The Rock Chalkboard

How Ochai Agbaji's game-winning layup at Texas Tech came to be
“We ran it earlier in the game when there was two seconds left on the shot clock,” coach Bill Self said. “It was so well-scouted and when I called it out from a distance, everybody knew what it was. Of course, Chris [Beard] and his staff — they told them exactly what was going on. The advantage we had this time is that nobody heard what we called.”

Three takeaways: Reviewing KU basketball's win at Texas Tech
No. 5 Kansas basketball squeaked out a win at No. 14 Texas Tech Thursday, defeating the Red Raiders 58-57. The win marked the Jayhawks’ 30th-straight conference-opening win while improving the team’s record to 7-1 (1-0 Big 12).

Self lauds Christian Braun hustle play: 'That's what winners do'
No, Bill Self is not exaggerating when he speaks of plays that define seasons. It might sound like hyperbole, but Thursday's win at No. 14 Texas Tech, 58-57, was far from the first time the KU basketball coach spoke of such a thing.

Photo gallery: No. 5 KU basketball wins at No. 14 Texas Tech
No. 5 KU basketball earned its first win in conference play on Thursday, defeating the Texas Tech Raiders in Lubbock, 58-57. The Jayhawks defeated the No. 14 Red Raiders despite shooting 40.4 percent from the field and 33.3 percent 3. They did, however, shoot 93.3 percent from the free throw line.

Reaction: Bill Self, Kansas clutch in tight win over Texas Tech
Kansas coach Bill Self received much of the credit for the win. In addition to some of his adjustments, Kansas ran two consecutive baseline out-of-bounds plays in the final minute for key points. When added to Agbaji's clutch 23 points, Kansas was able to survive a tough road test and big outings from Shannon and Mac McClung.

Jeff Long: Fans allowed at KU basketball games through Jan. 2
The Kansas men's basketball team will continue to allow fans inside Allen Fieldhouse, with fans allowed for upcoming games against West Virginia (Dec. 22) and Texas (Jan. 2), athletic director Jeff Long announced on Thursday. Previously, the Jayhawks had allowed a crowd of 2,500 for their final two non-conference games.

Source: Kansas football LB Denzel Feaster enters transfer portal
Add another Kansas football player to your transfer portal tally. On Thursday, Phog.net and 247Sports first reported, via a source, that Kansas linebacker Denzel Feaster had entered the transfer portal.

Bits o Chalk

James Harden and the Houston Rockets are at a breaking point
THE HOUSTON ROCKETS' culture in the James Harden era, which bridges two owners and now four head coaches, might be best summed up by a former staffer's three words:

"Whatever James wants."

NBA investigating allegations against Jerry West, LA Clippers involving Kawhi Leonard recruitment
Johnny Wilkes, a man who claims to be close to Leonard and best friends with Kawhi's uncle Dennis Robertson, filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles County Superior Court against West and the Clippers, alleging the team consultant owes him $2.5 million in an oral agreement made for helping the Clippers sign Leonard.

Raiders' Marcus Mariota fills in for injured QB Derek Carr, passes for 226 yards in season debut
Marcus Mariota, a former Heisman Trophy winner, No. 2 overall NFL draft pick and the highest-paid backup quarterback in the NFL with a base salary of $7.5 million, made his season debut for the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday night, filling in for an injured Derek Carr in their dramatic 30-27 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.

Jon Gruden spotted wearing Oakland Raiders cap to start game vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Coach Jon Gruden began the Raiders' game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday night wearing a cap that read "Oakland Raiders."

Gruden had changed into a Las Vegas Raiders cap by the second quarter.

Sources -- Houston Rockets expand trade talks beyond James Harden's preferred teams
The Houston Rockets are increasingly expanding trade discussions on All-NBA guard James Harden beyond his preferred destinations of Brooklyn and Philadelphia, sources told ESPN.

Eraser Dust

Suspected Russian hack on U.S. is much worse than first feared
It added that “state, local, tribal, and territorial governments as well as critical infrastructure entities and other private sector organizations” are also at risk.

Biden, In Interview With Colbert, Says He Has 'Full Confidence' In Hunter : NPR
"We have great confidence in our son," said Biden, who appeared alongside his wife, Jill Biden. "I am not concerned about any accusations that have been made against him. It's used to get to me. I think it's kind of foul play, but look, it is what it is."

Deb Haaland as Biden's Interior Secretary praised by Native Americans
For Oliver "OJ" Semans, President-elect Joe Biden's expected choice of New Mexico Democratic Congresswoman Deb Haaland as the first Native American secretary of the Interior Department isn't just about the policies she'll pursue for Indian Country or the tribal relationships she'll be overseeing.

Noel Gallagher thinks Prince Harry is 'f****** do-gooder' and Royals have 's*** life' - Mirror Online
oel, 53, feels sorry for the Queen and all of the members of the royal family because, although the public believe that their lives are full of opulence and wealth, they are actually have a “s**t” time and are unable to do anything fun.

Kalispell residents speak out about rental costs
“So, my family and I have been living in the same rental for the last four years, we moved in because it was three bedrooms, it had a garage and its large yard -- and the price was right. We pay $1,050 which is great," said Kate Williams who lives in Kalispell and works for Kalispell Regional Healthcare.