General Sports 24-Hour Briefing
×College Basketball Shakeups
Syracuse fired coach Adrian Autry after the program failed to make the NCAA tournament in his three seasons. The university is now searching for Autry's replacement, who will report to the new athletic director. In other tournament news, Hofstra is returning to the NCAA tournament for the first time in 25 years after winning the Coastal Athletic Association tournament. Iowa State dominated Arizona State with a 91-42 victory, marking the largest win in Big 12 tournament history. Freshmen earned six spots on Bilas's All-America teams.
WNBA and Player News
The WNBA and its players' union failed to reach a deal on a new collective bargaining agreement after a 12-hour bargaining session. Additionally, Sammi Kinghorn will miss the 2026 Games due to her pregnancy.
PGA Tour and Golf Championship
Scottie Scheffler is the overwhelming favorite to capture his third title at The Players Championship. CEO Brian Rolapp outlined a bold future for the PGA Tour, including the possibility of relegation and a revamped schedule. Additionally, the course setup and other factors are topics to watch this week.
Rugby News
Conor Murray and Andrew Trimble discussed Scotland's confidence and Andy Farrell's selection dilemma before Saturday's Six Nations Triple Crown decider in Dublin. Ireland flanker Josh van der Flier says his side's recent wins over Scotland have come when they have "played particularly well" in recent matches. Wales' Louis Rees-Zammit is confident that Wales will give fans plenty to cheer in Cardiff against Italy in their Six Nations finale, noting that Wales is exciting again after slow starts. The pressure of representing England has weighed heavy on some players, according to head coach Steve Borthwick.
Cheltenham Festival Highlights
Il Etait Temps won the Queen Mother Champion Chase, giving trainer Willie Mullins his third win of day two at the Cheltenham Festival. Harry Redknapp's Jukebox Man is confirmed for the Gold Cup, joining 10 other horses in the field. Irish jockey Declan Queally accuses English counterpart Nico de Boinville of "abusing" him before the opening race of day two at the Cheltenham Festival, leading to jockeys clashing at Cheltenham.
Six Nations and World Rugby
Wales has gone three years since their last Six Nations win against Italy, and a lot has changed. Jack Dempsey's "explosive power" now provides a point of difference for Scotland, after being discarded by Australia. Carwyn Leggatt-Jones was released to play for Scarlets in Friday's United Rugby Championship game against Connacht in Galway.
Formula 1 and Motorsports
The debut of F1's new regulations in Australia raised questions, and ESPN answers the five biggest ahead of Sunday's Chinese Grand Prix.
Paralympic Games
German cross-country skiers turned their backs on the Russian gold medalists on the Winter Paralympics podium in protest against the nation's inclusion at the Games. Meet Veronika and Johannes Aigner, the Austrian skiing siblings winning Paralympic medals and entertaining the athletes' village.
Cricket and Pakistan Player Concerns
Coaches of Hundred teams with investment from the IPL say they have not been directed away from signing Pakistan players in Thursday's men's auction.
Other Sports News
Utah Valley and the Western Athletic Conference cleared up their dispute over a $1 million exit fee, allowing the Wolverines to participate in the league's basketball tournaments. Ronda Rousey wants to rewrite her ending in her first MMA bout in ten years against Gina Carano on May 16.