Disease outbreaks
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

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: ACC tourney players, coaches get tracing devices

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

Gonzaga coach Mark Few, left, speaks with guard Jalen Suggs during the second half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against San Diego in Spokane, Wash., Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)
The Latest: West Coast Conference tourneys won't have fans

By The Associated Press Feb. 24, 2021 12:27 PM EST

Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, reacts after hitting his second shot on the 17th hole during the second round of the Genesis Invitational golf tournament at Riviera Country Club, Friday, Feb. 19, 2021, in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Kang)
The Latest: Charleston Southern pauses athletics

By The Associated Press Feb. 23, 2021 07:05 PM EST

FILE - In this Aug. 3, 2020, file photo, photographers practice social distancing while sitting with fan cutouts during a baseball game between the Cleveland Indians and the Cincinnati Reds in Cincinnati. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine says pro sports teams could allow up to 30% of fans in stadiums this spring under a pandemic-related plan for sports. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster, File)
Indians at Reds 8/4/2020

Feb. 22, 2021 07:16 PM EST

New Jersey Devils left wing Nikita Gusev (97) celebrates his goal with right wing Kyle Palmieri (21), center Jack Hughes (86) and defenseman Damon Severson (28) during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals, Sunday, Feb. 21, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
The Latest: Big West hoops tournaments banning spectators

Feb. 22, 2021 07:14 PM EST

Louisville head coach Chris Mack directs his players on defense against North Carolina during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021, at the Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C. (Robert Willett/The News & Observer via AP)
Louisville's Mack: 'Not a good look' going maskless in video

By Gary B. Graves Feb. 22, 2021 04:27 PM EST

Kentucky's Keion Brooks Jr. (12) brings the ball up court against Tennessee's Yves Pons (35) during an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021, in Knoxville, Tenn. (Randy Sartin/Pool Photo via AP)
The Latest: Texas A&M men's hoops has 7th postponement

By The Associated Press Feb. 20, 2021 05:24 PM EST

FILE - In this Jan. 19, 2017, file photo, Mitch Barnhart, athletic director at Kentucky, takes part in a panel discussion at the NCAA Convention in Nashville, Tenn. There is no need to worry about geography in this year's NCAA Tournament. Get ready for plenty of talk about the so-called “S curve” instead. And do not worry — it's not that complicated. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)
The Latest: NHL down to 11 players on COVID-19 list

By The Associated Press Feb. 19, 2021 06:14 PM EST

Edmonton Oilers' Evan Bouchard (75) and Kyle Turris (8) defend against Winnipeg Jets' Blake Wheeler (26) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021, in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Latest: Ivy League not having spring sports season again

Feb. 18, 2021 11:39 AM EST

North Carolina's Walker Kessler, left, is pressured by Virginia forward Sam Hauser (10) and forward Jay Huff during an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 13, 2021, in Charlottesville, Va. (Andrew Shurtleff/The Daily Progress via AP, Pool)
The Latest: SEC shifts men's basketball schedule

By The Associated Press Feb. 15, 2021 11:23 AM EST

The Latest: Texas Tech-TCU juggle schedule because of storm

By The Associated Press Feb. 14, 2021 08:30 PM EST
The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world: ___ Extreme winter weather in Texas...

The Latest: ACC postpones Va Tech-North Carolina for Tuesday

By The Associated Press Feb. 13, 2021 03:59 PM EST
The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world: ___ The Atlantic Coast Conference...

Minnesota Wild left wing Kirill Kaprizov, front, defenseman Carson Soucy, back left, and center Kyle Rau react at the end of the team's NHL hockey game against the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
The Latest: Minnesota Wild returning after 10-day pause

By The Associated Press Feb. 11, 2021 04:11 PM EST

FILE - In this Feb. 4, 2021, file photo, Gonzaga coach Mark Few huddles with his team during a timeout in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Pacific in Stockton, Calif. Few isn't being asked questions about where his team should be seeded for next month's NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. Instead, the longtime coach is getting a different question with a little more than a month until Selection Sunday — does it make any sense for Gonzaga to compete in its conference tournament? (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)
Conference tournaments still on schedule despite concerns

By Joe Reedy Feb. 11, 2021 03:15 PM EST

FILE - In this Dec. 2, 2020, file photo, North Carolina head coach Roy Williams directs his team in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game for the championship of the Maui Invitational in Asheville, N.C. Williams' Tar Heels visit rival Duke on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021, with it marking the first meeting with both teams unranked since 1960. (AP Photo/Kathy Kmonicek, File)
Tar Heels sorry for breaching COVID-19 protocols

By Aaron Beard Feb. 09, 2021 03:30 PM EST

Ohio State guard Duane Washington Jr. shoots against Maryland during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Monday, Feb. 8, 2021, in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
The Latest: Howard U cancels remainder of men's hoops season

By The Associated Press Feb. 09, 2021 12:49 PM EST

Miami head coach Jim Larrañaga gestures during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Duke, Monday, Feb. 1, 2021, in Coral Gables, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
The Latest: Top-ranked Iowa wrestling pauses activities

By The Associated Press Feb. 08, 2021 01:02 PM EST