No. 2 Baylor calls off next 2 games
Baylor, the No. 2 men’s basketball team in the country and one of three undefeated teams remaining, postponed its next two games, the school announced Thursday.
The school said the decision was “due to the Big 12 Conference men’s basketball interruption guidelines.”
The Bears had been scheduled to host TCU on Saturday and travel to No. 9 Oklahoma on Wednesday.
At the start of the season, Baylor withdrew from the Empire Classic at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn., after coach Scott Drew tested positive for COVID-19. The Bears’ showdown against top-ranked Gonzaga was postponed in December due to the Bulldogs’ issues, then Baylor paused team activities a week later and called off two games.
In January, a game against West Virginia was postponed after the Mountaineers had COVID-19 issues.
Golf: Matthew NeSmith and Mark Hubbard each shot an opening-round 8-under 63 to share the lead at the PGA Tour’s Phoenix Open in Scottsdale, Ariz. Nate Lashley and Sam Burns were one stroke back, while 53-year-old U.S. Ryder Cup captain Steve Stricker was two back. A group of six players at 5 under included Xander Schauffele and former PGA champ Keegan Bradley . ... David Horsey of England shot a course-record-tying 9-under 61 to take a one-stroke lead after the first round of the Saudi International. Horsey, a four-time winner on the European Tour, matched Dustin Johnson’s mark at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club in King Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia.
NBA: Trail Blazers G Damian Lillard, the league’s third-leading scorer, sat out against the 76ers because of an abdominal strain. Lillard is day to day . ... Nets F Kevin Durant and Lakers F LeBron James led the first round of All-Star voting by fans. Durant, who missed all of last season with a torn Achilles tendon, led all players with 2,302,705 votes, slightly ahead of James’ 2,288,676, the top total in the West.
NFL: Giants offensive coordinator Jason Garrett is expected to return next season, ESPN reported. The Giants offense finished 31st in total offense and points scored in their first season under the former Cowboys head coach.
NHL: With COVID-19 problems cropping up and four teams currently idled, the NHL revised its virus protocols in a bid to keep the shortened season on track. Glass panels have been removed from behind benches for better air flow, players and coaches aren’t allowed at the arena until 1 hour and 45 minutes before the game unless they’re getting treatment for injuries and all meetings must be virtual. The 31 teams were also told to space out locker rooms more to provide 6 feet of space between people . ... Sabres coach Ralph Krueger, 61, tested positive for COVID-19 and entered the league’s protocol . ... The Blue Jackets placed goaltender Elvis Merzlikins on IR after he was injured during practice. He’s day to day.
Also: Dianne Durham, the first Black woman to win a USA Gymnastics national championship, died following a short illness, her husband said. She was 52. Durham won the all-around title at the 1983 national championships.