General Sports 3 Days

Last updated: March 26, 2026, 2:30 PM ET

NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament

The Women's NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 field is set, featuring six teams from the SEC and five from the ACC, including a surprising 10-seed, which stack up in new rankings. Among the advancing teams, UCLA veterans prepare for a final run at the title after falling short in the Final Four last year, while UCLA star Lauren Betts previously erupted for a career-high 35 points in the second round victory over Oklahoma State. The journey to this stage saw Virginia become the first First Four team to reach the Sweet 16 after upsetting host Iowa in double overtime, 83-75. Meanwhile, Syracuse coach Felisha Legette-Jack lashed out at the NCAA for repeatedly seeding her team in the UConn subregional, following a decisive 98-45 second-round defeat.

NCAA Men's Basketball & Coaching Carousel

As the Men's tournament progresses into the Sweet, reporters offer predictions for every Thursday game, though consensus remains elusive. In the coaching world, Arizona's Tommy Lloyd dismissed speculation linking him to the North Carolina vacancy ahead of his team’s Sweet 16 matchup against Arkansas. Following Hubert Davis's departure, UNC is reportedly considering several candidates, with Cincinnati moving quickly to hire Jerrod Calhoun from Utah State, who has guided the Aggies to consecutive NCAA tournaments. Elsewhere, LSU is actively pursuing the return of Will Wade, currently coaching at NC State, who was suspended during the 2019 tournament amid ongoing NCAA scrutiny.

College Sports & NIL Dynamics

The impact of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) continues to reshape college athletics, with some analysts arguing the system has created challenges for traditional powers, suggesting NIL upended everything for blue bloods. In tangible endorsement news, Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr. just secured a signature shoe deal with Reebok, marking the first time an NCAA men's athlete has received one from a major U.S. brand while still in college. In women's college hoops, the new WNBA Collective Bargaining Agreement is slated to extend the season until November 21, and while A'ja Wilson is expected to receive the $1.4 million supermax salary, Caitlin Clark’s rookie deal will pay out over $500,000.

UFC & Combat Sports

Veteran middleweight Israel Adesanya insists he is not finished with his UFC career, despite trading fighting for DJing last year, with a scheduled bout this weekend against Joe Pyfer. In boxing, while promoter Steve Bunce views Moses Itauma as the future of the heavyweight division, he cautioned that a fight against Usyk or Wardley is premature. Separately, the House advanced a boxing-reform act to address governance issues, though significant questions regarding its implementation remain.

Formula 1 & Motorsport

Formula 1 saw Max Verstappen eject a journalist from a news conference at the Japanese Grand Prix, stemming from a dispute that reportedly originated during the Abu Dhabi race last year. This incident comes as Verstappen faces scrutiny over various complaints regarding the season's new rules, which ESPN reporters examined and rendered verdicts on. Conversely, Lewis Hamilton described the current F1 season as being “much more fun” than any prior period in his career. In team news, questions surround Aston Martin's project to bring in Adrian Newey as team principal, with analysts asking if the venture has failed following recent developments.

Player & Coach Movement in Rugby & Football

In rugby union, former Wales and British and Irish Lions full-back Liam Williams announced his retirement from the sport, while Wales flanker Alex Mann signed a new "long-term" contract with Cardiff to remain with the region. Ahead of the Women's Six Nations, Wales head coach Sean Lynn named nine uncapped players in his squad and brought in Ashley Beck as the new attack coach. Meanwhile, Scotland captain Rachel Malcolm addressed the "hard read" provided by the BBC regarding player struggles during last year's Women's Rugby World Cup, stating the treatment of her players was not adequate. In the NFL, reporters listed the top three positional needs for all 32 teams ahead of April's draft, while experts also identified potential non-Round 1 fits for those roster gaps.

Figure Skating & Cycling

Ilia Malinin rebounded strongly from a disappointing showing at the Milan Cortina Olympics by taking the lead after the short program at the figure skating world championships. In professional cycling, Britain’s Ethan Vernon secured a sprint finish victory on a shortened Stage Four of the Volta a Catalunya, with fellow Brit Tom Pidcock crossing the line in third place.

Golf, Tennis, and Other Sports

The World Series of Poker is slated to return to ESPN for the first time since 2021, with Main Event coverage commencing July 2 from Las Vegas. In tennis, Coco Gauff advanced to her first Miami Open semi-final since Serena Williams in 2004, while Aryna Sabalenka easily defeated Zheng Qinwen en route to her own Miami final. In the TGL playoffs, the championship matchup for the SoFi Cup will feature Los Angeles Golf Club taking on Jupiter Links GC in the final match of Year 2.

Legal & Administrative Developments

A professional cornhole player, who is a quadruple amputee, waived his right to an extradition hearing as he faces serious charges in Maryland, where he is accused of fatally shooting a passenger in Virginia. In a separate legal matter, a Long Island distillery has sued LIV Golf for trademark infringement, alleging the league's branding use on merchandise and alcoholic beverages violates their registered trademark. Furthermore, former Olympic champion Michael Johnson confirmed he will return an alleged "secret" payment of $500,000 made before his Grand Slam Track league dissolved.

Personnel & Record Setting

UCLA softball coach Kelly Inouye-Perez achieved a new milestone becoming the winningest coach in the program's storied history. In swimming, Cameron McEvoy expressed disbelief that he has received no financial bonus for setting a new world record in the men's 50m freestyle. Meanwhile, in the NBA, the Timberwolves achieved the largest overtime comeback in franchise history by erasing a 13-point deficit with a final 15-0 run to defeat the Rockets, 110-108.