The Rock Chalkboard

WATCH: D'Marion Alexander teases TCU before committing to Kansas
Uzo-Dribe was the primary KU assistant tasked with recruiting the three-star edge rusher to Lawrence. He waited for the 6-foot-5, 215-pound linebacker from Texas to make his college decision. Alexander, wearing a black Nike jacket to add suspense, slowly zipped down to reveal a black t-shirt with “TCU” written across his chest. A collective gasp was let out by those surrounding Alexander. But with a smile, the 2021 recruit pulled off that shirt to reveal another one — this time with a KU logo.

Countdown to KU football: BAH GAWD! It's Coastal Carolina!
By now, I'd hope you all know I try to tell it like it is. I try to hear everyone out and paint a fair picture. So know that I'm not piling on or being overdramatic when I say it was the Coastal Carolina game last year that told me something was amiss in Lawrence.

KU football reportedly set to open season vs. Coastal Carolina
Originally the Jayhawks were scheduled to open the season with New Hampshire, with Coastal Carolina (on the road) and Boston College (at home) serving as the other non-conference games. One by one, almost like a tour through Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory, the season opponents were picked off.

Analysis: What 3-star D'Marion Alexander brings to the Jayhawks
Alexander's height and frame length make him an intriguing addition to the defensive edge. We don't have a verified measurement on him, but Alexander is believed to be in the 6-foot-4 to 6-foot-5, 215-pound range. He's tall, long, and lean, with a ton of frame space to add bulk and maximize his build and strength capacity in a college weight-training program.

'I want to win': D'Marion Alexander opens up on KU commitment
“I’m playing for my favorite coach of all-time,” Alexander, a three-star edge rusher, told Phog.net. "Les Miles, the GOAT."

Non-conference schedule changes coming for KU basketball
"Coach [Bill] Self and I and Sean Lester were discussing that at 4 o'clock today," Long said. "Yes, we're looking at it. We're trying to look creatively at how we might handle those — one being an away game, so we might have another game that we can maybe bring back to campus or do something else with, creatively. So, yeah, we are certainly engaged in the basketball schedule."

AD Jeff Long comments on KU moving forward with fall sports
“Our priority is always to promote the health, safety and well-being of every one of our nearly-500 student-athletes, and we will not waiver in that commitment," Long said through a release. “We have known since the shutdown last spring that it would be a challenge to play college sports during this pandemic. That said, we are confident the additional testing protocols instituted by the members of the Big 12 Conference will allow those student-athletes who choose to move forward and compete the ability to do so this fall.

Revised 2020 KU football conference schedule released
“We are excited to be able to move forward with the updated schedule and compete this fall,” said coach Les Miles through an athletics release. “We will continue to prepare for our season cautiously, while also relying on the direction and oversight of Kansas Team Health medical professionals to provide our players with a game plan that promotes their health and safety.”

Bits o Chalk

Clemson's Dabo Swinney says fewer teams doesn't hurt value of title
"The four best teams can go play," Swinney said. "We've been one of those four for five years in a row. So, in my opinion, it doesn't change anything for us. We're just trying to be the best Clemson we can be. Whoever you play every week, you try to win that game, you try to keep moving forward. We don't have any control over that stuff. And I certainly don't judge them in any way. Everybody's gotta make decisions that they feel is best. If they feel like that's what best for them, then so be it."

The story of the Suns: ‘Every game means something’
The surprise story of the NBA’s restart, the undefeated-in-the-bubble Suns have a chance to make the playoffs despite resuming the season with the worst record (26-39) among the West teams invited to Orlando, Florida.

Fans boo players who take a knee before Dallas vs. Nashville in MLS
Dallas defender Reggie Cannon said he was disgusted by the boos at Toyota Stadium when players and officials kneeled to call attention to racial injustice. He said teammate Ryan Hollingshead turned to him afterward and said he was sorry.

NBA debate - Huge day of games, best bubble moments and our play-in predictions
We asked our experts to go 5-on-5 to debate the best moments of the NBA bubble, their biggest takeaways so far, and their predictions for the play-in winner -- the team that will advance to face the Los Angeles Lakers.

Eraser Dust

Funding For Postal Service, Mail-In Voting Stall Coronavirus Relief Talks : NPR
Discussions for the next round of coronavirus relief funding remain ensnared in a political back and forth over election money, with the topic of mail-in voting a lingering point of contention between Democrats and the Trump administration.

How Trump’s Push to Reopen Schools Backfired - The New York Times
Distrust of the president and his motives hardened the conviction of some educators that teaching in person was unsafe, helping drive union opposition.

U.S. reports highest number of covid-19 deaths in one day since mid-May - The Washington Post
President Trump on Wednesday continued to press for the nation’s schools to bring children into classrooms, for businesses to open and for athletes to fill stadiums again.

Best Steakhouse in Every US State - Thrillist
There are few things more quintessentially American than grilling a massive hunk of beef in your own backyard. Then again, paying other people to do things for you is ALSO quite American. As such, sometimes you want a perfectly prepared steak without so much as a shred of effort on your part. When such a time strikes, you need a steakhouse.