General Sports 24 Hours

Last updated: March 28, 2026, 11:30 AM ET

NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament

The Women's NCAA Tournament saw several major seeds eliminated as the field narrowed toward the Elite Eight, with Tennessee Volunteers using a dominant rebounding effort and a strong second half to dispatch second-seeded Iowa State 76-62, securing their third consecutive trip to the regional final. Elsewhere, Duke Blue Devils advanced after Ashlon Jackson hit a critical three-pointer at the buzzer to edge out No. 2 seed LSU 87-85 in a tight Sweet 16 battle, while No. 1 seed UConn Huskies overcame an uncharacteristic cold first half to overwhelm No. 4 North Carolina 63-42, reaching the Elite Eight for the 30th time. Notre Dame also punched their ticket after Hannah Hidalgo delivered a historic triple-double, setting the Division I record for career steals during their win over Vanderbilt.

NCAA Men's Tournament & Coaching Stability

The Men's NCAA Tournament bracket continues to move toward the regional finals, with discussions already focusing on the remaining teams, including the surprising inclusion of 9-seed Iowa Hawkeyes. Iowa's performance comes as their coach, Ben McCollum, publicly committed his future to the Hawkeyes, stating he will return for the 2026-27 season amid speculation of high-profile job openings elsewhere. This stability contrasts with the intense scrutiny surrounding coaches like UCLA's Cori Close, who expressed uncertainty about her long-term coaching future given the evolving demands of the sport, and the unprecedented return of Roy Hodgson to Bristol City after a 44-year gap between managerial stints at the club. Meanwhile, city officials in Champaign announced emergency measures limiting alcohol sales Saturday night ahead of the Illinois regional final, anticipating excessive celebrations or potential property damage if the Fighting Illini advance.

Professional & International Rugby

In European rugby action, the Harlequins' hopes of securing a spot in the Premiership Women's Rugby (PWR) top four were effectively extinguished following a narrow defeat by the Bristol Bears, clinched by a try double from Emma Orr. Across the United Rugby Championship (URC), the Bulls managed to hold off a late surge from Irish powerhouse Munster in Pretoria, winning a high-scoring affair 34-31, though the Welsh side Cardiff suffered a setback when veteran Taulupe Faletau sustained an injury during their 21-15 loss to the Sharks. In the Super League, reigning champions Hull KR celebrated the league's 30th birthday weekend by decisively defeating St Helens, while Exeter Chiefs secured third place by scoring six tries in an away victory over Newcastle Red Bulls.

Cricket & US Sports Relocation

Major League Cricket (MLC) is set to welcome a massive international talent as Indian legend Ravichandran Ashwin confirms his move to join the San Francisco Unicorns for the upcoming season, marking a significant acquisition for the growing US league. This news comes as the WNBA prepares for a major relocation, with sources confirming the Connecticut Sun franchise is being sold to the Fertitta family for a reported record $300 million, slated to move to Houston in 2027. In softball news, the Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) issued its first-ever "golden ticket," an invitation to join the league, presented to pitcher NiJaree Canady by influential figures including Kim Ng and Patrick Mahomes.

Track & Field and Figure Skating

The world of athletics saw mixed results following the World Indoor Championships, as Great Britain's indoor 1500m champion, Georgia Hunter Bell, was defeated in her first post-championship race in Melbourne. The track and field community also mourned the loss of Mary Rand, the trailblazing British Olympic champion who became the first British woman to win track and field gold at the Olympics and was affectionately known as "Marilyn Monroe on spikes"; she passed away at the age of 86. In figure skating, Japan's Kaori Sakamoto delivered a flawless performance in her final competition, capturing her fourth world gold medal, stating she could now "say goodbye with this performance".

Formula 1 & Other Professional Sports Developments

In Formula, Red Bull's Max Verstappen and the sport’s rule-makers face numerous questions following the qualifying session for the Japanese Grand Prix, indicating potential technical or strategic adjustments ahead. Meanwhile, in boxing, heavyweight prospect Moses Itauma discussed his 13-fight professional career, emphasizing that quick knockouts are insufficient for his development as he prepares for what he considers his toughest test yet against Jermaine Franklin. In college football news, a significant legal barrier preventing Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss from playing in the 2026 season was successfully cleared on Friday.

Netball Superleague & College Upsets

The Netball Super League standings tightened as London Pulse ascended to second place after defeating Leeds Rhinos 61-52, fueled by Olivia Tchine's game-high 32 goals. The collegiate basketball season also provided dramatic moments outside the major upsets, exemplified by the unexpected deep run of Iowa's Division II coaches, Ben McCollum and Bennett Stirtz, who have now guided their team to the Elite Eight for the first time in four consecutive NCAA tournament appearances. Furthermore, Alabama's Aden Holloway was unable to join his team for the Sweet 16 game against Michigan, even after an Alabama judge granted his travel request, per a statement released by the school.