Last updated: March 20, 2026, 8:31 AM ET
NCAA Tournament Upsets & Upsets
The opening rounds of March Madness delivered immediate drama, highlighted by No. 12 seed High Point stunning fifth-seeded Wisconsin 83-82 on Thursday, secured when Chase Johnston sank his first 2-point basket of the season in the waning moments. The chaos continued as 11th-seeded VCU erased a 19-point second-half deficit to stun sixth-seeded North Carolina in overtime, 82-78, after Terrence Hill Jr. hit a stepback 3-pointer with 15 seconds left in the extra period; however, UNC coach Hubert Davis later deflected fatigue as a reason for the collapse, stating the outcome was entirely his decision. Meanwhile, the overall No. 1 seed Duke narrowly survived its 16-seed matchup, having to rally from 13 points down before finally pulling ahead late to edge past Siena, while No. 4 seed Nebraska celebrated its first-ever NCAA tournament victory by thoroughly beating No. 13 seed Troy 76-47 in a dominant performance.
College Hoops Futures & Player Decisions
Beyond the immediate tournament action, speculation surrounds key underclassmen, particularly BYU's AJ Dybantsa, who poured in 35 points in a first-round loss to No. 11 seed Texas before stating he will decide his future after an impressive freshman campaign that included a 79-71 defeat to the Longhorns where his scoring was insufficient. In Division III, the incredible run of NYU ended as the two-time defending champion Violets saw their 91-game winning streak snapped in the Final Four by Scranton, who secured a 60-52 victory on Thursday night. Furthermore, Kentucky coach Mark Pope offered little clarity regarding recent reports that Yaxel Lendeborg received a multimillion-dollar offer to join the Wildcats, while a sibling connection played out elsewhere when Payton Sandfort appeared courtside to support his brother less than 12 hours after making his NBA debut.
Professional Football Personnel Moves
In the NFL, the Kansas City Chiefs are banking on better returns from their free agent acquisitions this year, hoping the incoming class provides a more substantial impact than last year's underwhelming signings, particularly as they look to solidify the defensive line. Out in Seattle, the Seahawks face a significant void at running back after letting the Super Bowl MVP walk, compounding their issues with an expected backfield shortage due to Zach Charbonnet's ongoing injury concerns. Separately, the UFL owners are preparing for the upcoming season by favoring a more intimate atmosphere by utilizing smaller stadiums, a strategy that the defending champion D.C. Defenders coach anticipates will lead to every opponent bringing their absolute best effort in every contest.
Rugby Union & League Updates
The English Red Roses Women's squad enters the Six Nations under new leadership, as Head coach John Mitchell has incorporated seven uncapped players while seeking to build momentum following the September Rugby World Cup win. Centre Meg Jones is set to assume the captaincy in the absence of Zoe Stratford, who announced her pregnancy earlier this week. In the United Rugby Championship (URC), Welsh clubs are fighting for positioning as Cardiff and Ospreys remain in play-off contention, while the Dragons and Scarlets are desperately working to avoid the Welsh Wooden Spoon; Cardiff sees the return of Taulupe Faletau, who is named to the matchday squad against the Bulls for the first time since New Year's Day following his recovery. Bristol Bears return to Premiership action as the league's in-form side, succeeding despite an injury crisis that tested their limits.
Global Combat Sports & Darts
UFC contender Lerone Murphy emphasized that the winner of his upcoming fight against Movsar Evloev in London this Saturday should automatically earn the next title shot, dismissing any notion that another fighter should jump the queue for the featherweight belt. Meanwhile, the question of fairness in matchmaking is being raised as Murphy prepares for his bout, prompting discussions about why some athletes seem to overlook contendership opportunities. In darts, Luke Littler staged a dramatic comeback in Dublin, fighting back from a 5-0 deficit to defeat Gerwyn Price 6-5 in the Premier League final, a contest that featured two incredible 170 checkouts in a single game.
Other Sports Notes & League Business
The WNBA is poised for significant financial shifts under its new Collective Bargaining Agreement, which sources confirm will expedite maximum salary deals for players on rookie-scale contracts, signaling a potentially transformative period for league salaries and player earnings under the new CBA structure. In international football, Northern Ireland's Josh Magennis is focused on achieving a major personal milestone, stating he is dreaming of earning 100 caps as the team prepares for their World Cup play-off match in Italy. Cyclist Sir Chris Hoy shared a personal perspective following his terminal cancer diagnosis, reflecting that the experience taught him the value of appreciating small, immediate moments over conventional bucket-list items.