College Sports

Otto Schellhamer, an eighth-grader who has the only perfect bracket after the opening weekend of the men’s and women’s NCAA college basketball tournaments, poses in his backyard in Plum Borough, Pa., on March 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

An 8th grader from Pittsburgh is all alone with a perfect women’s NCAA Tournament bracket

By Dave Skretta

March 26, 2026 at 2:12 p.m.

The only perfect bracket left after the opening weekend of the men’s and women’s NCAA...

North Carolina States’ Reed Vial, left, and Patrick Stacy, center, watch a replay during the first half against Duke in Raleigh, N.C., on March 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)

NCAA Tournament meets the iPad era: How coaches’ challenges are changing the game

By Maura Carey

March 26, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.

This season is the first where college basketball coaches are allowed to challenge certain calls...

Bulls coach Billy Donovan shouts instructions from the sideline against the Trail Blazers on Feb. 26, 2026, at the United Center. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)

Billy Donovan remains committed to Bulls amid North Carolina rumors — but change could be nearing in Chicago

By Julia Poe

March 26, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

A blue-blood college program fired its coach. And Chicago Bulls coach Billy Donovan is one...

Illinois coach Brad Underwood instructs his players during the first half against VCU in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on March 21, 2026, in Greenville, S.C. (Jared C. Tilton/Getty)

NCAA Tournament bracket reset: Big Ten has league-record 6 teams in Sweet 16 — including 3 in the same region

By John Marshall

March 23, 2026 at 7:54 a.m.

The Big Ten is the big conference on the block, pushing through a league-record six...

Illinois center Tomislav Ivisic, right, goes up to block a shot from VCU guard Jadrian Tracey during the first half in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, March 21, 2026, in Greenville, S.C. (Chris Carlson/AP)

Illinois big men rediscover their nastiness in advancing to the Sweet 16: ‘That’s a recipe to win for us’

By Colleen Kane

March 23, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

Whether it was their size advantage against the lower-seeded teams or Brad Underwood’s challenge in...

Loyola coach George Ireland, right, bends over to issue orders to his team, which was trailing Cincinnati in the final game of the National Collegiate Basketball Championship in Louisville, Kentucky, on March 23, 1963. Players are, from left, John Egan, Vic Rouse, Jerry Harkness and Ron Miller. (AP)

Today in Chicago History: Loyola Ramblers win NCAA basketball championship

By Kori Rumore

March 23, 2026 at 4:00 a.m.

Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on March 23, according...

TCU guard Olivia Miles (5) reacts during the first half in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament Sunday, March 22, 2026, Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Jessica Tobias)

NCAA Tournament: Olivia Miles and TCU escape with 62-59 OT win over Washington get back to NCAA Sweet 16

By Stephen Hawkins

March 22, 2026 at 11:54 p.m.

Olivia Miles had a double-double as third-seeded TCU finally overcame Washington for a 62-59 overtime...

UCLA’s Eric Dailey Jr., right, tries to get past UConn’s Alex Karaban during the first half in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Sunday, March 22, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

NCAA Tournament: UConn beats UCLA 73-57, heads back to the Sweet 16 to face Michigan State

By Dan Gelston

March 22, 2026 at 10:56 p.m.

UConn will play third-seeded Michigan State in the East Region semifinals on Friday night in...

Michigan State guard Rashunda Jones (1) drives past Oklahoma guard Aaliyah Chavez (2) during the first half in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Sunday, March 22, 2026, Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)

NCAA Tournament: Oklahoma women power past Michigan State, sending the Sooners back to the Sweet 16

By Cliff Brunt

March 22, 2026 at 10:11 p.m.

Michigan State was trying to reach the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2009.

Iowa guard Kael Combs celebrates during the second half in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament Sunday, March 22, 2026, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)

NCAA Tournament: Iowa beats No. 1 seed and defending champ Florida on 3-pointer in the final seconds

By Rob Maaddi

March 22, 2026 at 10:20 p.m.

Under first-year coach Ben McCollum, Iowa has reached the Sweet 16 for the first time...

Texas forward Madison Booker (35) grabs a rebound in front of Oregon forward Mia Jacobs (1) during the first half in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Sunday, March 22, 2026, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

NCAA Tournament: Madison Booker scores career-high 40 as No. 1 Texas rolls over Oregon 100-58 to Sweet 16

By Jim Vertuno

March 22, 2026 at 7:50 p.m.

Madison Booker scored a career-high 40 points in a dazzling display of shot making, and...

Illinois State's Brandon Lieb, left, and Wake Forest's Tre'Von Spillers battle for possession of the ball during the National Invitational Tournament in Winston-Salem, N.C., Sunday, March 22, 2026. (Walt Unks/Winston-Salem Journal via AP)

NIT: Illinois State beats Wake Forest 78-75, winning twice in the tournament for first time in 30 years

By Associated Press

March 22, 2026 at 7:41 p.m.

Fourth-seeded Illinois State heads to No. 2 seed Dayton for a campus-site quarterfinal.

Minnesota guard Amaya Battle, center, celebrates after her winning basket against Mississippi during the second half in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Sunday, March 22, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)

NCAA Tournament: Last-second jumper gives Minnesota a 65-63 win over Mississippi to advance to the Sweet 16

By Dave Campbell

March 22, 2026 at 4:27 p.m.

Amaya Battle hit a tiebreaking jump shot with 0.7 seconds left, lifting Minnesota past Mississippi...