Top seeds UCLA overcame a rare halftime deficit to defeat the Duke Blue Devils 85-70 in Sacramento on Sunday, securing their place in the Women’s Final Four.
The Californian side trailed for the vast majority of the opening stages before Gianna Kneepkens sank a crucial three-pointer to snatch a 47-45 lead in the third quarter.
That decisive shot sparked a dominant period where the Bruins outscored their opponents 20-8 to take control of the Elite Eight tie.
A significant factor in the comeback was the awakening of star center Lauren Betts.
Betts dominates the paint
The 6ft 7in senior struggled initially with just eight first-half points but finished the contest with a commanding 23 points and 10 rebounds.
In doing so, she recorded her sixth career double-double in the NCAA tournament.
The dominant post player also joined Brittney Griner as the only competitor since 2012 to register 20 points, 10 rebounds, and five blocks in a game at this late stage of the tournament.
Duke had initially frustrated the number one overall seeds by employing an aggressive defensive strategy.
Blue Devils’ early promise fades
The Atlantic Coast Conference outfit capitalised on early nerves, scoring 16 points off 12 turnovers while applying constant pressure inside the paint.
Taina Mair was the standout performer for the defeated side, finishing with 21 points and seven rebounds.
The talented guard also matched the school’s single-season record by registering her 201st assist of the campaign.
However, the Blue Devils could not sustain their first-half momentum against a team determined to avenge last year’s semi-final heartbreak.
Chasing a maiden national title
Trailing by eight points at the interval was an unusual position for the Bruins, who had only been behind at halftime once before this season.
That previous occasion resulted in their solitary defeat of the 2025-26 campaign at the hands of Texas.
The Los Angeles-based program is now one step closer to claiming its first-ever women’s national championship.
They will travel to Phoenix on Friday to face either Michigan or the very Texas side that handed them their only loss.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has confirmed that Hugo Ekitike and Ibrahima Konate are fully fit ahead of crucial upcoming fixtures against Manchester City and Paris St-Germain.
The Reds face a season-defining double-header following the conclusion of the international break.
They take on Pep Guardiola’s side in the FA Cup quarter-finals on 4 April, before travelling to France for a Champions League first-leg tie four days later.
Ekitike overcomes dead leg
There were major concerns when Ekitike limped off in tears after just nine minutes of a 2-1 defeat by Brighton last weekend.
However, the Dutch coach moved quickly to allay fears of a lengthy lay-off for the French forward.
“A dead leg, as you call it here I think,” Slot explained during his post-match press conference.
“Hugo, I think he could play tomorrow if he needed to.”
The attacker subsequently joined the France squad, scoring against Brazil before making a substitute appearance against Colombia.
Emerging unscathed from international duty, the former Parisian is now primed to face his old employers in Europe.
Konate returns to full fitness
In a further boost for the Merseyside club, Konate has also completely recovered from a recent hamstring issue.
The central defender missed a 1-1 home draw against Tottenham Hotspur due to muscular discomfort.
He was initially declared fit ahead of a 4-0 Champions League victory over Galatasaray.
“If you play so many games with only two days of rest in between you cannot do a lot, but he is declared completely fit,” Slot confirmed.
“He doesn’t feel the discomfort anymore.”
The powerful centre-back played a full 90 minutes for France against Brazil during the international break.
He was then granted a complete rest during a 3-1 victory over Colombia in the United States, ensuring he returns to Anfield fully refreshed.
The Vegas Golden Knights have sacked head coach Bruce Cassidy and appointed John Tortorella following a run of six defeats in seven games.
The change in leadership comes with the Nevada-based franchise sitting third in the Pacific Division after a 5-4 shootout loss to the Washington Capitals on Saturday.
With just eight regular-season games remaining, management has opted for an immediate change to secure their spot in the Western Conference playoffs.
Stanley Cup winner departs amid late-season slump
The departing coach previously led the organisation to their ultimate goal by securing a maiden Stanley Cup victory in 2023.
“Under Bruce’s leadership, we reached our ultimate goal in 2023 by bringing a Stanley Cup to Vegas,” said Golden Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon.
“With the stretch run of the 2025-26 regular season upon us, we believe that a change is necessary for us to return to the level of play that is expected of our club.”
Experienced Tortorella returns to the bench
Tortorella arrives in Nevada boasting a wealth of NHL experience and his own championship pedigree.
The veteran tactician has been out of work since being dismissed by the Philadelphia Flyers last March during his third campaign with the team.
“With John Tortorella, we bring in a Stanley Cup Champion as well as one of the most experienced and respected coaches in the NHL,” added McCrimmon.
“His guidance will be a great asset to our team at the pivotal point in the season we currently face.”
Michigan have routed Tennessee 95-62 at Chicago’s United Center to reach the NCAA Final Four for the first time since 2018.
The top-seeded Wolverines dominated the Midwest regional final on Sunday to secure their 35th victory of a record-breaking season.
Second-year head coach Dusty May has masterminded a remarkable turnaround for a programme that won just eight games only two years ago.
They will now face West Region champions Arizona in Saturday’s national semi-final in Indianapolis.
Lendeborg leads the charge
Forward Yaxel Lendeborg spearheaded the emphatic win with a flawless display, registering 27 points, seven rebounds and four assists without a single turnover.
The recently crowned Big Ten Player of the Year has now recorded 20 or more points in three consecutive tournament appearances.
He becomes the first player from the Ann Arbor school to achieve that scoring feat since Juwan Howard in 1994.
Transfers fuel dominant run
The maize and blue roster has been heavily bolstered by high-profile transfers who proved decisive against the sixth-seeded Volunteers.
Former North Carolina guard Elliot Cadeau dictated the tempo with a game-high 10 assists, while UCLA arrival Aday Mara contributed 11 points and two blocks.
An explosive 21-0 scoring streak midway through the first half effectively ended the contest before the interval.
The rampant victors then opened the second period with a 21-12 run to extinguish any fading hopes of a miraculous comeback.
Volunteers suffer Elite Eight heartbreak
Tennessee’s defeat marks their third consecutive Elite Eight exit under veteran coach Rick Barnes.
Senior guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie fought valiantly to lead his team with 21 points, but the opposition’s blistering pace proved overwhelming.
Michigan are now firmly setting their sights on ending a 35-year wait for a national championship title.
Tottenham Hotspur are offering Roberto De Zerbi a lucrative Premier League survival bonus to convince the Italian to take charge immediately following Igor Tudor’s abrupt departure.
The former Brighton and Marseille manager is the primary candidate to take over in north London.
However, the 46-year-old reportedly prefers to wait until the summer before committing to a new role.
He wants to assess whether the struggling side will secure their top-flight status for another year before making a final decision.
Immediate appointment sought
Club officials have spent this week exploring ways to accelerate the hiring process to help steer the team away from the relegation zone.
A substantial sign-on fee has been proposed alongside the survival incentive to tempt the tactician back to English football.
Bruno Saltor is currently overseeing first-team training sessions while the hierarchy desperately searches for a permanent or short-term solution.
The dugout vacancy arose after Tudor left his position on Sunday, having spent just 44 days at the helm.
Alternative options considered
If a deal for the preferred candidate cannot be reached, several alternative names have been drafted onto a contingency shortlist.
Sean Dyche is among the heavily linked alternatives due to his vast experience in navigating brutal relegation battles.
The former Burnley and Everton boss would reportedly demand a longer-term contract to ensure financial security if he were to be dismissed at the end of the campaign.
Former club legends including Ryan Mason, Glenn Hoddle, and Harry Redknapp have also been discussed as potential interim caretakers to steady the ship.
Austrian coach Adi Hutter is another manager being evaluated by the board as they seek immediate stability.
Tiger Woods will travel to Augusta this week for a scheduled appearance, despite his recent car crash and subsequent DUI arrest in Florida.
The 50-year-old is not expected to compete in the upcoming Masters tournament following the rollover incident in Jupiter Island.
However, the 15-time major winner remains committed to celebrating a municipal golf course project known as ‘The Patch’.
He will be joined in Georgia by Masters chairman Fred Ridley for the unveiling of a short course designed by his team.
Florida crash and DUI charge
The American golf icon was involved in a collision earlier this week after attempting to overtake a truck pulling a pressure cleaner trailer.
Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek confirmed that the former world number one’s Land Rover rolled onto its driver’s door during the incident.
“As he was trying to do so, the Land Rover overtook him and at the last minute swerved to avoid a collision but clipped the trailer of the vehicle,” Budensiek explained.
Following the accident, the five-time Masters champion was able to climb out of the passenger door before officers arrived.
Arrest and tournament absence
Law enforcement officials reported signs of impairment at the scene, prompting several in-depth roadside tests.
The golfing legend was subsequently arrested and taken to Martin County Jail.
Although a breathalyzer test returned a 0.00 reading for alcohol, he was charged with DUI with property damage after refusing to provide a urine sample.
“He did explain the injuries and surgeries he has had,” Budensiek noted regarding the field evaluation.
Former US President Donald Trump has already publicly addressed the situation regarding the upcoming major championship.
“I love Tiger, but he won’t be there. He’ll be there, but he won’t be playing in it,” Trump remarked.
Haas driver Oliver Bearman has avoided serious injury following a massive 50G crash during the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday.
The 20-year-old Briton lost control of his car on lap 21 while chasing down Alpine’s Franco Colapinto for 17th place.
Veering onto the grass at high speed, the young racer spun violently into the barriers at Suzuka’s notoriously difficult Spoon Curve.
He was immediately assisted by trackside marshals and was seen limping, requiring a moment to sit down after extracting himself from the wrecked chassis.
Medical checks clear driver of fractures
Following the severe impact, the shaken competitor was swiftly transported to the track’s medical centre for a full clinical evaluation.
An X-ray confirmed there were no broken bones, bringing a huge sense of relief to the American racing team.
A spokesperson for the constructor provided a detailed update on his physical condition shortly after the incident.
“50G impact – has had X-ray at Medical Centre. No fractures – a right knee contusion following the impact.”
The team subsequently reassured worried fans via social media that their promising prospect was recovering well.
Safety car shakes up race leaders
The severity of the barrier collision immediately triggered a safety car period, dramatically altering the complexion of the race at the front of the pack.
Kimi Antonelli capitalized on the resulting neutralization, leapfrogging both Oscar Piastri and George Russell to seize the grand prix lead.
Formula 1 action will resume next month with the Miami Grand Prix, marking the second Sprint weekend of the 2026 season.
Alvaro Arbeloa has successfully revitalised Real Madrid’s season and unlocked the goalscoring form of Vinicius Jr since taking charge at the Bernabeu in January.
The former Liverpool defender inherited a squad navigating a packed fixture schedule with little time for a gradual introduction.
Spanish media immediately warned the new head coach about the immense challenge of managing a dressing room filled with global superstars.
However, the incoming manager remained unfazed by the intense pressure associated with the Spanish capital.
“It’s not something that worries me much,” Arbeloa stated at his unveiling earlier this year.
Building crucial squad relationships
Two months into his tenure, the former Spanish international is seeing his foundational work yield impressive results on the pitch.
Throughout March, Los Blancos secured monumental victories against some of the most elite tactical minds in European football.
His revitalised side dismantled Jose Mourinho’s Benfica, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, and Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid in rapid succession.
Those crucial triumphs have kept the reigning European champions within four points of La Liga leaders Barcelona.
A defining Clasico looms in May, while a mouth-watering Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich awaits.
Overcoming mid-season challenges
Following last week’s thrilling 3-2 derby victory over Atletico, the manager reflected on his growing bond with the squad.
“I’m getting to know the players more and more,” said the Madrid boss.
He openly acknowledged that stepping into the dugout mid-season created unique and demanding hurdles.
“I arrived at a time when I practically had no time to work with the players, to understand where they felt comfortable, and to see how they mixed with each other.”
The relentless schedule initially prevented him from implementing immediate, sweeping tactical changes on the training ground.
“For me, it’s not easy to arrive mid-season and observe how the team functions, and that’s what has changed over these two months.”
The head coach now believes he possesses the personal and professional insight required to maximise his squad’s overall performance.
Unlocking Vinicius Junior’s potential
One key figure thriving under this newfound managerial approach is Brazilian forward Vinicius Jr.
The dynamic winger has started 16 of the 17 matches since the managerial change, experiencing a massive surge in attacking output.
He has already netted 11 times under the new regime, starkly contrasting the six goals he managed in 27 appearances under predecessor Xabi Alonso.
Instead of implementing restrictive tactical instructions, the coaching staff has actively encouraged the attacker to play with complete freedom.
“I’m lucky to have Vini, he’s loved by all the fans,” Arbeloa noted during his initial press briefing.
“We want to see the Vini who enjoys playing, who laughs, who dances… that’s the Vini I want to see.”
Restoring confidence after tension
This supportive environment represents a dramatic shift from the reported dressing room friction during Alonso’s previous tenure.
The frustrated forward was allegedly caught muttering his desire to leave the club after being substituted during October’s tense Clasico defeat.
Since arriving, his new manager has fiercely defended him from external criticism and solidified his status as an untouchable asset.
“He’s one of the most dangerous players, if not the most dangerous, in the world and he embodies what a Real Madrid player is,” added the coach.
Following this unwavering public backing, the electric attacker has officially put transfer talks on hold and recommitted his future to the Spanish giants.