General Sports 3d Briefing
×Last updated: March 12, 2026, 2:50 PM ET
NCAA Basketball
Syracuse fired Adrian Autry espn.com after three seasons without an NCAA tournament appearance, while Arizona State parted ways with Bobby Hurley espn.com following an 11-season tenure that ended with a historic 91-42 Big 12 tournament blowout loss to Iowa State. The Big Ten sent a letter to the NCAA espn.com requesting a pause on tampering investigations and modernization of enforcement rules. Meanwhile, Hofstra returned to the NCAA tournament espn.com for the first time in 25 years after defeating Monmouth 75-69 in the Coastal Athletic Association championship, and Tennessee freshman Nate Ament espn.com is expected to return for the SEC quarterfinals after missing two games with a leg injury.
College Football & NFL
Miami (Ohio) suffered its first defeat espn.com with an 87-83 loss to UMass in the Mid-American Conference tournament opener, while Miami Hurricanes face their "most challenging offseason yet" as Mario Cristobal attempts to rebuild the program toward national contention. The Ravens moved on from Maxx Crosby espn.com to sign four-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Trey Hendrickson, addressing key defensive needs. Utah Valley settled its $1 million WAC exit fee dispute espn.com with the conference, clearing the way for tournament participation.
Premier League & International Soccer
England struggles with Six Nations pressure bbc.com as head coach Steve Borthwick admits the national shirt has "weighed heavy" on players during a disappointing campaign. Ireland faces crucial Triple Crown decider bbc.com against Scotland with lock James Ryan ruled out, while Scotland's Gregor Townsend confronts his most significant selection dilemma bbc.com before Saturday's Dublin clash. Wales names unchanged side bbc.com for the Six Nations finale against Italy, with Aaron Wainwright set to play despite an early exit against Ireland. France debuts uncapped flanker Temo Matiu bbc.com in their final Six Nations game against England in Paris.
Cheltenham Festival
Heart Wood denied Jonbon victory bbc.com in the Ryanair Chase on day three, giving Henry de Bromhead his first winner of the 2026 festival. Il Etait Temps powered to victory bbc.com in the Queen Mother Champion Chase, earning Willie Mullins his third win of day two. Lossiemouth dominated the Champion Hurdle bbc.com, earning the "Queen of Cheltenham" title on day one. Jukebox Man joined the Cheltenham Gold Cup field bbc.com as Harry Redknapp aims to become a Gold Cup-winning owner. Trainer Mullins threatened to boycott future festivals bbc.com over concerns about ground quality after Fact Or File was withdrawn.
Paralympics & Winter Sports
Hester Poole crashed out on Paralympic debut bbc.com in the giant slalom but vows redemption in Saturday's slalom. Cross-country skier Jake Adicoff became the first out gay man bbc.com to win individual Paralympic gold. The Austrian "Von Trapp" siblings, Veronika and Johannes Aigner, dominate Paralympic skiing bbc.com, winning medals and entertaining the athletes' village. German cross-country skiers protested Russian inclusion bbc.com by turning their backs on gold medallists on the podium. Sammi Kinghorn revealed pregnancy bbc.com means missing the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games, while Kirsty Muir insists she has "more to give" bbc.com after two fourth-place Olympic finishes.
Tennis & Golf
Sonay Kartal retired from Indian Wells bbc.com with a back injury against world number three Elena Rybakina, calling it "one match too many." Scottie Scheffler remains overwhelming betting favorite espn.com at The Players Championship, seeking his third career title at Sawgrass. Matt Fitzpatrick says winning Players is "next best thing" to majors bbc.com as he prepares for the tournament. Gary Woodland opened up about PTSD diagnosis espn.com following 2023 brain surgery, telling Golf Channel he "can't waste energy" on the battle.
Combat Sports
Ronda Rousey wants to "rewrite her ending" bbc.com with a 16 May MMA bout against Gina Carano, her first fight in ten years. Ryan Garner eyes winner of Cacace v Dickens bbc.com for a potential super featherweight title shot. Harry Hardwick counts himself among lucky MMA fighters bbc.com, calling the career "stupid" but pursuing it anyway.
Cricket & Hundred Auction
Sussex all-rounder James Coles signed for London Spirit bbc.com in a record £390,000 auction fee. Abrar Ahmed joined Sunrisers Leeds bbc.com to allay concerns about Pakistan players being overlooked by IPL-affiliated franchises. Coaches of Hundred teams deny being directed away from Pakistan players bbc.com in Thursday's men's auction.
Rugby League & Union
Tom McAllister makes Ulster debut bbc.com in the rescheduled United Rugby Championship trip to Edinburgh. Wales Under-20s released Carwyn Leggatt-Jones bbc.com to play for Scarlets against Connacht. Huddersfield Giants face "unprecedented" injury crisis bbc.com ahead of their Challenge Cup tie against Hull KR.
NASCAR & Motorsports
NASCAR's empathy is complicated espn.com in a results-based business where drivers are "all out for themselves" once the green flag waves, though stars sometimes feel sympathy for rivals. Davey Todd is a doubt for North West 200 bbc.com after breaking his femur in a Daytona crash.
Horse Racing & Betting
Cheltenham Festival continues to draw thousands of British fans to the "Costa del Cheltenham" in Spain's Costa Blanca. Trainer Nicky Henderson's Jukebox Man confirmed for Gold Cup bbc.com after being purchased by Harry Redknapp. The Hundred auction streamed across UK bbc.com as 89 players were selected in the country's first professional sporting auction.
Miscellaneous Sports
Colin Dorgan scored in double overtime espn.com to lift his Rhode Island high school hockey team after losing three family members in a mass shooting. The NCAA will use Prohi Bet technology espn.com to monitor officials for betting during basketball, baseball, and softball tournaments. A fixer in an NCAA point-shaving scheme pleaded guilty espn.com to federal charges in Philadelphia.