The Rock Chalkboard

Amauri Pesek-Hickson: New Kansas OC Mike DeBord 'a genius'
Speaking to media this week, running back Amauri Pesek-Hickson had some positive comments to pass along about the Jayhawks' new offensive coordinator. Mike DeBord was installed to the OC role after the departure of Brent Dearmon to Middle Tennessee right before signing day.

Bill Self to be among presenters for late Eddie Sutton at Naismith HOF
“I was deeply touched when the Sutton family reached out to me to be a presenter,” Self said in a KU Athletics release. “I spent three years with Coach Sutton and the things we do every day here at Kansas are things that he taught us and taught me.”

Travis Goff: Kansas starting 'national search' for next football coach
On Thursday, KU athletic director Travis Goff announced to donors via email the Jayhawks would be embarking on a "national search to find the next head football coach at the University of Kansas."

Updated: Video, scouting reports on KU basketball's 2021 class
The late-signing period for hoops tipped off on Wednesday. After some movement a day later, the Jayhawks were set to add five players to their 2021 class — which already had two signees — leaving one scholarship available for next year.

Updated: Meet KU basketball's 2021 signing class
Kansas continues to be active recruiting the transfer market, as well as top-40 point guard TyTy Washington from the high school ranks. The Jayhawks currently hold the No. 6-ranked class nationally per the 247Sports Composite.

Kyle Cuffe reclassifies up, signs with KU basketball in 2021
After signing three names on Wednesday — with one more player slated to sign on Friday — the Jayhawks still had two open scholarships, not to mention two players exploring the NBA pre-draft process. That meant with potentially up to four open spots to fill, the Jayhawks had plenty of work to do late into the spring.

Predicting breakout true freshmen for every Big 12 team
I’m going to break my own rules with this one. Given the uncertainty within the program – the Jayhawks don’t have a full-time head coach – I don’t feel comfortable projecting any of the current early enrollees as contributors. I do, however, feel safe in saying that Devin Neal will be a building block for whoever ends up coaching Kansas. The Lawrence native is one of the highest-ranked players to sign with Kansas in recent history, and he enters a running back room this summer that must replace Pooka Williams. Kansas is surprisingly deep at running back, but I feel confident that Neal is going to contribute next season.

The 20 biggest commitments (so far) of the college basketball transfer portal
Based off of how 247Sports has ranked the best available transfers over the past few weeks and who is heading to the best situations, National Basketball Director Eric Bossi takes a look at the best scores, to date, of the 2021 transfer cycle.

Bits o Chalk

Amauri Pesek-Hickson: New Kansas OC Mike DeBord 'a genius'
Speaking to media this week, running back Amauri Pesek-Hickson had some positive comments to pass along about the Jayhawks' new offensive coordinator. Mike DeBord was installed to the OC role after the departure of Brent Dearmon to Middle Tennessee right before signing day.

WNBA draft 2021 grades - Dallas Wings draft Charli Collier, score highest marks
The 2021 WNBA draft might be best remembered for three things: a potential dynamic duo for the Dallas Wings with 1-2 picks Charli Collier and Awak Kuier, teams betting on young international talent, and Indiana throwing some unexpected curveballs that will prove to be either surprisingly brilliant or way off base.

Kansas City Chiefs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers open with highest wins totals ahead of 17-game regular season
Oddsmakers for William Hill opened the Chiefs at 12, and the Super Bowl champion Buccaneers at 11.5. Kansas City won 14 games last season, while the Buccaneers won 11.

Michael Jordan to present the late Kobe Bryant at Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame has announced the list of Hall of Famers scheduled to present the 2020 class of honorees -- led by Michael Jordan honoring Kobe Bryant.

Los Angeles Lakers' Anthony Davis cleared for full-contact practice, nearing return
Los Angeles Lakers star Anthony Davis has been cleared for full-contact practice and his return to game action is imminent, Lakers coach Frank Vogel said Thursday.

Brooklyn Nets center LaMarcus Aldridge abruptly retires due to health scare
Brooklyn Nets center LaMarcus Aldridge announced on Twitter on Thursday that he is retiring from the NBA after experiencing an irregular heartbeat during his final appearance with the team.

Oklahoma Basketball: OU final four for EWU transfer Tanner Groves
But, one very key addition could be on the way for the Sooners. On the same day both Alondes Williams and De’Vion Harmon entered the transfer portal, Eastern Washington transfer forward Tanner Groves has Oklahoma in his final four schools, per Stadium’s Jeff Goodman.

Eraser Dust

Montana housing market booming, but who's moving here? | KECI
Since this time last year, the median sale price for a home in Missoula increased 20.5%, to $403,450. In Whitefish, the cost has increased 41%, for a price of $632,000. The median sales price in Butte is $180,000, which is an annual increase of 12%. In Bozeman, the median sales price of a home increased 25%, to $679,900.

FedEx Indianapolis shooting: IMPD says 8 dead, multiple others hurt in shooting at Indianapolis FedEx facility
The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department said at least eight people died and several others were wounded during a mass shooting on the southwest side. IMPD confirmed just before 7 a.m. Friday that the FBI will assist them in the investigation.

Chicago officials release videos of police shooting that killed 13-year-old Adam Toledo
Video shows an officer exiting his vehicle and chasing Toledo, who is running down an alley. When the officer catches up to the teen, he orders him to raise his hands and yells, "Drop it, drop it." The officer fires a single shot to Toledo's chest as the teen raises his hands.

Can The Afghan Army Hold Off The Taliban Without The U.S.? : NPR
The president said the U.S. will "keep providing assistance" to the Afghan security forces, and reposition counterterrorism forces "over the horizon," to make sure Afghanistan does not once again become a haven for terrorists planning to attack the U.S.

Iran starts enriching uranium to 60%, its highest level ever
Iran began enriching uranium Friday to its highest level ever, edging closer to weapons-grade levels to pressure talks in Vienna aimed at restoring its nuclear deal with world powers after an attack on its main atomic site.

Motorcyclist dies in crash near Kalispell
MHP reports that the motorcycle went off the road, hit a fence, and rolled over, throwing a 33-year-old from Idaho Falls off the motorcycle.

Spotted Bear Cabins Proposal Waylaid by Opposition - Flathead Beacon
Aproposal to develop rental cabins on the Spotted Bear Ranger District is on hiatus after Flathead National Forest officials encountered a high volume of opposition over the potential impacts that added visitation would have on sensitive wildlife species, including grizzly bears and bull trout, underscoring the management challenge of balancing a renewed demand for outdoor recreation with conservation priorities.

Vaccinated Will ‘Likely’ Need Third Pfizer Jab Within 12 Months, Then Annual Shots | HuffPost
The CEO of Pfizer said it’s “likely” those vaccinated with the company’s COVID-19 inoculation will need a third shot sometime within 12 months after getting the initial two doses and will potentially need a new shot every year thereafter.