Analysis: Vladimir Putin and Joe Biden Compete for Google Search Interest, Gonzaga Bulldogs Men’s Basketball Competes for Google Search Interest With College Basketball
Vladimir Putin and Joe Biden Compete for Google Search Interest
Tensions between President Vladimir Putin of Russia and President Joe Biden of the U.S. have now increased due to the recent events in Ukraine. Unfortunately, Putin announced Russia’s military operations in Ukraine; furthermore, Russia had just attacked Ukraine by setting off explosions that were heard in Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Odessa. Biden expressed sympathy for the citizens of Ukraine as a response to the attacks in his speech at the White House. According to an analysis of Google search data, there is competition for interest between Putin and Biden later in the week of Feb. 21.
Interest for the search of Putin on Google increased in the U.S. at 10 p.m. on Feb. 23 as soon as breaking news of the Russian missile attack on Ukraine was announced. By noon on Feb. 24, interest for Biden on Google search increased but came nearly close from the Google search interest of Putin. The same day, Biden would make his response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine by stating that Putin’s attack will come with consequences. In addition, the president said he will authorize strong sanctions against Russia.
On Feb. 18, Biden had earlier indicated during a press conference at the White House that he was convinced of Putin’s decision to invade Ukraine. He said Russia’s invasion of Ukraine could either take place in the upcoming weeks or sooner. Coincidentally, Biden’s statement in the Feb. 18 press conference would come true less than a week later.
Gonzaga Bulldogs Men’s Basketball Has Interest in College Basketball
This year, the Gonzaga Bulldogs men’s basketball team is No. 1 in the West Coast Conference of the NCAA. Mark Few has coached for the Bulldogs basketball team for over 20 years. His son, Joe Few, made his debut for Gonzaga earlier this year and plays as a guard.
The WCC regular season of college basketball ended on Feb. 26. The same day, Gonzaga was facing off against Saint Mary’s Gaels men’s basketball team in Moraga, Calif. In the end, No. 23 Saint Mary’s pulled off an incredible upset at home against Gonzaga 67–57. They snapped Gonzaga’s 17-game winning streak in the process. According to an analysis of Google search data, Gonzaga has competed for interest with college basketball over the past day.
Gonzaga had the highest interest in college basketball shortly after their upsetting loss to Saint Mary’s. Although their performance against the Gaels appeared to be subpar, they had clinched their WCC regular season title. Gonzaga’s opponent in the West Coast Tournament will be revealed on March 5. The West Coast Basketball Tournament will take place on March 3 in Las Vegas and last until March 8, one day before Gonzaga is expected to tip off with the opponent that will be determined. March Madness will begin on March 13.
Gonzaga is not the only college team with an upsetting loss. Six other top ten teams joined Gonzaga with painful losses on the same day. No. 2 Arizona fell to Colorado 79–63. No. 3 Auburn was defeated by No. 17 Tennessee 67–62. No. 4 Purdue was edged by Michigan State 68–65. No. 6 Kentucky was unable to defeat No. 18 Arkansas 75–73. Finally, No. 9 Texas Tech could not win against Texas Christian University 69–66.
