General Sports 3d Briefing
×NCAA Basketball
Vanderbilt's tournament hopes espn.com took a major hit with an 89-78 loss to Ole Miss in the SEC quarterfinals, where head coach Shea Ralph was ejected for arguing. The Commodores' slim chances for a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament all but disappeared after the defeat.
UNC's star freshman Caleb Wilson espn.com is increasing practice work ahead of the rivalry game at No. 1 Duke but remains sidelined due to a hand fracture. The Tar Heels will need his scoring touch when they face the Blue Devils in what could be a pivotal ACC matchup.
International Rugby
Ireland kept their Six Nations title hopes alive bbc.com with a bonus-point victory over spirited Wales in Dublin, while captain Dewi Lake bbc.com insisted a win is just around the corner after an encouraging display in their 27-17 defeat. Wales prop Rhys Carre bbc.com scored a sensational solo try during the match at the Aviva Stadium.
England's Under-20 title hopes ended bbc.com despite a 37-17 victory over Italy in Treviso, while Scotland's risk-takers bbc.com aim to prevent France's Grand Slam procession at Murrayfield. Ireland captain Caelan Doris bbc.com said his side are "nowhere near" reaching their full potential as they prepare to face Wales.
Boxing & Combat Sports
A highly anticipated boxing clash espn.com between undefeated Japanese stars Naoya Inoue and Junto Nakatani is set for May 2 at the Tokyo Dome for Inoue's undisputed junior featherweight title. Meanwhile, former world 100m champion Fred Kerley bbc.com was banned for two years for an anti-doping whereabouts violation.
Australia's Jai Opetaia espn.com will make his Zuffa Boxing debut against Brandon Glanton in Las Vegas this weekend, while Alycia Baumgardner bbc.com will defend her world titles against Bo Mi Re Shin on April 17 as part of MVPW, a newly launched women's boxing league from Most Valuable Promotions.
Winter Paralympics
Iran will not compete bbc.com at the Milan-Cortina Winter Paralympics, as the nation's solitary athlete scheduled to compete "cannot travel safely to Italy." The IPC confirmed the absence as Russian and Belarusian athletes were invited to compete under their national flags, ending their sporting exile.
Great Britain's wheelchair curlers bbc.com held their nerve to beat USA 7-6, keeping them fully in the hunt for a semi-final spot in the wheelchair curling mixed doubles. However, GB's Jo Butterfield and Jason Kean bbc.com lost 10-7 to Estonia in their Winter Paralympics wheelchair curling opener in Cortina.
WNBA & Women's Basketball
Breanna Stewart and Mist espn.com topped Phantom 80-74 in the championship game to become the queens of Unrivaled for 2026, despite a brilliant 40-point performance from Kelsey Plum. The victory capped off an impressive season for Stewart and her team.
UCLA women's basketball stars espn.com surprised fans with a dance performance, as Lauren Betts, Gabriela Jaquez and Charlisse Leger-Walker high kicked their way onto the UCLA dance team, showcasing their talents beyond the court.
NFL & College Football
The Raiders are set to release quarterback Geno Smith espn.com, barring a trade, before the start of the new league year. This move would free up cap space as Las Vegas looks to reshape its roster for the upcoming season.
Former NBA star Jason Richardson's son Jaxon espn.com committed to Alabama, announcing his decision on Thursday. The five-star recruit, brother of Orlando guard Jase, chose the Crimson Tide over other top programs.
Tennis & Golf
British number one Emma Raducanu bbc.com said she wants to "bring my instincts back out" as she prepares for Indian Wells in California, explaining that her "natural way of playing has been coached out of me." She's looking to recapture the free-flowing style that brought her early success.
Former world 100m champion Fred Kerley was banned for two years for an anti-doping whereabouts violation, dealing a major blow to the American sprinter's career. The ban stems from multiple failures to provide accurate location information for drug testing.
Formula 1
Lewis Hamilton bbc.com said "I'm going to be here until that happens" as he pushes for a grand prix in Africa, wanting to see the continent represented in Formula 1 before he retires. The seven-time world champion has been vocal about expanding F1's global reach.
Former McLaren mechanic Marc Priestley bbc.com broke down recent changes in F1 cars and engines, explaining the biggest rule change in the sport's history with engines, chassis, tires and fuel all subject to new regulations. The 2026 season promises to be a transformative one for the sport.
Miscellaneous Sports
Former Notre Dame coach Lou Holtz espn.com, who led the Fighting Irish to a national championship in 1988, has died at the age of. Holtz was known for his quick wit and reputation as a master at rebuilding programs throughout his coaching career.
British Para-alpine skier Menna Fitzpatrick bbc.com said it feels "really special" to be at her third Winter Paralympic games after a "rollercoaster" of a year, showing the resilience required to compete at the highest level of adaptive sports.
Olympic champion Rhys McClenaghan bbc.com spoke about returning to the pommel horse after 18 months out injured, marking his comeback to competitive gymnastics. The Northern Irish gymnast is one of Britain's brightest medal hopes for upcoming championships.