INDIANAPOLIS — The NCAA will allow a limited number of fans to attend all rounds of next month’s men’s basketball tournament in Indiana.
The governing body said Friday it is permitting 25% capacity at the venues to allow for social distancing. That figure will include all participants and essential staff, along with the family members of team players and coaches.
Attendees must wear face coverings, and cleaning and disinfecting efforts will be emphasized at venues in keeping with COVID-19 safety protocols.
The NCAA said in its statement it acted in conjunction with state and local health officials. NCAA chief medical officer Brian Hainline said the decision also followed conversations with the organization’s medical advisory group and will rely on testing and monitoring services from the Indiana University Health system.
“The No. 1 priority for decisions around the tournament continues to be the safety and well-being of everyone participating in the event,” Hainline said.
The NCAA had previously announced the 68-team tournament will be played entirely in Indiana because of the pandemic, with most games in Indianapolis. The tournament will begin with First Four games on March 18 at home arenas for Big Ten Conference schools Purdue and Indiana, with those venues located about a one-hour drive – in opposite directions – from downtown Indianapolis.
At Indiana, the school said it will allow up to 500 fans for tournament games at Assembly Hall with some seats reserved for local medical workers and first responders who have been vaccinated.
The Final Four takes place in Indianapolis on April 3. The national championship game follows two days later.
MIAMI: Dynamic point guard Chris Lykes is unlikely to play again this season because of an ankle injury that has sidelined him since Dec. 4.
The Hurricanes (7-12, 3-11 Atlantic Coast Conference) have been without four rotation players for most or all of the season, with Lykes playing in only two games. The 5-foot-6 senior was a preseason first-team all-ACC pick after leading Miami in scoring a year ago.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
RHODE ISLAND COLLEGE 73, SOUTHERN MAINE 52: Sophia Guerrier and Antonia Corsinetti paced a balanced offense with 10 points apiece as Rhode Island College spoiled the Huskies’ season opener, in Gorham.
Victoria Harris led USM with 12 points and eight rebounds.
(8) UCLA 83, (13) OREGON 56: Michaela Onyenwere scored 17 points, Lauren Miller added 16 and the Bruins (13-3, 11-3 Pac-12) completed a season sweep of the visiting Ducks (12-6, 9-6).
(10) ARIZONA 59, CALIFORNIA 50: Aari McDonald scored 28 points to lead the Wildcats (15-2, 13-2 Pac-12) past the Golden Bears (0-14, 0-11) in Berkeley, California.
(18) ARKANSAS 84, MISSISSIPPI 74: Chelsea Dungee scored a season-high 38 points, Amber Ramirez added 19 and the Razorbacks (16-7, 6-6 SEC) beat the Rebels (9-8, 3-8) in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
(23) SOUTH DAKOTA STATE 86, NORTH DAKOTA STATE 78: Tylee Irwin scored 17 of her career-high 25 points in the fourth quarter, Paiton Burckhard had 16 points, 11 rebounds and six assists, and the Jackrabbits (18-2, 11-0 Summit League) beat the Bison (14-5, 9-4) in Fargo, North Dakota.
MEN’S HOCKEY
BOSTON COLLEGE 4, MAINE 2: Alex Newhook broke a 2-2 tie with 9:55 remaining to push the Eagles (14-3-1) past the Black Bears (2-8-1) at Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts.
Maine, playing its first game since Jan. 23, tied the game twice on goals by Tristan Poissant in the second period and Brad Morrissey in the third.
Matt Boldy scored twice for BC, including an empty-netter in the final minute. Spencer Knight made 23 saves.
Maine goalie Matthew Thiessen stopped 28 shots.
WOMEN’S HOCKEY
HOLY CROSS 2, MAINE 1: The Black Bears (7-8) gave up power-play goals by Allison Attea and Mary Edmonds just 54 seconds apart in the second period and lost to the Crusaders (4-14) in Worcester, Massachusetts.
Maine’s Daria Tereshkina opened the scoring early in the second period. Loryn Porter made 23 saves for the Black Bears.
FOOTBALL
MICHIGAN: Quarterback Joe Milton has entered the transfer portal, depleting the Wolverines’ depth at the position.
Milton won the starting job last year but eventually lost it to redshirt freshman Cade McNamara.
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