UNDATED (AP) — Days after the NFL revealed its hopes of conducting a normal regular season and playoffs, its chief medical officer is warning that nothing is a certainty during the coronavirus pandemic.

Dr. Allen Sills, a neurosurgeon who has been with the NFL since 2017, says he and other league and team medical personnel have been in constant communication with health officials throughout the country, looking at the same data they are using to make public recommendations. The NFL also has consulted with the other major sports leagues and the players' union.

In other developments related to the pandemic:

—The NCAA says hearings and oral arguments in infractions cases have been suspended through May 31 amid the coronavirus pandemic. The suspension applies to cases before the infractions committee, appeals and the new Independent Accountability Resolution Process created to handle complex cases in the wake of the federal corruption investigation into college basketball. Deadlines for schools in pending cases to file briefs and other documentation remain in effect, including the release of rulings.

—The U.S. Tennis Association says its best not to play the sport right now because of the coronavirus pandemic. The USTA called it "in the best interest of society to take a collective pause" from tennis. The statement from the organization that runs the U.S. Open Grand Slam tournament said there is "the possibility" that the virus could be transferred among people via sharing and touching of tennis balls, net posts, court surfaces, benches or gate handles.

— The Preakness is looking for a new date for the Triple Crown race normally held on the third Saturday in May. The owners of Pimlico Race Course and the Maryland Jockey Club have also decided to cancel the infield party on race day. The Preakness usually draws more than 100,000 fans, most of whom gather on the infield. The Kentucky Derby was previously postponed from May 2 to Sept. 5.

— The U.S. Women's Open is moving from the end of spring to the middle of December. The USGA says the Women's Open at Champions Golf Club in Houston is moving from June 4-7 to Dec. 10-13. The LPGA has also postponed or canceled the next five events on its schedule. All but the Pure Silk Championship are getting new dates later in the year.

— The WNBA has postponed the start of its season because of the coronavirus pandemic. The league was set to open training camps on April 26 and the regular season was to begin on May 15. The WNBA will still hold a "virtual" draft on April 17. Two WNBA cities are major hot spots for the virus: New York and Seattle. The WNBA, which was set to begin its 24th season, is the longest running professional women's sports league.

— The International Swimming League will fund its athletes through next year's rescheduled Tokyo Olympics, starting with payments in September. The league says every athlete who has signed or will sign a contract with an ISL club will receive an equal amount of money per month.

— The Ottawa Senators are making temporary layoffs and salary reductions because of COVID-19. The team's parent company says the full-time workforce will be reduced starting Sunday, when the NHL club's season was originally scheduled to end. Those not laid off could be placed on furlough. Others could have their salaries reduced. Health benefits will continue uninterrupted.

— Anaheim Ducks owners Henry and Susan Samueli say they will pay their 2,100 part-time employees across all of their sports and event management companies through June 30 for work that was wiped out by the coronavirus pandemic. The Samuelis' Anaheim Arena Management company operates Honda Center, the Ducks' home rink. They also own two lice hockey complexes in Orange County.

— Major League Soccer has extended its training moratorium through April 24 because of the coronavirus outbreak. Team facilities are closed to players and staff — except for players requiring treatment that cannot be administered at their homes. Players are expected to remain in market with their teams during the moratorium to avoid the spread of the virus.

— The under-construction Athletes Village for the Tokyo Olympics could be used as a temporary hospital for coronavirus patients. Tokyo's governor has been talking about the possibility of occupying the massive development on Tokyo Bay, which is to house up to 11,000 Olympic and 4,400 Paralympic athletes and staff during the games.

— Former marathon world record holder Wilson Kipsang was among 20 people arrested in Kenya for locking themselves in a bar and drinking alcohol in breach of a curfew imposed because of the coronavirus pandemic. Police say the 2012 Olympic bronze medalist was among those detained at a police station in Iten, one of Kenya's famous high-altitude towns where distance runners train.

— NBC's Mike Tirico is returning to hosting a daily talk show, which will focus on the coronavirus pandemic's impact on the sports world. The hour-long "Lunch Talk Live" will air weekdays beginning at noon EDT on NBCSN. Tirico will host the show remotely from his home in Michigan.

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina State's NCAA case involving recruiting violations tied to former Wolfpack one-and-done star Dennis Smith Jr. has been recommended to go through an independent investigation process created for complex cases.

The process includes independent investigators and decision-makers with no direct ties to NCAA member schools, and rulings cannot be appealed.

The NCAA has alleged ex-assistant Orlando Early provided Smith and his associates approximately $46,700 in impermissible benefits – including $40,000 that a government witness testified he delivered to Early intended for Smith's family in 2015.

Basketball Hall of Fame set to announce 2020 class

UNDATED (AP) — A unique Hall of Fame class will be announced Saturday in a unique way.

Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett are all expected to be officially announced as part of the 2020 class of enshrinees by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

The selections are typically revealed at college basketball's Final Four. But with sports shut down because of the global coronavirus pandemic, the announcement will be televised from ESPN's studios in Bristol, Connecticut.

Bryant, Duncan and Garnett, with a combined 11 championships and 48 All-Star seasons between them, are all first-time finalists and locks to be in this class. There are five additional finalists alongside Bryant, Duncan and Garnett: Tamika Catchings, Rudy Tomjanovich (tahm-JAHN'-oh-vich, Eddie Sutton, Barbara Stevens and Kim Mulkey.

Lions agree to deal with CB Darryl Roberts

ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) — The Detroit Lions have agreed to terms with free agent cornerback Darryl Roberts. Roberts spent the past four seasons with the New York Jets.

Roberts has started 10 games in each of the past two seasons. The Lions also acquired cornerback Desmond Trufant this offseason.

—The lawyer representing retired NFL players alleges the players' union stonewalled his clients when confronted with questions whether their Social Security disability payments would be affected before the labor agreement was narrowly ratified last month. Attorney Ben Meiselas told the AP that email exchanges between his clients and the NFLPA show the union refusing to provide responses to direct questions regarding the status of their disability benefits before and after the CBA was presented to its players for a vote on March 5.&nbsp;

—The NFC champion San Francisco 49ers have signed two ninth-year pros to one-year deals in free agency. One of them is Travis Benjamin. He's a wide receiver and punt returner who played the last four seasons with the Chargers. The Niners also signed offensive lineman Tom Compton, who was with the Jets last season.&nbsp;

The Chicago Bears declared the quarterback competition between Mitchell Trubisky and newcomer Nick Foles. General manager Ryan Pace says both players are "embracing" the battle that will play out whenever offseason workouts begin.

—Cleveland Browns linebacker and Ohio State two-way star Jim Houston has been diagnosed with Stage 3 chronic traumatic encephalopathy. Donna Houston says her husband donated his brain to Boston University to be studied. Houston led the Buckeyes to a Rose Bowl victory and was a member of the Cleveland Browns team that won the NFL title in 1964.

Hacker posts racial slur on fan chat with black NHL player

NEW YORK (AP) — A hacker posted a racial slur 45 times in an online fan video chat Friday with a black New York Rangers prospect.

The NHL team scrambled to disable the hacker it called "a vile individual" on the Zoom chat with K'Andre Miller, the 20-year-old former Wisconsin defenseman drafted No. 22 overall in 2018. Miller recently signed with the Rangers after completing his sophomore season at Wisconsin. The 6-foot-5 defender is from St. Paul, Minnesota.

Federal judge tosses fan lawsuit vs. MLB, Astros, Red Sox

NEW YORK (AP) — A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit by fantasy sports contestants who claimed they were damaged by sign stealing in Major League Baseball.

Five men had sued MLB, MLB Advanced Media, the Houston Astros and the Boston Red Sox in federal court in Manhattan, claiming fraud, violation of consumer-protection laws, negligence, unjust enrichment and deceptive trade practices by teams that violated MLB's rules against the use of electronics to steal catchers' signs. The five participated in fantasy contests hosted by DraftKings from 2017-19.

Judge Jed S. Rakoff wrote that the lawsuit had no legal basis.

Update on the latest sportsVIRUS OUTBREAK-SPORTSPreakness looks for a new dateUNDATED (AP) — Days after the NFL revealed its hopes of conducting a normal regular season and playoffs, its chief medical officer is warning that nothing is a certainty during the coronavirus pandemic.Dr. Allen Sills, a neurosurgeon who has been with the NFL since 2017, says he and other league and team medical personnel have been in constant communication with health officials throughout the country, looking at the same data they are using to make public recommendations. The NFL also has consulted with the other major sports leagues and the players' union.In other developments related to the pandemic:—The NCAA says hearings and oral arguments in infractions cases have been suspended through May 31 amid the coronavirus pandemic. The suspension applies to cases before the infractions committee, appeals and the new Independent Accountability Resolution Process created to handle complex cases in the wake of the federal corruption investigation into college basketball. Deadlines for schools in pending cases to file briefs and other documentation remain in effect, including the release of rulings.—The U.S. Tennis Association says its best not to play the sport right now because of the coronavirus pandemic. The USTA called it "in the best interest of society to take a collective pause" from tennis. The statement from the organization that runs the U.S. Open Grand Slam tournament said there is "the possibility" that the virus could be transferred among people via sharing and touching of tennis balls, net posts, court surfaces, benches or gate handles.— The Preakness is looking for a new date for the Triple Crown race normally held on the third Saturday in May. The owners of Pimlico Race Course and the Maryland Jockey Club have also decided to cancel the infield party on race day. The Preakness usually draws more than 100,000 fans, most of whom gather on the infield. The Kentucky Derby was previously postponed from May 2 to Sept. 5.— The U.S. Women's Open is moving from the end of spring to the middle of December. The USGA says the Women's Open at Champions Golf Club in Houston is moving from June 4-7 to Dec. 10-13. The LPGA has also postponed or canceled the next five events on its schedule. All but the Pure Silk Championship are getting new dates later in the year.— The WNBA has postponed the start of its season because of the coronavirus pandemic. The league was set to open training camps on April 26 and the regular season was to begin on May 15. The WNBA will still hold a "virtual" draft on April 17. Two WNBA cities are major hot spots for the virus: New York and Seattle. The WNBA, which was set to begin its 24th season, is the longest running professional women's sports league.— The International Swimming League will fund its athletes through next year's rescheduled Tokyo Olympics, starting with payments in September. The league says every athlete who has signed or will sign a contract with an ISL club will receive an equal amount of money per month.— The Ottawa Senators are making temporary layoffs and salary reductions because of COVID-19. The team's parent company says the full-time workforce will be reduced starting Sunday, when the NHL club's season was originally scheduled to end. Those not laid off could be placed on furlough. Others could have their salaries reduced. Health benefits will continue uninterrupted.— Anaheim Ducks owners Henry and Susan Samueli say they will pay their 2,100 part-time employees across all of their sports and event management companies through June 30 for work that was wiped out by the coronavirus pandemic. The Samuelis' Anaheim Arena Management company operates Honda Center, the Ducks' home rink. They also own two lice hockey complexes in Orange County.— Major League Soccer has extended its training moratorium through April 24 because of the coronavirus outbreak. Team facilities are closed to players and staff — except for players requiring treatment that cannot be administered at their homes. Players are expected to remain in market with their teams during the moratorium to avoid the spread of the virus.— The under-construction Athletes Village for the Tokyo Olympics could be used as a temporary hospital for coronavirus patients. Tokyo's governor has been talking about the possibility of occupying the massive development on Tokyo Bay, which is to house up to 11,000 Olympic and 4,400 Paralympic athletes and staff during the games.— Former marathon world record holder Wilson Kipsang was among 20 people arrested in Kenya for locking themselves in a bar and drinking alcohol in breach of a curfew imposed because of the coronavirus pandemic. Police say the 2012 Olympic bronze medalist was among those detained at a police station in Iten, one of Kenya's famous high-altitude towns where distance runners train.— NBC's Mike Tirico is returning to hosting a daily talk show, which will focus on the coronavirus pandemic's impact on the sports world. The hour-long "Lunch Talk Live" will air weekdays beginning at noon EDT on NBCSN. Tirico will host the show remotely from his home in Michigan.COLLEGE CORRUPTION-NC STATERALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina State's NCAA case involving recruiting violations tied to former Wolfpack one-and-done star Dennis Smith Jr. has been recommended to go through an independent investigation process created for complex cases.The process includes independent investigators and decision-makers with no direct ties to NCAA member schools, and rulings cannot be appealed.The NCAA has alleged ex-assistant Orlando Early provided Smith and his associates approximately $46,700 in impermissible benefits – including $40,000 that a government witness testified he delivered to Early intended for Smith's family in 2015.BASKETBALL HALL OF FAMEBasketball Hall of Fame set to announce 2020 classUNDATED (AP) — A unique Hall of Fame class will be announced Saturday in a unique way.Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett are all expected to be officially announced as part of the 2020 class of enshrinees by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.The selections are typically revealed at college basketball's Final Four. But with sports shut down because of the global coronavirus pandemic, the announcement will be televised from ESPN's studios in Bristol, Connecticut.Bryant, Duncan and Garnett, with a combined 11 championships and 48 All-Star seasons between them, are all first-time finalists and locks to be in this class. There are five additional finalists alongside Bryant, Duncan and Garnett: Tamika Catchings, Rudy Tomjanovich (tahm-JAHN'-oh-vich, Eddie Sutton, Barbara Stevens and Kim Mulkey.NFL-LIONS-ROBERTSLions agree to deal with CB Darryl RobertsALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) — The Detroit Lions have agreed to terms with free agent cornerback Darryl Roberts. Roberts spent the past four seasons with the New York Jets.Roberts has started 10 games in each of the past two seasons. The Lions also acquired cornerback Desmond Trufant this offseason.In other NFL news:—The lawyer representing retired NFL players alleges the players' union stonewalled his clients when confronted with questions whether their Social Security disability payments would be affected before the labor agreement was narrowly ratified last month. Attorney Ben Meiselas told the AP that email exchanges between his clients and the NFLPA show the union refusing to provide responses to direct questions regarding the status of their disability benefits before and after the CBA was presented to its players for a vote on March 5.&nbsp;—The NFC champion San Francisco 49ers have signed two ninth-year pros to one-year deals in free agency. One of them is Travis Benjamin. He's a wide receiver and punt returner who played the last four seasons with the Chargers. The Niners also signed offensive lineman Tom Compton, who was with the Jets last season.&nbsp;The Chicago Bears declared the quarterback competition between Mitchell Trubisky and newcomer Nick Foles. General manager Ryan Pace says both players are "embracing" the battle that will play out whenever offseason workouts begin.—Cleveland Browns linebacker and Ohio State two-way star Jim Houston has been diagnosed with Stage 3 chronic traumatic encephalopathy. Donna Houston says her husband donated his brain to Boston University to be studied. Houston led the Buckeyes to a Rose Bowl victory and was a member of the Cleveland Browns team that won the NFL title in 1964.NHL-RANGERS-RACIST HACKERHacker posts racial slur on fan chat with black NHL playerNEW YORK (AP) — A hacker posted a racial slur 45 times in an online fan video chat Friday with a black New York Rangers prospect.The NHL team scrambled to disable the hacker it called "a vile individual" on the Zoom chat with K'Andre Miller, the 20-year-old former Wisconsin defenseman drafted No. 22 overall in 2018. Miller recently signed with the Rangers after completing his sophomore season at Wisconsin. The 6-foot-5 defender is from St. Paul, Minnesota.MLB-ASTROS FAN-LAWSUITFederal judge tosses fan lawsuit vs. MLB, Astros, Red SoxNEW YORK (AP) — A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit by fantasy sports contestants who claimed they were damaged by sign stealing in Major League Baseball.Five men had sued MLB, MLB Advanced Media, the Houston Astros and the Boston Red Sox in federal court in Manhattan, claiming fraud, violation of consumer-protection laws, negligence, unjust enrichment and deceptive trade practices by teams that violated MLB's rules against the use of electronics to steal catchers' signs. The five participated in fantasy contests hosted by DraftKings from 2017-19.Judge Jed S. Rakoff wrote that the lawsuit had no legal basis.

Saturday Sports Headlines

A unique Hall of Fame class will be announced Saturday in a unique way.

Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett are all expected to be officially announced as part of the 2020 class of enshrinees by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, which typically reveals its annual selections at college basketball’s Final Four. This year, with sports shut down because of the global coronavirus pandemic, the announcement will be televised from ESPN’s studios in Bristol, Connecticut with some elements of the show taped ahead of time.

Bryant, Duncan and Garnett, with a combined 11 championships and 48 All-Star seasons between them, are all first-time finalists and locks to be in this class. Only six players in NBA history have been selected to 15 or more All-Star Games — and Bryant, Duncan and Garnett are three of them.

“We all have criteria we look at in terms of the nominees: All-Star appearances, All-League, first team, second team, third team, the various awards, the championships,” Hall of Fame Chairman Jerry Colangelo said. “There’s a whole list of things we look at. And each year there’s usually one person who stands out with an array of all those honors. But this time, with those three, the accumulative is unbelievable.”

The announcement could be a ray of light in a dark time for basketball. The NBA was already grieving the deaths earlier this year of Bryant, the longtime Los Angeles Lakers star who was killed with his daughter Gianna and seven others in a helicopter crash, and Commissioner Emeritus David Stern.

Then came the coronavirus, which shut down the league on March 11 and has stopped so much across the world since. College sports, including the NCAA men’s and women’s basketball tournaments, were called off for the remainder of the academic year. Most states didn’t get around to crowning high school state champions. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/1a416d84acb0d2f39f41531668818d86">WNBA season will be delayed,</a>&nbsp;and even games at the playground on weekends are no more because of the need for social distancing.

Saturday will, at least for a moment, bring something to celebrate.

“I think we’re all looking forward to it,” Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said.

The other first-time finalist for Hall consideration is 10-time WNBA All-Star and four-time Olympic gold medalist Tamika Catchings.

The other four finalists have all made it this far before, falling short of enshrinement previously: Baylor women’s coach Kim Mulkey, five-time Division II coach of the year and 1,000-game winner Barbara Stevens of Bentley University, two-time AP college coach of the year Eddie Sutton and Rudy Tomjanovich, who won two NBA titles as coach of the Houston Rockets.

All of them have Hall-worthy resumes. What remains to be seen is how many of the 24 voters who will decide the class — it takes 18 votes for a finalist to become a Hall of Famer — agree.

“To be included on such a list and be considered for the Basketball Hall of Fame is an incredible honor,” Stevens said.

It’s also expected that the Hall is going to pay tribute in some way to former FIBA secretary general Patrick Baumann, a huge figure in the international sporting world who died of a heart attack in October 2018.

The induction ceremony in Springfield, Massachusetts is still set to take place on Aug. 29. If the pandemic forces that to be delayed, there is an alternate plan for a ceremony to happen in October.

Colangelo said the Hall is going to take measures to ensure that all enshrinees get their deserved moment, and that the news of the year so far — such as Bryant’s passing and the virus pandemic — do not overshadow anyone’s accomplishments.

“We are going to do this the right way and in a very sensitive way,” Colangelo said. “We want everyone to get their due respect.”

A unique Hall of Fame class will be announced Saturday in a unique way.Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett are all expected to be officially announced as part of the 2020 class of enshrinees by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, which typically reveals its annual selections at college basketball’s Final Four. This year, with sports shut down because of the global coronavirus pandemic, the announcement will be televised from ESPN’s studios in Bristol, Connecticut with some elements of the show taped ahead of time.Bryant, Duncan and Garnett, with a combined 11 championships and 48 All-Star seasons between them, are all first-time finalists and locks to be in this class. Only six players in NBA history have been selected to 15 or more All-Star Games — and Bryant, Duncan and Garnett are three of them.“We all have criteria we look at in terms of the nominees: All-Star appearances, All-League, first team, second team, third team, the various awards, the championships,” Hall of Fame Chairman Jerry Colangelo said. “There’s a whole list of things we look at. And each year there’s usually one person who stands out with an array of all those honors. But this time, with those three, the accumulative is unbelievable.”The announcement could be a ray of light in a dark time for basketball. The NBA was already grieving the deaths earlier this year of Bryant, the longtime Los Angeles Lakers star who was killed with his daughter Gianna and seven others in a helicopter crash, and Commissioner Emeritus David Stern.Then came the coronavirus, which shut down the league on March 11 and has stopped so much across the world since. College sports, including the NCAA men’s and women’s basketball tournaments, were called off for the remainder of the academic year. Most states didn’t get around to crowning high school state champions. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/1a416d84acb0d2f39f41531668818d86">WNBA season will be delayed,</a>&nbsp;and even games at the playground on weekends are no more because of the need for social distancing.Saturday will, at least for a moment, bring something to celebrate.“I think we’re all looking forward to it,” Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said.The other first-time finalist for Hall consideration is 10-time WNBA All-Star and four-time Olympic gold medalist Tamika Catchings.The other four finalists have all made it this far before, falling short of enshrinement previously: Baylor women’s coach Kim Mulkey, five-time Division II coach of the year and 1,000-game winner Barbara Stevens of Bentley University, two-time AP college coach of the year Eddie Sutton and Rudy Tomjanovich, who won two NBA titles as coach of the Houston Rockets.All of them have Hall-worthy resumes. What remains to be seen is how many of the 24 voters who will decide the class — it takes 18 votes for a finalist to become a Hall of Famer — agree.“To be included on such a list and be considered for the Basketball Hall of Fame is an incredible honor,” Stevens said.It’s also expected that the Hall is going to pay tribute in some way to former FIBA secretary general Patrick Baumann, a huge figure in the international sporting world who died of a heart attack in October 2018.The induction ceremony in Springfield, Massachusetts is still set to take place on Aug. 29. If the pandemic forces that to be delayed, there is an alternate plan for a ceremony to happen in October.Colangelo said the Hall is going to take measures to ensure that all enshrinees get their deserved moment, and that the news of the year so far — such as Bryant’s passing and the virus pandemic — do not overshadow anyone’s accomplishments.“We are going to do this the right way and in a very sensitive way,” Colangelo said. “We want everyone to get their due respect.”

AUDIO: Eagle Radio Sports for Friday

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Andy Reid is like most people these days. The Kansas City Chiefs coach is hunkered down in his basement trying to avoid going out in public as he works from a makeshift office consisting of a computer, an iPad and an old side table. The difference though: He's trying to build a team that can defend a Super Bowl title. That means negotiating free agency and putting together a plan for the NFL draft still scheduled to take place later this month.

UNDATED (AP) — Athletic directors across the U.S. are bracing for a potential financial crisis related to the coronavirus pandemic. A survey was conducted by an association of ADs from 130 major college football schools. It found 63% forecast a worst-case scenario in which revenue for their departments falls by at least 20% during the next school year. Even an abbreviated football season could cause schools to lose that much.

UNDATED (AP) — A survey of more than 100 athletic directors across the country finds deep concern for academics and athletic department finances amid the pandemic. Some 75 percent say they are concerned about a drop in donations and nearly as many are worried about ticket sales and money that comes from games and other fan events.

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Gonzaga and Michigan were the standouts in a study that seeded men’s and women’s NCAA Tournament brackets based on graduation rates, academic success and diversity in the head-coaching ranks. Gonzaga was a No. 1 seed in both brackets released Thursday by The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport at Central Florida. Michigan was a 1-seed for the men and a 3-seed for the women. Arizona State was the only other school to appear in the top 16 of both brackets. The report focused primarily on each team’s Graduation Success Rate and Academic Progress Rate scores for seeding purposes.

UNDATED (AP) — British Open organizers say postponement is an option for this year's tournament at Royal St. George’s. The 149th edition of the Open Championship is scheduled to take place July 16-19. The last time the Open wasn't played was in 1945 because of World War II. The R&amp;A released a short statement in response to media speculation about the staging of the event. Chief executive Martin Slumbers says the “process is taking some time to resolve” because of a range of external factors.

UNDATED (AP) — The Senior PGA Championship in Michigan has been canceled. The PGA of America says it based its decision on Michigan’s stay-at-home order that was enacted March 23. The Senior PGA in Benton Harbor, Michigan, was to be played May 21-24. It will be held next year at Southern Hills in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It will return to Benton Harbor the following year.

BOSTON (AP) — The New England Patriots' private team plane returned to Boston from China carrying more than one million masks critical to health care providers fighting to control the spread of the coronavirus. Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker secured the N95 masks but had no way of getting them to the U.S. Team owner Robert Kraft stepped in and offered the plane. Kraft Sports and Entertainment chief operating officer Jim Nolan said in an interview on Patriots.com radio that the Chinese government didn’t officially sign off on the trip until March 27.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio State star Kaleb Wesson has announced in a tweet that he would forego his final year of eligibility and declare for the NBA draft. Analysts have projected him as a second-round pick. Wesson can sign with an agent for exploratory purposes and still protect his final year of eligibility. He has until June 3 to make a decision. Wesson averaged 14 points and 9.3 rebounds in leading Ohio State to a 21-10 record and 11-9 in the Big Ten Conference.

UNDATED (AP) — Former baseball All-Star Jim Edmonds says he tested positive for the new coronavirus and for pneumonia. Edmonds says in a video posted on Instagram that he is symptom free now and doing “really well.” He thanked people for their well wishes. The 49-year-old played 17 major league seasons from 1993-2010, mostly for the California and Los Angeles Angels and St. Louis Cardinals. He hit 393 home runs.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Andy Reid is like most people these days. The Kansas City Chiefs coach is hunkered down in his basement trying to avoid going out in public as he works from a makeshift office consisting of a computer, an iPad and an old side table. The difference though: He's trying to build a team that can defend a Super Bowl title. That means negotiating free agency and putting together a plan for the NFL draft still scheduled to take place later this month.UNDATED (AP) — Athletic directors across the U.S. are bracing for a potential financial crisis related to the coronavirus pandemic. A survey was conducted by an association of ADs from 130 major college football schools. It found 63% forecast a worst-case scenario in which revenue for their departments falls by at least 20% during the next school year. Even an abbreviated football season could cause schools to lose that much.UNDATED (AP) — A survey of more than 100 athletic directors across the country finds deep concern for academics and athletic department finances amid the pandemic. Some 75 percent say they are concerned about a drop in donations and nearly as many are worried about ticket sales and money that comes from games and other fan events.RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Gonzaga and Michigan were the standouts in a study that seeded men’s and women’s NCAA Tournament brackets based on graduation rates, academic success and diversity in the head-coaching ranks. Gonzaga was a No. 1 seed in both brackets released Thursday by The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport at Central Florida. Michigan was a 1-seed for the men and a 3-seed for the women. Arizona State was the only other school to appear in the top 16 of both brackets. The report focused primarily on each team’s Graduation Success Rate and Academic Progress Rate scores for seeding purposes.UNDATED (AP) — British Open organizers say postponement is an option for this year's tournament at Royal St. George’s. The 149th edition of the Open Championship is scheduled to take place July 16-19. The last time the Open wasn't played was in 1945 because of World War II. The R&amp;A released a short statement in response to media speculation about the staging of the event. Chief executive Martin Slumbers says the “process is taking some time to resolve” because of a range of external factors.UNDATED (AP) — The Senior PGA Championship in Michigan has been canceled. The PGA of America says it based its decision on Michigan’s stay-at-home order that was enacted March 23. The Senior PGA in Benton Harbor, Michigan, was to be played May 21-24. It will be held next year at Southern Hills in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It will return to Benton Harbor the following year.BOSTON (AP) — The New England Patriots' private team plane returned to Boston from China carrying more than one million masks critical to health care providers fighting to control the spread of the coronavirus. Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker secured the N95 masks but had no way of getting them to the U.S. Team owner Robert Kraft stepped in and offered the plane. Kraft Sports and Entertainment chief operating officer Jim Nolan said in an interview on Patriots.com radio that the Chinese government didn’t officially sign off on the trip until March 27.COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio State star Kaleb Wesson has announced in a tweet that he would forego his final year of eligibility and declare for the NBA draft. Analysts have projected him as a second-round pick. Wesson can sign with an agent for exploratory purposes and still protect his final year of eligibility. He has until June 3 to make a decision. Wesson averaged 14 points and 9.3 rebounds in leading Ohio State to a 21-10 record and 11-9 in the Big Ten Conference.UNDATED (AP) — Former baseball All-Star Jim Edmonds says he tested positive for the new coronavirus and for pneumonia. Edmonds says in a video posted on Instagram that he is symptom free now and doing “really well.” He thanked people for their well wishes. The 49-year-old played 17 major league seasons from 1993-2010, mostly for the California and Los Angeles Angels and St. Louis Cardinals. He hit 393 home runs.

Friday Sports Headlines

The five finalists for the John R. Wooden Award as the nation's top college basketball player are Udoka Azubuike of Kansas, Luka Garza of Iowa, Markus Howard of Marquette, Myles Powell of Seton Hall and Obi Toppin of Dayton.&nbsp;

The 44th annual award will be presented April 7 during ESPN's “SportsCenter” broadcast at 5 p.m. EDT. The scheduled presentation on April 10 at the College Basketball Awards in Los Angeles was canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic.&nbsp;

Voting took place from March 16 to March 23 but couldn't include performances during the NCAA Tournament, which was canceled.

The five finalists for the John R. Wooden Award as the nation's top college basketball player are Udoka Azubuike of Kansas, Luka Garza of Iowa, Markus Howard of Marquette, Myles Powell of Seton Hall and Obi Toppin of Dayton.&nbsp;The 44th annual award will be presented April 7 during ESPN's “SportsCenter” broadcast at 5 p.m. EDT. The scheduled presentation on April 10 at the College Basketball Awards in Los Angeles was canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic.&nbsp;Voting took place from March 16 to March 23 but couldn't include performances during the NCAA Tournament, which was canceled.

Udoka Azubuike among finalists for Wooden Award

MANHATTAN, Kan. –&nbsp;K-State Athletics is now accepting nomination for the Kansas State University Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame for the class of 2020.

Members of the general public may make written nominations through Wednesday, April 15, by submitting a letter to the Athletics Communications Office, Kansas State Athletics, 1800 College Ave., Manhattan, Kan. 66502. Nominations will not be accepted over the telephone, but will be accepted via fax at 785-532-6093 or via e-mail at&nbsp;<a>klannou@kstatesports.com</a>.

In order to be nominated, persons must have distinguished themselves by making exceptional contributions to the achievements and prestige of Kansas State University in the field of athletics. Nominees must also have earned an undergraduate degree and continued to demonstrate in their lives the values imparted from Intercollegiate Athletics.

Three categories of nominations will be accepted. Former athletes must have earned at least one letter, had outstanding achievement as a student-athlete and have had exhausted his or her eligibility PRIOR to 2011.

Former coaches and administrators must have had a tenure of at least five years in the athletics department and had at least five years since their most recent employment in athletics at K-State.

Honorary nominees must have had exceptional contributions and service to the program.

Selections will be made over the course of the spring, with the Induction Class of 2020 to be honored at a ceremony on Friday, September 4, prior to the home football game vs. Buffalo.

MANHATTAN, Kan. –&nbsp;K-State Athletics is now accepting nomination for the Kansas State University Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame for the class of 2020.Members of the general public may make written nominations through Wednesday, April 15, by submitting a letter to the Athletics Communications Office, Kansas State Athletics, 1800 College Ave., Manhattan, Kan. 66502. Nominations will not be accepted over the telephone, but will be accepted via fax at 785-532-6093 or via e-mail at&nbsp;<a>klannou@kstatesports.com</a>.In order to be nominated, persons must have distinguished themselves by making exceptional contributions to the achievements and prestige of Kansas State University in the field of athletics. Nominees must also have earned an undergraduate degree and continued to demonstrate in their lives the values imparted from Intercollegiate Athletics.Three categories of nominations will be accepted. Former athletes must have earned at least one letter, had outstanding achievement as a student-athlete and have had exhausted his or her eligibility PRIOR to 2011.Former coaches and administrators must have had a tenure of at least five years in the athletics department and had at least five years since their most recent employment in athletics at K-State.Honorary nominees must have had exceptional contributions and service to the program.Selections will be made over the course of the spring, with the Induction Class of 2020 to be honored at a ceremony on Friday, September 4, prior to the home football game vs. Buffalo.

Nominations Open for K-State Athletics Hall of Fame

LAWRENCE, Kan.&nbsp;— Over the past two weeks, Kansas football assistant coaches took to social media to teach their followers about different football drills, mechanics and more from their specific position group as part of #KUComesToYou. Filmed from the comfort of their homes,&nbsp; the Jayhawk coaches sought to teach about their positions and keep followers engaged with the game of football.

DAY ONE – BRENT DEARMON, OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR/QUARTERBACKS

Coach Dearmon kicked off the KU football coaches clinic on March 23, as he introduced several drills that help quarterbacks work on their mechanics, foundation in the pocket, hips and hops, timing and throwing on the run.

Dearmon set up several examples of the trash can drill, which helps a quarterback navigate the pocket.

Following the video, Dearmon posted additional drills and techniques from his Twitter account, while also sharing ideas with former NFL quarterback Kurt Warner.

DAY TWO – DJ ELIOT, DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR/LINEBACKERS

On the second day of the coaches clinic, defensive coordinator DJ Eliot took to his basement to show viewers the proper way to sack the quarterback.

In the video, Eliot breaks down the mechanics of sacking the quarterback, where the defender reaches and pins the quarterback’s throwing arm, before draping their body on the quarterback.

Eliot introduces several beneficial clips and drills to show his instruction in action, including clips from Bud Dupree (Pittsburgh Steelers, Avery Williamson (Tennessee Titans) and Azur Kamara as a Jayhawk last season.

DAY THREE – JONATHAN WALLACE, SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR/RUNNING BACKS

Running backs coach and special teams coordinator Jonathan Wallace took viewers through some running back fundamentals on day three that he uses to get his running backs ready to go.

Wallace stressed the importance of three things for running backs during the drills – ball security, keeping eyes up and foot quickness.

Time for some fundamentals out of the backfield <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KUComesToYou?src=hash">#KUComesToYou</a><a href="https://twitter.com/CoachWallaceKU">@CoachWallaceKU</a> takes us through some of the drills he uses to get his running backs ready to go

Our 5 points of pressure include...1) Hawk Claw (Index, Middle Finger, and Thumb)2) Palm3) Forearm4) Airtight Armpit5) Elbow to Ribcage We will also use a 6th point of pressure in traffic which involves our off hand wrapping our opposite wrist.

DAY FOUR – CHIDERA UZO-DIRIBE, OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS

Day four of the Kansas football coaches clinic featured assistant coach – linebackers, Chidera Uzo-Diribe, who taught us great pass rush techniques.

Uzo-Diribe brought three counter moves to the table, including the counter club, counter spin and counter swim techniques, which help pass rushers maneuver past the offensive lineman. Uzo-Diribe stresses the importance of utilizing speed off the edge, allowing for the pass rusher to use a counter move.

Uzo-Diribe breaks down the moves in several video clips from practice, showing the different counter techniques in action.

In today's #KUfball coaches clinic, learn some great pass rush techniques courtesy of @CoachDiribe96 #KUComesToYou

DAY FIVE – LUKE MEADOWS, OFFENSIVE LINE

Offensive line coach Luke Meadows brought some great drills and techniques for offensive lineman to use at home and he put them on display with a special guest.

Meadows details four things you can do from home to improve your skills on the offensive line including footwork, contact, mental and eating.

DAY SIX – JOSHUA EARGLE, TIGHT ENDS &amp; RECRUITING COORDINATOR

Day six featured Kansas tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator Joshua Eargle, who taught us about the “hybrid” position, and their impact in the offense.

“They’re called hybrids because they’re the nails that hold everything in the offense together. Just like the quarterback, they need to know what everybody does and how they fit into that and how their assignment fits into that, every single play.”

Eargle explains in the video how hybrids work in the KU offense, and their mentality that, “how we do anything is how we do everything.”

On Tuesday, we learned about takeaways. Assistant coach – Safeties, Jordan Peterson brought drills from the New England Patriots to teach players how to get the ball back to their offense.

In the video, Peterson highlights four key components of takeaways including preparation, population, physicality and purpose. Peterson then introduces us to the 2nd man drill and circle chase drill&nbsp; and shows them in action.

DAY EIGHT – CHEVIS JACKSON, CORNERBACKS

On the final day of the KU football coaches clinic, assistant coach – cornerbacks, Chevis Jackson reminded defensive backs about the importance of short area quickness and change of direction for their position.

Jackson had his assistant put a couple of drills on display with the four cone drill, which can help defensive backs work on their quickness.

LAWRENCE, Kan.&nbsp;— Over the past two weeks, Kansas football assistant coaches took to social media to teach their followers about different football drills, mechanics and more from their specific position group as part of #KUComesToYou. Filmed from the comfort of their homes,&nbsp; the Jayhawk coaches sought to teach about their positions and keep followers engaged with the game of football.<h2>DAY ONE – BRENT DEARMON, OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR/QUARTERBACKS</h2>Coach Dearmon kicked off the KU football coaches clinic on March 23, as he introduced several drills that help quarterbacks work on their mechanics, foundation in the pocket, hips and hops, timing and throwing on the run.Dearmon set up several examples of the trash can drill, which helps a quarterback navigate the pocket.Following the video, Dearmon posted additional drills and techniques from his Twitter account, while also sharing ideas with former NFL quarterback Kurt Warner.<h2>DAY TWO – DJ ELIOT, DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR/LINEBACKERS</h2>On the second day of the coaches clinic, defensive coordinator DJ Eliot took to his basement to show viewers the proper way to sack the quarterback.In the video, Eliot breaks down the mechanics of sacking the quarterback, where the defender reaches and pins the quarterback’s throwing arm, before draping their body on the quarterback.Eliot introduces several beneficial clips and drills to show his instruction in action, including clips from Bud Dupree (Pittsburgh Steelers, Avery Williamson (Tennessee Titans) and Azur Kamara as a Jayhawk last season.<h2>DAY THREE – JONATHAN WALLACE, SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR/RUNNING BACKS</h2>Running backs coach and special teams coordinator Jonathan Wallace took viewers through some running back fundamentals on day three that he uses to get his running backs ready to go.Wallace stressed the importance of three things for running backs during the drills – ball security, keeping eyes up and foot quickness.Time for some fundamentals out of the backfield <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KUComesToYou?src=hash">#KUComesToYou</a><a href="https://twitter.com/CoachWallaceKU">@CoachWallaceKU</a> takes us through some of the drills he uses to get his running backs ready to go Time for some fundamentals out of the backfield <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KUComesToYou?src=hash">#KUComesToYou</a><a href="https://twitter.com/CoachWallaceKU">@CoachWallaceKU</a> takes us through some of the drills he uses to get his running backs ready to go <figure>
 <img src="https://pbs.twimg.com/amplify_video_thumb/1242868097389862912/img/DbokITs-g_Ky7R3e?format=jpg&amp;name=900x900" alt="Johnathan Wallace" />
 <figcaption>Johnathan Wallace</figcaption>
 </figure>Our 5 points of pressure include...1) Hawk Claw (Index, Middle Finger, and Thumb)2) Palm3) Forearm4) Airtight Armpit5) Elbow to Ribcage We will also use a 6th point of pressure in traffic which involves our off hand wrapping our opposite wrist.<h2>DAY FOUR – CHIDERA UZO-DIRIBE, OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS</h2>Day four of the Kansas football coaches clinic featured assistant coach – linebackers, Chidera Uzo-Diribe, who taught us great pass rush techniques.Uzo-Diribe brought three counter moves to the table, including the counter club, counter spin and counter swim techniques, which help pass rushers maneuver past the offensive lineman. Uzo-Diribe stresses the importance of utilizing speed off the edge, allowing for the pass rusher to use a counter move.Uzo-Diribe breaks down the moves in several video clips from practice, showing the different counter techniques in action.Speed rushes are our fastball pitch. These rushes are some of our change ups In today's #KUfball coaches clinic, learn some great pass rush techniques courtesy of @CoachDiribe96 #KUComesToYou<figure>
 <img src="https://pbs.twimg.com/amplify_video_thumb/1243255104343605254/img/o7akDZil5_srLZuR?format=jpg&amp;name=medium" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><h2>DAY FIVE – LUKE MEADOWS, OFFENSIVE LINE</h2>Offensive line coach Luke Meadows brought some great drills and techniques for offensive lineman to use at home and he put them on display with a special guest.Meadows details four things you can do from home to improve your skills on the offensive line including footwork, contact, mental and eating.<h2>DAY SIX – JOSHUA EARGLE, TIGHT ENDS &amp; RECRUITING COORDINATOR</h2>Day six featured Kansas tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator Joshua Eargle, who taught us about the “hybrid” position, and their impact in the offense.“They’re called hybrids because they’re the nails that hold everything in the offense together. Just like the quarterback, they need to know what everybody does and how they fit into that and how their assignment fits into that, every single play.”Eargle explains in the video how hybrids work in the KU offense, and their mentality that, “how we do anything is how we do everything.”<h2>DAY SEVEN – JORDAN PETERSON, SAFETIES</h2>On Tuesday, we learned about takeaways. Assistant coach – Safeties, Jordan Peterson brought drills from the New England Patriots to teach players how to get the ball back to their offense.In the video, Peterson highlights four key components of takeaways including preparation, population, physicality and purpose. Peterson then introduces us to the 2nd man drill and circle chase drill&nbsp; and shows them in action.<h2>DAY EIGHT – CHEVIS JACKSON, CORNERBACKS</h2>On the final day of the KU football coaches clinic, assistant coach – cornerbacks, Chevis Jackson reminded defensive backs about the importance of short area quickness and change of direction for their position.Jackson had his assistant put a couple of drills on display with the four cone drill, which can help defensive backs work on their quickness.

🏈 Kansas Football Goes Virtual With Coaches Clinic

The 2020&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/coaches.aspx?rc=780">Gregg Marshall</a>&nbsp;Shocker Basketball Auction and Golf Tournament – both originally scheduled for May -- have been postponed.

New dates will be announced once they are available, along with information on how to register.

For more information, contact the Development office&nbsp;at&nbsp;<a href="tel:316-978-5553">316-978-5553</a>&nbsp;or email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:Development1@goshockers.com">Development1@goshockers.com</a>

The 2020&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/coaches.aspx?rc=780">Gregg Marshall</a>&nbsp;Shocker Basketball Auction and Golf Tournament – both originally scheduled for May -- have been postponed.New dates will be announced once they are available, along with information on how to register.For more information, contact the Development office&nbsp;at&nbsp;<a href="tel:316-978-5553">316-978-5553</a>&nbsp;or email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:Development1@goshockers.com">Development1@goshockers.com</a>

Marshall Auction and Golf Tournament Postponed

WICHITA, Kan. -&nbsp;As the nation continues the stay-at-home orders in effect to limit the spread of COVID-19, the Wichita State cheer team has created a virtual tryout process for the 2020-2021 cheer team. Cheerleaders interested in competing at the collegiate level are asked to submit a video as outlined in the PDF attached at the top of this release.

In order to register for the tryout process, participants need to fill out the online form located at the top of this release then create a video of yourself performing the material outlined above, and send the video to&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/coaches.aspx?rc=737">Kelli Rappard</a>&nbsp;(krappard@goshockers.com) . Videos can be a compilation of past practices, previous performances or what you have access to in your area. All videos need to be received by May 8. Based on the videos received an initial team will be announced as well as call-backs on May 15. If you are listed as a call-back, once the stay-at-home orders have been lifted we'd like to see you in person with the initial team.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Coach Kevin (<a href="mailto:kkeith@goshockers.com" target="_blank">kkeith@goshockers.com</a>) or Coordinator Kelli (<a href="mailto:krappard@goshockers.com" target="_blank">krappard@goshockers.com</a>).

WICHITA, Kan. -&nbsp;As the nation continues the stay-at-home orders in effect to limit the spread of COVID-19, the Wichita State cheer team has created a virtual tryout process for the 2020-2021 cheer team. Cheerleaders interested in competing at the collegiate level are asked to submit a video as outlined in the PDF attached at the top of this release.In order to register for the tryout process, participants need to fill out the online form located at the top of this release then create a video of yourself performing the material outlined above, and send the video to&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/coaches.aspx?rc=737">Kelli Rappard</a>&nbsp;(krappard@goshockers.com) . Videos can be a compilation of past practices, previous performances or what you have access to in your area. All videos need to be received by May 8. Based on the videos received an initial team will be announced as well as call-backs on May 15. If you are listed as a call-back, once the stay-at-home orders have been lifted we'd like to see you in person with the initial team.If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Coach Kevin (<a href="mailto:kkeith@goshockers.com" target="_blank">kkeith@goshockers.com</a>) or Coordinator Kelli (<a href="mailto:krappard@goshockers.com" target="_blank">krappard@goshockers.com</a>).

Shocker Cheer Announces Virtual Tryouts

Inside the college basketball world, coaches and others around the game have been wondering what the heck is going on at Wichita State. Fans have flocked to social media wondering the same thing.

How does a 23-8 team expected to be in the Top 25 in 2020-21 lose eight scholarship players?

In a conversation with&nbsp;The Athletic&nbsp;this week,&nbsp;coach Gregg Marshall laid out what went wrong inside his program and how he was able to respond by signing five players in a three-day span starting last Saturday.

This is mostly new territory for Marshall. Two years ago at this time, he had lost Austin Reaves, who transferred to Oklahoma. Reaves was the first transfer Marshall had lost whom he didn’t want to see leave.

While transfers have become so common in college basketball that many have taken to calling it an epidemic, Marshall had never really been bit by the bug. It wasn’t uncommon for him to hear from&nbsp;other&nbsp;coaches who would complain about the drama and discontent inside their programs. “I would look at them and go, Man, that’s too bad. I never had that problem,” Marshall said. “I honestly thought we were kind of immune to it, but undoubtedly, we were not and are not.”

The mass exodus began on March 13, a day after the NCAA Tournament was canceled. Four scholarship players (Erik Stevenson, Jamarius Burton, Noah Fernandes and DeAntoni Gordon) and a walk-on (Tate Busse) put their names in the transfer portal. Three more scholarship players (Morris Udeze, Grant Sherfield and Asbjorn Midtgaard) have since joined them in the portal, and Ja’Dun Michael, Wichita State’s lone Class of 2020 signee, asked out of his letter of intent and reopened his recruitment.

And because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Marshall and his staff were essentially grounded, unable to hit the road to recruit.

“We had kids hit the transfer portal about the same time everything was shutting down from the virus, and part of the problem was our kids just dispersed,” Marshall said. “They weren’t dealing with you on a daily basis talking about academics or doing an individual workout. You just didn’t see them. They all scattered to wherever they went to — home or their girlfriend’s house or wherever, because the campus shut down.”

From a distance, it looked as if the Shockers had enjoyed a solid season and were primed to be a top-25 contender for years to come. They were on the NCAA Tournament bubble entering the AAC tourney, and the core was built with underclassmen. For 2020-21, the Shockers were expected to only lose senior center Jaime Echenique.

Marshall knew it was unlikely everyone would return. He said he expected he could lose a few other players, most notably Stevenson, who has since&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansas.com/sports/college/wichita-state/article241187251.html" target="_blank">aired his grievances with The Wichita Eagle</a>. “That was a given,” Marshall acknowledged.

Marshall also worried about Fernandes and Gordon, who spent most of the season at the end of the bench. “I was hoping that we could salvage the freshmen, but you certainly understand,” Marshall said. “They were buried. They were third string at best and they wanted to play and they’re good players and deserve to play, but the problem was we had 13 good players.”

Had the damage stopped there, the Shockers still would have had plenty of talent left to merit a lofty preseason ranking and hardly anyone would have noticed. Where Marshall now realizes he had issues he wasn’t fully aware of during the season was with Burton and Sherfield, his top two point guards.

When Sherfield committed to the Shockers last April,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kansas.com › sports › college › wichita-state › article229321364" target="_blank">he was quoted in The Wichita Eagle</a>&nbsp;saying that Marshall had told him he wanted him to be the starting point guard right away and be a leader. “I didn’t realize it, but it really bothered Jamarius Burton,” Marshall said of Sherfield’s comments.

Burton had been the starting point guard for the final 23 games of 2018-19, a key figure in leading the Shockers to the NIT championship game. He became even more frustrated when Sherfield started the season opener against Nebraska-Omaha. Burton came off the bench and rolled his right ankle. He missed only one game because of the injury, but he didn’t move into the starting lineup until the eighth game of the season, following a loss to West Virginia.

“When you’ve started as a freshman and then to come off the bench behind a freshman, that’ll piss you off,” Burton told&nbsp;The Athletic&nbsp;in mid-January.

Burton said Wichita State legend Lynbert “Cheese” Johnson told him to stay ready and kept his confidence up. “It made me grind even harder and realize that, hey, this is a business,” Burton said. “It’s a business at this point.”

Burton went on to say he liked that the Shockers had a young roster and looked forward to them growing up together, but by the end, that had obviously changed.

“When I tell you that I didn’t manage the personalities very well, that’s what I’m talking about,” Marshall said. “I’ve never dealt with some of the things I’ve had to deal with in this situation.”

Burton started the final 23 games of the season and led the team in minutes, but he was often sharing the floor with Sherfield, who would play point guard when the two were on the floor together.

“Jamarius Burton is not your typical point guard, but he is a very good player,” Marshall said. “He can play the point and he did play the point very successfully, but when I think about point guards, I think about Jason Kidd and John Stockton and those type guys. He’s more of a point guard in the mold of Patrick Beverly.

“With Grant, he wanted to come in and be given the ball.&nbsp;I tried to please both of them, and in doing so, I didn’t please either one of them.”

In the frontcourt for the last two seasons, Marshall has gone with a three-headed monster with Echenique as the clear starter and the other three (Udeze, Midtgaard and Isaiah Poor Bear-Chandler) battling for the other two spots. Again, Marshall was left with multiple players — Udeze and Midtgaard — who were unhappy with their roles.

“I was disappointed that both left, but I anticipated probably one of them leaving, because one of them was fourth string,” Marshall said. “The other one was either second or third string behind Jaime Echenique, and that’s hard, and I definitely understand that, but I was hoping that we could salvage at least one of them.”

The transfer portal has left coaches mostly powerless when it comes to transfers. Players can enter at their discretion. Previously, a player would have to ask for his release. While this maybe gave coaches too much power, it at least ensured that there was a conversation and allowed coaches a chance to re-recruit a player.

This all happened so fast, especially the first wave, that the coaching staff had to move on quickly and get to work rebuilding the roster amid a pandemic.

Last April 18, Marshall got off the phone with Trey Wade, who had just committed and filled WSU’s final scholarship, and the coach was ecstatic about the future. He knew the Shockers would have just the one opening for 2020-21, and he told his staff he wanted to be picky and find an impact player for that spot. In November, he got his guy in Michael.

That had effectively ended Wichita State’s recruiting efforts for next season. Although the coaching staff knew you always have to stay ready, there was no way to be prepared for what came on March 13 and the weeks after.

“We had to lace up our bootstraps and go to work and started making phone calls and cutting up film,” Marshall said.

Before social distancing was universally applied, Marshall and his staff spread out around his dining room table that first weekend and started connecting with their contacts and searching for players.

Synergy, which has tape of every possession for all Division I teams and many junior college teams, helped the coaches quickly evaluate targets.

“If you like recruiting, I would liken it to being on Wall Street, down in the pits where they do the trading,” Marshall said. “It was very intense recruiting for hours and hours and hours.”

When it became clear everyone would have to isolate, the staff continued their efforts from their own homes, staying connected through virtual meetings on Zoom. They built video presentations for prospects and hit the phones.

“The advantage for us is in that videotape,” Marshall said. “The disadvantage for us is not being able to travel and go see them and use the private plane and roll in there and shake their hands and give them a hug. The biggest disadvantage is with the players. They’re almost forced to make decisions without going to the campus.”

The biggest need was at point guard. The Shockers still have one of the best shooting guard/small forward combos in the AAC in freshman Tyson Etienne and sophomore Dexter Dennis. Wade is the ideal stretch 4 for Marshall’s system, and he has two true big-men holdovers in Bear-Chandler and Josaphat Bilau, a redshirt freshman whose potential Marshall is excited about. The Shockers needed someone to get them the ball, and their first commitment was a big one: Connecticut grad transfer Alterique Gilbert, a former McDonald’s All-American who battled injuries his first two years at UConn — playing only six games — but has been a productive player the last two years in the AAC.

The Shockers rebuilt their perimeter depth over the weekend by adding three more guards. The one expected to be the most immediate contributor is Craig Porter, a combo guard who was well-regarded as a junior college prospect and won a national championship in his freshman year at Vincennes. Porter is from Terre Haute, Ind., the home of Indiana State, and WSU assistant Lou Gudino, a former ISU assistant, knew about Porter and had recruited him when he was in high school.

“I’ve known Coach Gudino for a long time, and a lot of people I know trust him, and so I’m going to put that same trust in him,” Porter said. “Wichita State is known for winning, and I know Coach Marshall is going to get it done no matter what. Being able to be a part of that is a dream of mine.”

Porter said Wichita State started recruiting him about three months ago, and things really picked up the last few weeks. He was a little concerned about the number of players who left, but he trusted Gudino and said the coaches did a good job building the trust with him and his parents.

The Shockers also landed two athletic high school guards in Ricky Council IV and Chaunce Jenkins. Council, a three-star guard out of Durham, N.C., was a player WSU had been recruiting all season. Jenkins, who played on the B-team for Boo Williams’ grassroots program, is a late bloomer who looks to have elite athleticism. (He had the dunk below, which&nbsp;<a href="https://www.espn.com/video/clip/_/id/28460655" target="_blank">went viral</a>&nbsp;this season.)

On Monday, Wichita State got its fifth commitment from Clarence Jackson, a wing who can play both forward spots. Jackson spent his freshman year at Polk State College, a junior college in Florida, and he has three years of eligibility remaining.

Marshall is unable to comment about any of the five until each signs — the spring signing period begins April 15 — but most of the holes have been filled. Marshall would like to add one more big man and then use his two final scholarships for players who would sit out next season, most likely transfers. He does not expect any more players to leave. Dennis could consider testing the NBA Draft waters, but he has told Marshall he’ll be back.

As for the future, Marshall hopes that having more veterans around — he’ll have at least five upperclassmen compared to three this year — should help. “We could have used some more veterans to kind of squelch that stuff in the locker room,” he said.

Marshall also is trying to be more careful with his message in recruiting.

“You’ve got to make sure that you’re not promising things that you can’t deliver on,” he said. “You’ve got to make sure that you get kids that are more about the team. I just never had to deal with this amount of it being more about individual accomplishments and getting an opportunity versus the team’s success, and I’ve got to make sure and get guys that want to do well individually, but the most important thing is the team success.”

While the outlook is different than anyone expected, Marshall still has the makings of an NCAA Tournament team. As one coach said in a text to&nbsp;The Athletic,&nbsp;even with everything that was going on behind the scenes, the Shockers were in position to make the NCAA Tournament. “Marshall is a helluva coach,” the coach wrote.

Marshall likes the core that stayed put. “Solid, man,” he said. “Solid.” The defections obviously shook the program, but in Gilbert, the Shockers have a guard who could address their biggest weakness last year — someone with the quickness to create separation off the bounce and make the game easier for others. And by not having as many players eligible, Marshall and his staff should have an easier time managing minutes.

Story courtesy of The AthleticInside the college basketball world, coaches and others around the game have been wondering what the heck is going on at Wichita State. Fans have flocked to social media wondering the same thing.How does a 23-8 team expected to be in the Top 25 in 2020-21 lose eight scholarship players?In a conversation with&nbsp;The Athletic&nbsp;this week,&nbsp;coach Gregg Marshall laid out what went wrong inside his program and how he was able to respond by signing five players in a three-day span starting last Saturday.This is mostly new territory for Marshall. Two years ago at this time, he had lost Austin Reaves, who transferred to Oklahoma. Reaves was the first transfer Marshall had lost whom he didn’t want to see leave.While transfers have become so common in college basketball that many have taken to calling it an epidemic, Marshall had never really been bit by the bug. It wasn’t uncommon for him to hear from&nbsp;other&nbsp;coaches who would complain about the drama and discontent inside their programs. “I would look at them and go, Man, that’s too bad. I never had that problem,” Marshall said. “I honestly thought we were kind of immune to it, but undoubtedly, we were not and are not.”The mass exodus began on March 13, a day after the NCAA Tournament was canceled. Four scholarship players (Erik Stevenson, Jamarius Burton, Noah Fernandes and DeAntoni Gordon) and a walk-on (Tate Busse) put their names in the transfer portal. Three more scholarship players (Morris Udeze, Grant Sherfield and Asbjorn Midtgaard) have since joined them in the portal, and Ja’Dun Michael, Wichita State’s lone Class of 2020 signee, asked out of his letter of intent and reopened his recruitment.And because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Marshall and his staff were essentially grounded, unable to hit the road to recruit.“We had kids hit the transfer portal about the same time everything was shutting down from the virus, and part of the problem was our kids just dispersed,” Marshall said. “They weren’t dealing with you on a daily basis talking about academics or doing an individual workout. You just didn’t see them. They all scattered to wherever they went to — home or their girlfriend’s house or wherever, because the campus shut down.”From a distance, it looked as if the Shockers had enjoyed a solid season and were primed to be a top-25 contender for years to come. They were on the NCAA Tournament bubble entering the AAC tourney, and the core was built with underclassmen. For 2020-21, the Shockers were expected to only lose senior center Jaime Echenique.Marshall knew it was unlikely everyone would return. He said he expected he could lose a few other players, most notably Stevenson, who has since&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansas.com/sports/college/wichita-state/article241187251.html" target="_blank">aired his grievances with The Wichita Eagle</a>. “That was a given,” Marshall acknowledged.Marshall also worried about Fernandes and Gordon, who spent most of the season at the end of the bench. “I was hoping that we could salvage the freshmen, but you certainly understand,” Marshall said. “They were buried. They were third string at best and they wanted to play and they’re good players and deserve to play, but the problem was we had 13 good players.”Had the damage stopped there, the Shockers still would have had plenty of talent left to merit a lofty preseason ranking and hardly anyone would have noticed. Where Marshall now realizes he had issues he wasn’t fully aware of during the season was with Burton and Sherfield, his top two point guards.When Sherfield committed to the Shockers last April,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kansas.com › sports › college › wichita-state › article229321364" target="_blank">he was quoted in The Wichita Eagle</a>&nbsp;saying that Marshall had told him he wanted him to be the starting point guard right away and be a leader. “I didn’t realize it, but it really bothered Jamarius Burton,” Marshall said of Sherfield’s comments.Burton had been the starting point guard for the final 23 games of 2018-19, a key figure in leading the Shockers to the NIT championship game. He became even more frustrated when Sherfield started the season opener against Nebraska-Omaha. Burton came off the bench and rolled his right ankle. He missed only one game because of the injury, but he didn’t move into the starting lineup until the eighth game of the season, following a loss to West Virginia.“When you’ve started as a freshman and then to come off the bench behind a freshman, that’ll piss you off,” Burton told&nbsp;The Athletic&nbsp;in mid-January.Burton said Wichita State legend Lynbert “Cheese” Johnson told him to stay ready and kept his confidence up. “It made me grind even harder and realize that, hey, this is a business,” Burton said. “It’s a business at this point.”Burton went on to say he liked that the Shockers had a young roster and looked forward to them growing up together, but by the end, that had obviously changed.“When I tell you that I didn’t manage the personalities very well, that’s what I’m talking about,” Marshall said. “I’ve never dealt with some of the things I’ve had to deal with in this situation.”Burton started the final 23 games of the season and led the team in minutes, but he was often sharing the floor with Sherfield, who would play point guard when the two were on the floor together.“Jamarius Burton is not your typical point guard, but he is a very good player,” Marshall said. “He can play the point and he did play the point very successfully, but when I think about point guards, I think about Jason Kidd and John Stockton and those type guys. He’s more of a point guard in the mold of Patrick Beverly.“With Grant, he wanted to come in and be given the ball.&nbsp;I tried to please both of them, and in doing so, I didn’t please either one of them.”In the frontcourt for the last two seasons, Marshall has gone with a three-headed monster with Echenique as the clear starter and the other three (Udeze, Midtgaard and Isaiah Poor Bear-Chandler) battling for the other two spots. Again, Marshall was left with multiple players — Udeze and Midtgaard — who were unhappy with their roles.“I was disappointed that both left, but I anticipated probably one of them leaving, because one of them was fourth string,” Marshall said. “The other one was either second or third string behind Jaime Echenique, and that’s hard, and I definitely understand that, but I was hoping that we could salvage at least one of them.”The transfer portal has left coaches mostly powerless when it comes to transfers. Players can enter at their discretion. Previously, a player would have to ask for his release. While this maybe gave coaches too much power, it at least ensured that there was a conversation and allowed coaches a chance to re-recruit a player.This all happened so fast, especially the first wave, that the coaching staff had to move on quickly and get to work rebuilding the roster amid a pandemic.Last April 18, Marshall got off the phone with Trey Wade, who had just committed and filled WSU’s final scholarship, and the coach was ecstatic about the future. He knew the Shockers would have just the one opening for 2020-21, and he told his staff he wanted to be picky and find an impact player for that spot. In November, he got his guy in Michael.That had effectively ended Wichita State’s recruiting efforts for next season. Although the coaching staff knew you always have to stay ready, there was no way to be prepared for what came on March 13 and the weeks after.“We had to lace up our bootstraps and go to work and started making phone calls and cutting up film,” Marshall said.Before social distancing was universally applied, Marshall and his staff spread out around his dining room table that first weekend and started connecting with their contacts and searching for players.Synergy, which has tape of every possession for all Division I teams and many junior college teams, helped the coaches quickly evaluate targets.“If you like recruiting, I would liken it to being on Wall Street, down in the pits where they do the trading,” Marshall said. “It was very intense recruiting for hours and hours and hours.”When it became clear everyone would have to isolate, the staff continued their efforts from their own homes, staying connected through virtual meetings on Zoom. They built video presentations for prospects and hit the phones.“The advantage for us is in that videotape,” Marshall said. “The disadvantage for us is not being able to travel and go see them and use the private plane and roll in there and shake their hands and give them a hug. The biggest disadvantage is with the players. They’re almost forced to make decisions without going to the campus.”The biggest need was at point guard. The Shockers still have one of the best shooting guard/small forward combos in the AAC in freshman Tyson Etienne and sophomore Dexter Dennis. Wade is the ideal stretch 4 for Marshall’s system, and he has two true big-men holdovers in Bear-Chandler and Josaphat Bilau, a redshirt freshman whose potential Marshall is excited about. The Shockers needed someone to get them the ball, and their first commitment was a big one: Connecticut grad transfer Alterique Gilbert, a former McDonald’s All-American who battled injuries his first two years at UConn — playing only six games — but has been a productive player the last two years in the AAC.The Shockers rebuilt their perimeter depth over the weekend by adding three more guards. The one expected to be the most immediate contributor is Craig Porter, a combo guard who was well-regarded as a junior college prospect and won a national championship in his freshman year at Vincennes. Porter is from Terre Haute, Ind., the home of Indiana State, and WSU assistant Lou Gudino, a former ISU assistant, knew about Porter and had recruited him when he was in high school.“I’ve known Coach Gudino for a long time, and a lot of people I know trust him, and so I’m going to put that same trust in him,” Porter said. “Wichita State is known for winning, and I know Coach Marshall is going to get it done no matter what. Being able to be a part of that is a dream of mine.”Porter said Wichita State started recruiting him about three months ago, and things really picked up the last few weeks. He was a little concerned about the number of players who left, but he trusted Gudino and said the coaches did a good job building the trust with him and his parents.The Shockers also landed two athletic high school guards in Ricky Council IV and Chaunce Jenkins. Council, a three-star guard out of Durham, N.C., was a player WSU had been recruiting all season. Jenkins, who played on the B-team for Boo Williams’ grassroots program, is a late bloomer who looks to have elite athleticism. (He had the dunk below, which&nbsp;<a href="https://www.espn.com/video/clip/_/id/28460655" target="_blank">went viral</a>&nbsp;this season.)On Monday, Wichita State got its fifth commitment from Clarence Jackson, a wing who can play both forward spots. Jackson spent his freshman year at Polk State College, a junior college in Florida, and he has three years of eligibility remaining.Marshall is unable to comment about any of the five until each signs — the spring signing period begins April 15 — but most of the holes have been filled. Marshall would like to add one more big man and then use his two final scholarships for players who would sit out next season, most likely transfers. He does not expect any more players to leave. Dennis could consider testing the NBA Draft waters, but he has told Marshall he’ll be back.As for the future, Marshall hopes that having more veterans around — he’ll have at least five upperclassmen compared to three this year — should help. “We could have used some more veterans to kind of squelch that stuff in the locker room,” he said.Marshall also is trying to be more careful with his message in recruiting.“You’ve got to make sure that you’re not promising things that you can’t deliver on,” he said. “You’ve got to make sure that you get kids that are more about the team. I just never had to deal with this amount of it being more about individual accomplishments and getting an opportunity versus the team’s success, and I’ve got to make sure and get guys that want to do well individually, but the most important thing is the team success.”While the outlook is different than anyone expected, Marshall still has the makings of an NCAA Tournament team. As one coach said in a text to&nbsp;The Athletic,&nbsp;even with everything that was going on behind the scenes, the Shockers were in position to make the NCAA Tournament. “Marshall is a helluva coach,” the coach wrote.Marshall likes the core that stayed put. “Solid, man,” he said. “Solid.” The defections obviously shook the program, but in Gilbert, the Shockers have a guard who could address their biggest weakness last year — someone with the quickness to create separation off the bounce and make the game easier for others. And by not having as many players eligible, Marshall and his staff should have an easier time managing minutes.

Why Wichita State lost 8 players — and what Gregg Marshall did to counter it

CHICAGO (AP) — Ed Farmer rooted for the White Sox growing up on Chicago’s South Side and went on to become an All-Star reliever for them.

Where he really made his mark was in their radio booth the past three decades. Whether he was calling no-hitters, chronicling a championship season in 2005 or simply telling entertaining stories, Farmer was an inviting voice who brought listeners along for the ride.

The White Sox said he died Wednesday night in Los Angeles at age 70 following complications from an illness.

“He was just kind of like a staple in the scenery of the White Sox,” former White Sox star Paul Konerko said Thursday.

Farmer was born in suburban Evergreen Park. He starred in baseball and basketball at St. Rita High and went on to pitch for eight teams over 11 seasons, going 30-43 ERA and 75 saves.

Farmer’s best years were with the White Sox from 1979-81. He was an All-Star in 1980, when he saved 30 games — then a club record.

Farmer worked as a major league scout for the Baltimore Orioles and spent time in the White Sox’s front office before joining the radio booth on a part-time basis in 1991. He settled in as a full-time analyst alongside announcer John Rooney from 1992 to 2005. Farmer assumed play-by-play duties in 2006 and completed his 29th season in the booth in 2019.&nbsp;

“He called no-hitters, perfect games and of course, a World Series championship,” White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said in a statement. “His experience as a major league All-Star pitcher, his wry sense of clubhouse humor, his love of baseball and his passion for the White Sox combined to make White Sox radio broadcasts the sound of summer for millions of fans. Ed grew up a Sox fan on the south side of Chicago and his allegiance showed every single night on the radio as he welcomed his ‘friends’ to the broadcast.”

Farmer called perfect games by Mark Buehrle against Tampa Bay in 2009 and Phillip Humber at Seattle in 2012 as well as Hall of Famer Jim Thome’s 500th homer. Just as notable as the events he witnessed were the relationships he developed and the impact he had on the booth and the franchise.

Darrin Jackson, his broadcast partner since 2009, recalled Farmer bringing him along to golf with former President George W. Bush.

“All he (Farmer) did was put a phone call in and say, ‘I want to get together with you and play some golf,’” said Jackson, a former outfielder whose bond with Farmer developed when he played for the White Sox in 1994. “(Bush) said, ‘Bring Darrin along and we’ll play.’ I don’t think you could have a friend that had higher-ups than Ed Farmer did and I was fortunate enough to meet most of them.”

A choked-up Jackson said the booth was a unique place with Farmer.

“There was nobody in Chicago or anywhere else that would bring in more new fans to that organization than Ed Farmer,” he said. “You could be a Cardinal fan. You could be a fan of anybody and he would have you up in our booth and you’d be converted instantly. He’s that guy. ... It was something special to be around.”

Konerko remembered Farmer, a loyal Notre Dame football fan, arranging a tour of the school’s facilities there for them.

“Twelve years later I’d walk in just on a normal Tuesday and he’s like, ‘Have you been on the field at Notre Dame?’” Konerko said. “He was great at dishing it out to people. ... But I would say the best part about Eddie is he could take it.”&nbsp;

Farmer missed time last season for health reasons. He called a spring training game this year before returning to California in February.

Farmer battled Polycystic Kidney Disease — an inherited disorder that causes the organ to enlarge and lose function, according to the Mayo Clinic — and became an advocate for organ donation after a transplant from his brother in 1991. He served on the board of directors of the Polycystic Kidney Disease Research Foundation and testified before the U.S. House of Representatives about the disease in 1995. He also supported the state of Illinois organ donor program.

“The hard part is this,” Jackson said. “I know what Ed’s been dealing with — he and his family — since last season. And I know how hard he worked to be prepared for this year. He was strong. He was coming back.”&nbsp;

Farmer is survived by wife Barbara and daughter Shanda.

CHICAGO (AP) — Ed Farmer rooted for the White Sox growing up on Chicago’s South Side and went on to become an All-Star reliever for them.Where he really made his mark was in their radio booth the past three decades. Whether he was calling no-hitters, chronicling a championship season in 2005 or simply telling entertaining stories, Farmer was an inviting voice who brought listeners along for the ride.The White Sox said he died Wednesday night in Los Angeles at age 70 following complications from an illness.“He was just kind of like a staple in the scenery of the White Sox,” former White Sox star Paul Konerko said Thursday.Farmer was born in suburban Evergreen Park. He starred in baseball and basketball at St. Rita High and went on to pitch for eight teams over 11 seasons, going 30-43 ERA and 75 saves.Farmer’s best years were with the White Sox from 1979-81. He was an All-Star in 1980, when he saved 30 games — then a club record.Farmer worked as a major league scout for the Baltimore Orioles and spent time in the White Sox’s front office before joining the radio booth on a part-time basis in 1991. He settled in as a full-time analyst alongside announcer John Rooney from 1992 to 2005. Farmer assumed play-by-play duties in 2006 and completed his 29th season in the booth in 2019.&nbsp;“He called no-hitters, perfect games and of course, a World Series championship,” White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said in a statement. “His experience as a major league All-Star pitcher, his wry sense of clubhouse humor, his love of baseball and his passion for the White Sox combined to make White Sox radio broadcasts the sound of summer for millions of fans. Ed grew up a Sox fan on the south side of Chicago and his allegiance showed every single night on the radio as he welcomed his ‘friends’ to the broadcast.”Farmer called perfect games by Mark Buehrle against Tampa Bay in 2009 and Phillip Humber at Seattle in 2012 as well as Hall of Famer Jim Thome’s 500th homer. Just as notable as the events he witnessed were the relationships he developed and the impact he had on the booth and the franchise.Darrin Jackson, his broadcast partner since 2009, recalled Farmer bringing him along to golf with former President George W. Bush.“All he (Farmer) did was put a phone call in and say, ‘I want to get together with you and play some golf,’” said Jackson, a former outfielder whose bond with Farmer developed when he played for the White Sox in 1994. “(Bush) said, ‘Bring Darrin along and we’ll play.’ I don’t think you could have a friend that had higher-ups than Ed Farmer did and I was fortunate enough to meet most of them.”A choked-up Jackson said the booth was a unique place with Farmer.“There was nobody in Chicago or anywhere else that would bring in more new fans to that organization than Ed Farmer,” he said. “You could be a Cardinal fan. You could be a fan of anybody and he would have you up in our booth and you’d be converted instantly. He’s that guy. ... It was something special to be around.”Konerko remembered Farmer, a loyal Notre Dame football fan, arranging a tour of the school’s facilities there for them.“Twelve years later I’d walk in just on a normal Tuesday and he’s like, ‘Have you been on the field at Notre Dame?’” Konerko said. “He was great at dishing it out to people. ... But I would say the best part about Eddie is he could take it.”&nbsp;Farmer missed time last season for health reasons. He called a spring training game this year before returning to California in February.Farmer battled Polycystic Kidney Disease — an inherited disorder that causes the organ to enlarge and lose function, according to the Mayo Clinic — and became an advocate for organ donation after a transplant from his brother in 1991. He served on the board of directors of the Polycystic Kidney Disease Research Foundation and testified before the U.S. House of Representatives about the disease in 1995. He also supported the state of Illinois organ donor program.“The hard part is this,” Jackson said. “I know what Ed’s been dealing with — he and his family — since last season. And I know how hard he worked to be prepared for this year. He was strong. He was coming back.”&nbsp;Farmer is survived by wife Barbara and daughter Shanda.

Ed Farmer, White Sox broadcaster, former pitcher, dies at 70

Alabama coach Nick Saban doesn’t believe extending preseason camp for college football teams around the country is necessarily the best way to get them ready for the season.

Saban said Thursday that he’d prefer some “teaching sessions on the field” over the summer to prepare for camp, even if it is in shorts and T-shirts. The coronavirus pandemic led to the cancellation of spring sports, including football practices, across the nation.

Saban isn’t sold on the idea of extending fall camp.

“If you look at statistics historically on concussions, injuries … the most concentrated time that you practice and not play is in fall camp,” Saban said on a conference call with reporters. “You have more practices, you have to spend more time on the field. So I don’t know that increasing that is going to be beneficial in getting people ready to play.&nbsp;

“I think if you could do simulated training programs in the summertime that wouldn’t involve that much contact, or even any contact, that would be just as beneficial at that point.”

In the meantime, he’s still doing the 7:30 a.m. meetings with staff — just on line instead of in person. Parts of the afternoon are devoted to video conferences and phone calls with recruits.

They work on specific techniques in video sessions with players.

Alabama coach Nick Saban doesn’t believe extending preseason camp for college football teams around the country is necessarily the best way to get them ready for the season.Saban said Thursday that he’d prefer some “teaching sessions on the field” over the summer to prepare for camp, even if it is in shorts and T-shirts. The coronavirus pandemic led to the cancellation of spring sports, including football practices, across the nation.Saban isn’t sold on the idea of extending fall camp.“If you look at statistics historically on concussions, injuries … the most concentrated time that you practice and not play is in fall camp,” Saban said on a conference call with reporters. “You have more practices, you have to spend more time on the field. So I don’t know that increasing that is going to be beneficial in getting people ready to play.&nbsp;“I think if you could do simulated training programs in the summertime that wouldn’t involve that much contact, or even any contact, that would be just as beneficial at that point.”In the meantime, he’s still doing the 7:30 a.m. meetings with staff — just on line instead of in person. Parts of the afternoon are devoted to video conferences and phone calls with recruits.They work on specific techniques in video sessions with players.Saban made it clear he didn’t want to address speculation about whether there would be a football season.“I never really answer hypothetical questions,” he said. “I’m sure that everybody’s going to want me to speculate on what’s going to happen in the future, and nobody really knows. It’s very uncertain. It’s uncertain times.“I think we have to fight through the process of what we need to do on a day to day basis to make good choices and decisions, to the right thing at the right time regardless of the circumstance.”