General Sports 24 Hours

Last updated: March 29, 2026, 11:30 PM ET

NCAA Men's Basketball Final Four Field Set

The men's NCAA Tournament bracket is finalized for Indianapolis, with UConn clinching a spot following Braylon Mullins' dramatic buzzer-beating three-pointer that eliminated the No. 1 overall seed, Duke, with just 0.4 seconds remaining. The Huskies, who grinded out a victory over Notre Dame, 70-52, secured their 25th Final Four appearance and 17th in the last 18 tournaments under coach Geno Auriemma. Meanwhile, Michigan secured its first Final Four berth since 2018 by dominating Tennessee in a 95-62 rout, powered by Yaxel Lendeborg’s 27 points and Elliot Cadeau’s 10 assists. Illinois also advanced, with coach Brad Underwood fulfilling a "dream" as his team reached the national semifinal for the first time in 21 years after defeating Iowa behind Keaton Wagler's 25 points. Early analysis for the semifinals pits Arizona against Michigan and UConn against Illinois, setting the stage for next weekend’s showdowns.

NCAA Women's Tournament & Coaching Moves

On the women's side, both No. 1 seeds advanced to the Final Four on Sunday, as UConn held off Notre Dame and UCLA orchestrated a significant Elite Eight comeback victory over Duke. UCLA attributed their success in overcoming the deficit against Duke to a halftime meeting among the team's graduating seniors. Separately, in coaching news, St. John's has reportedly inked Rick Pitino to a lucrative new contract, sources confirming he will become the second-highest-paid coach in the Big East conference. Furthermore, South Carolina coach Dawn Staley commented on the shifting priorities in player acquisition, stating that the leading topic in recruitment discussions with prospective athletes now centers on the financial commitment required from the program.

NCAA Tournament Personality & Off-Court Notes

Beyond the scores, the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight provided compelling narratives, with nonstatistical superlatives capturing the unique personalities driving the tournament’s biggest upsets and victories. In recruiting news unrelated to the bracket, South Carolina has landed a commitment from Neff Giwa, a 20-year-old Irishman who possesses no prior American football experience but has pledged to play offensive line for the Gamecocks. Moreover, NFL legend Peyton Manning reflected on his career, recounting a meeting with the late Pat Summitt that he credited with sparking a lifelong friendship and influencing his professional trajectory.

PGA & LPGA Tour Action

The professional golf circuit saw compelling victories marked by personal resilience. Hyo Joo Kim captured the Ford Championship for the second consecutive week, pulling away from Nelly Korda on Sunday’s back nine and closing with a two-shot margin after firing a 3-under. On the PGA Tour, Gary Woodland secured a five-shot victory at the Houston Open, marking his first win since undergoing brain surgery in 2023, a triumph he described as incredibly meaningful amid his ongoing battle with PTSD.

NASCAR & Motorsports Drama

NASCAR’s short-track racing at Martinsville Speedway delivered a dramatic finish where Chase Elliott successfully outduelled Denny Hamlin to capture his first Cup Series victory of the current season, partly due to a strategic gamble late in the race. In Formula, Kimi Antonelli demonstrated his potential at the Japanese Grand Prix, where, despite benefiting from a well-timed safety car deployment, he was recognized as possessing the fastest car on track when the caution flag flew, suggesting he is a genuine title threat. Italy’s Marco Bezzecchi continued his dominant start to the Moto GP season, claiming his third consecutive victory at the US GP, maintaining a perfect record early in the calendar.

Global Football & Rugby Results

In European football, Donegal manager Jim McGuinness expressed his elation after the team hammered Kerry with a final score of 3-20 to 2-10, securing their second-ever National Football League Division One title and their first in 19 years. In club rugby, Bath mounted a significant second-half comeback away at Sale, overcoming a 19-7 halftime deficit to grind out a bonus-point win thanks to a decisive late try from Alfie Barbeary. Elsewhere, Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrímsson named Portsmouth winger Millenic Alli to the squad for Tuesday's friendly against North Macedonia, marking Alli's first international call-up.

Combat Sports Upsets & Boxing Updates

The world of mixed martial arts witnessed a major upset at UFC Fight Night, where Joe Pyfer secured the biggest victory of his career by stopping two-time champion Israel Adesanya via ground-and-pound in the second round. In boxing, 21-year-old Moses Itauma continued his rapid ascent in the heavyweight division, with observers suggesting his era has already arrived after his knockout victory over Jermaine Franklin Jr. Meanwhile, Floyd Mayweather tempered expectations regarding his scheduled bout with Manny Pacquiao, clarifying that the contest would proceed as an exhibition and that the fight location remains unsettled.

Other International Sports Updates

In international curling, Scotland managed to rebound from earlier defeats to Sweden and Japan by registering victories over both Canada and the host United States at the World Men's Curling Championship in Utah as they bounced back. On the slopes, Olympic bronze medallist Zoe Atkin clinched the overall World Cup halfpipe title after a winning performance in Switzerland, securing the crystal globe. In cycling, Danish star Jonas Vingegaard continued his positive start to the season by holding on for the Volta a Catalunya title. Finally, in the Pakistan Super League, the Lahore Qalandars were penalized for ball tampering infractions during their loss to the Karachi Kings.