Last updated: March 20, 2026, 6:30 AM ET
College Basketball Stunners & Streaks
The opening day of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament saw several major upsets, most dramatically when 11th-seeded VCU rallied from a 19-point second-half deficit to stun sixth-seeded North Carolina 82-78 in overtime, with Terrence Hill Jr. hitting a crucial step-back three-pointer in the final seconds UNC coach Hubert Davis later stated fatigue was not to blame for the collapse. Elsewhere in the upsets, No. 12 seed High Point edged past fifth-seeded Wisconsin 83-82 thanks to a season-first two-point basket from Chase Johnston, while No. 1 overall seed Duke narrowly escaped an upset, needing a late surge to overcome 16th-seeded Siena. Conversely, No. 4 seed Nebraska celebrated its first-ever NCAA tournament victory by routing Troy 76-47, and No. 9 seed TCU held off Ohio State 66-64 on a buzzer-beating layup in the first round. In Division III action, the powerhouse run of the two-time defending champion NYU Violets finally ended at 91 games following a 60-52 loss to Scranton in the Final Four.
NCAA Player Futures & Professional Transitions
The immediate future of several high-profile college players remains uncertain following Thursday's action, as BYU freshman AJ Dybantsa, who already scored 35 points in a loss to Texas is expected to announce his decision ; Dybantsa's talent was previously discussed by coaches as among the elite freshmen built for March. Meanwhile, Kentucky coach Mark Pope offered little clarity regarding recent reports about Yaxel Lendeborg receiving a multimillion-dollar offer to play for the Wildcats. In a unique overlap of professional and college sports, Payton Sandfort managed to attend his brother's Nebraska win courtside less than 12 hours after making his NBA debut, while the WNBA is preparing for a transformational season under its new Collective Bargaining Agreement, which sources indicate will expedite maximum and supermax salary eligibility for players on rookie-scale contracts.
Rugby & Combat Sports Previews
International rugby squads are setting their compositions as England Women's head coach John Mitchell named seven uncapped players in his Red Roses squad, aiming to capitalize on the momentum from the Rugby World Cup triumph, though the Six Nations Team of the Tournament notably featured four Irish players but zero English selections. In the United Rugby Championship (URC), Welsh clubs have much to play for as Cardiff welcomes back Taulupe Faletau for his first match since New Year's Day while Ospreys expect captain Jac Morgan to return from injury, contrasting with the Dragons and Scarlets who are fighting to avoid the wooden spoon. In combat sports, rising UFC featherweight contender Lerone Murphy stated firmly that the winner of his London bout against Movsar Evloev on Saturday should automatically earn the next title shot, as the question of fair matchmaking for contenders remains a topic of discussion.
NBA Highlights & League Moves
The NBA saw several headline moments, including Luka Doncic matching Kobe Bryant's record by dropping 60 points in a victory over the Lakers, while LeBron James reached a significant appearance milestone. Off the court, the Miami Heat are reportedly planning to waive guard Terry Rozier before the playoffs commence, a move designed to clear a roster spot for their postseason push.
European Rugby League & Darts Drama
In Super League action, leaders Wigan Warriors maintained their perfect start to the season by coming back from a 0-14 deficit to secure a tight victory over York Knights, prompting broader questions about the league's ongoing injury crisis. The drama extended to Darts, where Luke Littler orchestrated an astonishing comeback, recovering from a 5-0 deficit 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.
Cycling, Golf, & Other Global Competitions
In winter sports, Great Britain's freestyle skier Kirsty Muir secured her second straight World Cup slopestyle win, placing her atop the season standings heading into the final event. On the golf course, Scotland's Kelsey Macdonald fired a course-record seven-under 64 at Sanctuary Cove to take the lead in the Australian WPGA Championship. Meanwhile, six-time Olympic cycling champion Sir Chris Hoy shared that his recent terminal cancer diagnosis taught him the value of appreciating small, immediate moments rather than focusing on a traditional "bucket list". Snooker veteran Ronnie O'Sullivan produced a superb 5-3 display to advance past Shaun Murphy into the World Open quarter-finals. Furthermore, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) announced it is launching a new strategy to combat a pattern of racism within the sport.