy Taylor filed a $1 million federal lawsuit against Morehouse College and two officers following his detainment after a January 31 game.
Professional Sports Shifts & Contract News
In the NFL, the Kansas City Chiefs are attempting to avoid a repeat of last year's disappointing free agent haul as they assess options like veteran Cam Jordan while the Seattle Seahawks face significant holes in their backfield after allowing Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker to depart, further weakened by Zach Charbonnet’s injury status leaving major questions at running back. Across the league, the WNBA is nearing a transformative Collective Bargaining Agreement; sources indicate a new clause will expedite the timeline for players on rookie-scale contracts to reach the maximum and supermax salary tiers, a move that could prove highly consequential for league economics as the full impact is analyzed.
Global Football & Rugby Developments
The English national football team management under Thomas Tuchel has named an expanded squad, providing opportunities for overlooked players but also revealing lingering issues ahead of World Cup qualifiers. Meanwhile, the Six Nations championship saw Ireland's Stuart McCloskey shortlisted for Player of the Championship, competing against Scotland's Kyle Steyn for the honor. In rugby union, England's Women's Red Roses squad under new coach John Mitchell has integrated seven uncapped players as they aim to build upon their recent World Cup success.
Darts, Combat Sports, and Other Global Competitions
Darts sensation Luke Littler demonstrated his remarkable resilience again, staging a massive comeback from 5-0 down to defeat Gerwyn Price 6-5 in the Premier League final in Dublin, a match that featured two maximum 170 checkouts in a single leg showcasing Littler's dramatic flair. To protect his brand following his rise, Littler has also applied to trademark his own face to combat unauthorized AI reproductions. In combat sports, Belfast's IBF welterweight champion Lewis Crocker believes a victory over Liam Paro in his upcoming bout will unlock further championship opportunities. Elsewhere, Glasgow's Hydro arena is set to host the opening ceremony for the Commonwealth Games this summer, with organizers planning a distinctly "Clyde-built experience."
Miscellaneous Sports Culture & History
In a quieter corner of sports history, the cultural impact of action star and martial artist Chuck Norris was examined, tracing how his iconic persona evolved into modern internet memes. In collegiate sports outside the major tournaments, the two-time defending Division III champion NYU Violets saw their impressive 91-game winning streak abruptly halted by Scranton in the Final Four on Thursday night.