The Rock Chalkboard

Reaction: Coronavirus cancels NCAA Tournament
"We recognize the opportunity to compete in an NCAA national championship is an experience of a lifetime for the students and their families. Today, we will move forward and conduct championships consistent with the current information and will continue to monitor and make adjustments as needed."

KU basketball players react to NCAA Tournament cancellation
“While we are disappointed for the players, it was the right and necessary thing to do. As I said yesterday, this is bigger than a sport or championship. I know our medical staff and the NCAA will research all avenues to determine the appropriate steps moving forward.”

March Sadness reigns supreme with cancellation of NCAA Tournament | Smithology | KUsports.com
For Azubuike, a senior, and Dotson, a likely early NBA draft entrant, this must be unfathomable. They were poised to write their own memorable chapters in KU’s storied program. Maybe even leave as legends. Like Danny Manning or Mario Chalmers. Now they and their teammates become an all-time what-if in KU lore.

Disappointed Kansas fans in Kansas City try to find silver lining after cancellation of Big 12 tournament | KUsports.com
“I guess my take on it is maybe the coronavirus is overhyped a little bit,” Salina resident Brad Moxter said while sipping a beer with a buddy at Kansas City’s Power & Light District. “I understand exercising caution and I believe in that, but I also hate to see (Udoka) Azubuike not be able to compete for a national championship.”

Bits o Chalk

Kevin Love kicks off support drive for arena workers with $100K pledge
With the NBA suspending its season indefinitely and closing the doors on its 29 arenas around the country for the foreseeable future with no games to be played, Cleveland Cavaliers star Kevin Love pledged $100,000 Thursday to aid arena workers displaced by the league's response to the coronavirus.

U.S. Soccer president Carlos Cordeiro steps down amid USWNT pay dispute
He will be replaced by Cindy Parlow Cone, who had been serving as USSF vice president.

Jazz center Rudy Gobert apologizes for 'careless' actions
In his first public comments since testing positive for COVID-19, Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert apologized on Instagram for his "careless" actions that exposed others to the disease, saying he hopes that his "story serves as a warning and causes everyone to take this seriously."

Adam Silver says NBA hiatus likely to last 'at least' 30 days
"Of course the issue becomes now, what we determined today, is that this hiatus will be most likely at least 30 days," Silver said. "And we don't know enough to be more specific than that. But we wanted to give direction to our players and teams and fans that this is going to be roughly at least a month.

XFL cancels regular-season games, 'committed' to playing in 2021
In its first season since its aborted debut in 2001, the XFL completed half of its scheduled 10-week season. It had been slated to conclude April 12 before two weeks of postseason play. There was no immediate word Thursday about a potential attempt to conduct playoffs.

Eraser Dust

Maryland And Ohio To Close Schools Statewide Due To Coronavirus : NPR
Maryland and Ohio officials have announced that schools in their states will be closed for several weeks amid concerns about the coronavirus. The statewide closures come after many school districts and dozens of colleges and universities have temporarily closed because of the COVID-19 disease.

Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, wife of Canada PM Justin Trudeau, tests positive for coronavirus
“Following medical advice, she will remain in isolation for the time being. She is feeling well, is taking all the recommended precautions and her symptoms remain mild,” according to a statement tweeted by Cameron Ahmad, the prime minister’s communications director.

Glastonbury 2020 reveals line-up amid uncertainty over coronavirus - BBC News
US rap star Kendrick Lamar will top the bill on Friday, with Supergrass, Lana

Del Rey and AJ Tracey also due to play.

Dow Plunges 2,300 Points: Stocks In Meltdown As Panic Selling Continues : NPR
The stock market has suffered a relentless, breathtaking drop — moving deeper into bear territory. Stocks fell so fast Thursday morning that it triggered a 15-minute halt in trading for the second time this week.

Survey: White Evangelicals See Trump As 'Honest' And 'Morally Upstanding' : NPR
By a nearly 2-to-1 margin, white evangelicals are more likely than other Americans to say the terms "morally upstanding" and "honest" describe Trump at least "fairly well," according to a new survey from the Pew Research Center.

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