Last updated: March 21, 2026, 11:30 PM ET
NCAA Men's Tournament: Sweet 16 Field Shapes Up
The men's NCAA bracket saw several improbable runs continue Saturday as Texas pulled off a major upset, defeating Gonzaga 74-68 to become the first First Four team in five years to punch a ticket to the Sweet. Meanwhile, the Midwest Region's top seed, Michigan, powered past Saint Louis behind a 25-point performance from Yaxel Lendeborg to secure their slot in the regional semifinal. The matchup featuring the Wolverines pits coach Dusty May against Josh Schertz, two coaches who have spent years exchanging scouting notes and ideas before their high-stakes confrontation for the regional final berth. As the field narrows, analysts are already reranking the 32 remaining contenders to assess the true championship favorites NCAA Women's Tournament: Upsets and Dominance
The second day of the women's tournament delivered both shocking results and overwhelming victories, with Virginia capitalizing on a late review to top Clemson 71-67 in overtime after a potential buzzer-beater for Clemson was nullified upon official review. Further south, No. 10 seed Virginia authored the first major upset of the tournament by defeating No. 7 seed Georgia 82-73, showcasing the volatility of March Madness odds. In contrast, South Carolina demonstrated championship form as Joyce Edwards dropped 27 points and grabbed eight rebounds in a crushing 103-34 defeat of Southern in the first round. Elsewhere, No. 2 seed UConn narrowly escaped an upset, relying on a historic 31-point, 27-rebound effort from Tarris Reed Jr. to defeat Furman 82-71.
Women's Tournament Coaching & Fallout
While several teams advanced, the pressure is mounting on those who fell short, leading to immediate speculation in Chapel Hill where UNC officials are reportedly discussing Hubert Davis's future following another early exit from the tournament. In college baseball, South Carolina made a major administrative change as Coach Paul Mainieri departed midway through his second season, unable to replicate the elite success he previously achieved during his tenure at LSU. In women’s hockey, Wisconsin defender Caroline Harvey earned the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award, recognizing her as the top collegiate player in the nation this season.
Global Combat Sports & Athletics
In mixed martial arts at UFC London, Movsar Evloev secured a majority decision victory, dealing a significant setback to Lerone Murphy’s aspirations for the featherweight title in a contest that headlined the London fight card. Across the globe in cycling, Tadej Pogacar claimed his inaugural Milan-San Remo title after a dramatic final sprint against Tom Pidcock, though the event was marred when Italian rider Debora Silvestri was transported to the hospital following a serious crash. Meanwhile, in track and field, Josh Kerr reclaimed his world indoor 3,000m title in thrilling fashion, completing a successful return to global elite competition after recovering from injury.
International & Miscellaneous Sports Notes
Rwanda’s Fanny Utagushimaninde achieved a remarkable milestone, becoming the youngest woman in history to score a T20 international century at just 15 years and 223 days old. In professional rugby league, Warrington Wolves moved into second place in the Super League standings after Kelepi Tanginoa scored four tries in a commanding victory over Castleford Tigers. On the ice, the Avalanche became the first NHL franchise to clinch a playoff berth this season following their 4-1 defeat of the Blackhawks. Furthermore, in tennis, video review technology is set to debut at Wimbledon this year, marking a technological shift in the Grand Slam schedule.