The Rock Chalkboard

'Crazy' KU hoops offer 'was amazing' for 2022 Braeden Moore
Moore knew for a while that he'd have a chance to play hoops at a high level. But when he started on varsity as an eight grader, that became a little more real. Add to that the guidance he's received on the court from his father, Matt Moore, and the three-star 2022 forward had a pretty good idea where things were headed.

2023 TE Will Anciaux talks Kansas offer, chat with Joshua Eargle
Listed at 6-6, 210 pounds, Anciaux, a football player since his days in kindergarten, first began receiving serious contact from college coaches in December, he told Phog.net. He had suspected he might be able to play at the next level after a conversation with one of his strength coaches, who mentioned his 6-6 size, work ethic and potential to grow athletically.

Joel Embiid has monster game in win over Boston Celtics
Earlier in the season, Embiid went for 38 points, eight rebounds, five assists, three blocks and three steals in a five-point win over Washington. In that game he went 13 for 13 at the line and made three 3-point shots. Right around one week later, he went for 45 points, 16 rebounds, four assists, five steals and one block in an overtime win over Miami. In that game, he went 13 for 13 at the line again.

2022's top ranked shooting guard Keyonte George updates recruitment
“I think that the move has been going well and that I’m being pushed," Said George. "They don’t care about any of the rankings stuff or what people see in me, they hold me accountable and make me do what I have to do and that’s play hard every time and compete. On defense I’m competing better and that’s the big thing.

It is showtime for class of 2022 wide receiver De'Andre Coleman
Florida State, Maryland, Kansas, Akron, UAB, Troy, New Mexico and Louisiana Lafayette have offered," said the 6-3, 195-pounder, who has added offers from South Carolina and Coastal Carolina since I did my interview with him. "And I have interest from just about everybody."

The biggest flaw facing each top 10 team
The last Division I college basketball team to finish the season undefeated was Bobby Knight's famed Indiana team in 1976. And that means that every team since has walked off the court, at least once, with the other team having gotten the better of them. In fact, every team to cut down the nets as national champion from 2000-on has done so with at least two losses, and other than 2012 Kentucky, each team has done so with at least three and typically more.

Self: 'Misleading' to think Marcus Garrett isn't 'doing as much' this year
"I just love coaching him," Self added at the time. "I don’t think I’ve had a better understanding with some player that I could think it and I know he’s thinking the same thing without saying it. I really think he sees it the same way I see it, and that’s fun to coach.”

Bits o Chalk

Larry Scott's 11-year run as Pac-12 commissioner to end in June
"We appreciate Larry's pioneering efforts in growing the conference by adding new competitive university programs and accelerating the Pac-12 to television network parity with the other conferences," said University of Oregon president Michael Schill, the chair of Pac-12 CEO Group. "At one point, our television agreement was the most lucrative in the nation, and the debut of the Pac-12 Network helped deliver our championship brand to U.S. and global markets on traditional and digital platforms.

Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid scoffs at Marcus Smart's claim he 'flails' for calls
It's hard to win, period, when Embiid -- who finished with 42 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals -- plays like he did against Boston, as he continued to make his case to be firmly in the running for the league's MVP award through the first month of the season.

Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers not feeling extra pressure, says his future is 'beautiful mystery'
"I'm always just trying to stay present, especially this year as much as anything, and enjoy the moments," Rodgers said Wednesday. "I hope there's more opportunities, but I don't know. I mean, I really don't. That stuff is out of my control. My future is a beautiful mystery I think. The present is such a gift to be able to stay in the moment and to have gratitude for being in this situation again, and being with the guys and having fans in our stadium and maybe snow in an NFC Championship Game. I'm going to enjoy these moments for sure, and just not worry about what happens down the line."

Brooklyn Nets' Kyrie Irving returns, scores 37 points in double-overtime loss to Cleveland Cavaliers
"It felt right," Durant said of playing with Harden and Irving. "Felt perfect, felt like we belong together. It felt like just joining together is going to be fun. It was a tough start, especially it was an up-and-down game for us."

Eraser Dust

Biden to sign 10 executive orders, invoke Defense Production Act to fight Covid
On his first full day in office, President Joe Biden released details Thursday of his sweeping plan to combat the coronavirus, announcing 10 executive orders and directing agencies to use wartime powers to require U.S. companies to make N95 masks, swabs and other equipment to fight the pandemic.

Takeaways From Biden's Presidential Inauguration Day : NPR
If there's one thing that stood out most, it was the tone that Biden struck. Gone was the tension, defiance and grievance of Donald Trump. Instead, America saw a staid and humble President Biden. Instead of igniting flames of division, he was trying to take the temperature down.

Teen who bonded with Biden over stutter recites passage from JFK inaugural address | TheHill
A New Hampshire 13-year-old who spoke at the Democratic National Convention about his stutter recited a portion of John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address Wednesday night at President Biden’s inaugural celebration.

Trader Joe's, Dollar General And Others Are Paying Workers To Get Vaccines : NPR
With its announcement, the U.S. unit of the German grocer joined Trader Joe's and Dollar General in offering to pay employees extra hourly wages to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Online grocery-delivery firm Instacart, meanwhile, is offering a $25 stipend for eligible workers and contractors.

Olivia Rodrigo: How a 17-year-old Disney star wrote the world’s biggest song ‘Drivers License’ | The Independent
Olivia Rodrigo is one of the biggest success stories of 2021 so far, after her first single debuted at number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Montana History Second - Chief Joseph and The Nez Perce War

This is a fascinating story that you all should read. I do not have time this morning to write it up. Go read it. This will be on the test.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nez_Perce_War