The Rock Chalkboard

KU basketball tested five-guard lineup against Texas Tech
"To be honest with you, it didn’t hurt us," Self said of the switch to five guards. "When we went five guards they actually had [Chris] Clarke in at the five so it didn’t really hurt us a lot. And when we go five guards we switch everything anyway, so it wasn’t anything that hurt us, but it wasn’t because we ran good offense. It was just because [Devon Dotson and Marcus Garrett] got downhill for the most part.”

Bill Self, KU players talk quick turnaround before Texas game
The Jayhawks, per coach Bill Self on Saturday, were set up to watch tape, practice and then break for the Super Bowl, since Self joked the players probably wouldn't want to spend six hours or so with their head coach if they were to do everything together that day.

KU football's Jeff Hecklinski announced as San Diego State OC
On Saturday, KU football tight ends coach Jeff Hecklinski was announced as the new offensive coordinator at San Diego State. In addition to his role as tight ends coach for KU, Hecklinski was shown on the ESPN+ series Miles to Go mentoring the KU quarterbacks in games to start the year. After the promotion of Brent Dearmon to offensive coordinator, coincided with the removal of Les Koenning at the same position, Hecklinski moved up to the booth where he appeared to be helping the offense with analysis from above.

Les Miles announces new tight ends coach, recruiting coordinator
“Joshua will bring a wealth of experience to our program,” said Miles. “He has a great understanding of our offense, having been on our staff last year, and his strengths in communicating and teaching will benefit our players, specifically the tight ends. Joshua is also a dynamic recruiter whose organizational skills will be a huge asset to our staff.”

Bill Self's challenge sparked David McCormack against Texas Tech
"It's just a great feeling to be back," McCormack said. "There's nothing like playing at the fieldhouse, all the support from teammates, fans, family, everyone just having my back."

Devon Dotson gives Chris Beard 'flashbacks' of Mason, Graham
Chris Beard knows what it's like to go against a point guard who can rip your heart out, especially when his teams match up against Kansas.

Bits o Chalk.

Tom Brady says he's 'not going anywhere' in Super Bowl commercial
Tom Brady's tweet on Thursday night that set social media on fire and sparked questions about his football future turned out to be a preview for a Super Bowl commercial.

Patrick Mahomes' last-minute kneel-downs cost many bettors
Mahomes' over/under rushing yards opened as low as 27.5 and was bet up to as high 36.5. Mahomes had 44 yards entering Kansas City's final possession. With the Chiefs leading 31-20 and 57 seconds remaining, Mahomes kneeled on three straight plays, losing 15 yards. He finished with 29 yards rushing, a costly outcome for bettors.

49ers can't finish off Chiefs as focus turns to next year -- 'We'll be fired up'
Inside a dejected San Francisco 49ers locker room, general manager John Lynch huddled with team CEO Jed York and Mike Shanahan, the father of head coach Kyle Shanahan, quietly taking stock of what had just happened.

Andy Reid gets his 222nd career win and his 1st Super Bowl victory
"I'm really excited about it," Reid said. "You get one, you want to go get another one. But we've got to backpedal for about a minute and enjoy this one and [then] we'll get busy on the next one."

Patrick Mahomes named MVP of Super Bowl LIV after leading Chiefs' comeback
"It's this team. We have heart," Mahomes said following the 31-20 win in Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium. "Coach [Andy Reid] pushes us to be the best people we can be and never give up."

Eraser Dust

Man shot dead by UK police wanted girlfriend to behead her parents - Reuters
Sudesh Amman, the man shot dead by police in what officials described as a terrorism incident in south London, had been jailed for promoting violent Islamist material and had encouraged his girlfriend to behead her parents.

Montana state GOP lawmaker says Constitution calls for socialists to be jailed, shot | TheHill
“So actually in the Constitution of the United States (if) they are found guilty of being a socialist member you either go to prison or are shot,” the Montana Republican said.

Bernard Ebbers, former WorldCom CEO who went to prison in massive accounting fraud case, is dead - CNN
His death was confirmed by his attorney in a statement to CNN affiliate WAPT in Jackson, Mississippi. Ebbers had been granted an early release from prison due to poor health in January after serving just over 13 years of a 25-year sentence. He was 78 years old.

Best (and worst) Super Bowl commercials - CNN
Grading on the curve of Super Bowls past, it was a pretty good day overall for advertising agencies that earn their spurs based on these campaigns. Happily for football fans, it just wasn't as good as the game and Kansas City's come-from-behind victory.