General Sports 24-Hour Briefing
×Last updated: March 13, 2026, 4:39 PM ET
College Basketball Coaching Shakeup & Tournament Build
Auburn coach Bruce Pearl lobbied fervently for his team's NCAA tournament inclusion after the Tigers blew a double-digit second-half lead to Tennessee in the SEC tournament quarterfinals, a loss that intensified the selection committee's scrutiny of his squad's résumé. Meanwhile, Providence Friars fired Kim English following a loss to St. John's, ending his three-year tenure after the team's inconsistent performance in the competitive Big East. On the hiring front, Kansas State is expected to hire Belmont's Casey Alexander, a coach with a reputation for developing winning programs, to fill its vacant head coaching position. The upcoming NCAA men's and women's basketball tournaments are projected to attract approximately $3.3 billion in wagers from U.S. sportsbooks, a slight year-over-year increase according to the American Gaming Association, underscoring the event's massive betting footprint.
Rugby Union's Six Nations Climax & Scandal
Scotland, revitalized under coach Gregor Townsend, have transformed from a side that suffered "misery in Rome" to genuine title contenders, with player Sione Tuipulotu stating the team has been "to hell and back" during their arduous journey. Their final match in Dublin presents a shot at "rugby paradise." In contrast, England's Six Nations campaign has been marred by errors and ill-discipline, statistical shortcomings that have defined their nightmare tournament as they prepare to face France. France, seeking to end a difficult campaign, will wear a special edition pale blue shirt to mark 120 years of rivalry against England. For Italy, coach Gonzalo Quesada stated bluntly that Wales "must win" their final match in Cardiff, setting a clear expectation for the Azzurri's performance. Separately, six Georgia players and a team official were sanctioned for anti-doping rule violations described as part of "an orchestrated scheme," a major scandal overshadowing the national team's activities.
Cheltenham Festival: Outsider Triumph and Tragedy
The 2026 Cheltenham Festival was defined by a record high for outsider victories, with the average starting price of the 28 winners hitting a decade high, delivering a punishing year for punters who backed favorites. This trend culminated in Gaelic Warrior's supreme victory in the Gold Cup, a win for the Harry Redknapp-owned horse that highlighted the meeting's unpredictability. However, the festival ended in tragedy as two more horses died on the final day; Envoi Allen and Saint Le Fort both perished, adding to the ongoing welfare concerns in National Hunt racing. The chaotic nature of the meeting, where favorites repeatedly faltered, cemented its reputation as a year where backing the outsider was the only profitable strategy.
Combat Sports & Golf Highlights
In the UFC, Khamzat Chimaev will defend his middleweight title against Sean Strickland in a May bout, while former champion Mackenzie "Mack" Allen is set for a return to the octagon. In boxing, several high-profile storylines are simmering, including the potential for a Ryan Garcia rematch with Gervonta Davis and the lingering, uncertain spectacle of a Floyd Mayweather vs. Mike Tyson exhibition. On the LIV Golf tour, Graeme McDowell made history by hitting a hole-in-one for the second consecutive week, a remarkable feat on the breakaway circuit. At the Winter Paralympics, Haiti's Ralf Etienne became his nation's first Winter Paralympian 16 years after losing his leg in the devastating earthquake, a story of resilience from "earthquake rubble to the top of the Dolomites." In darts, Jonny Clayton overcame a painful gout flare-up to defeat Luke Humphries 6-1 in the Premier League final in Nottingham.
Formula, Conference Realignment, and Other Notes
Lewis Hamilton identified a power unit deficit as the primary reason Ferrari lags behind Mercedes, a candid assessment after qualifying fourth for the Chinese Grand Prix sprint race. In college athletics, Conference USA and the Sun Belt both scheduled Louisiana Tech for 2026 football games amid a standoff over the Bulldogs' league affiliation, creating a complex scheduling conflict. The Big 12 Conference abandoned its innovative LED glass court after players slipped on the surface, reverting to traditional hardwood for the remainder of its tournament at T-Mobile Center; the issue was highlighted when Texas Tech's Darrion Williams injured himself slipping on the floor during a game. Finally, Olympic figure skating champion Alysa Liu received a key to her hometown of San Jose during a celebratory rally, honoring her athletic achievements.