Last updated: March 20, 2026, 7:30 AM ET
College Basketball Shocks & Streaks End
The NCAA Tournament delivered significant upsets on Thursday, most dramatically as 11th-seeded VCU erased a 19-point second-half deficit to stun sixth-seeded North Carolina 82-78 in overtime, prompting UNC coach Hubert Davis to curtly state fatigue was not to blame for the collapse in terse exchanges with reporters. Elsewhere in the bracket, 12th-seed High Point pulled off an 83-82 stunner over fifth-seeded Wisconsin when Chase Johnston converted his first two-point basket of the season at a critical juncture, while No. 1 overall seed Duke only narrowly avoided a 16-seed upset, rallying from 13 points down against Siena to advance. The high drama contrasted sharply with the end of a historic run in Division III, where two-time defending champion NYU saw its remarkable 91-game winning streak halted in the Final Four after a 60-52 loss to Scranton.
Further NCAA action saw No. 4 seed Nebraska capture its first-ever NCAA tournament victory via a decisive 76-47 demolition of Troy, and No. 9 seed TCU held off Ohio State 66-64 after Xavier Edmonds hit a game-sealing layup with 4.3 seconds remaining. Freshman sensation AJ Dybantsa, who coaches previously analyzed as built for March success, still managed 35 points, though it wasn't enough as Texas ultimately topped BYU 79-71, leading Dybantsa to state he will be deciding on his BYU future in upcoming player evaluations. Meanwhile, the story of Payton Sandfort provided a heartwarming interlude, as he appeared courtside to support his brother less than 12 hours after making his own NBA debut.
NBA & WNBA Roster Moves
The NBA saw a massive individual performance as Luka Doncic posted a 60-point explosion during the Mavericks' win over the Lakers, a night that also saw LeBron James tie an appearance record and Dell Curry have his jersey retired. In league management news, the WNBA's impending Collective Bargaining Agreement is set to expedite the path to maximum salaries for players on rookie-scale deals, a transformational element of the new agreement that will reshape player earnings throughout the league's structure. On the trade front, the Miami Heat are reportedly planning to waive guard Terry Rozier before the playoffs commence to optimize their roster for a deep postseason run.
International Football & Rugby
Northern Ireland forward Josh Magennis expressed his ambition to earn his 100th international cap as the nation prepares for a critical World Cup play-off match scheduled to take place in Italy. In women's rugby, England Red Roses head coach John Mitchell has named a squad featuring seven uncapped players looking to build momentum following their September Rugby World Cup success, with Meg Jones stepping in to captain the side in the absence of Zoe Stratford, who is expecting her first child as announced by the team. On the Six Nations front, the individual honors featured no English representation, as the Team of the Tournament was announced with four players selected from Ireland alongside representatives from France, Italy, Scotland, and Wales.
UK Sports & Combat Sports Updates
Glasgow's The Hydro venue secured the hosting rights for the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony this summer, promising spectators a "Clyde-built experience for the world." In rugby union, the Welsh URC clubs face high stakes in the run-in, with Ospreys and Cardiff vying for play-off berths while the Dragons and Scarlets fight to avoid the Welsh Wooden Spoon, a scenario complicated by Wales captain Jac Morgan's expected return for Ospreys. Meanwhile, Super League clubs like Wigan Warriors are having to contend with a high rate of injuries, which commentators are investigating as a season-long phenomenon, even as Wigan maintained their 100% start by fighting back from a 14-0 deficit to defeat York Knights.
In combat sports, UFC featherweight contender Lerone Murphy asserted that the winner of his upcoming London bout against Movsar Evloev should automatically earn the next title shot, dismissing any other contenders for the opportunity. In boxing, IBF welterweight champion Lewis Crocker believes a victory over Liam Paro in his next fight will open up significant career opportunities. Separately, darts star Luke Littler staged an incredible comeback in Dublin, stunning Gerwyn Price 6-5 after trailing 5-0 in the Premier League final, a match that featured two maximum 170 checkouts in a single game.
Miscellaneous Sports News
Freestyle skier Kirsty Muir claimed her second consecutive World Cup slopestyle win in a decisive performance that placed her atop the overall season standings heading into the final event. Off the field, the British Horseracing Authority unveiled a new strategy aimed at combating the "consistent pattern" of racism reported by individuals working within the sport. Finally, former Olympic cycling champion Sir Chris Hoy shared that his recent terminal cancer diagnosis has reframed his perspective, teaching him the importance of appreciating small moments rather than focusing on a 'bucket list'.