Top seeds South Carolina and third seeds TCU have advanced to the Elite Eight of the Women’s NCAA Tournament following commanding Sweet 16 victories on Saturday.
The pair will now face each other for a coveted spot in the Final Four after a thrilling day of collegiate basketball.
Michigan and Texas also demonstrated their might, controlling their respective matchups to successfully book their places in the next round.
Gamecocks stifle Sooners to advance
South Carolina ruthlessly dismantled Oklahoma 94-68 to highlight their championship credentials.
The tournament favourites completely disrupted the offensive rhythm of their opponents from the opening tip-off.
They restricted the Sooners to fewer than 70 points for just the fourth time this season.
A major key to the emphatic victory was the defensive containment of Raegan Beers.
The imposing 6ft 4in senior centre was frequently double-teamed by a physically imposing rotation, limiting her to just five made field goals on the night.
Miles and Suarez power Horned Frogs
Earlier in the day, TCU overcame a sluggish start to defeat tenth seeds Virginia 79-69 and reach their second consecutive Elite Eight.
Trailing at the end of the first half, the Horned Frogs sparked into life with a devastating 11-point scoring streak immediately after the break.
The dynamic duo of Olivia Miles and Marta Suarez were utterly unplayable, combining for a staggering 61 points.
Remarkably, the pair scored or assisted on every single one of their team’s 79 points during the contest.
Virginia’s Kymora Johnson fought valiantly to energise her squad and apply pressure in the paint.
However, the Cavaliers simply could not match the blistering second-half pace dictated by the masterful passing of Miles.
A heavyweight Elite Eight clash awaits
TCU must now prepare for a daunting encounter against a formidable South Carolina defence.
If the Texas-based programme are to cause a monumental upset, they cannot afford another slow start.
They will need to establish early offensive dominance and capitalise on the playmaking brilliance of their star guard to break down the top seeds.
Tyrell Fortune has secured a victory on his Ultimate Fighting Championship debut against Marcin Tybura in Seattle after a scorecard reading error initially awarded the fight to his opponent.
The heavyweight contender was already walking back to the tunnel when officials spotted the mistake and summoned him back to the Octagon.
Veteran cage announcer Bruce Buffer had incorrectly read the judges’ scorecards in favour of the Polish fighter during the Saturday night bout.
The judges ultimately scored the contest 30-27, 29-28 and 29-28 to award a unanimous decision to the American.
Overcoming initial frustration
The 35-year-old had accepted the Fight Night matchup on just two weeks’ notice.
The Northwest native believed his performance was lacking before the corrected decision was announced to the crowd.
“I was so upset with myself. I felt I didn’t do enough,” stated Fortune.
“With two weeks’ notice, I feel like I did a good job, but I also need to come with a better performance next time.”
A remarkable journey to the top
The former NCAA Division II national wrestling champion has taken an arduous path to reach mixed martial arts’ premier promotion.
During his amateur wrestling career in 2012, he suffered severe health complications during a weight cut and was temporarily pronounced dead.
Following a complete medical recovery, the highly-touted prospect steadily built his professional resume across multiple rival organisations.
He previously competed in Bellator from 2016 until 2023, before making two appearances in the Professional Fighters League prior to this promotional debut.
Top seeds Michigan and Duke face pivotal round of eight matchups against Tennessee and UConn respectively as the 2026 men’s college basketball tournament continues on Sunday.
The highly anticipated fixtures will determine who advances to the prestigious semi-final stage of the national collegiate competition.
Michigan enter their afternoon clash as strong favourites to overcome the sixth-seeded Volunteers.
Later in the evening, fellow number one seeds Duke take on second seeds Connecticut in a heavyweight encounter.
Duke seek to break down stubborn Huskies
Bookmakers have installed the Blue Devils as 5.5-point favourites for their evening tip-off.
However, analysts suggest the low projected points total of 133.5 may underestimate the offensive capabilities of both prestigious programmes.
The Durham-based outfit have consistently surpassed higher points totals when facing elite defensive units throughout the current campaign.
Danny Hurley’s Huskies will need to establish an early offensive rhythm to prevent their formidable opponents from controlling the late stages.
Volunteers face massive test against Wolverines
In the early game, Michigan carry a 7.5-point handicap advantage into their battle with the Southeastern Conference challengers.
The Ann Arbor institution possesses one of the most efficient shooting attacks in the nation, ranking second overall in two-point conversion percentage.
To orchestrate an upset, the underdog Volunteers must restrict their highly-fancied opponents to below 45% shooting from the field.
Tennessee rely heavily on offensive rebounding to generate scoring opportunities, but they face a daunting task against an elite Michigan frontcourt.
Top seeds South Carolina stormed into the Elite Eight of the women’s March Madness tournament with a dominant 94-68 victory over Oklahoma in Sacramento.
Ta’Niya Latson scored 28 points as the Gamecocks overpowered their fourth-seeded opponents to set up a regional final clash against either TCU or Virginia.
Raven Johnson added 18 points during a commanding performance that keeps the perennial contenders on track for the Final Four in Phoenix.
The emphatic win also served as revenge for South Carolina, who suffered their only regular-season Southeastern Conference loss to this same Oklahoma outfit earlier this year.
Latson leads early offensive blitz
Playing in her first Sweet 16, former Florida State guard Latson orchestrated a blistering 10-0 start for the tournament favourites.
The senior playmaker accounted for eight of those opening points as her team established an early stranglehold on the contest.
Johnson further compounded the misery for the Sooners, contributing nine points to build a 23-13 advantage by the end of the first quarter.
Oklahoma struggled to find their rhythm in response, turning the ball over on three of their first four possessions in the second period.
Sooners’ comeback hopes extinguished
A sensational four-point play from Latson in the final minute of the half extended the lead to 47-28, effectively putting the game out of reach before the break.
Despite Second-team AP All-American Joyce Edwards being held scoreless in the opening 20 minutes, the Gamecocks possessed more than enough firepower to maintain their dominance.
The top seeds made a concerted effort to involve Edwards after the interval, with the forward scoring the team’s first four points of the third quarter.
She eventually finished with eight points and nine rebounds, ensuring the Sooners had no realistic path back into the match.
Aaliyah Chavez managed a valiant 21 points for the eliminated side, while Raegan Beers contributed 14 in a losing effort.
South Carolina, who boast three national championships in their recent history, are now just one victory away from their seventh Final Four appearance in nine tournaments.
England international Cole Palmer is reportedly disillusioned with life at Chelsea and could leave Stamford Bridge this summer, with Manchester United among several top European clubs monitoring the £150m-rated forward.
The former Manchester City academy graduate has emerged as a standout performer in west London but is now believed to be seeking a new challenge.
Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are also actively tracking the playmaker, who commands a significant valuation in the current transfer market.
Casemiro nears Major League Soccer switch
Elsewhere, experienced midfielder Casemiro is preparing to depart Old Trafford at the conclusion of the current campaign.
Major League Soccer outfit Inter Miami have already initiated discussions with the Brazilian veteran regarding a potential transatlantic transfer.
The five-time Champions League winner remains open to exploring options in the United States, despite attracting lucrative rival offers from Saudi Arabia.
Old Firm rivals track Sheffield United striker
North of the border, Scottish Premiership heavyweights Celtic and Rangers are preparing a summer battle for Sheffield United forward Tyrese Campbell.
The Glasgow rivals have both reignited their long-standing interest in the English attacker ahead of the upcoming transfer window.
Meanwhile, the Ibrox club are actively looking to trim their squad and are reportedly close to selling winger Rabbi Matondo to Norwegian side Brann Bergen.
Verstappen casts doubt on Formula 1 future
Away from football, Red Bull driver Max Verstappen has sparked sudden speculation regarding his long-term commitment to Formula 1.
The Dutch world champion endured a frustrating qualifying session at the Japanese Grand Prix, finishing a lowly 11th on the grid behind an 18-year-old rookie team-mate.
In domestic cricket, Sussex face severe disruption this summer with up to eight players and their head coach potentially departing amid looming financial cuts and point deductions.
The Milwaukee Bucks have been officially eliminated from NBA playoff contention after suffering a heavy 127-95 defeat by the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday.
The comprehensive loss brings a bitter end to a nine-year postseason streak for the Eastern Conference franchise.
Only the Boston Celtics now hold a longer active run of consecutive playoff appearances.
Milwaukee’s alarming late-season struggles have been severely compounded by the ongoing absence of Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Antetokounmpo absence proves costly
The two-time MVP missed his sixth consecutive game at the weekend due to a left knee hyperextension and bone bruise.
He has featured in just 36 games this campaign, a pivotal factor behind his team’s disastrous slide down the standings.
Recent debates have intensified regarding the franchise’s medical handling of the Greek forward.
The National Basketball Players Association issued a statement earlier this week seemingly criticising the organisation for considering shutting their star player down entirely.
Without their talisman on the court, the struggling side have now lost nine of their past 11 matches.
Spurs continue impressive surge
In stark contrast, San Antonio secured their eighth consecutive victory to maintain a remarkable run of late-season form.
The Texas-based team have completely transformed their fortunes by winning 13 of their last 14 fixtures.
This relentless surge moves them within two games of the first-place Oklahoma City Thunder in the highly competitive Western Conference.
Stephon Castle orchestrated the latest triumph by registering a dominant triple-double, finishing with 22 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds.
Meanwhile, French sensation Victor Wembanyama further bolstered his MVP credentials by adding 23 points, 15 rebounds and six assists.
The United States suffered a severe setback in their World Cup preparations as Belgium secured an emphatic 5-2 victory at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday.
Weston McKennie initially rewarded the tournament co-hosts for an impressive start, turning in an Antonee Robinson corner at the back post to claim his first international goal in three years.
However, Zeno Debast levelled for the European side on the stroke of half-time with a stunning long-range strike.
Defensive vulnerabilities exposed
The visitors ruthlessly exploited a makeshift American defence after the interval, scoring three times during a devastating 15-minute spell.
Amadou Onana fired the Red Devils ahead before Charles De Ketelaere converted a penalty following a handball by home captain Tim Ream.
Dodi Lukebakio then delivered the standout moment of the match, curling a magnificent effort into the top corner beyond returning goalkeeper Matt Turner.
The Belgian attacker added his second and the visitors’ fifth late in the game, prompting early exits from frustrated sections of the 66,867-strong crowd.
Injuries hamper Pochettino’s plans
Substitute Patrick Agyemang managed a late consolation for Mauricio Pochettino’s side, but the heavy defeat snapped a promising five-game unbeaten streak under the Argentine manager.
The hosts were severely depleted at the back, missing key defenders Sergiño Dest, Chris Richards and Miles Robinson alongside holding midfielder Tyler Adams.
Consequently, Tim Weah was forced to start at right-back and endured a torrid afternoon attempting to contain Manchester City winger Jérémy Doku.
Final preparations approach
The defeat extends Belgium’s winning run against the Americans to six consecutive matches, a dominant streak dating back to their lone loss at the inaugural 1930 tournament.
Pochettino now faces a crucial final assessment window when his squad returns to Atlanta to host Portugal on Tuesday before naming his roster in May.
The Stars and Stripes will launch their World Cup campaign against Paraguay on 12 June in Inglewood, California.
World number one Aryna Sabalenka defeated hometown favourite Coco Gauff 6-2 4-6 6-3 in the Miami Open final on Saturday to complete the prestigious ‘Sunshine Double’.
The Belarusian arrived at the tournament having already claimed the Indian Wells crown and successfully retained her Miami title in a thrilling three-set encounter.
Victory means she joins an elite club of just five women to win both Californian and Floridian events back-to-back in the same season.
Sabalenka survives mid-match fightback
The top seed established early dominance by racing into a 2-0 lead before fending off resistance from the world number four to secure a double break.
A powerful serving display saw the defending champion win 73 per cent of her first-serve points while closing out the opening set in commanding fashion.
However, the American challenger, who hails from nearby Delray Beach, found her rhythm in a tightly contested middle set.
Gauff struck at the pivotal moment, breaking her opponent for the only time in the match to force a deciding set and delight the local crowd.
An elite club and staggering season record
The deciding set saw the tournament favourite immediately regain her composure, breaking early before holding to love in two consecutive service games.
She sealed the championship with her fourth break of the contest when her American rival sent a decisive backhand wide.
The triumph acts as revenge for the 2025 French Open final, where Gauff previously claimed a famous victory over her fierce competitor.
By capturing consecutive stateside titles, the world’s top-ranked player joins Steffi Graf, Kim Clijsters, Victoria Azarenka and Iga Swiatek in achieving the elusive double.
It caps off an extraordinary start to the campaign, improving her formidable 2026 record to 23 wins and just a single defeat.