General Sports 24-Hour Briefing
×Last updated: March 13, 2026, 11:49 AM ET
NCAA Tournament Betting & College Sports
Sportsbooks are bracing for a record-breaking NCAA tournament with an estimated $3.3 billion expected to be wagered on men's and women's basketball games, representing a slight year-over-year increase according to gaming industry estimates. The betting surge comes as the Big 12 Conference announced it will abandon its innovative LED glass court after multiple players suffered slips and injuries, including Texas Tech's Christian Anderson who strained a muscle during Iowa State's 75-53 victory over the Red Raiders. Meanwhile, Kansas State is finalizing its coaching search, with Belmont's Casey Alexander poised to take over after building a reputation as a consistent 20-game winner.
International Rugby & Football
France will mark 120 years of rivalry with England by wearing a special edition pale blue shirt in Saturday's Six Nations clash, departing from their traditional blue. The fixture takes on added significance as England grapples with what BBC Sport calls a "nightmare Six Nations campaign" following a series of upsets that have left them searching for answers ahead of the final match. In contrast, Ireland's Rob Baloucoune has experienced a rapid ascent from forgotten man to Six Nations star, emerging as a key player during the tournament.
Combat Sports & Boxing
The boxing world is buzzing with potential blockbuster matchups, as discussions continue about a possible Haney vs. Garcia 2 fight and the status of the much-anticipated Mayweather vs. Tyson exhibition. Super featherweight Ryan Garner has already set his sights on the winner of Saturday's world title bout between James Dickens and Anthony Cacace, signaling his ambitions for a title shot. Dickens' journey to the fight has been anything but straightforward, involving a two-day ordeal traveling from Dubai to Dublin for his first world title defense.
Winter Sports & Paralympics
British skier Neil Simpson expressed bitter disappointment after failing to finish his opening giant slalom run at the Winter Paralympics in Milan-Cortina, where he and guide Rob Poth were unable to complete the course. The setback comes as Olympic figure skating champion Alysa Liu received a key to her hometown during a celebratory rally that featured performances from Bay Area artists.
Golf & LIV Tour
Graeme McDowell made history on the LIV Golf tour by becoming the first player to record a second hole-in-one, following up his previous ace with another remarkable shot. The achievement highlights the growing competition between traditional tours and the Saudi-backed circuit as golf's landscape continues to evolve.
Premier League Darts & Other Sports
Jonny Clayton overcame a painful bout of gout to crush world champion Luke Humphries 6-1 in the final of night six's Premier League darts event in Nottingham. In horse racing, Henry de Bromhead secured his first winner of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival as Heart Wood triumphed in the Ryanair Chase on day three, while trainer Paul Nicholls threatened to boycott future festivals over concerns about ground conditions that led to the withdrawal of his horse Fact To File.
NFL & American Football
Tension is building ahead of the NFL Players Association leadership vote, where representatives will select a successor to former leader Lloyd Howell amid ongoing governance challenges. The timing is particularly sensitive given the league's current labor dynamics and player relations.
College Basketball & Coaching Changes
Miami (Ohio) suffered a shocking 87-83 loss to UMass in its Mid-American Conference tournament opener, marking the Red Hawks' first defeat after entering the tournament ranked No. 20. The upset continues a trend of unexpected results in conference tournaments across the country. Meanwhile, Syracuse legend Jim Boeheim defended former coach Adrian Autry, suggesting his dismissal was due to poor performance by the Orange's star players and insufficient NIL funding rather than coaching ability.
Cricket & The Hundred
The Hundred auction saw Sussex all-rounder James Coles command a record fee of £390,000 from London Spirit, reflecting the tournament's growing financial clout in English cricket. The auction results were analyzed by former England players Alex Hartley, Steven Finn, and Stephan Shemilt, who discussed the implications for the league's competitive balance.
UFC & MMA
Khamzat Chimaev will defend his UFC middleweight title against Sean Strickland in May, setting up a highly anticipated clash between two of the division's most formidable strikers. The matchup promises to be a defining moment for both fighters as they vie for supremacy in one of MMA's most competitive weight classes.
International Football & Women's Tennis
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka advanced at Indian Wells with a victory over "future Grand Slam champion" Victoria Mboko, though top seed Iga Swiatek suffered an upset exit from the tournament. The results highlight the depth of women's tennis as emerging talents challenge established stars on the WTA tour.