Sports Digest.

UCLA Wins First-Ever Women's NCAA Title, Michigan Faces UConn Tonight for Men's Crown

Not a ton of local action to report today, but here's a Minnesota highlight worth celebrating: **Gianna Kneepkens**, a Minnesota native, helped the **UCLA Bruins** win the women's NCAA national championship on Sunday ...

Minnesota Teams

Not a ton of local action to report today, but here's a Minnesota highlight worth celebrating: Gianna Kneepkens, a Minnesota native, helped the UCLA Bruins win the women's NCAA national championship on Sunday — UCLA's first-ever title in women's basketball. She'll now head to the WNBA Draft, where she could potentially end up back in Minnesota with the Lynx. Keep an eye on that one!

---

NBA

The Los Angeles Lakers are heading into the playoffs in rough shape — both Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves (oblique injury) are now out, meaning L.A. will be without its top two scorers right from the start of the postseason. That's a tough spot. Meanwhile, it's the final week of the regular NBA season, so playoff seedings are still being sorted out — expect some meaningful games this week before the real action starts.

There are also rumblings in Milwaukee: Doc Rivers may be changing roles with the Bucks, and the team is apparently already looking at potential coaching replacements, with Taylor Jenkins mentioned as a candidate.

---

MLB

Baseball is just getting going for 2026, and ESPN's Watchability Index is out ranking the most fun teams to follow this season — the Phillies, Dodgers, Mets, Red Sox, and Yankees all get a nod for young talent and exciting play. On Sunday night, the Cardinals hosted the Tigers in an early-season matchup. The season is young, so no major standings shake-ups yet, but it's a good time to pick a team to casually root for if you haven't already.

---

NHL

The NHL playoffs are getting close, and in the Atlantic Division, things are still unsettled at the top — both the Lightning and Sabres have clinched playoff spots, but the No. 1 seed is still up for grabs between them. Separately, with the Winter Olympics recently wrapped up, ESPN is tracking which players who won Olympic gold medals also have a shot at winning the Stanley Cup this year — only eight players in history have ever pulled off both in the same season.

---

College Sports

The big story of the weekend was the women's NCAA Tournament championship: UCLA defeated South Carolina on Sunday to win the program's first-ever national title in women's basketball. South Carolina had been going for its third title in five years, which would've been a dynasty-level run, but UCLA had other plans.

Tonight (Monday), the men's national championship tips off: Michigan vs. UConn. It's a clash of styles — UConn is the defending powerhouse, while Michigan built its roster creatively in the NIL era (where players can now earn money from endorsements). If you're only watching one game this week, make it this one.

---

Other Sports

The UEFA Champions League quarterfinals are here, and the headliner is a monster matchup: Bayern Munich vs. Real Madrid. Interestingly, Real Madrid — usually considered one of the best clubs in the world — comes in as an underdog for this one. Barcelona vs. Atlético Madrid is the other marquee tie. You can catch the games on Paramount+.

In boxing, Andres Cortes won a decision over Eridson Garcia in the Zuffa Boxing 5 main event on Sunday, positioning himself as a potential lightweight contender to watch going forward.

Sources

Rss Cbssports · 2026-04-06
2026 WNBA Mock Draft: UCLA star Lauren Betts projected to go in top five after national title
Rss Cbssports · 2026-04-06
Dawn Staley's legacy grows during eventful Final Four, despite 'getting smacked' in title game
Rss Cbssports · 2026-04-06
Fantasy Baseball Week 3 Preview: Two-start pitcher rankings highlight Andrew Painter, Bubba Chandler
Rss Cbssports · 2026-04-06
Texas Open 2026 leaderboard: J.J. Spaun rallies for first win since US Open ahead of Masters
Rss Espn · 2026-04-06
How 'One Shining Moment' became men's college hoops legend
Rss Cbssports · 2026-04-06
Why Dan Hurley's wife, Andrea, told UConn star Tarris Reed Jr. to 'get off the damn chair' in now-viral video
Rss Cbssports · 2026-04-06
Fantasy Baseball Week 3 Preview: Top 10 sleeper pitchers feature Jose Soriano, Reynaldo Lopez
Rss Cbssports · 2026-04-06
'We all expected this:' How UCLA's seniors went out on top with national title rout over South Carolina
Rss Cbssports · 2026-04-06
NBA rumors: Doc Rivers could change roles with Bucks, who are already eyeing potential coaching replacement
Rss Cbssports · 2026-04-06
WNBA Free Agency 101: FAQs for the most expensive free-agent period in league history, which begins on April 6
Rss Cbssports · 2026-04-06
Zuffa Boxing 05 results, highlights: Andres Cortes earns decision over Eridson Garcia, Mark Magsayo gets TKO
Rss Espn · 2026-04-06
Lauren Coughlin rolls to Aramco win as Nelly Korda second again
Rss Cbssports · 2026-04-06
How Dan Hurley drove UConn's Tarris Reed Jr. to his breaking point and a matchup against former team
Rss Cbssports · 2026-04-06
2026 March Madness predictions: Expert bracket picks, NCAA Tournament odds for title game on Monday
Rss Espn · 2026-04-06
'The best decision I ever made': How UCLA's roster converged to become NCAA champs
Rss Espn · 2026-04-06
Sources: Michigan's May not pursuing other jobs
Rss Espn · 2026-04-06
Luka to seek care in Europe, aims for playoffs
Rss Espn · 2026-04-06
'We did it!': UCLA wins first women's NCAA title
Rss Espn · 2026-04-06
Staley praises Close: Happy for 'quality people'
Rss Espn · 2026-04-06
Flagg flips ROY odds after latest 'statement' game
Rss Espn · 2026-04-06
Anthony calls Red Sox's 2-7 start 'unacceptable'
Rss Espn · 2026-04-06
Vitello ejected, 'frustration' mounts for 3-7 Giants
Rss Espn · 2026-04-06
📈 Masters tiers: Ranking favorites, contenders
Rss Espn · 2026-04-06
Curry returns, puts Warriors 'back in the fight'
Rss Espn · 2026-04-06
Transfer rumors, news: Europe's top clubs on alert over Vinicius Jr. move
Rss Espn · 2026-04-06
How A.J. Terrell Jr. mentored his brother, Avieon, who's set to join the All-Pro in the NFL
Rss Kstp Sports · 2026-04-06
Minnesota native wins NCAA title with UCLA, readies for WNBA Draft
Rss Cbssports · 2026-04-06
UConn vs. Michigan odds, March Madness predictions: 2026 NCAA Tournament Final picks by proven model
Rss Espn · 2026-04-06
Hans Niemann plots a path from chess villain to vindication
Rss Espn · 2026-04-06
Ranking the top candidates to win the Stanley Cup after an Olympic gold medal
Rss Espn · 2026-04-06
NHL playoff watch: Who's winning the Atlantic Division?
Rss Espn · 2026-04-06
Barnwell's annual all-trades NFL mock draft: Proposing 32 deals to transform Round 1
Rss Espn · 2026-04-06
Biggest questions and what to watch in the last week of the NBA regular season
Rss Espn · 2026-04-06
Arsenal need Mikel Arteta to step up now to avoid disaster again
Rss Espn · 2026-04-06
Valverde's hunger, sacrifice and goals should have Madrid confident -- and Bayern fearful
Rss Espn · 2026-04-06
Why Saints coach Kellen Moore likes the idea of a loaded running back room
Rss Espn · 2026-04-06
MLS Power Rankings: LAFC are practically perfect atop the table
Rss Espn · 2026-04-06
MLB Watchability Index: Which teams are the most fun to watch this season?