General Sports 3 Days

Last updated: April 5, 2026, 2:30 AM ET

NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship & Coaching Carousel

The Women's NCAA Championship faces a showdown between South Carolina and UCLA, with Dawn Staley's Gamecocks aiming for their third title in five seasons. UCLA enters Sunday's contest with a notably more "businesslike" approach following their disappointing Final Four loss last year, having ground out a sloppy 51-44 victory over Texas to reach their first-ever title game after surviving 23 turnovers. On the semifinal stage, South Carolina overcame an undefeated UConn team with a decisive 62-48 result, fueled by their memory of the 2025 title game defeat to the Huskies, while UConn freshman Sarah Strong capped a record-breaking year as the team looks toward potentially becoming four-time champions. Amidst the tournament action, the coaching landscape saw movement, as Virginia parted ways with coach Amaka Agugua-Hamilton despite securing a Sweet 16 appearance for the first time since 2000, and Georgia announced a mutual agreement to split with coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson.

The fallout from the Final Four included commentary on veteran coaches; Geno Auriemma's postgame conduct drew disappointment given his stature in the sport, which prompted NCAA President Charlie Baker to defend the two-site regional format against Auriemma's criticism, citing increased attendance figures. Furthermore, in the men's game, Nebraska's Fred Hoiberg earned AP Coach of the Year honors, edging out Duke's Jon Scheyer and Arizona's Tommy Lloyd, while Arizona's Lloyd, amid rumors linking him to the North Carolina opening, publicly stated he is not a "multitasker" and agreed to a new contract with Arizona on Friday. Elsewhere in college hoops, Iowa State star Audi Crooks will enter the transfer portal for her final year of eligibility, projecting as a top available player among the more than 800 athletes currently intending to transfer.

College Football & Player Movement

The NCAA is facing potential restructuring following an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on Friday that seeks to limit collegiate athletes to a five-year playing window and restrict the number of times they can transfer between schools. In coaching news, TCU head coach Sonny Dykes secured a multiyear extension after compiling a 36-17 record over his first four seasons, though he recently drew a public response from Indiana coach Curt Cignetti regarding comments made about transfer quarterback Josh Hoover's turnover rate Cignetti backed Hoover publicly. In player news, Alabama's Aden Holloway, following the reversal of his campus ban after an arrest, plans to enroll in the fall and rejoin the team next season, while Kansas center Flory Bidunga, projected as a second-round pick, plans to test the NBA draft while also entering the portal Bidunga would be the portal's top prospect.

Professional Boxing & Snooker

In boxing, Lauren Price successfully defended her welterweight world titles against Stephanie Pineiro, immediately setting up the prospect of a high-profile clash with Claressa Shields scheduled for the end of the year. Separately, former heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder has vehemently denied allegations of assault against his ex-partner’s son, according to his legal counsel, while Wilder made a dramatic public appearance arriving at a London news conference in an army tank alongside politician Nigel Farage Chisora joined Wilder's event. Meanwhile, on the snooker tables, Judd Trump secured a place in the Tour Championship final after sweeping Neil Robertson aside 10-4, setting up a final showdown. This followed a tough semi-final path where John Higgins fought back from an 8-5 deficit to beat Mark Selby 10-8, only to suffer his heaviest career defeat in the preceding round, falling 10-1 against Zhao Xintong Higgins thumped heavily.

European Rugby & Domestic Cricket

The Champions Cup last 16 saw several close contests, with Sale Sharks narrowly holding off Harlequins to advance to the quarter-finals, while Glasgow Warriors also progressed after a tough battle against the Bulls in poor weather. Toulouse delivered a crushing performance against Bristol Bears, ending their campaign by scoring nine tries in a dominant French victory, while Northampton also secured their spot in the last eight after an engrossing win over Castres. In the Challenge Cup, Ulster delivered an efficient 28-24 victory over Ospreys to make the quarter-finals, a match where Ospreys coach Mark Jones noted that recruitment remains a "hard sell" given the region’s professional future is only guaranteed through the next season Ospreys future uncertain. Compounding Welsh rugby woes, hooker Dewi Lake is now a doubt for the July Nations Championship campaign after sustaining an injury that will also keep him out of future Ospreys games before his scheduled move to Gloucester in 2026-27 Lake injury a major blow.

In domestic cricket, Lancashire's new red-ball captain Jimmy Anderson took 5-64 to put his side in a commanding position over Northamptonshire at the halfway stage of their County Championship fixture. At Edgbaston, Surrey staged a major recovery, with Ben Foakes and Tom Lawes rescuing the innings from 65-6 to post 328 all out on day one against Warwickshire.

Other Sports Updates

In the WNBA, four-time MVP A'ja Wilson affirmed her commitment to the league, stating unequivocally that she is "not leaving Vegas" as she approaches a new contract negotiation with the Aces Wilson staying with Aces. Meanwhile, the NBA saw the San Antonio Spurs secure their tenth consecutive victory, powered by Victor Wembanyama's season-high 41 points in a 127-113 defeat of the Warriors, while Pistons guard Cade Cunningham is sidelined for at least another week while recovering from a collapsed lung Cunningham remains sidelined. In golf, betting sentiment for the upcoming majors favors Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy as the favorites for The Masters and subsequent major championships. In rowing, the annual Boat Race saw Oxford Women claim their first victory since 2016, while Cambridge Men made it four consecutive wins on the Thames River.