Here’s what’s happening Thursday with the coronavirus pandemic in the U.S.: THE NUMBERS: VACCINES: Nearly 54.1 million people, or 16.3% of the U.S. population, have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, according to the CDC. Some 27.7 million people have completed their vaccination, or 8.4% of the population. CASES: The seven-day rolling average for daily new cases…
Indiana (12-13, 7-11) vs. No. 23 Purdue (17-8, 12-6) Mackey Arena, West Lafayette, Indiana; Saturday, 2 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: No. 23 Purdue looks for its ninth straight win in the head-to-head series over Indiana. In its last eight wins against the Hoosiers, Purdue has won by an average of 9 points. Indiana’s last win in the series came on…
No. 6 seed Bucknell (4-6, 4-6) vs. No. 3 seed Lafayette (9-5, 9-5) Patriot League Conference Tourney Quarterfinals, Kirby Sports Center, Easton, Pennsylvania; Saturday, 2 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: Bucknell is set to meet Lafayette in the quarterfinals of the Patriot League tournament. Lafayette swept the two-game regular season series. The teams last played each other on Jan. 10, when…
Mississippi State (14-12, 8-9) vs. Auburn (12-14, 6-11) Auburn Arena, Auburn, Alabama; Saturday, 1 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: Two guards will be on display as D.J. Stewart Jr. and Mississippi State will face Allen Flanigan and Auburn. The junior Stewart has scored 24 percent of the team’s points this season and is averaging 13.8 over his last five games. Flanigan,…
No. 10 Villanova (16-4, 11-3) vs. Providence (12-12, 8-10) Alumni Hall, Providence, Rhode Island; Saturday, 2:30 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: No. 10 Villanova presents a tough challenge for Providence. Providence has won one of its three games against ranked opponents this season. Villanova beat Creighton by 12 at home in its last outing. SAVVY SENIORS: Villanova’s Collin Gillespie, Jermaine Samuels…
South Florida (8-11, 4-9) vs. Wichita State (14-4, 10-2) Charles Koch Arena, Wichita, Kansas; Saturday, 1 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: Wichita State looks for its seventh straight conference win against South Florida. Wichita State’s last AAC loss came against the Memphis Tigers 72-52 on Jan. 21. South Florida fell short in a 73-52 game at home to Memphis on Tuesday….
No. 8 Alabama (20-6, 15-2) vs. Georgia (14-10, 7-10) Stegeman Coliseum, Athens, Georgia; Saturday, 2 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: No. 8 Alabama presents a tough challenge for Georgia. Georgia has won one of its three games against ranked opponents this season. Alabama knocked off Auburn by 12 on Tuesday. SUPER SENIORS: Alabama has relied heavily on its seniors. Jaden Shackelford,…
LSU (15-8, 10-6) vs. Missouri (15-7, 8-7) Mizzou Arena, Columbia, Missouri; Saturday, 3 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: LSU looks for its sixth straight win in the head-to-head series over Missouri. LSU has won by an average of 6 points in its last five wins over the Tigers. Missouri’s last win in the series came on Jan. 8, 2015, a 74-67…
No. 5 seed American (4-5, 4-5) vs. No. 4 seed Army (11-8, 7-7) Patriot League Conference Tourney Quarterfinals, Christl Arena, West Point, New York; Saturday, 3 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: American is set to match up against Army in the quarterfinals of the Patriot League tournament. Army earned a 57-55 win over Boston University in its most recent game, while…
New Mexico State (7-6, 4-5) vs. Tarleton St. (7-10, 2-7) Wisdom Gymnasium, Stephenville, Texas; Saturday, 8 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: New Mexico State goes for the season sweep over Tarleton St. after winning the previous matchup in Stephenville. The teams last faced each other on Feb. 26, when the Aggies outshot Tarleton St. from the field 58 percent to 40.8…
