Top overall seeds UConn are the overwhelming favourites to claim the 2026 Women’s NCAA tournament title in Phoenix, according to a panel of college basketball experts.

The Huskies open their tournament campaign on Friday and are chasing a remarkable 13th national championship.

The storied programme are just six victories away from completing a seventh perfect season.

Top seeds dominate expert selections

A unanimous sweep of 22 analysts selected the Fort Worth 1 Region leaders to advance to the Final Four.

Thirteen of those voters tipped the unbeaten squad to lift the national trophy.

While no other college received unanimous backing to reach the semi-finals, fellow top-seeds South Carolina, Texas and UCLA garnered clear majorities.

Half of the polling panel predict an exclusive Final Four consisting entirely of number one seeds.

Toughest routes to the Final Four

Despite the dominance of the highest-ranked teams, the Sacramento 2 region presents a formidable gauntlet.

The Bruins of UCLA could face significant hurdles against highly-rated second seeds LSU or third-seeded Duke.

“With LSU, the top number two seed, and Duke, the best of the number three seeds, together with UCLA, simple math says it’s Sacramento 2.”

Charlie Creme, college basketball analyst

Ole Miss are another dangerous prospect capable of derailing the Los Angeles-based outfit.

The fifth-seeded Rebels boast impressive regular-season victories over Vanderbilt, Oklahoma and Notre Dame.

The dangerous dark horses

Looking beyond the elite top bracket, the Tigers of Louisiana State University have been identified as the premier outside threat.

Their battle-tested roster suffered five defeats this season, but all came against elite SEC opposition.

“What the Tigers learned from those defeats could help them get to the Elite Eight for the fourth year in a row.”

Michael Voepel, college basketball analyst

To complete a shock championship run, the Tigers will rely heavily on a dynamic backcourt spearheaded by Flau’jae Johnson and Mikaylah Williams.

Formula 1 could cancel three further races during the 2026 season, including the Azerbaijan, Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix, due to rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

The sport’s organisers are bracing for prolonged disruption following the recent axing of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian events.

Those two April fixtures were removed from the calendar after careful evaluation of the ongoing regional conflict.

Azerbaijan fixture under scrutiny

Attention has now shifted to the street circuit in Baku, which is currently scheduled for September.

While the city has not been directly impacted by drone strikes, its shared border with Iran has raised significant security concerns.

Journalist Julianne Cerasoli noted the geographical proximity is the primary factor complicating preparations for the event.

The main thing that’s shaking things up for the Azerbaijan GP, which is in September, is that Azerbaijan borders Iran.

Two-week intervals on either side of the Baku race provide logistical flexibility, but staff safety remains the ultimate priority.

Qatar and Abu Dhabi races in jeopardy

Decision-makers are adopting a more measured approach regarding the season-closing events in Lusail and Yas Marina.

Because these rounds take place later in the year, motorsport executives believe time is on their side before making a final call.

However, an overarching strategy to abandon all Middle Eastern stops entirely remains a distinct possibility if the crisis escalates.

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem emphasised that the governing body will not compromise on welfare.

The FIA will always place the safety and well-being of our community and colleagues first. After careful consideration, we have taken this decision with that responsibility firmly in mind.

Echoes of the 2020 campaign

If all five regional races are officially abandoned, the 2026 calendar would shrink to just 17 rounds.

Such a reduction would make it the shortest championship since the heavily disrupted 2020 pandemic season.

Formula 2, Formula 3, and the all-female F1 Academy series will also skip their corresponding support slots in the affected nations.

LeBron James delivered a 30-point masterclass featuring six spectacular dunks as the Los Angeles Lakers secured a 124-116 victory over the Houston Rockets on Wednesday.

The 41-year-old veteran shot 13-of-14 from the floor to help his team extend their current winning streak to a season-matching seven games.

Despite admitting to feeling his age during his post-match recovery, the four-time NBA champion looked unstoppable on the court.

“Right now, I feel like s—. But in the game, I felt pretty good,” James revealed while icing his joints in the locker room.
“I’m happy I’m able to make a few plays to help our team win.”

Defying the ageing process

According to ESPN Research, the Akron native had not recorded six dunks in a single fixture since March 2017.

Three of those slams came via alley-oop passes, equalling a career-high for the iconic forward during his 23-year professional tenure.

One particularly remarkable highlight saw the basketball legend soar to catch an errant lob from team-mate Marcus Smart before emphatically finishing the play.

Lakers guard Austin Reaves noted that his illustrious colleague remains more athletic than the vast majority of the league.

“It’s just insane to think about. It’s absolutely mind-blowing,” Reaves added.

High praise from fellow superstars

The Los Angeles franchise also benefited from another sensational outing from Luka Doncic.

The Slovenian playmaker contributed 40 points, nine rebounds, and 10 assists in a dominant offensive display.

Doncic was quick to laud his veteran team-mate, describing the high-flying performance as truly impressive.

Even the opposition found themselves marvelling at the sheer longevity of the NBA’s all-time leading scorer.

Houston Rockets superstar Kevin Durant, who managed 18 points in the defeat, insisted he is no longer surprised by such historic feats.

“He’s a freak athlete, he’s a generational athlete. I think he could play until he’s 45 years old,” the 37-year-old Durant observed.

Making history in Houston

The victory further cements an exceptional season for a Western Conference powerhouse looking to capitalise on their current momentum.

Entering the contest, the former Cleveland Cavalier ranked second across the entire association in fast-break points, trailing only Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey.

He now boasts 77 dunks in just 48 appearances this campaign.

Furthermore, the majestic showing made him the first Laker to score 30 points on 90% shooting since Shaquille O’Neal achieved the feat in 2003.

Team GB stars Keely Hodgkinson and Josh Kerr will lead the British medal charge at the 2026 World Athletics Indoor Championships in Torun.

The three-day event in Poland takes on added significance this year given the absence of an Olympic Games or outdoor World Championships in the 2026 calendar.

Kerr renews rivalry with Hocker

Scottish distance runner Kerr will be determined to defend his 3,000m crown after a memorable victory in Glasgow two years ago.

The reigning world indoor champion faces a monumental challenge against Cole Hocker, his 1,500m nemesis from the Paris Olympic Games.

Meanwhile, Jeremiah Azu arrives in Torun looking to replicate the stunning 60m victory he secured in Nanjing last year.

The British sprinter must navigate a formidable field featuring Jamaican powerhouse Kishane Thompson alongside American duo Jordan Anthony and Trayvon Bromell.

Hodgkinson seeks 800m supremacy

Olympic gold medallist Hodgkinson is widely expected to dominate the women’s 800m event on the tight indoor track.

Her compatriot Georgia Bell will also be eyeing a podium finish when she lines up in a highly competitive women’s 1,500m field.

However, the British squad will be without 400m specialist Amber Anning, who has opted to skip the championships to prioritise the upcoming Commonwealth Games and European Championships.

Key schedule highlights

The action commences on Friday, 20 March, with a packed morning session featuring the early rounds of the heptathlon and 60m sprints.

Several major finals will be contested under the evening lights across the opening two days of competition.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James has confirmed he will no longer pursue an ownership stake in a potential NBA expansion franchise in Las Vegas.

The 40-year-old had previously been highly vocal about his desire to bring a professional basketball organisation to Nevada.

However, the four-time NBA champion definitively ruled out the venture following his team’s 124-116 victory over the Houston Rockets on Wednesday.

“No, I’m not. Not at all.”

James told reporters when asked about his potential involvement in joining a formal bidding group.

Board of governors vote looms

The NBA’s board of governors is scheduled to meet next week to officially vote on opening the expansion bidding process.

This highly anticipated upcoming vote is expected to pave the way for establishing new franchises in both Las Vegas and Seattle.

Industry executives anticipate that successful proposals for each new team could demand a staggering entry fee of between $7bn and $10bn.

A sudden change of heart

This definitive withdrawal marks a significant public reversal for the NBA’s all-time leading scorer.

During a 2022 episode of his digital talk show, the former Cleveland Cavaliers star emphatically stated his ownership ambitions.

“I want a team in Vegas. I want the team in Vegas.”

Despite those past declarations, the American superstar has now firmly closed the door on spearheading an ownership syndicate.

Instead, his immediate focus remains strictly on the court after delivering a 30-point performance to help secure a crucial away victory in Houston.

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has backed drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri to recover from a disastrous start to their 2026 Formula 1 campaign following consecutive race weekends ruined by reliability issues and crashes.

The reigning two-time constructors’ champions have endured a miserable title defence across the opening rounds in Australia and China.

World champion Norris secured a fifth-placed finish in Melbourne, which remains the Woking-based outfit’s only race classification so far this year.

His Australian team-mate crashed out before his home race began, while both cars later suffered electrical failures that prevented them from starting the Chinese Grand Prix.

Early deficit in the standings

Those severe reliability setbacks leave the British squad trailing a distant third behind early championship leaders Mercedes and Ferrari.

In the drivers’ standings, the reigning champion sits sixth on 15 points, while the 24-year-old from Melbourne languishes in 12th after collecting just three sprint points.

Despite the lack of track time and race finishes, Stella insists the mood inside the garage remains resilient.

“It is a tough moment, that’s for sure.”

The Italian engineer admitted that failing to start a single Grand Prix has been particularly difficult for the younger driver to process.

However, the team boss praised the positive attitude both men displayed during post-race debriefs in Shanghai.

Relying on a winning mindset

The papaya team have developed a strong internal culture since their dramatic turnaround during the 2023 season.

Stella believes this winner’s mindset allows the team to focus strictly on elements within their direct control.

“In this case in China, there wasn’t much we could have controlled, so we just take any possible learning and we go again.”

He pointed to the difficulties they overcame during their double championship-winning campaign last year as proof of their inherent resilience.

“The victory was in Qatar and in Vegas, for the way we withstood the difficulties. That’s where you really become a champion.”

The defending champions will aim to resurrect their season at the upcoming Japanese Grand Prix in late March.

Real Madrid have eliminated Manchester City from the Champions League round of 16, continuing Pep Guardiola’s frustrations against the Spanish giants in Europe’s premier club competition.

The 15-time European Cup winners proved too strong for the reigning English champions across the two-legged tie.

City’s premature exit adds to a disappointing continental record under their Catalan manager.

Familiar foes haunt Guardiola

Despite widespread domestic dominance, the former Barcelona boss has secured just one Champions League title during his lengthy tenure in Manchester.

The Premier League heavyweights have now suffered repeated eliminations at the hands of the La Liga powerhouse in recent seasons.

Critics have suggested that the psychological weight of facing European royalty often forces unnecessary tactical adjustments from the City dugout.

During the opening exchanges of both legs, the English side dominated possession but failed to capitalise on their advantage.

Belgian winger Jérémy Doku created multiple openings, yet the decisive final ball was ultimately lacking.

At the other end of the pitch, veteran goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois produced a resilient performance to keep the English attackers at bay.

“It’s hard to avoid the feeling that Madrid get into Guardiola’s head every single time, forcing him to overthink his tactics and team selection even more than usual.” European football analyst Alex Kirkland

Heavyweights cruise into quarter-finals

Elsewhere in the tournament, Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Barcelona all comfortably navigated their respective ties.

The Gunners will now consider themselves among the strong favourites to reach the final in Budapest on 30 May.

Paris Saint-Germain delivered a footballing lesson to Chelsea, abruptly ending the London club’s European campaign.

Meanwhile, Bodo/Glimt’s fairytale run in the competition was ruthlessly halted by Portuguese outfit Sporting CP.

Lionel Messi has become only the second player in football history to reach 900 career goals, scoring for Inter Miami during their Concacaf Champions Cup tie against Nashville SC on Wednesday.

The historic milestone arrived just seven minutes into the last-16 second leg at Geodis Park in Tennessee.

It adds another astonishing chapter to a glittering career that has fundamentally redefined the modern game.

Record-breaking numbers in America and Europe

Since arriving in the United States in June 2023, the veteran playmaker has netted 81 times in 92 appearances for the Florida franchise.

His remarkable strike rate helped David Beckham’s co-owned side secure both the League Cup and MLS Cup.

Prior to his transatlantic move, the legendary forward cemented his status as a footballing icon during a 17-year spell with Barcelona.

He registered a staggering 672 goals in 778 matches for the Catalan giants, lifting four Champions League trophies and 10 La Liga titles.

How the Argentine maestro reached the milestone

A brief two-season stint with Paris St-Germain yielded an additional 32 goals while playing alongside Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.

On the international stage, the talismanic captain has earned 196 caps and scored 115 times for Argentina, famously leading them to World Cup glory in Qatar.

Data from Opta reveals the sheer variety behind his astonishing 900-goal haul.

Joining an exclusive club of goalscorers

Sevilla remains his most punished opponent, conceding 25 times to the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.

Athletic Club, Atletico Madrid, Valencia, and Real Madrid also feature prominently among his favourite victims.

Reaching the 900-goal threshold puts him in highly exclusive company alongside his long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Portuguese superstar reached the same landmark in September 2024 during an international fixture against Croatia.

Ronaldo has since extended his career tally to 959 goals for club and country, keeping the ultimate scoring record fiercely contested.