The Rock Chalkboard

KU basketball players heavily featured in Big 12 coaches' awards
As expected, there were several Jayhawks honored by the conference's coaches, including for the awards of player of the year and defensive player of the year. The Jayhawks also had two players on the All-Big 12 first team, as well as two players on the All-Big 12 defensive team.

Kansas' Marcus Garrett named Big 12 defensive player of the year
The conference's coaches voted Garrett as the defensive player of the year, also unanimously selecting Garrett to the Big 12's all-defensive team. Garrett, who was also an All-Big 12 third-team honoree, is averaging 9.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.6 assists this year. He is also posting 1.8 steals per contest while fouling only 2.4 times per game.

KU basketball's Udoka Azubuike named Big 12 player of the year
"First, I want to thank God for making this possible," said Azubuike of the news. "I also want to thank all the coaches for believing in me, [Bill Self] and [Norm Roberts]. I also want to thank all my teammates. They played a huge part in helping me win this. I want to thank all my teammates and everyone who has supported me from the very beginning."

Big 12 Tournament 2020: Bracket, schedule, how to watch
The 2019-20 college basketball regular season is in the books and conference tournament season has arrived. The 2020 Big 12 Men’s Basketball Tournament bracket is now finalized and the action will get underway on Wednesday from the Sprint Center in Kansas City.

Harvard transfer Seth Towns considering six schools
One of the most coveted college basketball players on the transfer market is interested six Power Five destinations, according Evan Daniels. The 247Sports director of recruiting cited a source in reporting Sunday afternoon that former Harvard forward Seth Towns is considering Kansas, Virginia, Syracuse, Ohio State, Michigan and Maryland.

Bill Self used unique tactic to spark KU basketball late at TTU
“Gosh dang guys, I don't know why you're playing so tight; West Virginia won” Self recalled telling his team. “They just kind of looked at me. I said, 'We're just playing for pride, just have fun.' And they did compete down the stretch."

Bits o Chalk

Rangers' Willie Calhoun suffers fractured jaw on HBP
Texas Rangers outfielder Willie Calhoun suffered a fractured jaw after he was hit in the mouth by a fastball thrown by Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Julio Urias in the bottom of first inning of a spring training game Sunday in Surprise, Arizona.

Memphis Grizzlies sign rookie Jontay Porter after knee injuries
Jontay Porter, a forward/center out of Missouri, has signed with the Memphis Grizzlies, the team announced Sunday.

Patrick Beverley credits Lakers but says guarding LeBron 'not hard at all'
"We gotta give them a lot of credit," Beverley said after Sunday's 112-103 defeat. "... They took it personal ... It's one game. Of course, living in in L.A., man, it's hard to deal with this loss, but we have to wash it down the shower, keep getting better, and we will."

JaVale McGee calls Lakers 'best team in the world right now'
Wearing a jet-black Deion Sanders Atlanta Falcons jersey after a 112-103 win over the LA Clippers on Sunday, Los Angeles Lakers center JaVale McGee made a declaration that would have made the boastful "Prime Time" proud.

Eraser Dust

Oil plummets 30% as OPEC deal failure sparks price war
Oil prices plunged 30% in early trading after OPEC’s failure to strike a deal with its allies regarding production cuts caused Saudi Arabia to slash its prices as it reportedly gets set to ramp up production, leading to fears of an all-out price war.

Sen. Ted Cruz and Rep. Paul Gosar will self-quarantine after interacting with individual with coronavirus - CNNPolitics
Two Republican members of Congress on Sunday announced they will self-quarantine after interacting with an individual who tested positive for the novel coronavirus at the recent Conservative Political Action Conference.

Daily Inter Lake - Local News, County landfill prepares for growth with $3M upgrade
Construction is underway on a $3 million project to expand and modernize the landfill entryway and container site. If all goes according to plan, by the end of this summer customers will no longer have to sit in long lines to enter the landfill.

Utah man sentenced to seven years in federal prison for Kalispell meth trafficking | KECI
A confidential informant allegedly bought meth from Medbery at a casino in Kalispell the next month. Officers stopped Medbery after the drug purchase and arrested him. Meth was found in a safe in Medbery's bedroom and residue was found in his vehicle when officers executed search warrants, prosecutors say.

Daily Inter Lake - Local News, Help wanted — desperately
With the busy summer season looming, many local businesses are gearing up to meet their seasonal staffing needs. Businesses ranging from Schellinger Construction, to Backslope Brewery, to Proof Research, turned out at the Columbia Falls Job Fair Thursday to find potential employees.

State Dept. Tells Americans to Avoid Cruise Ships, Despite Trump’s Misgivings - The New York Times
The State Department on Sunday advised Americans against traveling on cruise ships, warning that they presented a higher risk of coronavirus infection and made U.S. citizens vulnerable to possible international travel restrictions, including quarantines.