General Sports 3 Days

Last updated: March 26, 2026, 11:31 AM ET

NCAA Basketball & Coaching Carousel

The momentum surrounding the Women's NCAA Tournament remains exceptionally high, with ratings achieving their best start since the combined CBS and TNT coverage began in 2011. Thursday’s Sweet 16 slate features several compelling matchups, though ESPN reporters are only in agreement on two of the previews, while others remain split on outcomes for the games ahead. The event has already featured historical upsets, such as Virginia becoming the first First Four team ever to reach the Sweet 16 following an 83-75 double-overtime victory over host Iowa. In the men’s bracket, UCLA veterans like Lauren Betts, who previously posted a career-high 35 points in the second round, are focused on finishing their final NCAA title run after falling short at the Final Four last season, while UConn star Azzi Fudd celebrated her final Gampel Pavilion appearance with 34 points in a 98-45 dismantling of Syracuse to advance to the regional semifinals.

The coaching landscape continues to shift rapidly following early tournament exits, with Arizona State formally appointing Saint Mary's Randy Bennett as its new head coach on Monday, while Cincinnati is reportedly set to hire Utah State’s Jerrod Calhoun, who has guided the Aggies to consecutive NCAA tournaments as the Bearcats' top target. Elsewhere, Creighton's Greg McDermott announced his retirement after a distinguished 16-year tenure during which he secured 365 victories, concluding a "gilded run" at the university. Meanwhile, in the aftermath of Hubert Davis’s departure after five seasons, candidates for the North Carolina vacancy are being evaluated, though current Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd brushed off speculation about his candidacy ahead of the Razorbacks game.

The impact of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) is also being debated following early exits by storied programs, as one analysis suggests that NIL has created a new crossroads for blue bloods. Furthermore, the conversation around rebuilding involves coaches like Curt Cignetti, who has redefined expectations for turnarounds, while Oklahoma State is positioned to improve under new leadership heading into 2026 as they seek a fresh start. On the player eligibility front, Oklahoma linebacker Owen Heinecke has filed a lawsuit against the NCAA, seeking an injunction that would grant him an additional year of eligibility before the NFL draft next month.

Motorsports & Combat Sports

Max Verstappen generated controversy at the Japanese Grand Prix after he expelled a journalist from his news conference, stemming from a dispute that reportedly originated at the Abu Dhabi race last year, prompting further examination of the reigning champion's complaints regarding the season’s new rules. In contrast, Lewis Hamilton expressed enthusiasm for the current Formula 1 season, calling it "much more fun" than any previous iteration of his career under the revised regulations, while teammate Fernando Alonso is slated to miss Thursday's media day following the birth of his first child and will travel to Suzuka late. In the world of combat sports, a refreshed Israel Adesanya confirmed that he is far from finished with his UFC tenure, insisting he is motivated to continue his career as he prepares for his bout this weekend against Joe Pyfer after stepping away to focus on DJing. Veteran Michael Chiesa also announced that his upcoming fight will serve as a serendipitous end to his career at UFC fight No. 22, connecting him to his late grandfather who inspired him early on.

American Racing & Golf

The enduring success of Roger Penske's racing enterprises has expanded beyond the Indy Car circuit, as his teams have now established themselves as the most decorated group in recent NASCAR history, marking a significant conquest across American motorsports. In professional golf, the TGL playoffs are set for their championship matchup, where Los Angeles Golf Club will face Jupiter Links GC vying for the SoFi Cup. Meanwhile, LIV Golf is facing legal action, as a Long Island-based distillery filed a federal lawsuit alleging that the league’s branding use for apparel and alcoholic beverages infringes on its registered trademark. At the Houston Open, bettors are advised to consider golfer Brooks Koepka, though attention should also be paid to potential value picks like Gotterup.

Rugby Union & League / Football

In the United Rugby Championship, the Scarlets are making five personnel adjustments as they prepare for a difficult Test match against Leinster at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium, indicating a focus on the Test match rather than URC play. This comes as former Wales and British & Irish Lions full-back Liam Williams announced his immediate retirement from rugby union, while Wales Test flanker Alex Mann secured a "long-term" contract extension with Cardiff amid ongoing financial discussions. Across the channel, Scotland captain Rachel Malcolm noted the difficulty of reading reports detailing player struggles during last year’s Women's Rugby World Cup, stating the treatment of her players was inadequate. In the English Premiership, Northampton Saints are preparing to treat their clash against Saracens at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with a "finals vibe," according to prop Manny Iyogun as they embrace the large venue. Furthermore, the sport’s structural history is being reviewed as former Great Britain international Iestyn Harris reflects on three decades of change since the switch to Super League in 1996, which will also see Tara Jones become the first woman to referee a Super League match.

Global Football & Cricket

In international football, Wales midfielder David Brooks, who was forced to watch the 2022 World Cup as a spectator while battling a life-threatening illness, is now firmly focused on his ambition to participate in the 2026 World Cup finals. The final six berths for the 2026 World Cup—four from Europe and two via the intercontinental playoff—are set to be clinched this week, providing a preview of which nations will book their seats. On the administrative side, Cricket Ireland’s Graeme West confirmed that players retain the option to opt out of the upcoming series against Afghanistan. In domestic cricket news, Sussex faces uncertainty regarding its future, as Head coach Paul Farbrace informed members that both his position and that of his players are in doubt due to the club’s ongoing financial crisis.

NHL & NBA Player Stock

The NHL playoff race remains tight, particularly in the Pacific Division, described as a "pillow fight," with all eight clubs scheduled to play Thursday as postseason qualification remains unsettled for several teams waiting to secure their spots. Meanwhile, the Capitals are anticipating a "changing of the guard," positioning young defenseman Cole Hutson to assume a prominent role in the team’s next competitive era once the new phase begins. In NBA stock watching following the first weekend of March Madness, various prospects helped or hurt their positioning for the 2026 draft, with reports on 21 top players emerging. On the court, the Minnesota Timberwolves completed a historic comeback, erasing a 13-point deficit with a decisive 15-0 scoring run in the final moments to secure a 110-108 victory over the Rockets marking their largest overtime comeback on record.

Tennis & Other Sports Updates

In tennis, Coco Gauff advanced to her first Miami Open semi-final, making her the youngest American woman to achieve this feat at the tournament since Serena Williams did so in 2004 after a hard-fought match, while World Number One Aryna Sabalenka moved efficiently into her semi-final, dispatching Zheng Qinwen with ease. Mikaela Shiffrin secured a slalom victory on Tuesday, setting her up to potentially claim the overall World Cup title in Wednesday’s season-ending race after a strong performance. The International Olympic Committee announced a policy change stating that the women’s category across all Olympic sports will be strictly limited to biological females starting in 2028, a ruling that comes as rugby union captain Rachel Malcolm addressed the struggles some players faced at the previous year’s World Cup. Concerns over athlete welfare persist in boxing, as families and former champions suggest the sport is failing its heroes by not providing adequate care after major bouts, following the passing of Ricky Hatton according to a new BBC documentary, alongside efforts in the U.S. Congress to advance a boxing reform act though several key questions remain.

NFL & Future Talent Evaluation

As the NFL Draft approaches, reporters finalized positional need assessments, identifying the top three holes for all 32 teams and suggesting non-Round 1 prospects capable of filling those gaps for the opening rounds. Looking further ahead, an early preview of the 2027 free agency class has identified 49 current stars whom teams should monitor as potential unrestricted free agents next March as their current contracts near expiration. A unique prospect drawing attention is Kansei Matsuzawa, the "Tokyo Toe," who taught himself to kick via YouTube and self-taught English, bringing him close to realizing his dream of playing in the NFL. Simultaneously, Oklahoma State’s potential for improvement in 2026 is being analyzed alongside other teams and coaches viewed as having the most to prove in the upcoming season.

Softball & Athlete Contracts

UCLA coach Kelly Inouye-Perez continues to set records, most recently becoming the winningest coach in the history of the already highly successful softball program during a stretch of changing dynamics. In WNBA news, the new Collective Bargaining Agreement is projected to extend the season's end date to November 21 under the latest terms, with superstars like A'ja Wilson likely receiving the $1.4 million supermax deal, while rookie Caitlin Clark's initial contract is set to pay out more than $500,000 annually. Additionally, Arkansas star Darius Acuff Jr. secured a landmark endorsement, becoming the first NCAA men's athlete to receive a signature shoe deal from a major U.S. brand like Reebok while still competing collegiately.