COVID-19 pandemic
Michigan head coach Juwan Howard, left, shakes hands with Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo after the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Thursday, March 4, 2021, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
No. 2 Michigan clinches Big Ten, beats Michigan State 69-50

By Noah Trister 5 hrs ago

FILE - In this Feb. 1, 2021, file photo, Drake forward Tremell Murphy, left, drives past Illinois State forward Abdou Ndiaye (4) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Des Moines, Iowa. The economic downturn across college sports caused by the pandemic led Drake to slash its athletic budget, including a quarter of what it spends on men's basketball. Earning a bid to the NCAA Tournament won't pull Drake out of its financial hole, but every little bit helps. Getting an extra team into the field for the Missouri Valley Conference could mean another $1.8 million--give or take--for the league to distribute to its 10 members over the next six years. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)
NCAA bubble trouble: Pandemic pushes mid-majors to margins

By Ralph D. Russo 7 hrs ago

Michigan State forward Aaron Henry (0) celebrates with forward Gabe Brown (44) after scoring against Ohio State during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
The Latest: Big Ten to allow fans for basketball tournaments

By The Associated Press 12 hrs ago

San Diego State's Jordan Schakel (20) and Matt Mitchell (11) celebrate after defeating UNLV during an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, March 3, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Joe Buglewicz)
No. 19 San Diego State beats UNLV 71-62 for 2nd MWC title

Mar. 03, 2021 11:31 PM EST

Villanova head coach Jay Wright reacts to a call in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Butler in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
The Latest: Big East teams to get tickets for men's hoops

By The Associated Press Mar. 03, 2021 03:59 PM EST

San Diego State forward Matt Mitchell (11) drives the ball against Boise State guard Marcus Shaver Jr. (0) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb 27, 2021, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
No. 19 Aztecs seek 11th straight win, 2nd straight MWC title

By Bernie Wilson Mar. 02, 2021 06:19 PM EST

New York Islanders center Anders Lee (27) falls to the ice after colliding with Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021, in Uniondale, N.Y. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
The Latest: NHL's COVID-19 list at season-low three players

By The Associated Press Mar. 02, 2021 02:19 PM EST

Wisconsin's Tyler Wahl blocks the shot of Illinois's Giorgi Bezhanishvili during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
No. 2 Michigan begins tough finish with trip to No. 4 Illini

By Dave Skretta Mar. 02, 2021 01:59 AM EST

Fans stand as the North Carolina basketball team enters the court for their game against Florida State on Saturday, February 27, 2021 in Chapel Hill, N.C. Under new state CVOID-19 guidelines fans are being allowed into the game. Approximately 2400 students were given tickets.(Robert Willett/The News & Observer via AP)
NIT moves 2021 event to Texas, interrupting 83-year NY run

Mar. 01, 2021 05:20 PM EST

Wofford Terriers quarterback Jimmy Weirick (5) pitches the football during the football game between UTC and the Wofford Terriers at Finley Stadium on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021 in Chattanooga, Tenn.(Troy Stolt/Chattanooga Times Free Press via AP)
The Latest: Pa. paves way for some fans to return to games

By The Associated Press Mar. 01, 2021 04:21 PM EST

Mississippi State guard Deivon Smith (5) shoots past a block attempt by Alabama guard John Petty Jr. (23) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Role reversal: No. 8 Bama thrives like recent Auburn teams

By John Zenor Mar. 01, 2021 03:54 PM EST

Florida State head coach Leonard Hamilton gestures during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Miami, Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021, in Coral Gables, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
No. 11 Seminoles extends Hamilton's contract through 2025

Mar. 01, 2021 02:59 PM EST

FILE - ESPN College Game Day's Rece Davis gestures while talking on the set in College Station, Texas before the start of an NCAA college football game between Clemson and Texas A&M, in this Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, file photo. ESPN has re-signed Rece Davis to a multiyear contract that will keep him in place as the host of the network’s popular Saturday college football pregame show. The network announced the deal Monday, March 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Sam Craft, File)
ESPN re-signs Rece Davis as 'College GameDay' host

By Ralph D. Russo Mar. 01, 2021 10:01 AM EST

Drake head coach Darian DeVries directs his team during overtime in an NCAA college basketball game against Loyola of Chicago, Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021, in Des Moines, Iowa. Drake won 51-50 in overtime. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Pandemic challenges also give some teams chances to bond

By Andrew Seligman Feb. 27, 2021 02:43 AM EST

Iowa State guard Rasir Bolton (45) attempts a shot between Baylor guard Jared Butler (12) and Baylor guard Davion Mitchell (45) in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021, in Waco, Texas. (AP Photo/Jerry Larson)
No. 2 Baylor on verge of title in incomplete Big 12 season

By Stephen Hawkins Feb. 26, 2021 03:19 PM EST

Boise State players and coaches signal that they had possession of the ball during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against San Diego State, Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Mitchell leads No. 22 SDSU past Boise State 78-66 in OT

By Bernie Wilson Feb. 26, 2021 12:00 AM EST

FILE - In this Aug. 9, 2020, file photo, Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi delivers in front of empty stands during the first inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays in Boston during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Red Sox announced Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021, that the team is making plans for a limited number of fans to return to Fenway Park for the regular season. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File)
Blue Jays at Red Sox 8/9/2020

Feb. 25, 2021 04:32 PM EST

FILE - In this Dec. 18, 2020, file photo, the Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets tip off in front of empty seats at TD Garden to start an NBA preseason basketball game in Boston during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Celtics and the NHL Boston Bruins will be able to start playing in front of a limited number of fans beginning March 22, 2021, under Phase 4 of Massachusetts' reopening plan. (AP Photo/Mary Schwalm, File)
Brooklyn Nets at Boston Celtics 12/18/2020

Feb. 25, 2021 04:32 PM EST

Colorado Rockies players warm up during the team's spring training baseball workout in Scottsdale, Ariz., Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
The Latest: Sharks back at practice, play Sat night vs Blues

By The Associated Press Feb. 25, 2021 11:27 AM EST

FILE- In a Dec. 4, 2020 file photo, Detroit Mercy head coach Mike Davis prepares to talk to his team during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Michigan State, in East Lansing, Mich. In a college basketball season unlike any other, players have had to adjust to coronavirus protocols and just general anxiety about what's to come. Even for those who manage to avoid catching the virus, the mental strain can be a real issue. Detroit Mercy's men's basketball program paused activities earlier this season, citing the mental health of its players. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)
After mental health break, a turnaround at Detroit Mercy

By Noah Trister Feb. 24, 2021 04:21 PM EST