General Sports 8-Hour Briefing
×Last updated: March 13, 2026, 6:42 PM ET
Netball & Rugby
The AO Manchester Thunder continued their strong start with a decisive win over the Dragons, extending Newcastle's winless run to three games in the Netball Super League. Meanwhile, in rugby union, Connacht's five-try victory over Scarlets in Galway keeps them within striking distance of the United Rugby Championship play-offs, with the Irish province now just two points off the final playoff spot.
College Basketball Coaching Moves
Pittsburgh confirmed Jeff Capel's return for a ninth season despite falling "well short" of expectations this year, while Cincinnati fired Wes Miller after five seasons. Saint Louis rewarded Josh Schertz with a contract extension following his Atlantic 10 regular-season title, contrasting with Providence's decision to dismiss Kim English after three seasons following their loss to St. John's.
NFL Draft & Women's Basketball
The Raiders secured the top pick in the 2026 NFL draft order, with the full seven-round selection sequence now set through to the Broncos at No. 257. In women's college basketball, Jazzy Davidson and Aliyah Chavez maintained their top rankings in the final freshman impact standings, with five players cracking the top ten but none able to unseat the leading duo.
Conference Realignment
Louisiana Tech finds itself caught between conferences as both Conference USA and the Sun Belt included the Bulldogs on their 2026 football schedules amid an ongoing standoff regarding the program's league affiliation switch.
Cheltenham Festival
The 2026 Cheltenham Festival proved brutal for punters as the average starting price of winners hit a 10-year high, while the meeting ended in tragedy with two more horse fatalities on the final day, including Envoi Allen and Saint Le Fort. Gaelic Warrior claimed the Gold Cup in supreme fashion, though Harry Redknapp-owned Jukebox Man could only manage eighth place.
Six Nations Build-up
Scotland stand on the brink of history after their stunning victory over France, with captain Sione Tuipulotu revealing the team has been "to hell and back" to reach Six Nations title contention. Italy's coach Gonzalo Quesada insists Wales "must win" in Saturday's finale, while attention turns to Fabien Galthie's divisive coaching methods that have helped France rediscover their form.
Other Sports News
The Falcons confirmed Tua Tagovailoa's arrival to compete with Michael Penix Jr. for the starting quarterback job, while Lewis Hamilton highlighted Ferrari's power unit deficit after qualifying fourth for the Chinese Grand Prix sprint. Six Georgia rugby players and a team official received sanctions for anti-doping violations as part of an orchestrated scheme, and Haiti's Ralf Etienne prepares for his Winter Paralympic debut sixteen years after losing his leg in the 2010 earthquake.
Betting Market
The NCAA tournaments continue to drive massive wagering, with the American Gaming Association estimating $3.3 billion in bets placed on men's and women's basketball tournaments across U.S. sportsbooks, representing a slight year-over-year increase.