Last updated: March 21, 2026, 12:30 AM ET
NCAA Tournament Upsets & Records
The men's NCAA tournament first round delivered immediate drama, highlighted by Purdue's Braden Smith officially breaking the NCAA all-time assists record, surpassing Bobby Hurley with his 1,077th career assist during the game against Queens University. Elsewhere on Friday, seventh-seeded Kentucky needed Otega Oweh's buzzer-beater in regulation to ultimately secure an 89-84 victory over Santa Clara, while Utah State successfully mounted a second-half rally to defeat Villanova 86-76, propelled by MJ Collins' 20-point performance. In the women's bracket, the seventh-seeded North Carolina State team advanced after handing tenth-seeded Tennessee their eighth consecutive loss.
NCAA Legal & Injury Updates
Off the court, the NCAA initiated a trademark infringement lawsuit against sportsbook operator Draft Kings, citing improper use of terms associated with the tournament, including "March Madness." Injury concerns emerged for several programs heading into the second round, as Iowa State senior forward Joshua Jefferson sustained a sprained left ankle during their 108-74 win over Tennessee State, though X-rays reportedly came back negative. Conversely, Duke coach Jon Scheyer expressed optimism that center Patrick Ngongba II might return from a foot injury for their matchup against TCU.
College Basketball Team Progress & Praise
Beyond the record-breaking performances, several key wins shaped the narrative of Friday's action, including Tennessee's decisive 78-56 victory over Miami (Ohio), where Ja'Kobi Gillespie netted 29 points and hit six three-pointers to conclude the Red Hawks' impressive season run. On the UCLA sideline, head coach Cori Close offered high praise for Lauren Betts, commending her "courageous vulnerability" after Betts spoke publicly about her mental health journey the previous day. The league also saw the reigning NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder announced they would forgo a White House visit during their upcoming trip to the nation's capital, citing concerns over "timing."
International Rugby & Combat Sports Updates
Across the Atlantic, Premiership Women's Rugby saw the Trailfinders narrowly defeat Harlequins 21-17, clinched by Abi Burton's try just three minutes before the final whistle. In professional mixed martial arts, Costello van Steenis successfully retained his PFL middleweight title by stopping challenger Fabian Edwards in the third round, denying Edwards another shot at world championship gold. Meanwhile, the United Rugby Championship featured a dominant showing from Connacht, who delivered a powerful second-half display to earn a bonus-point victory over Ulster, while Scarlets overwhelmed Zebre with six tries in a basement battle.
Global Athletics & European Football
In track and field, Great Britain's Jeremiah Azu finished fourth in what was described as "one of the best 60m races of all time" at the World Athletics Indoor Championships, narrowly missing a medal in the highly competitive event. In boxing, Michael Conlan confirmed that his split decision loss to Kevin Walsh in Belfast marked the definitive "end of the road" for his career. Elsewhere in European football, Larne extended their lead atop the Premiership table to five points following a decisive 3-0 win against Glenavon, while Wakefield exacted revenge on Leigh for last season's playoff elimination.