The Rock Chalkboard

Jeff Long: 2019-20 KU basketball team 'worthy' of recognition
"Coach Self and I aren’t ready to share what that might be and we’re still really working through that," Long said. "What is the best way? What is the most appropriate thing? We know they’re a special team. We know they were poised for a great run, and so they will be honored and honored appropriately."

Michael Wilbon reacts to fans voting Zion over Danny Manning
“So people voting in this greatest college basketball player poll on ESPN select Zion Williamson, who didn't get to the Final Four, over Danny Manning, who led his Kansas team to a title?” tweeted Wilbon. “People know NOTHING unless they saw it this morning on SportsCenter. #sad”

Udoka Azubuike, Devon Dotson headline USBWA All-Americans
The team, which is one of four that goes into determining consensus All-America squads, tapped Azubuike as a first-teamer, his first first-team nod after he was picked as a second-teamer by the Associated Press and The Sporting News. Joining him on the USBWA first team were Luka Garza of Iowa, Markus Howard of Marquette, Myles Powell of Seton Hall and Obi Toppin of Dayton.

How Udoka Azubuike rewrote the story of his KU basketball career
"A lot of people, they look down on me," Azubuike said. "They think I can't. But I've been through so much."

AD Jeff Long talks KU player COVID-19 tests, plan to pay staff
Long also noted one of KU's first actions following the news surrounding the spread of coronavirus was to make sure the student-athletes were safe and, in many cases, could return home. Long estimated around 75 student-athletes are left in Lawrence at on-campus housing or off-campus apartments. There are still open dining halls they are able to get takeout from, and their scholarships will continue.

KU's Marcus Garrett a finalist for defensive player of the year
Marcus Garrett, KU basketball's junior wing, was announced as one of the four finalists for Naismith Defensive Player of the Year The others come from two of college basketballs blue bloods, as well as another projected No. 1 seed (before the tournament was canceled, at least). Those players are Ashton Hagans of Kentucky, Tre Jones of Duke and Mark Vital of Baylor.

Bits o Chalk

Japan's prime minister says IOC president agrees to postpone 2020 Olympics
IOC President Thomas Bach has agreed "100%" to a proposal of postponing the 2020 Tokyo Olympics for about one year until 2021 because of the coronavirus outbreak, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Tuesday.

Rams rebranded - L.A. unveils new logos, colors
"The most exciting part of this for me, and I hope for Rams fans, is it blends the best of our pasts with what we believe is the best of our future," said Kevin Demoff, the Rams' chief operating officer. "I'm sure it will be a surprise, it will be change, but lots of things are and I think it's a change that our fans will come to know and love over time."

Owners of 76ers, Devils notify salaried staff of pay cuts, 4-day week
The sports and entertainment group that owns the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils has notified salaried, full-time employees they will be subject to temporary pay cuts of up to 20% and will be moving to a four-day work week as a result of the ongoing fallout from the coronavirus pandemic.

Cowboys' Travis Frederick retires at 29 after battling autoimmune disease
In his announcement, Frederick made reference to his battle with Guillain-Barré syndrome, an autoimmune disease that affects the nervous system, which knocked him off the field in 2018. Frederick lost strength and some motor skills but was cleared to return last year and started 16 games.

Ex-Texas A&M guard David Edwards dies after battling coronavirus
David Edwards, a guard for the Texas A&M basketball team in the early 1990s who holds the school's single-season record for total assists, has died of complications from the coronavirus.

Amid virus pandemic, appreciative Pirates provide 400 pizzas to Pittsburgh-area hospital workers
The pizzas, plus helpings of pasta, were delivered by Pirates staff members. The idea came up as players tossed around ways they could help on a text thread. Two city restaurants, Slice on Broadway at PNC Park and Pizzeria Davide in Pittsburgh's famed Strip District, converged to make the supply.

Eraser Dust

Coronavirus updates: Congress gets closer to a deal on massive stimulus bill
Democrats and Republicans are getting closer to a deal on the massive stimulus package to combat the economic impact of the coronavirus.

China to lift lockdown on Wuhan, ground zero of coronavirus pandemic China to lift lockdown on Wuhan, ground zero of coronavirus pandemic - CNN
China has announced it will lift the lockdown on Wuhan, the city at the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic, on April 8, marking a significant milestone in its battle against the deadly outbreak.

Dan Patrick: 'I'm all in' on risking my health to lift social distancing guidelines for economic boost - CNNPolitics
"No one reached out to me and said, 'As a senior citizen, are you willing to take a chance on your survival in exchange for keeping the America that all America loves for your children and grandchildren?' And if that is the exchange, I'm all in," Patrick told Fox News.

Trump's tweets in defense of Asian-Americans from the racist attacks - Business Insider
"It is very important that we totally protect our Asian American community in the United States, and all around the world," Trump tweeted on Monday. "They are amazing people, and the spreading of the Virus is NOT their fault in any way, shape, or form."

UPDATE: Second KRH Employee Among Two New Cases of Coronavirus Reported in Flathead County - Flathead Beacon
The woman who works for KRH traveled out of state from March 12 through March 16. She returned to work on March 17 and reportedly did not have any symptoms. The hospital provided the following timeline for the employee’s subsequent days at work.

Quarantine Song of the Day

The Importance of Being Idle by Oasis