Last updated: March 21, 2026, 9:30 PM ET
NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Continues
The second day of the Women's NCAA Tournament saw several key victories as the field narrowed toward the second round. The defending champion Florida Gators began their title defense with a massive 114-55 demolition of Prairie View A&M, posting the second-largest margin of victory in tournament history. Meanwhile, the No. 10 seed Virginia Cavaliers authored the first major upset of the season, dispatching No. 7 Georgia by a score of 82-73. In contrast, top seed South Carolina demonstrated overwhelming force behind Joyce Edwards' 27 points and eight rebounds, crushing Southern 103-34 in an early blowout.
The action was not without drama, as No. 2 seed USC survived a major scare, advancing only after a buzzer-beating shot by Clemson was nullified upon official review, allowing USC to ultimately prevail 71-67 in overtime. Elsewhere, No. 2 seed UConn also needed a massive performance from Tarris Reed Jr., who tallied 31 points and 27 rebounds—a near-historic outing—to scrape past Furman 82-71 and avoid an upset loss. However, the tournament path proved too difficult for Tennessee, as the 10th-seeded Lady Vols fell to NC State, marking their eighth consecutive season-ending loss.
NCAA Men’s Tournament Advances & Coaching News
The Men's NCAA Tournament bracket solidified its Sweet 16 contenders following Saturday's second-round matchups, including a victory by the Midwest Region's top seed, Michigan, who defeated Saint Louis 88-78 powered by Yaxel Lendeborg's 25 points. The Michigan win set up a potential reunion for coaches Dusty May and Josh Schertz, who have a history of exchanging scouting notes. Purdue’s Braden Smith further etched his name into tournament lore by breaking Bobby Hurley’s NCAA all-time assists record, reaching 1,077 helpers during their opening round contest. In other college basketball news, UNC officials are reportedly engaging in discussions with coach Hubert Davis following another disappointing first-round exit.
The Southeastern Conference faced personnel changes outside of the bracket, as South Carolina parted ways with baseball coach Paul Mainieri midway through his second season, unable to replicate the success he previously achieved at LSU. In NFL personnel movement, Kenny Pickett expressed his alignment with new Panthers coach Dave Canales, stating his desire to compete for a starting job in Carolina as his ultimate goal.
UFC & Combat Sports Updates
At UFC London, Movsar Evloev dealt a significant blow to Lerone Murphy’s featherweight aspirations, securing a majority decision victory in the main event that derailed Murphy's title trajectory. The event featured a full card of action, with the matchup between Evloev and Murphy serving as the primary draw for the evening’s proceedings. In international boxing, Olympic champion Lin Yu-ting has been cleared to return to competition following her participation in World Boxing’s new sex testing protocols, ending a period of uncertainty for the Chinese Taipei competitor. Furthermore, a veteran referee offered candid insight into the pressures of officiating, questioning the viability of implementing VAR technology in the sport amid ongoing debates.
Global Athletics & Cycling Achievements
Tadej Pogacar successfully navigated a grueling contest against Tom Pidcock to claim his inaugural Milan-San Remo title, adding another major classic to his already decorated career in Italian racing. This event was marred by a serious incident, however, as Italian rider Debora Silvestri was hospitalized following a heavy crash during the women's one-day classic. Meanwhile, in track events, Josh Kerr completed a remarkable comeback from injury, reclaiming his world indoor 3,000m title in a thrilling final to stand atop the global podium once more. In cricket, 15-year-old Fanny Utagushimaninde of Rwanda achieved a rare milestone, becoming the youngest woman to score a T20 international century during her team's recent fixtures.
Rugby League, Union, and Hockey Recognition
In English rugby league, Warrington Wolves climbed to second place in the Super League standings after Kelepi Tanginoa scored four tries in a commanding win over the Castleford Tigers. Regarding European club rugby union, Exeter secured a vital 26-14 victory over Sale at Sandy Park, propelling them into the Premiership play-off positions. Edinburgh suffered a heavy defeat in Johannesburg, with the Lions running in eight tries during a thoroughly dominant home performance. In college hockey, Wisconsin defender Caroline Harvey was recognized as the nation's best player, receiving the prestigious Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award for the top women's collegiate player.
Miscellaneous Sports Developments
The Colorado Avalanche became the first NHL franchise this season to officially clinch a playoff berth following their decisive 4-1 defeat of the Chicago Blackhawks in Saturday night action. In tennis administration, Wimbledon announced that video review technology will be integrated into the tournament for the first time this year, addressing officiating consistency across the grounds. Separately, Sir Jim Ratcliffe's Ineos enterprise initiated legal action aimed at retrieving a boat that was utilized by Sir Ben Ainslie’s team during the previous America's Cup cycle due to ongoing ownership disputes. Finally, the growing popularity of virtual golf is projected to surpass outdoor play in the UK by 2028, suggesting a fundamental shift in how the sport is consumed nationwide.