'I’m on the Road to Recovery:' Collapse of NCAA Tourney Ref Bert Smith Caused by Blood Clot

Posted Apr 20, 2021
Bert Smith just now finished returning the text messages. There were 500 of them. There were ones from coaches, ones from colleagues, ones from family. We’re praying for you. We’re rooting for you. Get better. They poured into Smith’s phone after he collapsed on national television during Gonzaga’s eventual win over USC in a men's Elite Eight game. (Sports Illustrated)

Related: Other News

Georgia Tech to hire Troy's Scott Cross as next head men's basketball coach
Georgia Tech is reportedly set to hire Troy’s Scott Cross as its next head men's basketball coach. Cross comes in after two consecutive NCAA tournament...
Fri Mar 20, 2026

NCAA oversight committee approves trial rule that gives players a break for first targeting penalty
A targeting penalty will no longer automatically take a player off the field for the following game. The FBS Oversight Committee on Thursday approved a...
Fri Mar 20, 2026

March Madness Day 1: Duke survives scare as UNC, Wisconsin, AJ Dybantsa go down on Thursday
Do mid-majors get a fair shake? It didn’t take long for Cinderella to enter the building. No. 12 seed High Point rallied from 10 points...
Fri Mar 20, 2026

Will Wade vows roster revamp, program reset after NC State's loss, 'pretty disappointing season’
From the moment he was introduced as NC State’s men’s basketball coach, Will Wade hasn’t been afraid to give blunt comments about the state of...
Thu Mar 19, 2026