March 19, 2026
NCAA Basketball
March Madness Underway
The 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament is officially underway, and the First Four matchups have already delivered historic moments. Howard University secured its first-ever NCAA Tournament victory in program history by defeating UMBC 86 - 83 in a thrilling First Four game. Bryce Harris led the Bison with 19 points and 14 rebounds, sinking a crucial turnaround jumper with 13 seconds remaining to seal the win. Howard, a No. 16 seed, will advance to face top-seeded Michigan in the Midwest Region. In another First Four matchup, Prairie View A&M also made history by earning its first NCAA Tournament win, defeating Lehigh 67 - 55 to advance and face Florida in the South region
Tournament Availability News
Off the court, the tournament has been impacted by significant player availability news. The University of Alabama, a No. 4 seed in the Midwest Region, suspended standout guard Aden Holloway following his arrest on felony marijuana possession charges. Police reportedly found 2.1 pounds of marijuana in his apartment, and head coach Nate Oats confirmed the team is preparing to play without him as the investigation continues. Additionally, the University of Louisville announced that star freshman Mikel Brown Jr. has been ruled out for the opening weekend of the tournament due to a back injury. Brown Jr., who averages 18.2 points per game, will miss the team's first-round matchup against South Florida
High School Basketball
Chipotle Nationals Announced
In high school basketball, the field for the prestigious 2026 Chipotle High School Basketball Nationals has been announced. The tournament, set for early April, will feature eight of the top boys' teams in the country, all of which are currently ranked in the USA TODAY Sports Super 25. The participating teams include St. Paul VI Catholic (VA), CIA Bella Vista (AZ), AZ Compass Prep (AZ), Prolific Prep (FL), SPIRE Academy (OH), Link Academy (MO), Dynamic Prep (TX), Archbishop Stepinac (NY), Wasatch Academy (UT), and Montverde Academy (FL).
Dynamic Prep, one of the teams selected for the Chipotle Nationals, recently secured a major victory by winning the Overtime Elite Championship. Led by former NBA All-Star Jermaine O'Neal, the Texas-based program has established itself as a premier destination for elite high school talent, combining rigorous athletic training with an AI-powered academic structure through its partnership with Texas Sports Academy.
Meanwhile, state championships are concluding across the country. In Pennsylvania, the PIAA 4A Boys Championship will feature a compelling matchup between Devon Prep and Obama Academy. Devon Prep, despite entering the state playoffs with a 5 - 18 record, has made a surprising run to reach its third consecutive state title game. They will face Obama Academy, a Pittsburgh-based program making its first-ever state championship appearance, led by head coach Naron Jackson and his son, starting point guard Naron Jackson II.
Sources: - Wallner, J. (2026, March 18). Howard gets its first NCAA Tournament win, holding off UMBC 86-83 in the First Four. NBA.com https://www.nba.com/news/ncaa-tournament-20260howard-vs-umbc
Yahoo Sports Staff. (2026, March 19). March Madness bracket updates: Louisville star Mikel Brown Jr. ruled out for opening weekend; First Four continues Wednesday. Yahoo Sports. https://sports.yahoo.com/mens-college-basketball/live/march-madness-bracket-updates-louisville-star-mikel-brown-jr-ruled-out-for-opening-weekend-first-four-continues-wednesday-144616577.html
Treacy, D. (2026, March 18). Aden Holloway arrest details: Alabama basketball star charged with possession of marijuana days before March Madness. Yahoo Sports. https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/aden-holloway-arrest-details-alabama-161752148.html
USA TODAY High School Sports. (2026, March 18). Teams announced for 2026 Chipotle High School Basketball Nationals. Yahoo Sports. https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/teams-announced-20260chipotle-high-202448034.html
PR Newswire. (2026, March 18). Texas Sports Academy Partner Dynamic Prep School Wins Overtime Elite Basketball Championship. Yahoo Finance. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/texas-sports-academy-parner-dynamic-171500638.html
Verlin, J. (2026, March 18). PIAA 4A Boys Championship Preview: Devon Prep vs Obama Academy. City of Basketball Love. https://www.cityofbasketballlove.com/news_article/show/1357965