Convenience Big Store: It's going to be Houston vs. Texas A&M for spot in Sweet 16

Stay In the Know: Only 25¢

Follow what's happening in your community with digital access.

Act Now

Sale Ends March 22

Today's starting lineup

March Madness got off to rousing start for UH, Texas A&M and Texas. The Cougars had little problem in their opening win over Idaho thanks to freshmen Kingston Flemings and Chris Cenac Jr. Up next will be Texas A&M with a spot at the Sweet 16 in the Toyota Center on the line. The Aggies got their first NCAA win under Bucky McMillan by beating Saint Mary's. In the West regional, the Longhorns surprised BYU.

Please scroll down for the rest of this morning's headlines.

Reid Laymance, Sports Editor

reid.laymance@houstonchronicle.com

UH Basketball / South Regional

Houston guard Kingston Flemings celebrates as he runs off the court after the Cougars beat Idaho 78-47 during the second half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament in Oklahoma City, Thursday, March 19, 2026.

Photo by: Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle

How freshmen Kingston Flemings and Chris Cenac Jr. led Cougars in NCAA debut

After a few 'freshmany' moments, Kingston Flemings and Chris Cenac Jr. settled in to help Houston cruise past Idaho in NCAA Tournament opener.

Emanuel Sharp's message: Emanuel Sharp is the veteran leader of the Houston Cougars. His scoring spurt in the first half put his team on the right track against Idaho, as did his wise words before the tournament. Read More
Houston 78, Idaho 47: UH began its NCAA Tournament run on a commanding note, blowing out Idaho to set up a second-round matchup with Texas A&M. Read More
Cougars vs. Aggies: Houston and Texas A&M will square off in the second round of the NCAA tournament on Saturday with a trip to the Sweet 16 on the line. Read More
Texas A&M 63, Saint Mary's 50: Texas A&M's first defensive possession let Saint Mary's know the hell that was about to be unleashed on their ball-handlers, setting the tone for an Aggies win that sets up a showdown with UH. Read More
VCU 82, North Carolina 78 (OT): Terrence Hill Jr. made a stepback 3-pointer with 15 seconds left in overtime and No. 11 VCU erased from a 19-point second-half deficit to stun sixth-seeded North Carolina. Read More
Illinois 105, Penn 70: David Mirkovic had 29 points and 17 rebounds, and No. 3 seed Illinois dominated. Read More
Vanderbilt 78, McNeese 68: McNeese got more than half its points from players from Houston and led 5-seed Vanderbilt by as many as 11 points, but the Cowboys couldn't hold on for the March Madness upset. Read More
Nebraska 76, Troy 47: Pryce Sandfort scored 23 points and Nebraska rolled to its long-awaited first NCAA Tournament victory. Read More

NCAA Basketball Tournament / Men

Texas center Matas Vokietaitis, left, and forward Dailyn Swain (3) celebrate during the second half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament against BYU, Thursday, March 19, 2026, in Portland, Ore.?

Photo by: Craig Mitchelldyer, Associated Press

The Longhorns are looking like a dangerous team

The Texas Longhorns have won two games to start NCAA Tournament and have found some defense as they look for more after beating BYU.

Gonzaga 73, Kennesaw State 64: Graham Ike scored 19 points and third-seeded Gonzaga held off tenacious No. 14 seed Kennesaw State. Read More
TCU 66, Ohio State 64: Xavier Edmonds converted a layup to beat the shot clock with 4.3 seconds left, and No. 9 seed TCU held off a furious second-half rally by eighth-seeded Ohio State. Read More
High Point 83, Wisconsin 82: Chase Johnston made his first 2-point basket of the season, a fast-break layup with 11.7 seconds remaining that gave No. 12 seed High Point a victory over fifth-seeded Wisconsin. Read More
Duke 71, Siena 65: Duke barely avoided a shocking upset, having to rally from 13 down. Read More
Louisville 83, South Florida 79: Louisville hung on to to win its first NCAA Tournament game since Rick Pitino's last season as coach in 2017. Read More
Michigan State 92, North Dakota State 67: Michigan State routed North Dakota State to reach the second round for the 22nd time in 28 consecutive appearances under coach Tom Izzo. Read More
Arkansas 97, Hawaii 78: Darius Acuff Jr. had 24 points and seven assists, and No. 4 seed Arkansas continued its strong play after winning the SEC Tournament. Read More
Saint Louis 102, Georgia 77: Saint Louis set a school record for victories in a season with 29 and advanced to meet Michigan. Read More
Michigan 101, Howard 80: Morez Johnson Jr. had 21 points and 10 rebounds on a perfect shooting night, and No. 1 seed Michigan rode a second-half surge. Read More

NCAA Basketball Tournament / Women

Texas Longhorns guard Madison Booker (35) and guard Jordan Lee (7) celebrate during an Oklahoma timeout in the game at the Moody Center on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026 in Austin.

Photo by: Aaron E. Martinez, Austin American-Statesman

Forget Kevin Durant's shoes and NIL deals, Texas' Madison Booker wants a title

All-American honors, NIL money and a partnership with Kevin Durant are all secondary for Madison Booker's goal of a national title at Texas.

MIAMI, FL - MARCH 17: Manager Omar López #22 of Team Venezuela celebrates after winning the 2026 World Baseball Classic Championship game presented by Capital One between Team Venezuela and Team USA at loanDepot Park on Tuesday, March 17, 2026 in Miami, Florida.

Photo by: Rob Tringali, MLB Photos Via Getty Images

'I'm still crying.' Omar López is back with Astros after Venezuela's WBC title

Astros bench coach Omar López showed his ready to manage in the big leagues after emotional WBC win for Venezuela.

Bullpen injuries: Bennett Sousa suffered a left oblique muscle injury and won't be on team's roster for opening day Read More
Relief candidate: Peter Lambert, vying to return to the major leagues, is open to working as a starter or reliever for the Astros. Read More
Daikin debut: By pitching on Monday against the Space Cowboys, Tatsuya Imai's regular-season debut will likely be on March 28 or 29. Read More

Texans / NFL

After entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Eagles, new Texans safety Reed Blankenship said it was a different feeling being courted by Houston in free agency.

Photo by: Cooper Neill, Getty Images

Reed Blankenship had never felt wanted. How Texans provided it for him.

New Texans safety Reed Blankenship explains why he left one great defense for another.

Happy in Houston: Logan Hall developed a love for Houston's food scene at UH and is back with the Texans where he likes the style of play on the defensive line. Read More