General Sports 24 Hours

Last updated: March 22, 2026, 10:30 PM ET

NCAA Men's Tournament Second Round Shocks

The second round of the men's NCAA tournament delivered significant upsets, highlighted by Iowa eliminating defending champion Florida after Alvaro Folgueiras sank a decisive three-pointer with just 4.5 seconds remaining in a thriller. The drama continued as St. John's punched its Sweet 16 ticket via a last-second layup from Dylan Darling, defeating Kansas 67-65 and marking the program's first appearance in the regional semifinal since 1999. Meanwhile, Kansas coach Bill Self deferred questions about his coaching future following the season-ending loss, stating that any decision would be made privately later. The day also saw Purdue coach Matt Painter secure his 500th career win at his alma mater as the Boilermakers advanced by defeating Miami 79-69.

NCAA Women's Tournament Upsets & Standouts

The women's bracket witnessed dominant performances as No. 1 Texas rolled past Oregon 100-58, fueled by Madison Booker who dropped a career-high 40 points in a masterful shooting display. Elsewhere, Minnesota advanced to the Sweet 16 for the first time in 21 years after Amaya Battle hit a tiebreaking jump shot with 0.7 seconds left to defeat Mississippi 65-63. The upsets were frequent, as Texas became the first team in five years to advance from the First Four to the Sweet 16 following a 74-68 victory over Gonzaga on Saturday. Following Sunday's action, analysts are now ranking the remaining 32 teams as they prepare for the Elite Eight matchups, with teams like Nebraska surviving narrow escapes, such as their 74-72 win over Vanderbilt when a half-court heave rimmed out at the final buzzer.

College Basketball Coaching Carousel & Controversies

Coaching changes are accelerating across college basketball following the conclusion of many conference tournaments and early NCAA exits. Sources confirmed that Syracuse is targeting Gerry McNamara to take over as head coach, moving to hire the Siena leader and former star player. Separately, Providence officially hired Bryan Hodgson away from South Florida to lead their men's program. The disappointment of the tournament was acutely felt by Kentucky, whose 82-63 defeat against Iowa State represented their single largest margin of loss in NCAA tournament history, a statistic that overshadowed forward Ugonna Onyenso's recovery efforts using manga comics.

Global Motorsport & Combat Sports Updates

In international racing, Marco Bezzecchi claimed victory in Brazil for the Moto GP, navigating a race shortened to 31 laps due to extreme heat conditions plaguing the event. In NASCAR, Tyler Reddick achieved his fourth victory of the season at Darlington, placing him in an elite group of repeat winners this year on the challenging track. The world of combat sports saw concerning news as 19-year-old women's junior flyweight boxer Isis Sio was placed in a medically induced coma following a knockout suffered during a Pro Box TV bout. Meanwhile, at UFC London, the debate over fighter compensation reemerged following several standout performances, while Paddy Pimblett is reportedly targeting a July return during the promotion's international fight week.

European & Domestic Athletics Achievements

Great Britain made history at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Poland, securing an all-time best medal haul after capturing three gold medals within a sensational 28-minute span on the final day. This included Keely Hodgkinson commanding the 800m field to claim her first world indoor title with a new championship record. On the medal table, Ireland's Kate O'Connor captured the bronze medal in the grueling pentathlon event. In snooker, Thepchaiya Un-Nooh stunned Ronnie O'Sullivan in the World Open final in Yushan, China, making a maximum 147 break during his 10-7 victory.

Rugby & Netball Results

The United Rugby Championship saw Stormers secure a crucial bonus-point win over the Dragons in Cape Town, propelling them back into second place in the standings with four tries scored. Conversely, Welsh representation faced tougher results, though key players like Taulupe Faletau returned for the weekend fixtures. In Super League netball, London Pulse edged Nottingham Forest in extra time, a result Coach Sam Bird suggested would build mental fortitude for tight contests later in the season. In rugby league, Hull FC claimed a tight Yorkshire derby win over Leeds Rhinos, earning their second victory of the campaign.