General Sports 24 Hours

Last updated: March 28, 2026, 5:30 PM ET

NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament

The Elite Eight picture sharpened following Friday and Saturday action, with No. 1 UConn dominating North Carolina 63-42 to secure its 30th trip to the regional final, while the rival Notre Dame squad advanced after Hannah Hidalgo posted a record-setting performance, including a triple-double and the Division I record for steals, in their win over Vanderbilt. Further south, Michigan rolled past Louisville behind Olivia Olson's 19 points, advancing to face the Irish, and Tennessee used a strong second half to dispatch Iowa State 76-62, setting up a clash with the victor of the Illinois vs. Iowa regional final. On the men's side, Duke survived a tight contest as Caleb Foster returned from injury to help rally the Blue Devils past St. John's 80-75, while the UConn men held off Michigan State 67-63 thanks to late free throws from Tarris Reed Jr. and Alex Karaban.

College Hoops Post-Game & Future Outlook

As the dust settles on the tournament exits, coaches are already addressing the future, with Michigan State's veteran coach Tom Izzo scoffing at retirement speculation following the Spartans' Sweet 16 loss, questioning what else he would do, while Iowa's successful coach Ben McCollum confirmed he will remain with the Hawkeyes for the 2026-27 season despite the possibility of higher-profile openings. The Notre Dame camp expressed confidence heading into their matchup, stating they would not be "starstruck by UConn again," referencing an earlier season blowout loss, even as UConn's Geno Auriemma voiced concerns regarding the NCAA's tournament structure and sought greater input from coaches on logistical matters. Meanwhile, Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss cleared a significant legal hurdle that allows him to play in the 2026 season, and teams like the Tigers, Gophers, and Tar Heels must now assess their transfer portal priorities following their Sweet 16 departures to reshape their rosters.

Rugby Union & League Upsets

The weekend provided significant results across global rugby codes, starting with the English Premiership where Northampton Saints maintained their lead after Archie McParland scored a dramatic late try to edge Saracens at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. In contrast, Harlequins managed to snap a six-game losing streak with a hard-fought 18-14 victory over Bristol, simultaneously damaging Bristol's aspirations for a top-four finish, while Exeter Chiefs swept aside Newcastle with six tries, propelling them into third place in the standings. In the United Rugby Championship, the Bulls narrowly defeated Munster 34-31 in Pretoria, even as the Welsh side earned a commendable four-try bonus point in their loss to the Lions who overpowered the Dragons. The Super League saw a major upset as bottom-placed Huddersfield Giants stunned the competition by handing league leaders Wigan Warriors their first defeat, 34-16, while reigning champions Hull KR celebrated the league's 30th birthday weekend by hammering St Helens.

Cricket & Track & Field Milestones

The Indian Premier League commenced with Royal Challengers Bengaluru securing an impressive opening victory where Virat Kohli anchored the chase with an unbeaten 69 runs, marking a strong start for the defending champions. Looking toward the future of the sport in the United States, Indian cricket legend Ravichandran Ashwin is reportedly joining the Major League Cricket circuit, signing with the San Francisco Unicorns for the upcoming season. In athletics news, Great Britain's Josh Kerr declared that capturing the world mile record is a "career goal," setting his sights on the London Diamond League meeting in July. Elsewhere on the track, Georgia Hunter Bell faced defeat in the 1500m in Melbourne during her first race since claiming the world indoor title, while in skating, Japan's Kaori Sakamoto concluded her competitive career by winning her fourth world gold medal in her final performance.

Global Sports Business & Other Notables

In major sports transactions, the WNBA's Connecticut Sun franchise is reportedly being purchased by the Fertitta family for a record $300 million, with sources confirming the deal includes plans to relocate the team to Houston in 2027. In figure skating, Ilia Malinin rebounded from an Olympic disappointment by securing his third world title, showcasing his immense jumping ability, including a signature backflip. Cyclist Tom Pidcock was forced to withdraw from the Volta a Catalunya after suffering a "horror" fall down a ravine during stage five, sidelining the Briton. Meanwhile, Athletes Unlimited Softball League made news by presenting its first-ever "golden ticket," awarded to pitcher NiJaree Canady and presented by Kim Ng and Patrick Mahomes. Finally, NBA history was made as LeBron James assisted his son for a three-pointer, marking the first time a father and son recorded assists to each other in league history.