General Sports 3d Briefing – Mar 13, 2026

111 articles summarized · Last updated: March 13, 2026 at 1:58 AM ET v383

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Last updated: March 13, 2026, 1:58 AM ET

College Basketball: Coaching Turmoil and Tournament Drama

Syracuse fired Adrian Autry espn.com after three consecutive seasons without an NCAA tournament appearance, a decision Athletic Director John Wildhack framed as necessary following a 23-12 record this season. The dismissal came just hours after a historic 91-42 blowout loss espn.com to Iowa State in the Big 12 tournament, the largest margin of victory in conference tournament history. Meanwhile, Arizona State parted ways with Bobby Hurley espn.com after 11 seasons, a move that followed a similar tournament exit and makes the Sun Devils the sixth power-conference job to open this offseason. In a related development, the Big Ten formally asked the NCAA to pause tampering investigations espn.com and modernize its rules, a direct response to the chaotic coaching landscape. On the court, freshman AJ Dybantsa set a Big 12 tournament record espn.com with 40 points, propelling BYU past Kansas State 105-91, while Hofstra ended a 25-year NCAA tournament drought espn.com by winning the Coastal Athletic Association title. The NCAA also announced it will use Prohi Bet technology espn.com to monitor tournament officials for betting activity across basketball, baseball, and softball.

Alexander Zverev reached the semifinals bbc.com of all nine ATP Masters 1000 tournaments for the first time, calling the achievement "very special" as he became just the fifth player to accomplish the feat. In field events, Armand Duplantis broke his own world pole vault record bbc.com for the 15th time, clearing 6.31 meters in Stockholm. On the women's side, Britain's Sonay Kartal retired injured bbc.com in the fourth round of Indian Wells against Elena Rybakina, stating it was "one match too many" after a back issue flared. The sport also saw Scottie Scheffler installed as the overwhelming betting favorite espn.com for The Players Championship, where Brooks Koepka seeks consistency espn.com in his fourth start since returning to the PGA Tour.

The Cheltenham Festival delivered another day of high drama as Heart Wood triumphed in the Ryanair Chase bbc.com, giving trainer Henry de Bromhead his first winner of the meeting. Il Etait Temps powered to victory bbc.com in the Queen Mother Champion Chase, securing a third win of the festival for Willie Mullins. The dominant performance of Lossiemouth in the Champion Hurdle bbc.com earned her the "Queen of Cheltenham" label. Harry Redknapp's Jukebox Man bbc.com was confirmed for the Gold Cup, where the former football manager hopes to claim victory. The event also saw trainer Nicky Henderson withdraw Fact To File bbc.com over ground concerns, prompting a complaint about the track conditions.

The Six Nations enters its final round with high stakes. Ireland will be without lock James Ryan bbc.com for the Triple Crown decider against Scotland in Dublin, with head coach Andy Farrell making four changes. Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend faces his most significant selection dilemma bbc.com ahead of that same match, while flanker Jack Dempsey's rise bbc.com from Wallabies cast-off to Scotland powerhouse is a key narrative. Wales named an unchanged starting side bbc.com for their finale against Italy, with record-breaking flanker Alex Mann bbc.com set to finish a strong campaign. England made four changes bbc.com with uncapped Temo Matiu starting, and coach Steve Borthwick admitted the pressure of the shirt has "weighed heavy" bbc.com on players during a disappointing tournament. The kicking debate continued bbc.com, with analysis suggesting it remains one of England's few functioning areas. In a separate matter, jockeys Nico de Boinville and Declan Queally shook hands bbc.com after a "racial slurs" accusation at Cheltenham.

James "Jazza" Dickens endured a two-day travel ordeal bbc.com from Dubai to Dublin ahead of his first world title defence against Anthony Cacace. Super featherweight Ryan Garner has his eye on the winner bbc.com of that bout for a future fight. In a major comeback announcement, Ronda Rousey revealed plans to return to MMA bbc.com for the first time in a decade, targeting a bout against Gina Carano on May 16 to "rewrite her ending."

Olympic figure skating champion Alysa Liu received a key to her hometown espn.com during a rally in the Bay Area. In cricket, the Hundred auction saw James Coles secured for £390,000 bbc.com by London Spirit, while Abrar Ahmed's signing by Sunrisers Leeds bbc.com allayed concerns about Pakistan players being ignored by IPL-affiliated franchises. Coaches of those IPL-affiliated teams denied bbc.com being directed away from Pakistan players. In swimming, triple gold medallist Tom Dean has his sights on the 2028 Olympics bbc.com after relocating to Stirling. F1 driver Lewis Hamilton will miss the Oscars espn.com despite nominations related to the "F1" documentary, having explored every travel option after the Chinese Grand Prix. The NFL Players Association is voting on a successor espn.com to disgraced former leader Lloyd Howell. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp outlined ambitious changes espn.com being considered, including relegation and a revamped schedule. Ronda Rousey's return to MMA bbc.com was also framed within the context of the sport