Ali Akbar Rosady
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander made history on Thursday, March 12, 2026, by surpassing a 63-year-old scoring record held by NBA legend Wilt Chamberlain. Meanwhile, in NFL news, quarterback Kyler Murray has reportedly finalized a multi-year deal with the Minnesota Vikings. These developments unfold as the college basketball world gears up for Selection Sunday, with conference tournaments concluding and the NCAA Tournament bracket just two days away.
March Madness Intensity Builds Ahead of Selection Sunday
The frenetic pace of college basketball’s conference tournaments reached a crescendo on Thursday, setting the stage for the highly anticipated Selection Sunday. With the NCAA Tournament bracket unveiling slated for Sunday at 6 p.m. ET on CBS, the nation’s top programs and several newly crowned conference champions are solidifying their positions. However, the most intense drama continues to revolve around the teams teetering on the NCAA Tournament bubble.
Thursday night’s conference tournament action delivered crucial outcomes that significantly impacted the bubble picture. Several teams on the fringe saw their tournament hopes either bolstered by key victories or severely diminished by unexpected exits. CBS Sports HQ’s expert analysts, David Cobb and Matt Norlander, provided comprehensive breakdowns of the evening’s winners and losers, highlighting shifts in their latest bracketology projections.
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According to David Cobb’s assessment, teams such as St. Mary’s and Boise State solidified their "lock" status following strong performances in their respective conference championships, moving definitively into the projected field. Conversely, programs like Providence and Mississippi State experienced setbacks, with early exits from their tournaments placing them squarely on the "work to do" list, relying heavily on the selection committee’s holistic evaluation. The Big Ten and SEC tournaments, in particular, proved pivotal, with upsets potentially creating opportunities for other bubble teams.
Matt Norlander’s latest Court Report offered a granular ranking of bubble teams, from those with the strongest résumés to those facing the longest odds. Teams like Colorado State and New Mexico, despite strong regular seasons, found themselves in precarious positions after early conference tournament defeats, emphasizing the critical importance of late-season performance. Norlander noted that while these teams possess quality wins, their overall consistency and NET rankings would be scrutinized intensely. Conversely, Virginia Tech made a strong case for an at-large bid with a deep run in the ACC Tournament, showcasing their potential to be a formidable underdog.
Beyond the bubble, the battle for the coveted No. 1 seeds remains fiercely contested. Teams such as UConn, Purdue, Houston, and Arizona continued their campaigns for top-seed recognition, with strong showings in their respective conference tournaments. A championship title in a major conference tournament often provides the necessary boost to secure a No. 1 or No. 2 seed, offering a clearer path deeper into the NCAA Tournament. The outcomes of Friday and Saturday’s remaining championship games will be crucial in finalizing these top seed lines.
NWSL Kicks Off Historic 2026 Season with Preseason Power Rankings
The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) embarks on a landmark 2026 season tonight, Friday, March 13, with the reigning runners-up, the Washington Spirit, hosting the Portland Thorns at 8 p.m. ET. This season marks a significant expansion for the league, welcoming two new clubs, Boston Legacy FC and Denver Summit FC, which bring the total number of NWSL teams to a record 16.
Ahead of the season opener, CBS Sports’ Sandra Herrera unveiled her preseason power rankings, offering an early glimpse into the pecking order of the league. Surprisingly, it is the Kansas City Current, rather than the defending champions Gotham FC, who claim the top spot in Herrera’s inaugural rankings.
Herrera’s analysis cited the Current’s impressive off-season acquisitions and the continued development of their core talent as key factors for their No. 1 ranking. Kansas City’s strategic investments in both domestic and international talent, coupled with a solid defensive foundation and a dynamic attack, positioned them as early favorites. Gotham FC, while still a formidable force and the reigning champions, faced some roster adjustments and are projected to have a slightly more challenging path to repeat their success, according to Herrera. Their ability to integrate new players and maintain their championship-winning chemistry will be critical in the opening weeks.
The top five teams in Herrera’s preseason power rankings are:
- Kansas City Current
- Gotham FC
- San Diego Wave FC
- Washington Spirit
- Orlando Pride
The expansion clubs, Boston Legacy FC and Denver Summit FC, as is typical for new franchises, are positioned at the very bottom of the rankings. Both teams face the inherent challenges of building a competitive roster from scratch and establishing team chemistry in a highly competitive league. Their inaugural season will be closely watched to see how quickly they can adapt and integrate into the NWSL landscape.
Gilgeous-Alexander Shatters Chamberlain Record; Murray Joins Vikings
In significant NBA news, Oklahoma City Thunder’s All-Star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander etched his name into the history books on Thursday, March 12. Gilgeous-Alexander surpassed Wilt Chamberlain’s long-standing record for the most consecutive games with at least 30 points on 50% shooting. Chamberlain’s record, set during the 1962-63 season, stood for 63 years, a testament to his dominance.
Gilgeous-Alexander achieved the feat in a road game against the Utah Jazz, where he scored 38 points on 14-of-25 shooting (56%) in the Thunder’s 118-105 victory. This marked his 12th consecutive game reaching the 30-point threshold while maintaining a field goal percentage of 50% or higher. The previous record, held by Chamberlain, was 11 games. Gilgeous-Alexander’s remarkable consistency has been a cornerstone of the Thunder’s unexpected success this season, positioning them as a strong contender in the Western Conference. His season averages leading up to this record-breaking performance included over 31 points per game on nearly 53% shooting, showcasing an elite level of efficiency and scoring prowess. The record highlights his evolving offensive game, combining precise mid-range jumpers, aggressive drives to the basket, and a high free-throw rate.
In the National Football League, quarterback Kyler Murray has reportedly agreed to a multi-year contract with the Minnesota Vikings, according to league sources. The terms of the deal were not immediately disclosed, but it is expected to be a significant commitment, potentially making Murray one of the league’s highest-paid quarterbacks. This move follows weeks of speculation regarding Murray’s future with his previous team, the Arizona Cardinals, and the Vikings’ ongoing search for a long-term solution at the quarterback position after the departure of Kirk Cousins in free agency.
Murray, a former No. 1 overall pick, brings a dynamic dual-threat capability to the Vikings’ offense. His ability to extend plays with his legs and deliver accurate passes under pressure aligns with the offensive philosophy Minnesota has been seeking. The signing is expected to reinvigorate a Vikings offense that struggled with consistency last season and aims to capitalize on a talented receiving corps. For the Cardinals, Murray’s departure opens up significant salary cap space and positions them to potentially draft a new franchise quarterback in the upcoming NFL Draft. The specifics of the trade or free agency acquisition details are still emerging, but the move signals a new era for both Murray and the Vikings franchise.
Elsewhere, the World Baseball Classic continued its quarterfinal rounds, with compelling matchups taking place across various venues. Teams from Korea, Dominican Republic, United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Italy, Venezuela, and Japan battled for a spot in the semifinals, showcasing international baseball talent. MLB Spring Training also rolled on, with teams refining their rosters and strategies ahead of the regular season, featuring promising performances from young prospects and veteran stars.
Weekend Sports Schedule Highlights
The upcoming weekend promises a packed schedule across the sports landscape, featuring crucial college basketball tournament games, NWSL openers, and international baseball action.
Friday, March 13:
- Big Ten Tournament Quarterfinals: Ohio State vs. No. 3 Michigan (Noon ET, Big Ten Network), No. 23 Wisconsin vs. No. 9 Illinois (2:30 p.m. ET, Big Ten Network), No. 18 Purdue vs. No. 11 Nebraska (6:30 p.m. ET, Big Ten Network), UCLA vs. No. 8 Michigan State (9 p.m. ET, Big Ten Network)
- SEC Tournament Quarterfinals: Kentucky vs. No. 4 Florida (1 p.m. ET, ESPN), No. 25 Tennessee vs. No. 22 Vanderbilt (3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
- World Baseball Classic Quarterfinals: Korea vs. Dominican Republic (6:30 p.m. ET, FS2), United States vs. Canada (8 p.m. ET, Fox)
- NWSL Season Opener: Portland Thorns at Washington Spirit (8 p.m. ET, Prime Video)
- NBA: Cavaliers at Mavericks (7:30 p.m. ET, Prime Video), Timberwolves at Warriors (10 p.m. ET, Prime Video)
Saturday, March 14:
- NWSL: Gotham FC at Boston Legacy FC (12:30 p.m. ET, ABC), Utah Royals FC at Kansas City Current (4 p.m. ET, Ion)
- College Basketball Conference Tournament Semifinals and Championships: Big Ten Semifinals (1 p.m. & 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS/Paramount+), SEC Semifinals (1 p.m. & 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN), Big 12 Championship (6 p.m. ET, ESPN), Big East Championship (6:30 p.m. ET, Fox), ACC Championship (8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
- World Baseball Classic Quarterfinal: Puerto Rico vs. Italy (3 p.m. ET, FS1), Venezuela vs. Japan (9 p.m. ET, Fox)
- NBA: Nuggets at Lakers (8:30 p.m. ET, ABC), Kings at Clippers (10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
- UFC Fight Night: Emmett vs. Vallejos (8 p.m. ET, Paramount+)
Sunday, March 15:
- Premier League: Aston Villa at Manchester United (10 a.m. ET, USA Network), Tottenham Hotspur at Liverpool (12:30 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network)
- College Basketball: SEC Tournament Championship (1 p.m. ET, ESPN), Big Ten Tournament Championship (3:30 p.m. ET, CBS/Paramount+)
- NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Selection Show: 6 p.m. ET, CBS/Paramount+
- NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Selection Show: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN
- NBA: Timberwolves at Thunder (1 p.m. ET, ABC), Warriors at Knicks (8 p.m. ET, NBC)
- NASCAR: Las Vegas (4 p.m. ET, FS1)
- World Baseball Classic Semifinal: TBD vs. TBD (8 p.m. ET, FS1)
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