LSU lures Wade back as it fires coach McMahon
Will Wade said in a statement posted to X on Thursday that he is leaving his job as the coach at NC State to return to LSU.
College Basketball
27th March 2026
Men's March Madness: Predictions, previews for every Sweet 16 game Thursday
ESPN's college basketball reporters agree on two games but are split on the others, plus keys to each team advancing.
Lunardi: Want Cinderella back? Set an NCAA tournament eligibility floor
The blame for Cinderella's demise is misplaced. Here's why we haven't seen her -- and how we can get her back.
26th March 2026
Kelvin Sampson's Astros ties add to Houston's packed sports week
With the Sweet 16, Astros Opening Day and more in town, Sampson's relationship with Joe Espada adds to Houston's busy sports week.
DraftKings cites legal right to use tournament terms
DraftKings has been using "March Madness" and other familiar terms to refer to the NCAA tournament for more than five years and has the legal right to do so, the sportsbook said in a court filing Wednesday in response to a complaint filed by the NCAA.
South Florida hires Mack after Hodgson's exit
South Florida hired Chris Mack as its men's basketball coach Wednesday.
Otzelberger dismisses job links: Future at ISU
Iowa State coach T.J. Otzelberger shot down reports linking him to other jobs, including the North Carolina vacancy, saying he's "thrilled to be the coach of the Cyclones" and looks forward to future success in Ames.
Arizona's Lloyd brushes off UNC job speculation
Amid speculation he could be a candidate for the vacancy at North Carolina, Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd insisted all his attention is with his program ahead of Thursday's Sweet 16 game against Arkansas.
Iowa players fired up by McCollum's tussle with UF
Iowa star Bennett Stirtz said head coach Ben McCollum's screaming match with Florida's Todd Golden in the second round of the NCAA tournament gave the Hawkeyes a boost of confidence.
Cyclones star Jefferson game-time call vs. Vols
Iowa State star Joshua Jefferson remains a question mark ahead of the team's Sweet 16 game Friday against Tennessee.
KU's Self denies retirement rumors as 'bad info'
Kansas coach Bill Self denied rumors that he is planning to retire, telling the Kansas City Star that he remains undecided on his future with the Jayhawks.
Butler names ex-Bulldogs player Nored as coach
Butler has named former Bulldogs player Ronald Nored to succeed Thad Matta as head coach, the school announced Wednesday.
Three bets and two Eliminator picks for the round of 16
How to bet on top-2 seeds Purdue, Houston and Duke in Thursday's and Friday's regional semifinal games.
March Madness 2026: Bilas' path to the men's Final Four for every Sweet 16 team
This tourney has been basketball at its best. Here's what to expect from a Sweet 16 that'll be just as electric.
25th March 2026
Wetzel: It's not just Cinderella. How NIL upended everything for blue bloods
Three of college basketball's most storied powers -- North Carolina, Kansas and Kentucky -- appear at a crossroads. What does it say about the state of college basketball?.
Vitale's All-Rolls Royce, Diaper Dandy teams: Players who defined the season
From freshman phenoms to seasoned veterans, here are the stars who delivered top performances all season.
Freed-Hardeman claims 2nd NAIA title in 3 years
Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) beat Langston (Okla.) 76-71 for its second NAIA championship in three seasons.
UNC fires coach Davis after early tourney exit
North Carolina men's basketball coach Hubert Davis was fired by the school after another early exit in the NCAA tournament.
Who's next at UNC? Potential candidates to replace Hubert Davis, their priorities
Hubert Davis is out after five seasons in Chapel Hill. Here are names expected to be on the short list.
Saint Mary's F Murauskas says he'll enter portal
Saint Mary's forward Paulius Murauskas, who earned All-West Coast Conference honors after each of the past two seasons, told ESPN on Tuesday that he plans to enter the transfer portal.
Shelstad to transfer after 3-year stint with Ducks
Oregon junior Jackson Shelstad is entering the transfer portal, he announced Tuesday, and is set to be one of the most sought-after point guards this spring.
Florida hoping to ink Golden to third extension
Florida is aiming to sign coach Todd Golden to a third contract extension in as many years, while heading off potential interest from schools with open head coaching jobs.
Ole Miss plans institute to study gambling risk
The University of Mississippi on Monday announced the upcoming launch of its new Center on Collegiate Gambling, which researchers describe as the "first of its kind in the nation" amid rising national concern about betting on collegiate sports.
Hurley asks rival fans to join forces in Sweet 16
Coach Dan Hurley is pleading for rival UConn and St. John's fans to rally together -- for one night -- and root for each other in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament.
Arkansas' Acuff lands historic Reebok shoe deal
Arkansas star Darius Acuff Jr. has landed a signature shoe with Reebok, becoming the first NCAA men's athlete to receive one with a major U.S. brand while still in college, head of basketball at Reebok, Jide Osifeso, tells ESPN.
Syracuse brings back McNamara as next coach
Syracuse announced Tuesday that it had hired Siena's Gerry McNamara -- also a former star player with Syracuse -- as its next head coach.
What's next for Florida, Kansas, Kentucky, UNC: Recruits, transfer portal, more
Their NCAA tournament runs ended early and now it's all about next season. Here's how it's taking shape.
???? March Madness Pain Index: Ranking every loss
Some losses are understandable; others will haunt us forever (see: Florida). We rank them all.
NBA draft stock watch: Latest buzz, scouting reports on 21 top prospects
Which 2026 NBA draft prospects helped or hurt their stock after an exciting first weekend during March Madness?.
24th March 2026
Cincinnati hires Utah State's Calhoun as coach
Jerrod Calhoun, who had been the Bearcats' top target since the job opened, has led the Aggies to back-to-back NCAA tournaments.
Arizona St. hires Saint Mary's Bennett as new HC
Arizona State has hired Saint Mary's Randy Bennett as its next head coach, the school announced Monday.
VCU extends coach Martelli after 28-8 1st season
VCU coach Phil Martelli Jr. has been rewarded with a two-year contract extension after winning the Atlantic-10 championship and an NCAA tournament game in his first season.
Men's Sweet 16 preview: Keys to every team advancing in the NCAA tournament
Here's what could decide March Madness regional semifinals, from Michigan-Alabama to Purdue-Texas.
March Madness ratings off to best start since 2011
The NCAA tournament is off to its best start since CBS and TNT began showing all of the games in 2011.
Hurley turned to Izzo for advice on Lakers job
Tom Izzo has turned down multiple opportunities to coach in the NBA, including with the Cavaliers and Hawks. When the Lakers were willing to give UConn coach Dan Hurley a six-year, $70 million contract in 2024, Hurley asked Izzo for advice.
Men's tournament first bets: Picks to make now for the next two rounds
A few bets that stand out after an exciting first weekend of the men's college basketball tournament.
Former Cincinnati coach Miller lands at Charlotte
Charlotte has hired Wes Miller as men's basketball coach following his dismissal at Cincinnati earlier this month.
Creighton coach McDermott retiring after season
Creighton coach Greg McDermott is retiring after this season, the school announced. His retirement will end a gilded run at Creighton, as he won 365 games in 16 years there.
23rd March 2026
From Arizona to Texas: Ranking the remaining teams in the men's Sweet 16
Six Big Ten teams! Upset-minded Texas! Buzzer-beaters and blowouts! Here's how the Sweet 16 teams stack up.
Vols' march continues behind big-scoring Gillespie
With a 21-point, six-assist performance in Sunday's win vs. Virginia, Ja'Kobi Gillespie became the first player in Vols program history to average 25 points through the first two games of the NCAA tournament.
Self noncommittal about future as Kansas coach
Longtime Kansas coach Bill Self said after Sunday's season-ending loss to St. John's that he has not yet made a decision about his coaching future, later adding that any decision will be based solely on his health.
Darling calls own shot to keep St. John's dancing
Dylan Darling's layup as time expired sent St. John's to its first Sweet 16 since 1999 with a 67-65 win over Kansas in the men's NCAA tournament.
Iowa takes down defending champ UF in thriller
Alvaro Folgueiras nailed a 3-pointer with 4.5 seconds remaining as Iowa eliminated defending national champion Florida in the second round of the men's NCAA tournament.
Tyrese Haliburton trolls Kentucky NBA alums after Iowa State win
John Calipari, who most of Kentucky's active NBA contingent played for in Lexington, coaches Arkansas these days.
Kentucky out with its worst tourney loss since '72
The Wildcats' 19-point loss in an 82-63 defeat against Iowa State was Kentucky's largest in an NCAA tournament game since 1972.
Iowa St.'s Jefferson hopes to return in Sweet 16
All-America forward Joshua Jefferson is getting a second chance at going out on his own terms at Iowa State.
Your guide to men's March Madness Day 4: Recaps, every winner's chance to advance
The Sweet 16 is set. Here's how Iowa, St. John's and more teams advanced -- and their chances of doing it again.
Painter picks up win No. 500 as Purdue advances
Matt Painter won his 500th game at his alma mater as Purdue beat Miami 79-69 to head back to the Sweet 16.
Sources: Cuse turns to ex-star McNamara as HC
Syracuse is working toward hiring Siena's Gerry McNamara as its next head coach, sources told ESPN.
Providence hires USF's Hodgson as new coach
Providence has hired South Florida's Bryan Hodgson as its next men's basketball coach.
Men's March Madness live tracker: Updates from all of Sunday's games
ESPN reporters are on-site, from Philadelphia to San Diego, tracking all the second-round action.
22nd March 2026
Kentucky's Jayden Quaintance uses manga comics to fuel recovery in March Madness
The Kentucky forward has gotten into manga as a way to help time pass while he heals from injury.
Acuff revels in 'big moment,' helps Hogs advance
Darius Acuff Jr. had 36 points and six assists to help No. 4-seeded Arkansas survive a scare from 12th-seeded High Point with a 94-88 victory in the second round of the NCAA tournament Saturday night.
Miller: Texas not Cinderella despite Sweet 16 run
Texas went from the NCAA tournament's First Four to the Sweet 16, but coach Sean Miller said his team isn't a Cinderella after upsetting No. 3 seed Gonzaga on Saturday.
Huskers survive after Vanderbilt's heave rims out
Nebraska outlasted Vanderbilt 74-72 in a scintillating second-round NCAA tournament game Saturday night when Tyler Tanner's heave from the half-court line rimmed out at the buzzer.
Calderon back with Kansas after father's death
Kansas freshman forward Samis Calderon has rejoined the Jayhawks after the death of his father this week, coach Bill Self said Saturday.
Texas upsets Zags, caps improbable Sweet 16 run
Texas became the first team in five years to go from the NCAA tournament's First Four to the Sweet 16, beating Gonzaga 74-68 on Saturday.
Iowa State F Jefferson unlikely to play vs. UK
Iowa State forward Joshua Jefferson is unlikely to play against Kentucky in the second round of the NCAA men's tournament, coach T.J. Otzelberger said Saturday.
Avila sees iconic career end in loss to Michigan
Saint Louis senior center Robbie Avila ended his college career with nine points in the Billikens' 95-72 loss to Michigan in the NCAA tournament second round on Saturday.
Michigan handles Saint Louis to make Sweet 16
Yaxel Lendeborg's 25-point outing helped Michigan, the Midwest Region's top seed, power past Saint Louis on Saturday and advance to the Sweet 16.
Sources: UNC, Davis discussing future after loss
UNC officials are in discussions with coach Hubert Davis about the coach's future after another first-round loss in the NCAA tournament.
Your guide to men's March Madness Day 3: Recaps, every winner's chance to advance
Here's how every second-round game was won Saturday, plus how each winner can advance beyond the Sweet 16.
Men's March Madness Day 3 as it happened
ESPN reporters are on-site from Buffalo to Portland to track all the second-round action.
21st March 2026
Dusty May, Josh Schertz friendship adds intrigue to Michigan-Saint Louis matchup
After years of exchanging ideas and scouting notes, coaches Dusty May and Josh Schertz meet with a Sweet 16 berth on the line.
Reed in rare air with 31-27 night as UConn escapes
Tarris Reed Jr. had one of the most dominant performances in NCAA tournament history, posting 31 points and 27 rebounds to help No. 2 seed UConn stave off an upset with an 82-71 win over Furman.
Clark grins and bears lost tooth in UCLA's win
UCLA's Skyy Clark shook off the pain after losing a chunk of his top front tooth late in Friday's first-round game against UCF and helped the Bruins secure a 75-71 victory.
Peterson electric in KU victory despite quiet finish
Darryn Peterson finished with a game-high 28 points in his NCAA tournament debut, but he wasn't involved much in the final minutes as Kansas struggled to hold off Cal Baptist in a 68-60 win.
Florida starts title defense with 59-point pounding
Florida began its national title defense with the second-largest victory margin in NCAA tournament history, pounding Prairie View A&M 114-55.
Reranking the 32 men's teams left in March Madness
And then there were just 32. How do these teams stack up against each other after surviving the first round?.
Iowa holds off Clemson's comeback bid to advance
No. 9 seed Iowa weathered a late push to hold off eighth-seeded Clemson 67-61 in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
'Drug transactions' allegedly on Holloway's phone
Prosecutors allege "drug transactions" were found on Crimson Tide basketball star Aden Holloway's phone after he was arrested on a felony drug charge, according to documents obtained by ESPN.
Utah State uses second-half rally to top Villanova
MJ Collins' steal and emphatic one-handed dunk with 1:13 left gave him 20 points and Utah State opened its fourth straight NCAA tournament by beating Villanova 86-76 on Friday.
Purdue's Smith leaps Hurley as NCAA assists king
Purdue's Braden Smith broke Bobby Hurley's NCAA all-time assists record Friday night, reaching 1,077 for his career during a first-round NCAA tournament game against Queens University.
Miami (Ohio)'s run ends in blowout loss to Vols
Ja'Kobi Gillespie hit six 3-pointers and scored 29 points as sixth-seeded Tennessee ended a fabulous season for Miami (Ohio) with a 78-56 win in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
NCAA sues DraftKings for trademark infringement
The NCAA filed suit against DraftKings on Friday, accusing the sportsbook operator of trademark infringement for use of terms such as March Madness.
???? Men's NCAA tourney first-round superlatives
What were the coolest, weirdest and most notable things to happen in the men's NCAA tournament's first round? We've got some of the best right here.
Iowa St.'s Jefferson sprains ankle; X-rays negative
Iowa State senior forward Joshua Jefferson suffered a sprained left ankle in Friday's 108-74 win over Tennessee State.
Duke 'hopeful' Ngongba can return in 2nd round
Duke center Patrick Ngongba II could return from a foot injury for the Blue Devils' second-round game vs. TCU, coach Jon Scheyer said.
Oweh's heroics save Kentucky vs. Santa Clara
Otega Oweh's buzzer-beater to end regulation helped propel seventh-seeded Kentucky to an 89-84 win over upstart Santa Clara on Friday in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
Ball State names SMU assistant Capko head coach
Ball State named former SMU associate head coach Chris Capko as its head coach Friday, just two days after the Mustangs were eliminated in March Madness.
Men's March Madness Friday takeaways: How Utah State, Kentucky, more teams won
We tracked how every first-round game was won -- and keys to each winner's chances of advancing again.
???? Men's tournament best bets
As you prepare for tipoff, here are our best bets for the second round, plus a pick for the new Eliminator game.
Men's March Madness live tracker: Updates from Friday's first round
ESPN reporters are on-site across the country with real-time updates from the 2026 NCAA tournament.
Tuskegee coach files suit vs. Morehouse, officers
Tuskegee basketball coach Benjy Taylor has filed a $1 million federal lawsuit against two police officers and Morehouse College stemming from his postgame detainment on Jan. 31.
Sources: W. Michigan to hire UTRGV's Fennell
Western Michigan is expected to hire UTRGV's Kahil Fennell to be its next head coach, sources told ESPN.
Amid scandal, CSUB eyes USC's Lee, sources say
Cal State Bakersfield is working toward hiring USC assistant Todd Lee as its next head coach, sources told ESPN's Jeff Borzello. Coach Rod Barnes left in September and an assistant faces pimping charges.
Georgia Tech names ex-Troy coach Cross as HC
Georgia Tech has named former Troy coach Scott Cross as the school's next men's basketball head coach, it was announced Friday.
LIU's 'fins up' chant has turned a near-empty gym into March magic
A few college basketball fanatics were looking for a local team to root for in 2023. They landed on the LIU Sharks -- and turned rooting for them into a passion.
20th March 2026
Cinderella runs: High Point, VCU top 2026 underdogs to watch
Here's a look back at the top Cinderella stories of March Madness through the years.
Zags relieved, escape past No. 14 Kennesaw St.
Gonzaga endured some late-game drama against No. 14 seed Kennesaw State on Thursday night but advanced 73-64 in a win that head coach Mark Few acknowledged "wasn't pretty.".
BYU's Dybantsa to mull future in upcoming weeks
BYU freshman AJ Dybantsa said he expects to decide on his playing future in the "next couple of weeks.".
NBA debut to March Madness: Sandfort surprises brother in Nebraska win
Less than 12 hours after his NBA debut, Payton Sandfort showed up courtside to support Pryce.
Texas overcomes Dybantsa's 35 points, tops BYU
No. 11 seed Texas knocked off sixth-seeded BYU 79-71 on Thursday in the opening round of the NCAA tournament, overcoming 35 points from Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa.
UNC's Davis: Fatigue not to blame for collapse
In a series of terse exchanges with reporters after VCU's 82-78 OT win, North Carolina coach Hubert Davis said he didn't think his team was tired and said it was "my decision" when asked why he had gone with a six-man rotation in the waning minutes.
Vandy rallies for first NCAA tourney win since '12
Tyler Tanner had 26 points, seven rebounds and five assists, and Vanderbilt rallied to beat McNeese 78-68 on Thursday for its first victory in the NCAA tournament since 2012.
TCU backs up its tough talk, bounces Buckeyes
Xavier Edmonds converted a layup to beat the shot clock with 4.3 seconds left, and No. 9 seed TCU held off a furious second-half rally by eighth-seeded Ohio State for a 66-64 victory to open the first round of the NCAA tournament.
Duke dodges scare, tips cap to McNamara, Siena
Duke barely avoided a shocking upset to open the NCAA tournament, with the No. 1 overall seed having to rally from 13 points down and going ahead for good in the final five minutes to beat 16th-seeded Siena 71-65 on Thursday.
Johnston, High Point stun 5th-seeded Badgers
Chase Johnston made his first 2-point basket of the season to give No. 12 seed High Point an 83-82 victory over fifth-seeded Wisconsin on Thursday in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
'Storybook ending': Nebraska ends NCAA drought
No. 4 seed Nebraska captured its first-ever NCAA tournament win in a 76-47 drubbing of No. 13 seed Troy in the first round Thursday.
Sources: Little Rock finalizing deal with Ford
Little Rock is finalizing a deal to hire veteran college coach Travis Ford, sources told ESPN.
