General Sports 3 Days

Last updated: March 29, 2026, 11:31 PM ET

NCAA Men's Basketball Final Four Set

The Men's NCAA Tournament field has narrowed to the Final Four, featuring a fascinating mix of established powers and surprising contenders following a weekend of intense regional finals. The UConn Huskies secured their spot after Braylon Mullins hit a clutch three-pointer with just 0.4 seconds remaining to eliminate the overall No. 1 seed, Duke. On the other side of the bracket, Michigan advanced to its first Final Four since 2018 by dismantling Tennessee in a 95-62 rout, fueled by Yaxel Lendeborg's 27 points and Elliot Cadeau's 10 assists. Meanwhile, the Illinois Fighting Illini punched their ticket for the first time in 21 years, prompting Champaign officials to limit alcohol sales in anticipation of massive celebrations should they win Monday night. Early analysis suggests the semifinal matchups will pit Arizona against Michigan and UConn against Illinois, with the Wildcats earning their spot by handing Calipari his worst tournament loss ever in the Elite Eight.

The weekend's action also provided several character-driven narratives, as indicated by non-statistical superlatives emerging from the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight rounds. For Iowa's unlikely run, which included a Sweet 16 victory over Nebraska where coach Fred Hoiberg shouldered a late-game personnel blunder, the success of coaches Ben McCollum and Bennett Stirtz—who navigated the path from Division II to the Elite Eight—is noteworthy. Furthermore, Michigan State coach Tom Izzo scoffed at retirement speculation following his Spartans' exit, stating his intention to continue coaching despite the loss.

NCAA Women's Tournament Advances

The Women's Final Four is also set, with No. 1 seeds largely dominating the Elite Eight contests. The UConn Huskies ground out a 70-52 victory over Notre Dame to secure their 25th Final Four appearance, marking the 17th time in the last 18 tournaments they will compete in the national semifinals, even as Coach Geno Auriemma questioned the NCAA's input process for tournament structuring. UCLA earned their Final Four berth by staging a dramatic comeback against Duke following a halftime meeting among the team's graduating members. For Notre Dame, despite their loss, Hannah Hidalgo recorded a triple-double and set the Division I record for career steals as the Irish advanced past Vanderbilt. South Carolina, maintaining their dominance despite three prior wins, stated they still have "room to grow" ahead of their next matchup.

College Coaching & Recruitment News

In coaching movements, St. John's officially inked Rick Pitino to a lucrative new contract, making him the second-highest-paid coach in the Big East, a development that comes as some analysts suggest Pitino, despite past scandals, might be the best coach ever based on his sustained NCAA success. In recruiting news, South Carolina coach Dawn Staley confirmed that the primary factor in current recruitment discussions revolves around the financial commitment required for a player's commitment, even as the Gamecocks landed an unexpected offensive lineman in 20-year-old Irishman Neff Giwa, who has no prior American football experience. Meanwhile, Iowa coach Ben McCollum confirmed his return to the Hawkeyes for the 2026-27 season, rejecting speculation about high-profile job openings elsewhere.

NASCAR & Professional Golf

NASCAR saw a dramatic finish at Martinsville Speedway, where Chase Elliott managed to outduel Denny Hamlin to claim his first Cup Series victory of the current season after opting for a strategic gamble late in the race. In professional golf, Redemption was a major theme this weekend. Gary Woodland secured his first PGA Tour win since undergoing 2023 brain surgery for a non-cancerous tumor, finishing five strokes clear at the Houston Open. On the LPGA Tour, Hyo Joo Kim earned her second consecutive victory over Nelly Korda, pulling away on the back nine Sunday to win the Ford Championship by two shots with a closing 3-under.

Formula 1 & Global Racing

Formula 1 witnessed Kimi Antonelli achieve a victory at the Japanese Grand Prix, though timing provided by a safety car played a part; nevertheless, he maintained the fastest car on track when the opportunity arose. This result, coupled with qualifying pressures, leaves F1 bosses and Red Bull's Max Verstappen with much to consider regarding the evolving regulations, 68. In Moto GP, Marco Bezzecchi claimed his third consecutive victory of the season at the US GP. Cyclist Jonas Vingegaard continued his strong 2026 start by holding on to win the Volta a Catalunya, despite teammate Tom Pidcock having to withdraw after a serious fall down a ravine during stage five.

Other Sports News & Player Milestones

In boxing, the 21-year-old Moses Itauma continued his rapid ascent following a knockout victory over Jermaine Franklin Jr., with observers noting his era of dominance is already beginning, not just approaching. The NBA saw a historic moment as LeBron James assisted his son, LeBron James Jr., on a three-pointer, making them the first father-son teammates in history to record an assist to each other. WNBA news confirmed the sale and relocation of the Connecticut Sun to Houston for a record $300 million to the Fertitta family, marking a significant financial development in the league. Cricket fans will see a major addition to Major League Cricket, as Ravichandran Ashwin, one of India's greatest bowlers, will join the San Francisco Unicorns. Meanwhile, in the UFC, Joe Pyfer secured the biggest win of his career by finishing former champion Israel Adesanya in the second round.

International & Domestic Rugby/Football

The weekend brought significant results across global rugby codes. In the United Rugby Championship, the Lions managed to overpower the Dragons in Johannesburg, though the Welsh side secured a vital four-try bonus point. Meanwhile, Munster suffered a narrow 34-31 defeat against the Bulls in Pretoria. In English Premiership action, league leaders Northampton Saints secured a dramatic win over Saracens thanks to a late try from Archie McParland, while Bath fought back from a 19-7 halftime deficit against Sale to earn a bonus-point victory. In Gaelic Football, Donegal manager Jim McGuinness expressed delight after his team hammered Kerry 3-20 to 2-10, securing their second-ever National Football League Division One title, 19 years after their first.