Stay Updated on College Hoops and Bills Oddities in Minutes

In the fast-paced world of sports, staying updated is tough—especially with college basketball. Whether you’re a die-hard fan, someone who tunes in after football, or just show up for March Madness, there’s always something wild happening.

This article from The Athletic’s Pulse Newsletter tries to catch you up on the current college hoops season. It highlights key teams, players, and controversies shaping the 2026 landscape. Let’s get into it.

College Basketball Fan Categories

College basketball fans usually fall into three groups:

• The day-ones: These folks follow every game from the jump. They live and breathe the season.
• The post-football season casuals: They start paying attention after college football wraps up. By the NCAA Tournament, they’re caught up.
• The March Madness-only people: This crowd only tunes in for the NCAA Tournament. They love the chaos of the knockout rounds.

Key Storylines This Season

The 2026 college basketball season? It’s already got plenty of drama. Here’s what’s stood out so far:

Player Eligibility Controversy

One of the biggest stories this year is the player eligibility mess. Alabama, ranked No. 17, is right in the thick of it. They’re trying to play center Charles Bediako, who last suited up for them three years ago before heading to the G League.

This legal fight is still going, and as Sam Vecenie from The Athletic puts it, *Charles Bediako’s case could determine the future of the NBA, NBA Draft, college basketball, and high school development across the United States.* That’s a lot riding on one player.

Dominant Teams

Some teams are just steamrolling the competition this year:

• UConn Women: The Huskies, under coach Geno Auriemma, look even sharper than last year’s title squad. They’re 20-0, and only Michigan gave them a scare with a three-point game back in November.
• Arizona Men: Arizona’s men are sitting at No. 1, unbeaten, and already took down No. 2 UConn. Michigan, Houston, and Duke are lurking too, with Duke’s freshman Cameron Boozer making waves.

Surprise Performances

Some teams are catching everyone off guard:

• Nebraska Men: The Huskers have rattled off a 19-0 start. That’s not something you see every year. Coach Fred Hoiberg’s group, with Rienk Mast and Pryce Sandfort leading the way, is playing out of their minds.
• Miami University Men: The RedHawks, usually a force in the MAC, are 20-0. They lead the nation in effective field goal percentage at 60.4 percent. Defenses haven’t figured them out yet.

Other Sports Highlights

It’s not just college hoops making headlines right now. There’s plenty happening elsewhere:

Buffalo Bills Coaching Search

The Buffalo Bills are turning heads with their coaching search. They even interviewed briefly unretired quarterback Philip Rivers for the head job—despite his only coaching experience being high school.

Former Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel is also in the mix. Quarterback Josh Allen has been sitting in on every interview, which is a bit unusual, right?

Golf Sensation Blades Brown

In golf, 18-year-old Blades Brown just shot a course-record 60 at The American Express, tying world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler. Brown finished high school recently and is already making waves.

Australian Open Drama

The Australian Open’s been wild. World No. 2 Jannik Sinner fought through brutal heat and severe cramping to beat American Eliot Spizzirri.

The weather’s been so harsh that it’s become a story of its own. Players are struggling to cope.

Controversies and Legal Issues

There’s no shortage of off-court drama, either:

CFP Expansion Disagreements

The College Football Playoff will stay at 12 teams next season. The SEC and Big Ten can’t agree on how to expand, and that’s causing plenty of tension.

Portal Tampering Accusations

Clemson’s Dabo Swinney accused Ole Miss coach Pete Golding of *blatant tampering* in the transfer portal. That’s just added more fuel to the college football fire.

Ex-Olympic Snowboarder Arrest

Ryan Wedding, a former Olympic snowboarder, was arrested. He’s facing charges for running a transnational drug trafficking ring and allegedly ordering murders. It’s a shocking story, honestly.

Upcoming Events and Recommendations

Looking ahead, here are some games and events worth checking out: