» The NCAA men’s basketball rules committee has recommended a package of proposed changes, including a 30-second shot clock, a reduction in timeouts (!), and a sixth foul. The proposed rule changes could be approved in June.

» With Nike’s help, Oregon athletics turned itself into a national brand. A year ago, the university started a $20 million plan to try and do the same for its academic stature.

» Former Washington State quarterback Connor Halliday has retired before starting his NFL rookie minicamp. According to ESPN, Halliday “lost his love for football” after injuring his leg last November.

» Former UW offensive lineman Ben Riva talks about life after football, which has seen him drop 65 pounds since January and begin studying to become a stockbroker.

» Virtual reality training could change how quarterbacks prepare — especially backups who don’t get as many live reps.

» Count Utah’s Kyle Whittingham among the coaches in favor of the graduate transfer rule: “For the student-athlete that comes to your university and does what he’s supposed to do in getting his degree … they should have some latitude.”

» Langston Morris-Walker has a bunion so painful that he recently took to wearing a boot. The Oregon State guard will miss a month of offseason workouts.

» Arizona coach Sean Miller thinks Cal could win a national championship. Cuonzo Martin still thinks the Pac-12 “goes through Arizona.”

» Stanley Johnson said training with Kobe Bryant last summer made for “the hardest workouts of my life.”

» Mike Bercovici may have just completed the best spring camp of any Arizona State quarterback he’s seen, said offensive coordinator Mike Norvell.