Last updated: March 19, 2026, 1:30 AM ET
NCAA Tournament First Four Action
The opening night of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament saw Miami (Ohio) secure its first tournament victory in 27 years, defeating SMU 72-69 in the First Four matchup Wednesday night. SMU coach Andy Enfield later denied misleading the NCAA regarding star guard B.J. Edwards, asserting the player missed the game because he did not feel "game-ready" following an injury announcement made last Friday. In a separate First Four contest, Prairie View A&M continued its impressive turnaround, winning their first NCAA tournament game ever with a 67-55 triumph over Lehigh, marking a significant achievement for a program that managed only five total wins the previous season.
Legal & Off-Court Developments
In legal proceedings, a California judge ruled that former Cal State Bakersfield assistant basketball coach Kevin Mays will proceed to trial on charges related to pimping and other offenses, determining there was sufficient evidence presented against him. Separately, an emotional cap to the Rhode Island high school hockey season concluded Wednesday when a local team captured the state title following a tragic mass shooting incident that occurred during one of their prior games last month, an event where player Colin Dorgan lost three family members in the stands.
WNBA Financial Outlook
to professional women's basketball, sources indicated that the projected salary cap under the pending WNBA collective bargaining agreement is expected to surpass the $10 million threshold by the time the current deal concludes, signaling substantial financial growth for the league's players over the agreement's lifespan.