The Rock Chalkboard

Bill Self: 2019-20 KU basketball team 'carried its coach'
"I honestly feel I've got the best kids in the world," Self said. "I think that this is so cool about them: They argued. They bickered. But they were so competitive that they knew that was the way it had to be done. We all had our moments, coaches included, me included, where maybe we get a little pouty or a little testy from time to time. But everybody respected how the other guy was feeling."

Bowlsby: KU could have gained Big 12 additional revenue in NCAAs
"Yeah, it hasn’t been lost on us that this would have been a year when we could compete at a very high level," Bowlsby began. "And by they way, the way the NCAA distribution works on a six year rolling basis, the more games you win, the more units you successfully achieve. And so it probably had a financial aspect on us, too."

USC basketball schedules home-and-home with Kansas
USC announced Thursday that it will play a home-and-home series with national powerhouse Kansas over the next two seasons, beginning with a matchup against the Jayhawks at Phog Allen Fieldhouse on Dec. 19 later this year. The Jayhawks are slated to make a return trip to Los Angeles on Dec. 21, 2021 to play against the Trojans at the Galen Center.

Big 12 commissioner: Spring football games 'very unlikely'
"I think it’s very unlikely well have spring games," Bowlsby said on a media teleconference Thursday. "I don’t believe we’ll have any more spring practice. We’re looking at a return (to large gatherings) that is six or eight weeks. It's very unlikely that (spring football) will happen.

KU signee Bryce Thompson repeats as Gatorade Player of the Year
Kansas signee Bryce Thompson became the seventh Oklahoma player to win the state’s Gatorade Player of the Year award twice in his career Thursday, when he repeated as the Sooner State’s best player. Thompson led Booker T. Washington to the state tournament for the fourth time in his four-year career, and did so while averaging 25.1 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game, per the Tulsa World.

Bits o Chalk

NFL draft to go on in April; Roger Goodell memo warns against public comment
He wrote in the memo, "public discussion of issues relating to the Draft serves no useful purpose and is grounds for disciplinary action."

2020 NFL draft QB projections - why Jordan Love is risky
You'll notice that every listed quarterback prospect has a chance to be elite, and every quarterback has a chance to be a bust. That reflects just how much we don't know about drafting quarterbacks, and the wide range of possible outcomes for each player.

Sources -- Roman Reigns withdraws from WWE's WrestleMania
Reigns, whose real name is Joe Anoa'i, is a leukemia survivor and potentially immunocompromised. WWE declined to comment on the matter. Reigns' withdrawal was first reported by Pro Wrestling Sheet.

Fauci to Warriors' Steph Curry - Trajectory of curve must come down before games can resume
"My question is what needs to happen in terms of the numbers or what metric are you looking at to be able to then determine at mass large gatherings, sporting events, those type of things, are OK to revisit as not a threat to continue the spread of the virus?" Curry asked.

Michael Brockers rejoins Rams after deal with Ravens falls through
Michael Brockers' deal with the Baltimore Ravens fell through over an issue with his ankle, and the free-agent defensive lineman will be rejoining the Los Angeles Rams with a similar deal on Friday.

Sources -- MLB, MLBPA agree to deal on stoppage
Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association struck a deal on critical salary and service-time issues Thursday night, allowing the sides to prepare together for a season delayed indefinitely by the coronavirus pandemic, sources told ESPN.

Eraser Dust

Boris Johnson: UK Prime Minister tests positive for coronavirus - CNN
"Over the last 24 hours I have developed mild symptoms and tested positive for coronavirus. I am now self-isolating, but I will continue to lead the government's response via video-conference as we fight this virus. Together we will beat this," Johnson wrote.

Coronavirus: Americans to start getting stimulus checks in three weeks
One-time payments of up to $1,200 should start going out in the next three weeks to most Americans who file individual tax returns, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin says. Those who file joint tax returns will get up to $2,400.

Trudeau calls for keeping US-Canada border demilitarized | TheHill
Global News, a Canadian television network, early Thursday reported that the Trump administration was considering dispatching troops along the northern border to help border guards detect irregular crossings.

Gov. Bullock issues stay at home directive for Montana
The directive issued Thursday afternoon will take effect at 12:01 a.m. on March 28 and lasts until April 10.

Governor Bullock announces first COVID-19 death in Montana
“I’m heartbroken to learn of Montana’s first death due to COVID-19. Especially during these times, Montana truly is one big small town – this news hits us hard, but we’re in this together. My family and I send our love and support to the family, friends, and community of our fellow Montanan.”