General Sports 3d Briefing
×Last updated: April 5, 2026, 11:30 AM ET
NCAA Women's Basketball Title Race & Coaching Carousel
The Women's NCAA Championship game is set, with Dawn Staley's Gamecocks espn.com aiming for their third title in five seasons against UCLA, which seeks espn.com its first-ever championship, entering the contest with a significantly more focused, "businesslike" approach following a disappointing Final Four loss last year UCLA in 'job's not done' mode espn.com. South Carolina advanced by upsetting the undefeated UConn squad espn.com 62-48 in the semifinals, fueled by their 2025 championship defeat to the Huskies, while UCLA managed a sloppy 51-44 victory espn.com over Texas, surviving 23 turnovers to reach their first title game. Amid the tournament action, the coaching landscape shifted, as Virginia fired coach Amaka Agugua-Hamilton espn.com on Saturday despite the team achieving its first Sweet 16 appearance since 2000, and Georgia subsequently announced the mutual parting with coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson espn.com. Furthermore, legendary UConn coach Geno Auriemma's postgame behavior espn.com drew disappointment, contrasting with NCAA President Charlie Baker defending the two-site regional format against Auriemma's critiques, citing rising attendance figures NCAA prez disputes Geno espn.com.
NCAA Men's Basketball & Player Movement
On the men's side, Duke's Cameron Boozer became only the fifth freshman espn.com to secure The Associated Press Player of the Year award, while Nebraska's Fred Hoiberg edged out Duke's Jon Scheyer to claim the AP Coach of the Year honors Nebraska's Hoiberg named AP Coach espn.com. Michigan coach Dusty May, who previously led FAU to the 2021 Final Four, is returning to the stage espn.com with his current team, even as Michigan starting guard Elliot Cadeau rejoined the team after being hospitalized for an accidental allergic reaction Cadeau rejoins U-M espn.com. In the transfer portal news, Iowa State star Audi Crooks announced her entry espn.com for her final year of eligibility, potentially becoming the top available player among the 800-plus athletes entering the portal, while Kansas's Flory Bidunga, projected as a second-round pick, is also expected to test the draft and enter the portal Sources: KU's Bidunga espn.com. Separately, Alabama's Aden Holloway, following a reversal of his campus ban after an arrest, plans to enroll in the fall and aims to rejoin the team next season Tide's Holloway to enroll espn.com.
Boxing, Snooker, & Combat Sports
Welterweight champion Lauren Price successfully defended her world titles bbc.com against Stephanie Pineiro, immediately setting sights on a major future bout against Claressa Shields scheduled for the end of the year. In boxing controversy, former heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder, whose pre-fight appearance involved arriving in an army tank alongside politician Nigel Farage Chisora arrives to Wilder event bbc.com, has had his lawyer issue a statement vehemently denying allegations bbc.com that he physically assaulted the son of his ex-partner. Meanwhile, in snooker, Judd Trump powered past Neil Robertson 10-4 to secure his spot in the Tour Championship final in Manchester Trump sweeps Robertson aside bbc.com, while Judd's semi-final opponent, John Higgins, previously recovered from an 8-5 deficit to defeat Mark Selby 10-8 Higgins fights back bbc.com, only to suffer the heaviest defeat of his 34-year career in the final, falling 10-1 to Zhao Xintong Higgins thumped by Zhao bbc.com.
European Rugby & Club Competitions
The Champions Cup last 16 concluded with several dominant performances, as Toulouse dismantled Bristol Bears bbc.com in France, scoring nine tries in a ruthless elimination match. Sale Sharks managed to withstand a late comeback bbc.com from Harlequins to secure their place in the quarter-finals, while Glasgow Warriors navigated difficult weather conditions to edge past the Bulls Glasgow battle past Bulls bbc.com, setting up a clash where the Bulls face scrutiny over their recruitment prospects Jones says recruitment is tough bbc.com. In the Challenge Cup, Exeter Chiefs defeated Munster thanks to a superb solo try from Immanuel Feyi-Waboso on his return from injury Feyi-Waboso stars as Exeter hold off bbc.com, and Ulster secured a 28-24 victory over Ospreys Ulster beat Ospreys bbc.com to advance. Reflecting on the sport, former internationals discussed the necessity to make rugby a safer game bbc.com amidst ongoing concerns about head injuries.
Cricket, Netball, & Other Domestic Sports
In English county cricket, Lancashire captain Jimmy Anderson immediately made an impact in his new red-ball leadership role, taking 5-64 against Northants bbc.com, while Surrey staged a major recovery led by Ben Foakes and Tom Lawes, posting 328 all out after slumping to 65-6 against Warwickshire Foakes leads superb Surrey recovery bbc.com. In the Netball Super League, defending champions London Pulse completed their third consecutive win, routing the Birmingham Panthers 78-45, while the Lightning also secured a victory over the Thunder Pulse trounce Panthers bbc.com. In the Irish Cup semi-finals, Coleraine defeated Larne 2-1 via an extra-time goal Coleraine defeat Larne bbc.com, while Holders Dungannon Swifts advanced after winning a dramatic penalty shootout against Cliftonville Swifts beat Reds on penalties bbc.com. Furthermore, St Helens loanee Bill Leyland stunned in his likely one-off appearance, scoring two tries to defeat Wigan, with Leyland acknowledging the impact of his brief but stunning debut ever bbc.com.
Golf, NFL, & Athlete Off-Field News
Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy remain the favorites according to current betting odds released for the next four major championships, including The Masters and the U.S. Open espn.com. In NFL draft buzz, attention is focusing on defensive backs, as Caleb Downs, labeled a safety 'savant,' stands to challenge the historical trend of only eight safeties drafted espn.com in the top 10 since 2000, while cornerback Jermod McCoy's performance at his pro day is also under review Latest NFL draft buzz espn.com. Off the field, Bills quarterback Josh Allen and actress Hailee Steinfeld announced the birth of their first child espn.com, while police released body camera footage from Tiger Woods' recent single-vehicle crash in Florida Woods crash bodycam footage released bbc.com, which showed the golfer telling a deputy he "was just talking to the president" Tiger told deputy espn.com. Separately, Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark engaged in a public disagreement with a Texas Tech booster over next season's scheduled Friday night game espn.com.