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(02/17/11 1:08am)
Margaret Cho will be the headliner for the spring comedy show on Saturday, March 26. An opener has yet to be confirmed. The show will be on the Kendall Hall Main Stage. Doors will open at 7 p.m., and the show will begin at 8 p.m. Tickets are $5 for students. Additional ticket information to come.
CUB’s annual spring concert, set for Tuesday, March 29, will feature LMFAO, 3OH!3 and Mike Posner. The event will take place in the Recreation Center. Doors will open at 7:30 p.m. and the show will begin at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 for students, $20 for other N.J. state school students. Tickets go on sale in the Brower Student Center Box Office Wednesday, March 2 and will run 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. the first day and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day after. Students may purchase two tickets with their valid ID.
(02/17/11 12:37am)
In Week 5 of Around the Dorm, the “Ref,” Caroline Russomanno, challenges Staff Writer Kevin Lee, Sports Assistant Alex Wolfe and Senior Editor Bobby Olivier to answer questions about what the X-factor of Super Bowl XLV was, how the Yankees will cope now that Andy Pettitte is retired and if Americans Bode Miller and Lindsey Vonn can bounce back and reach their Olympic aspirations.
1. Super Bowl XLV is over, with the Green Bay Packers reigning supreme. What was X-factor that allowed the Packers to overcome the Pittsburgh Steelers?
KL: The X-factor in Super Bowl XLV was quarterback play. The most important part of Aaron Rodgers’ performance last Sunday was his ability to keep control of the ball, with no turnovers. On the other hand, Rodgers’ nemesis, Ben Roethlisberger, threw two interceptions. The two interceptions were pivotal plays in the game as one was returned for a touchdown and the other led to a touchdown score. Put simply, Rodgers outplayed Roethlisberger in every facet.
AW: Plain and simple, it was the turnovers. Roethlisberger threw two interceptions, and Mendenhall lost a key fumble late in the game, which led to the Packers scoring 21 of their 31 points. Without those key turnovers, the Steelers would have won the game in all likelihood. Other than the turnovers, Aaron Rodgers had a very solid game with his three touchdowns, and he helped Green Bay make the most of their turnovers. He threw for 304 yards, three touchdowns and over 60 percent completions. Overall, though, I think it was the Pittsburgh turnovers (and the lack thereof by Green Bay) that decided the Super Bowl.
BO: The X-Factor for the Packers was the fact that they were able to jump out to a lead early and keep pressure on Ben Roethlisberger. Pittsburgh is not a team designed for a shoot-out, much more so for a hard-nosed, low scoring game where they can control the flow of the game with their tightfisted defense. Falling behind 21-3 created a very steep climb for the Steelers to endure, and Green Bay’s pass rush was able to keep Big Ben off balance and caused many errant passes, including the pick-six that gave the Packers the 14-0 lead. On the final drive, when the Steelers had a chance to pull off a huge comeback, it was again pressure on Roethlisberger that caused three incomplete passes and sealed the win for Green Bay.
CR: Bobby gets the 3 for pointing out that the Steelers couldn’t play the game the way they needed to with the Packers taking the early lead. Alex gets 2 for stressing the importance of the Steelers’ turnovers. Kevin gets 1 for pointing out how well Rodgers played.
2. Andy Pettitte broke the collective hearts of Yankee fans last week when he finally retired. How will the Yankees’ rotation work without him?
KL: Right now the Yankees’ rotation is set at CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, Phil Hughes, Ivan Nova and Sergio Mitre. With that starting five, the rotation is in serious trouble.
Burnett struggled all of last season and wasn’t even counted on in the post season. Nova and Mitre are unreliable in the sense that neither has the ability to hold up for a full season’s workload. However, I expect Phil Hughes to continue his growth as a pitcher and become a very reliable No. 2 behind Sabathia. The Yankees do have three outstanding pitching prospects in Manny Banuelos, Dellin Betances and Andrew Brackman. All in all, the Yankees farm system is deep, and they could pull off a trade for a starting pitcher, such as Francisco Liriano. It’s really the lack of depth behind Sabathia and Hughes that worries me the most.
AW: The Yankees’ rotation has the potential to either be good or bad this year, but if it ends up being good, it will likely be at the expense of their bullpen. Pettitte was probably due to retire anyway, but the problem this presents to the Yankees is who will fill their fourth and fifth slot in the rotation. They have Sabathia obviously, with Hughes and Burnett behind him. The four and five spots in the rotation are question marks, with Ivan Nova (who?) and Sergio Mitre listed on the depth chart currently. This could lead the Yankees to bring Joba Chamberlain back to being a starting pitcher once again, as they did a couple years ago, with the only problem there being that their set-up man position would be open again. Lastly, the Yankees did sign veterans Bartolo Colon and Freddy Garcia to minor league deals this year, so if one of those two can step up, the Yankees’ rotation could be very formidable.
BO: The rotation will work HARD without Andy Pettitte this season. CC Sabathia will work hard to maintain his 20-game-winning abilities, as they will need him to be the ace and then some. Phil Hughes will work hard to make sure last season’s success was not a fluke and that he can get wins without a ton of run support if he has to. A.J. Burnett, the crucial cog in this whole system, will work hard to regain focus and recapture his control and tenacity from 2009. And Ivan Nova, Sergio Mitre, Freddy Garcia and Bartolo Colon will work hard to snatch and hold fast to a place in this rotation, as come the trade deadline, the Yankees will be working hard to find the missing piece. It’s going to be a bumpy season.
CR: Alex gets 3 for pointing out that Pettitte has been close to retirement for years and the Yankees should have been prepared. Bobby gets 2 for stressing the hardships the Yankees will go through this season. Kevin gets 1 for mentioning the minor league prospects the Yankees have.
3. Olympic champions and Americans Bode Miller and Lindsey Vonn both underperformed at the Winter World Championships this past week. What can they do to step it up and reach their prior Olympic glory?
KL: For both it’s all about focus. After having incredibly successful winter Olympics, both have been involved in too much media. Their Olympic glory and fame has really retracted from Miller and Vonn’s abilities to hit the slopes and train. It’s a natural feeling to not have the same hunger after having success. Both have the natural abilities to be the best in their sport, but again, it’s all about getting their heads on straight. Soon enough, both will get back into the groove of things and once again will be back on the gold medal podium.
AW: Winter sports tend to be a young person’s game, so to me, it isn’t a huge surprise that Lindsey Vonn and Bode Miller aren’t keeping up with the younger skiers these days. Vonn is now 27 and Miller is 33, and winter events tend to attract the going-pro-at-16 crowd. Yes, they both performed very well at the Winter Olympics last year, but it’s entirely possible that they might be getting beyond their respective primes. Overall, I think that Vonn has a greater chance to rebound than Miller because her lack of success has been mostly injury-driven, while Miller has a history of performing in spurts.
BO: I honestly know nothing about either athlete beyond them being the faces of U.S. alpine skiing, so I will answer this question to the best of my ability. I think that Bode Miller needs to eat more string cheese. You may be asking what string cheese has to do with alpine skiing, but think about it: If Miller eats more string cheese and performs better in the Olympics, he can credit the string cheese for a boost in energy and improved focus. If he does no better, well, the string cheese could not possibly have had anything to do with it. I mean, come on, it’s just string cheese. Lindsey Vonn needs to be shorter. She is 5-foot-10, and her lanky figure is clearly creating too much drag. Send her to Hollywood. They do stuff like that there, right?
CR: Alex gets 3 for talking about Miller and Vonn’s ages and injuries. Kevin gets 2 for saying that they need to get their heads in the game. Bobby gets 1 for not taking a question about a perfectly legitimate sport seriously.
Alex wins this week’s AtD, 8 - 6- 4.
(02/10/11 1:40am)
In Week 4 of Around the Dorm, the “Ref,” Brandon Gould, challenges Correspondent Joshua Fidler, News Editor Hilarey Wojtowicz and Editor-in-Chief Caroline Russomanno to answer questions about which team brought in the best recruiting class in 2011, whether or not the new points system will work for NASCAR and if Fernando Torres was worth all the money Chelsea paid to get him.
1. National Signing Day for college football was last Wednesday. Which team pulled in the best recruiting class?
JF: I don’t think this question can be answered until Jadeveon Clowney and Cyrus Kouandjio fully commit to a school. Clowney is considered by many to be the top prospect, and some see him to be the next Mario Williams. All of that aside, I am going to go out on a limb and say that Florida State University got the best draft class this year. They have 12 of the top 150 recruits according to ESPN. That’s two more than the next best schools, the University of Alabama and University of Southern California. This could all change because of Kouandjio and especially Clowney who is expected to sign Feb. 14.
HW: Looks like Florida State University pulled in a solid recruiting class with 12 of the ESPNU 150 and a total of 29 commits. Of those 29, one ranked as a five-star, while 17 were four-star athletes. The Seminoles have had a solid team for a while now and with the additions of safety Karlos Williams, a scouts’ grade of 87, according to ESPN, Florida State is off to a good start for 2011. They definitely have the best recruiting classes of this year.
CR: So many schools signed many five-star and four-star players, that it was hard to choose just one. So, I decided to answer the question a little differently. Which team pulled in the best recruiting class for the team? My answer — Rutgers. Rutgers hasn’t been in the national spotlight since 2006, and since then, their biggest job has been to slowly rebuild what was lost. With the signing of only one five-star player, running-back Savon Huggins, it seems bleak, but I think the team they are putting together will benefit them in the future, especially with the addition of quarterback Gary Nova of Don Bosco. The Scarlet Knights are in it to win it again in a few years, and this class will help them do this.
BG: Caroline gets 3 for throwing me a curveball and picking Rutgers. Hilarey gets 2 for picking Florida State, who was ranked No. 1 by ESPN. Joshua gets 1 for pointing out that the classes aren’t set yet.
2. NASCAR chairman and CEO Brian France recently announced that a new points system will be in place for the sport’s top three series, which he claims will make the sport simpler for fans to follow. Good idea or bad idea?
JF: I am all for making things easier for NASCAR fans. In a sport where the object is to drive in a circle, anything complicated can’t be too great for the sport. But in all seriousness I do believe that this is a good thing for NASCAR. You will always find die-hard fans who don’t want the sport to change. You found this in baseball when the wild
card was put into the playoffs. At first many were against it, but now it has been a huge success.
HW: NASCAR is honestly a confusing sport as it is, so maybe with this new points system there will be more fans because it will be easier to understand. The points system isn’t a bad idea because I think it will give the sport a little more excitement, especially for those die-hard fans that are out there. Brian France is only trying to help NASCAR and it looks like a solid plan.
CR: Considering I’m pretty sure I’ve never watched a second of NASCAR except for flipping through the channels and pausing briefly, I’ll say this is a good idea. After comparing the old system with the new system, I think it definitely sounds simpler (less points are awarded, making the points easier to follow). I think the most important thing that this new system is almost forcing on drivers is consistency. In the old system, the difference between first and last place in points was 20 percent. But under the new system, it’s only two. France said this would encourage consistency and I think that consistency is one of the most important things in sports.
BG: Joshua gets 3 because I think fans will indeed like this system once they get used to it. Caroline gets 2 for backing her argument up with percentages. Hilarey gets 1 for commending Brian France’s efforts.
3. Chelsea signed Fernando Torres from Liverpool for $79.5 million, which broke the English transfer record. Will Torres be worth it?
JF: Speaking financially, Torres is a great move for Chelsea. The revenue created by sale of his jerseys will help decrease the actual value that Chelsea is paying. I think the most exciting aspect of this transfer will be the pairing of Torres with Didier Drogba. Drogba is one of the top players in the game. Putting these two on the same team will cause havoc for defensemen and goalies everywhere. So in answering the question posed, he will do great, especially now that he is with Drogba.
HW: Chelsea signed Fernando Torres for $79.5 million in January. That is a lot of money, and I’m not saying that Torres isn’t worth it, but they would have signed him for even more in the summer if they had taken the chance then. Torres was worth more during the summer because he was playing better. As time went on, his heart wasn’t in Liverpool anymore and he even said himself that he needed to do what was best for him, which was signing with a team that would be winning games and would further his career as a player. $79.5 million is a lot, but I think he’ll be worth it because he’ll put everything he’s got into playing with Chelsea now.
CR: Torres wasn’t happy at Liverpool (I mean, he did declare publically that he wanted to move on and he put in a request for transfer — “The Decision”-esque, anyone?), so he’ll be pleased to be somewhere else, and he’ll play his hardest (Randy Moss style). But will his hardest be worth it for Chelsea? Besides the fact that they’ve said they expect to make back the $80 million solely on purchases of Torres’ No. 9 blue jersey, yes, I think he’s worth it. He’s a goal-netting machine, and he plays well under pressure (like in Spain’s 1-0 win over Germany in the UEFA Euro 2008 Final, where he scored the only goal). So, yes, he’s a great addition and asset to any team.
BG: Caroline gets 3 for addressing the potential jersey sales and for describing Torres as a goal-netting machine. Joshua pointed out that the combination of Torres and Drogba will be deadly, so he gets 2. Hilarey gets 1 for saying Torres would have cost more in the summer.
Caroline wins this week’s AtD, 8 - 6 - 4
(02/03/11 5:11am)
In Week 3 of Around the Dorm, the “Ref,” Alex Wolfe, challenges Sports Editor Brandon Gould, Staff Writer Kevin Lee and Correspondent Mark Barroso to answer questions about who deserves to be the MVP of the NBA at this point in the season, whether or not Tiger Woods will regain the No. 1 ranking in 2011 and what will be the impact of the new format of the 2011 NHL All-Star Game.
1. We’re a little over halfway through the NBA season and a lot of players have had breakout seasons. Who is the NBA MVP at this point and why?
BG: The easy answers are Kevin Durant, and Amar’e Stoudemire, but the real answer is Dirk Nowitzki. Nowitzki trails Durant and Stoudemire in points-per-game and in assist-per-game, so if you want statistical evidence that Nowitzki deserves the MVP more at this point, I can’t give it to you. What I can tell you is that no team needs a player more than the Dallas Mavericks need Nowitzki. The Mavericks’ record is currently 29-16, but their record in games when Nowitzki has sat out is 2-9. His numbers aren’t going to wow anyone, but his value to his team is second to none and that’s the true definition of the MVP.
KL: The NBA’s league MVP is Chris Paul for his ability to win basketball games and make his teammates better. Last year the Hornets went a combined 37-45, but this year the Hornets are already at 31 wins at just 47 games into the season, with virtually the same team. Sure Paul’s scoring numbers are down but that’s a testament to his ability to make his teammates better. The fact that the Hornets really didn’t acquire any major free agents and still have one of the best records in the Western Conference and in the NBA makes Paul’s season all the more spectacular.
MB: Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose is currently the most valuable player in the NBA. Although his average of 8.1 assists a game ranks him 10th in the league, he also averages 24.6 points per game which is seventh in the NBA. Voters in Miami will split their votes between Dwayne Wade and Lebron James, Kobe Bryant is the obvious yet boring choice, and the Knicks have to win more for Amar’e Stoudemire to be considered. Rose has led the Bulls to the second best winning percentage in the Eastern Conference without the help of his two big men, Joakim Noah and Carlos Boozer, who have both missed over 15 games due to injury.
AW: The answer I was looking for here as a Knicks fan was Amar’e, but Mark gets 3 for making a good argument for Rose. Brandon gets 2 because despite Dirk’s impact on his team, numbers do tend to dictate MVP candidacy. I give 1 to Kevin because Paul has turned a team that missed the playoffs into the second best in the league.
2. Tiger Woods recently dropped to No. 3 in the world rankings. This ended Tiger’s five year reign at the top after a miserable 2010. Will Tiger reclaim his top spot in 2011?
BG: Yes, I think Tiger Woods will be able to reclaim his top spot in 2011. Woods had a lot to deal with in 2010 after the whole fiasco on Thanksgiving in 2009 and then all the
information that was revealed afterward. Woods went from superhero and master of the golf club to just a regular old John Doe with a sex addiction. As his name was pulled through the mud, Woods also saw his family crumble to the ground. It’s easy to hold athletes to a higher standard, but that is a lot for a person to deal with. Now that Woods has had time to cope with all that has happened to him, he can focus on golf once again, and there’s nothing worse than a superior athlete that has a little extra motivation.
KL: Absolutely. I believe that Tiger struggled last year not because of the scandal but simply being away from the game. I’m sure that Tiger did struggle emotionally with the scandal, but Tiger is one of the most mentally tough athletes. His ability to focus on the game of golf once he hits the course is absolutely phenomenal. Tiger lost a lot of time away from the golf course (nearly 20 weeks), and as a result, he went into a lot of tournaments cold. Golf is a game of repetition, and Tiger wasn’t able to get the adequate preparation he needed to perform at his level. Tiger is a good enough golfer to make the necessary adjustments mechanics-wise to once again ascend to the top. As a result, I don’t think it was so much the mental aspect that caused Tiger to struggle, but rather, the ability for him to swing the golf club at his normal ability.
MB: Tiger Woods’ last PGA Tour victory was over 500 days ago at the 2009 BMW Championship. Last year at this time, he was in a Mississippi rehab center for addiction after being caught “out late” with many women. According to Tiger, he is now fully healthy. However, Woods hasn’t been in the best shape the past couple of years. Since 2008, Woods broke his leg, had ACL surgery, tore his Achilles tendon, had a neck injury and received a cortisone shot for his sore ankle. Woods has to stay healthy in order to knock off his younger and more experienced competitors in 2011.
AW: Kevin gets the 3 for pointing out Tiger’s crazy level of focus on the golf course and his ability to address his shortcomings and improve his game. Brandon gets 2 for pointing out that Tiger is, indeed, a human being and can finally focus on golf. Mark gets 1 because I didn’t really see it as a clear answer.
3. The NHL All-Star game made an interesting move this year, instituting a fantasy draft where two captains (selected by their peers) get to pick teams, grade school dodgeball-style. Is this just a gimmick, or is this something that could bring interest back to the All-Star game concept in other sports?
BG: I’m all for this. It’s not like these guys have a choice to pick just anyone in the league. The All-Stars have been selected already, so all the captains are doing is picking from that small pool of players. The All-Star game doesn’t count for anything and is all about having fun, which is why they include skill competitions in most sports. Professional athletes have been scouted, picked, traded, signed and cut, so let some of them have a little fun and have the power for once. Eric Staal of the Carolina Hurricanes is one of the two captains and two of the players in the pool of All-Stars are his brother, Marc Staal, and his teammate, Cam Ward. So, if it comes down to it, will he pick them or someone else? Who knows, but it will sure be interesting to find out.
KL: Regardless of how they format an All-Star game, it will always be an exhibition game causing people to turn away. Even when the MLB has their All-Star game decide homefield advantage, the game is still managed and has that feeling of an exhibition game. These games are meant for the fans, and it might garner some interest to a degree. Ultimately, the interest of All-Star games is going to lie solely on the effort that the athletes themselves want to put into the game. The fact that the games will always be viewed as an exhibition will never garner the interest of athletes themselves and subsequently the fans.
MB: This concept can bring interest back to the NHL because sports fans are familiar with this system. People can tune into games to see who the players feel are the best picks. It will be interesting to see if the captains choose the best players or the players that suit them best. More importantly, being named captain of an All-Star team of your choosing garners you plenty of attention, especially in a league that is struggling to increase ratings.
AW: Brandon gets the 3 here for pointing out the intrigue of how a player chooses his team. Mark gets 2 for pointing out the familiarity of a fantasy draft to the average fan. Kevin gets 1 for bashing All-Star games.
Brandon wins this week’s AtD, 7 - 6 - 5
(02/01/11 1:53am)
In Week 2 of Around the Dorm, the “Ref,” Caroline Russomanno, challenges Staff Writer Krystal Spencer, Sports Assistant Alex Wolfe and Senior Editor Bobby Olivier to answer questions about who is the best team in women’s college basketball, what was wrong with some of the NFL teams who are currently sitting on their couches and what was the best move of the MLB offseason.
1. Now that the UConn Huskies’ winning streak is snapped at 90 games and they are no longer ranked No. 1, are they still the most dominant team in women’s college basketball or has another team taken over their long-held top spot?
KS: Come on, let’s not let a number dictate public opinion. The No. 6-ranked teams of the AFC and NFC Championships are in their respective championship games. With that being said, the UConn Huskies are the No. 1-ranked women’s team. Yes, Stanford is their Achilles’ heel, but they’re the only one. On the other hand UConn is EVERYONE’S Achilles’ Heel, and they each probably have more than just the Huskies in their way to being the best. Once UConn learns how to effectively rise above Stanford, another 90-game run and a set of NCAA Championships are on the horizon.
AW: Luckily for the Huskies, one loss does not define an entire season. The UConn women lost to Stanford, the No. 9-ranked team in the polls at the time. However, it’s not like that was the only high-ranked team the Huskies played all year. They beat No. 1-ranked Baylor earlier in the season, and they have also played four other teams in the top 25, most recently besting No. 11-ranked North Carolina. Most of the time losing is bad, but in the case of the UConn ladies, it could work in their favor, because they don’t have to worry about all of the media attention and opponent attention to their winning streak. With more time to just focus on basketball again, UConn should come out on top once again this year.
BO: I’m going to be honest. I have not watched one second of women’s college basketball since Stanford downed UConn, but I do believe that UConn is still the team to beat come tournament time. It’s hard to argue with back-to-back national championships, and many of the current Huskies were on those teams and have that invaluable experience. Maya Moore is still the most recognizable and, arguably, most dominant player in the country, and few can match Geno Auriemma’s ability to drive his team to succeed. Even though UConn is no longer perfect, it’s tough to pick against them in a big spot. They get my vote.
CR: Alex gets 3 for recognizing what I’ve thought all along: that less media attention is what the Huskies needed to just play their game. Bobby gets 2 for mentioning the powerhouse that is Maya Moore and Geno’s drive (when the suit jacket comes off, you know the other team’s in trouble). Krystal gets 1 for not backing up her answer enough.
2. While everyone else is focusing on the teams still in the playoffs, let’s focus on the teams that should still be in and aren’t, like the Colts, Patriots and Saints. What went wrong and what do these teams need to do to get back on track for next season?
KS: The Pats don’t need to do anything except stop losing clutch games. They had a great season, aside for a set of losses to the Jets. The Brady/Bellichick combo is easily the best duo in the league, and
there’s nothing consistently bad about it. The Colts got lucky to even make the playoffs with all of their injuries. And as for the Saints, well the Saints need to drop Butterfingers Bush permanently and use Chris Ivory in the backfield.
AW: The Colts had one of their weakest seasons this past year by their standards, but the Colts will continue their formula of putting weapons around Manning and having a potent offensive attack without much defense.The Saints lost to a talented team that plays about 10 times better at home than on the road. The biggest thing that I took out of the Saints game is not that the Saints need to improve anything but that the NFL needs to change their seeding rules. There’s no way to justify a 7-9 team hosting an 11-5 team. The Patriots are the team that probably has the least to worry about of any of the teams mentioned here. They have a very solid offense run by Brady and their defense is passable. Whatever deficiencies that the Patriots have should be able to be filled through the draft this year with two picks in each of the first three rounds.
BO: The Colts were more unlucky than anything in their loss to the Jets, falling on a game-winning field goal, but as far as next season, Indianapolis needs to beable to stop the run. They ranked 25th in rush defense this season, even with defensive ends Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis making the Pro Bowl. As far as the Patriots’ loss goes, there is little to improve on after a 14-2 season, but in the Jets game, the Patriots had real trouble keeping the heat off of Tom Brady. Better pass protection should be at the top of the list in the offseason. With the Saints, it was a few things: Seattle is a tough place to play, they thought they would beat up on the lowly 7-9 Seahawks, and most importantly, their two top rushers and the cogs that make that whole offense function were out. New Orleans could not expect Reggie Bush to perform as the every-down back in that game, and sure enough, that’s what happened. Like the Colts, the Saints also have trouble stopping the run. A stopper would be a solid move this Spring.
CR: Bobby gets the 3 for talking in detail about the lack of defense from the teams. Alex gets 2 for pointing out the stupid seeding on the NFL’s part for the Seahawks/Saints game. Krystal gets 1 for calling Reggie Bush Butterfingers — I like it.
3. I know most of us are concerned about football right now, but what was the best move of the MLB offseason?
KS: If anyone else says anything excpet Cliff Lee’s triumphant return to the Philadelphia Phillies, he or she is a liar. When this story broke in the middle of the night, Phanatics were certain Christmas came early. His move was carefully watched, and with links to the Yankees, his return to Philadelphia for a lesser amount than New York’s bid was epic. His return to the Phillies might be that missing link that’s kept us from our next World Series title.
AW: I’m going to go with the Boston Red Sox’s signings (and trades) for the best move by a team. They traded for two-time former All-Star first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, who has been one of the most dangerous hitters in the league for the better part of the last five years. This fills a need for them in the batting order after losing Adrian Beltre to the Rangers. The Sox also added Carl Crawford, who will give them a deadly one-two punch at the top of the lineup with Dustin Pedroia. Lastly, the Sox added Bobby Jenks, the very successful closer from the White Sox who will shore up their bullpen and provide a quality set-up man for Jonathan Papelbon.
BO: How could it not be Cliff Lee? With his return to the Phillies, he has helped to create the best four-man rotation on paper, arguably ever, or at least in recent memory. Lee is a work horse, doesn’t run his mouth, gives the bullpen a rest, is clutch in big games, can get strikeouts, doesn’t walk people and never has a clean hat. What more could you want? Combined with Cy Young winners Roy Halladay and Roy Oswalt, in addition to the rebirth of Cole Hamels, the Phillies offense will have little to no pressure, even with the loss of Jayson Werth. There is no reason Philadelphia shouldn’t win the NL pennant this season. This move will make the difference.
CR: Alex gets 3 for not picking the obvious choice in Cliff Lee, but for pointing out that the Red Sox have beefed up their lineup and bullpen. Bobby gets 2 for talking about the Phillies’ ridiculous rotation. Krystal gets the 1 for rubbing it in too much for this Yankee fan.
Alex wins this week’s AtD, 8 - 7- 3.
(01/21/11 10:29pm)
Nominations for the 83rd Academy Awards will be announced at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 25. Below, Signal staffers offer their takes on the year’s best films and those that didn’t measure up.
Yay: “Black Swan”
“Black Swan” is perfection. Though extreme, the psychological thriller captures the mentality of anyone who has required perfection of themselves and the self-destruction that ensues, ballerina or not.
To those who protest the pervasive sexuality in the movie, I say, calm the fuck down. It’s essential to the theme and effect of the film. By creating these two extreme personalities — the pure white swan and the demonic black — Nina (Natalie Portman) is unable to exist between. There is no compromise between the two extremes (there can’t be if truly perfect), which leads to her demise.
Natalie Portman, best actress in a leading role. Or else.
— Katie Brenzel
Nay: “Black Swan”
Bulimic, mentally unstable ballet dancer with an overbearing mother? Original.
A weak plot combined with a shortage of cohesive dance sequences and an unnecessary amount of gore and
promiscuity — most of the theater’s male audience seemed to be there solely for the lesbian sex
scene — thrown in for shock value, “Black Swan” misses the mark. Pretentious, disturbing and overrated.
Non-Oscar-worthy.
— Diana Bubser
Nay: “Toy Story 3”
Though, admittedly, it was adorable, “Toy Story 3” underwhelmed me. (No offense to everyone who enjoyed it.)
While it did make me feel warm and fuzzy inside, just like hugging that pink and strawberry-scented Lotso bear would, the movie didn’t live up to the hype.
The addition of Mr. Pricklepants, a Scottish stuffed-animal porcupine — complete with lederhosen and an accent, was probably my favorite part of the whole movie, and he was barely in it.
Don’t get me wrong, it was a sentimental and satisfying conclusion to the previous films, but when it’s up against movies that feature real people, as in, actual human beings, it should not rank superior.
Sure, I enjoyed it more than “The Social Network,” but compared to “Inception” or “Black Swan” ... well, Andy’s dilemma of whether or not to bring his toys to college just doesn’t measure up in suspense or intensity.
Heart-warming and wholesome? Yes.
The year’s best picture?
Not so much.
— Jamie Primeau
Yay: “Despicable Me”
“Despicable Me” was definitely the best movie of the year. Sorry, “Inception.” Any movie that combines animation, Steve Carell and little adorable yellow guys just has to be good.
Even if you didn’t actually see the movie (shame on you!), you probably laughed at the commercials and ate the delicious minion pancakes at IHOP this summer. It’s a love story that’s not cheesy and a kids’ movie that children of all ages can enjoy.
Even though the 3-D version isn’t any better than the 2-D version, it’s still amazing. If you haven’t seen it yet: What the hell are you waiting for?
— Alyssa Mease
Yay: “Inception”
With films like “Batman Begins” and “The Dark Knight,” Christopher Nolan introduced us to his dark, gritty version of Gotham City.
In 2010, Nolan broadened his directing repertoire with “Inception,” a film that took crime dramas to a new level of consciousness and delivered a staple of filmmaking to new audiences.
“Inception” was THE film of summer 2010. Nolan’s ability to create a heist film which took place within a dream, within a dream, took moviegoers into a world where people could construct your dreams and where something as sacred as an original thought may not be your own after all.
“Inception” was initially showered with praise from many critics, and the often harsh movie site Rotten Tomatoes described it as “smart, innovative and thrilling.” The New York Times called Nolan a “conjurer of brilliant scenes and stunning set pieces.”
The ensemble cast of “Inception” includes great young actors such as Ellen Page and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, working with seasoned veterans Leonardo DiCaprio and Michael Caine. The film’s interesting take on Edith Piaf’s “La Vie en Rose” left moviegoers with sharp memories of a mood-setting score and even drew a funny criticism from “South Park.”
“Inception” should do extremely well with Oscar nominations, and I expect wins in best sound editing, mixing and best visual effects.
— Danny Pazos
Nay: “Never Let Me Go”
Sadness often adds flavor to films. In this sepia-toned British sob story, it’s the main course.
“Never Let Me Go” stars Keira Knightley, Andrew Garfield and Carey Mulligan, playing English boarding school students. They’re also clones whose organs will be harvested at the government’s behest before their 25th birthdays.
Sound fascinating? It could have been.
But the film doesn’t mine the contentious territory its subject matter provides. There’s no conflict between clones and authorities. There’s not much conflict at all.
“Never Let Me Go” doesn’t paint a grand portrait of citizen vs. government, of victim vs. persecutor, of good vs. evil. It paints an intimate portrait of human despair. People brood. Teenagers lose hope. Clouds pelt a drab, grey England with rain.
It’s 100 minutes of agony — and a lot of it feels unnecessary. Though director Mark Romanek does sadness beautifully, that’s really all he does. The idea powering “Never Let Me Go” is rich, but its doomed-romance plot is trite, and, surprisingly, contains little emotional depth.
You realize about five minutes in that this is going to be a sad story. Ninety-five minutes later, you’ve realized little else.
— Emily Brill
(01/21/11 9:24pm)
In Week 1 of Around the Dorm, the “Ref,” Brandon Gould, challenges Staff Writer Ken Mauss, News Editor Hilarey Wojtowicz and Editor-in-Chief Caroline Russomanno to answer questions about which team will be crowned Super Bowl champions by the end of the season, who’s the greatest closer in MLB history and whether or not LeBron James has been making the right decisions.
1. The National Football League season is coming to a close, so who is your favorite to run the table and win the Super Bowl?
KM: The favorite to win the Super Bowl has to be the New England Patriots. They have the best postseason quarterback in the league with Tom Brady, who already has the most postseason wins of any quarterback in league history. They also don’t have to leave Foxboro where they are 8-0 this season and 8-1 in the playoffs behind Tom Brady. The Patriots are the best team in the league and with homefield advantage will be extremely tough to beat.
HW: There is no doubt about it, the New England Patriots, besides being my favorite team, are also my favorite to win the Super Bowl. At 14-2, the Patriots have a bye for the first week of the playoffs and are still going strong. As long as there isn’t an upset in one of their playoff games, like there was the first week with Indianapolis and New Orleans losing, the Patriots will definitely make it to the Super Bowl, and Tom can get another ring for his hand.
CR: Well, I was rooting for the Seahawks because I love to see the underdog surprise everyone, like the ’08 Giants beating the undefeated Patriots, but since the Bears steamrolled them, I’m going to have to go with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Their defense is solid and they’ve looked good in their last few games. Big Ben has been in these situations before, and he shines in them. The Jets offensive line has looked sloppy, the Packers are relying on a young quarterback, who has proven himself so far, but doesn’t have Roethlisberger’s experience, but they’ll still beat the Bears. It all comes down to experience, and the Steelers are the most experienced team this time around. They’ll win it all.
BG: Caroline gets 3 points for mixing it up and picking the Steelers. Experience does play a factor in the postseason and Big Ben has been around the block once or twice. Ken gets 2 points for supplying Tom Brady’s strong record at home in the postseason. Hilarey gets 1 point solely for her love for the Patriots and Tom Brady.
2. Trevor Hoffman has decided to bring an end to his career. Is he the best closer in Major League Baseball history?
KM: Trevor Hoffman is a great closer. That can’t be debated, but best of all time? Unfortunately, he’s not the best closer of his generation. Mariano Rivera is the best closer of all time. He’s only 42 saves
behind Hoffman’s record of 601 saves yet has shown no signs of slowing down at the age of 41. He’s an 11-time All-Star, while Hoffman has seven appearances. The biggest reason for Rivera being better than Hoffman? Rivera has 42 career postseason saves compared to Hoffman’s four.
HW: As of right now, I have to say yes, Trevor Hoffman is the best closer in MLB history. But, with his retirement, other pitchers who are right behind Hoffman, such as Mariano Rivera, are going to get a chance to bypass him in the upcoming seasons. Hoffman is atop the all-time save list with 601, and Rivera is pretty close behind with 559 saves. Both have been named to the All-Star team multiple times and both have also snagged the Relief Pitcher of the Year Award more than once. Right now, yeah it’s obvious that Hoffman is the best in MLB history, but I won’t be surprised if Rivera takes the top spot in another season or two.
CR: No. No, he is not. Mariano Rivera is the best closer in history. And that’s not just the Yankee fan in me talking. Hoffman has 601 saves to Rivera’s 559, and not only did Rivera do it in less time (he debuted two years after Hoffman and was not a closer until a few years after that), but he did it in the pressure cooker that is New York with five championships to boot. Plus, he is still the most lights-out pitcher in baseball. If you’ve been pitching for as long as he has, and guys still can’t figure you out, that’s something. And he’s still playing. If he stays healthy, there’s no doubt in my mind that Rivera will break Hoffman’s record and go down as the best closer in history.
BG: Caroline gets 3 for pointing out that Rivera has had to deal with the pressure of New York. Ken gets 2 for listing postseason save totals. Hilarey gets 1 for giving Hoffman the edge.
3. The Cleveland Cavaliers lost to the Los Angeles Lakers by 55 on Jan. 11 and LeBron James decided to tweet about it. What do you think of the way James has carried himself this season?
KM: LeBron James has carried himself as many view him this season — a villain. He’s accepted that outside of HIS loyal fans (and the 18 actual Miami Heat fans) many are going to despise him, and it seems as though he’s OK growing into the role of the bad guy in the league. I personally don’t mind how he is carrying himself. Most people think he’s the bad guy; now he’s just voluntarily playing the role.
HW: LeBron James has a right to comment about bad karma against the Cavs because of what team owner Dan Gilbert had said back in July about James having bad karma coming his way this season while on the Miami Heat. However, I don’t agree that James should have tweeted about this because, yeah his old team may have lost 11 games in a row, but James hasn’t exactly been a star on the Heat this season either. James can direct the comment, that he claims he received from a friend and only re-tweeted, to Gilbert, but not at the Cavs. That’s kind of low.
CR: I’m really starting to think of LeBron James as one big joke. He keeps making one bad decision after another when it comes to PR and his public image. Why would you possibly do that? It’s one thing to make comments about Cleveland and how they “treated” him (even though I still hold that he treated them worse), but just adding insult to injury? That’s just plain dumb. You’re going to find that the people of Miami are going to start hating you if you don’t bring them a ring (and with the way the Heat’s been playing, that’s more than possible). You know what, LeBron? Karma IS a bitch, and she’s coming after you.
BG: Caroline gets 3 for stating how poor of a decision James’ tweet was and for her powerful closing statement. Hilarey gets 2 for saying that the tweet was a low blow. Ken gets 1 for being okay with James embracing his role as a villian.
Caroline wins this week’s AtD, 9 - 5 - 4
(12/09/10 5:34am)
The Signal reached out to as many of Joe Martin’s friends and fraternity brothers as possible before press time, and the outpouring of positive comments has been inspiring. Below and on page 2 are the quotes sent to The Signal.
Steve Eller, senior management major: “He was the first person I talked to at preference rush for Delta Sigma Pi. Who knew, he’d end up being my big brother on paper, at first, then in real life. Then after getting in, we became unbelievably close. Whenever I was at an event or he was at an event, the other wasn’t too far behind. He was the closest person I have ever had in my life. He was the most loyal friend and was always there for me when times were tough, and I wish he was here for right now. Over the past two years of knowing him, we became best friends and I would never trade that for the world. He knew everything about me and really had my back as if I was his little brother. We would never fight, we’d have our bickering but after five minutes, we’d be right back to how we were. He was always there when I wanted to hang out, and I’m so grateful that he was down as much as he was this semester. He always was about a good time, and would light up the room whenever he walked into it. Even though it’s hard to admit, he is in a better place even if it isn’t right here with us. We were blessed to have known him and the amazing person / friend / brother that he truly was. I can’t wait to see his smile again. I love you Joe, and you’ll always be in my heart.”
TJ Waszkiewicz, senior finance major: “He was such an amazing friend and brother. Joe was one of the best friends I have made while at (the College). I can’t even picture him with anything but a smile on his face. He was always happy and in a good mood and just loved spending time with all his friends. Because he was always so happy, he lifted everyone’s mood just by being around. He was always visiting my friend Steve Eller, and the three of us spent almost every weekend together this summer. I would always count down the days until the weekend because I knew it was going to be a good time. A lot of us looked up to Joe because he always had such a great attitude about everything. Also because he was the only guy we knew who could pick up girls by trying to balance his drink on their head. Somehow, that move worked every time. He was so dedicated to keeping his friendship with all of us even after he graduated and had a full-time job. It is really hard to describe how much we are going to miss Joe, who was so loved by everyone he met.”
Joe Sanseverino, 2010 graduate: “Joe Martin and I lived together for three years at college and pledged Delta Sigma Pi together. We became best of friends throughout our time at (the College), and I am so lucky to have known Joe. He had a huge heart and a personality to match. Joe was such a great friend. He helped me out whenever I was in a jam, or was there to listen if I ever needed someone. It’s been a very hard reality for people to wake up to — friends and family alike. We’ve shared so many experiences and memories together which will never be forgotten. I’m really going to miss the times when me and my housemates would all be in the living room and just talk about everything for hours on end. We all got to know Joe very well and he was like a brother to me. Joe will be very missed by all the people whose lives he touched. My heart and prayers go out to all his family and friends.
Melissa Cancillieri, 2010 graduate: I’ve known Joe Martin since my freshman year of college. We pledged DSP together our sophomore year and I’m so lucky to have spent those six weeks getting to know him better. He was always happy, always smiling, and he could brighten up your day by just walking in the room. He’s touched the lives of so many people and I am so blessed to have had him as a friend. Things won’t be the same without Joe, but he will always be remembered. He will always be close to our hearts.
Christine Cox, senior management major: “I think everyone is having a very difficult time grasping what has happened. It was just last night (Saturday) I gave him a hug, and we all had some laughs with him. Now he’s not here, and it doesn’t make sense. Today a lot of our organization gathered at my house, and at first no one knew what to say and everything was silent … then we started remembering fond ‘Joe Martin’ moments. He really touched everyone’s hearts. So everyone has a ‘Joe Martin’ story. We also gathered at another house late at night. We’re just trying to stay together and get through this together. It’s amazing the true brotherhood I’ve seen in this time of need. Joe was the ‘ideal brother,’ and he would be proud of how everyone is really being there for each other. He was that alumni that cared so much about our fraternity and it continued to show as an alumni. Our organization has made food and sent it up (with) his close friends who visited his family to support them. It’s the least we can do. Joe has given us so many smiles, laughs and stories. He was one of the most selfless people I know. We were all blessed to know him, and we will never forget him.”
Allie Blom, senior marketing major: “Joe was the type of guy that could get along with anyone. He was an amazing person and a true friend from the moment you met him. He was a dedicated and loyal brother of Delta Sigma Pi, and our chapter will not be the same without him around. Just last night I was talking to Joe about his job and his future — he had big plans for himself, and it is such a shame that he’ll never be able to see them through.”
Jessica Schoolcraft, senior accounting major: “Joe was one of my best friends, but we definitely had a love-hate relationship. He could annoy me more than anyone else, but he could also make me laugh harder than anyone else. No matter how much Joe and I yelled at each other I always knew he’d be there for me no matter what because that’s just the kind of person he was. He was a really genuine person and was happy all the time. I don’t know a single person who met him and didn’t love him. He would constantly say the same phrases over and over to the point the entire chapter would be saying them. Some of them were ‘is this real life,’ ‘I’m gonna yack,’ or we’d just mimic the way he said ‘hi’ and ‘bye.’ Even though he graduated last year and was working full time he was one of the most involved brothers because that’s how important this brotherhood was to him, and he was equally as important to each of us.”
Dan Zuller, junior finance major: He’s the first close friend I lost. In my two years of knowing him, I’ve never seen him get mad. I think most people that knew him will agree with me, he was just a kid full of pure goodness. He taught us (to) really enjoy life to the fullest, because you really never know when a conversation that you’re having with somebody might be the last.”
Kelsey Norton, junior accounting major: “Joe Martin was definitely loved by all. He was always at our DSP events even though he graduated last year. There was never a day that he was not able to put a smile on my face. He was very funny and loving and would never mean to cause harm to anyone else. Unfortunately, his life ended shortly as well as another’s … It only takes one person to create a change. Joe Martin will be forever missed and loved by many.”
Kristina Lota, senior accounting major: “(Sunday) was really tough for all of us but we all came together at a DSP brother’s house and were there for each other and talked about all the funny times we had with Joe and what a large part of our brotherhood and DSP he was. Joe was one of the most amazing people I’ve ever met. He was friendly to everyone and anyone and he ALWAYS put a smile on everyone’s face. I never saw Joe in a bad mood and if anyone else was ever sad or upset he was the first person to say something and put a huge smile on their face. His personality was amazing and you couldn’t help but smile when you were around him. I’ve never heard anyone say anything bad about him, he was just an amazing person with a huge heart.”
Jamie Mastroianni, senior finance major: “I actually got a message from the old president Dave Goodmark today who ended up telling me the horrible and upsetting news. Words can’t explain the way I felt when I heard but my boyfriend gave me the idea to establish an award in Joe’s name. We are looking into installing this idea and hope that the fraternity will agree with this decision. Joe will be greatly missed. He was truly a great person. May angels lead him in.”
Maryliz Pineda, senior marketing major: “ ‘A heart so big, God couldn’t let it live.’ This quote pretty much sums up Joe Martin. He had one of the biggest hearts I know. He was one of the most genuine persons I knew and cared for every single person in his life. It amazes me how someone could be so welcoming and literally always have a smile on his face.”
Allison Perrotta, junior accounting major: “Joe was such a down-to-earth fun guy who always made us all smile. He knew how to make us laugh and was passionate about everyone in his life. His presence will surely be missed, and his absence felt by everyone who was blessed to know him. God bless his family, friends and anyone else who was lucky enough to call him a friend. I love and miss you, Joe. You will never be forgotten and your life lives on in all of our hearts.”
Bethany Guldager, senior marketing major: “Joe was an amazing brother and friend. He was an asset to both the (College) community and to the brotherhood of Delta Sigma Pi and will be loved and missed by all. He touched the hearts of all that he met, and no matter how long or brief a period we might have known him, we are all truly better for having done so. Rest easy brother, and remember, once a Deltasig, always a Deltasig.”
Jordan Mojka, junior economics major: “Joe embodied the meaning of brotherhood. He welcomed everyone with open arms and a smile on his face, and never turned away a person in need. I am honored to have been able to call him both my brother and my friend and will forever keep him in my heart.”
Amanda LeFante, junior accounting major: “Joe was an all-round great person. He dedicated his time to his family and friends and will forever be in our hearts. I am blessed to have known such an incredible individual and to call him my friend and Brother. He has given us many memories that we will cherish forever. He helped build the Brotherhood of our Fraternity. Anyone who has met him will never forget his smile and his positive demeanor. He will be forever loved and missed by all who have met him.”
(12/09/10 4:53am)
In Week 13 of AtD, “Ref” Brandon Gould challenges Editor-in-Chief Bobby Olivier along with staff writers Kevin Lee and Joshua Fidler in the Atd Final to answer questions about which college football team will win the BCS National Championship, who should be the next coach of the Miami Hurricanes and who has been the MVP of the National Hockey League so far this season.
1. The college football season is coming to a close, who is the favorite to win the National Championship?
BO: To answer the question, the favorite is Auburn, being ranked No. 1 in the AP Poll — end of story. What I am assuming this question means is who do we think is going to win the National Championship? Well, the answer remains the same. Despite all of his controversy, Cam Newton is the best player in college football, and it has been proven time and time again throughout the years that a stud quarterback wins national championships. Also, playing in the SEC, Auburn plays much more difficult competition week in and week out than Oregon in the Pac-10 or TCU in the Mountain West. Auburn’s unparalleled offense just destroyed South Carolina 56-17 in the SEC Championship game, and will bring a national championship home as well, come January.
KL: I think Oregon will win the National Championship. Oregon has an incredibly dynamic offense that is leading the nation in points scored with 50.5 points a game, which is led by potential Heisman winner, LaMichael James. The Ducks also have an equally balanced attack on the defensive end that is only giving up 18.3 points a game, good for 15th overall. Auburn, on the other hand, has significant off-the-field distractions with Cam Newton. Their passing game is weak, and their defense gives up 25.1 points a game. Although Auburn plays in the SEC, the 25.1 points per game has some merit, as their secondary is weak. As a result, I think that Darron Thomas will be able to pick their secondary apart. Furthermore, TCU has been obliterating their opponents by nearly 30 points a game. However, because they don’t face the same level of competition that the other schools face, they will not only have a tough time getting into the National Championship but they will also have a tough time competing.
JF: The National Championship game will have two high-powered offenses going against each other, the Oregon Ducks and the Auburn Tigers. The Tigers are led by Heisman candidate Cam Newton, while the Ducks are led by LaMichael James. Both of these teams have very porous defenses, so I am expecting a high-scoring affair. The Tigers have played five Top-25 schools while the Ducks only had one Top-25 team in their schedule. The Tigers play in the hardest conference, the SEC, and have the leading Heisman candidate, Cam Newton. The conference may seem ridiculous but the last four national champions have come from the SEC. The speed of the Auburn players will be too much for Oregon to handle, and that is why the Tigers will be the national champions.
BG: Joshua gets 3 for stating that Auburn has had to run through more Top-25 teams. Bobby gets 2 for citing Newton’s and Auburn’s offensive power. I like Kevin’s argument that Oregon’s defense is good, but he gets 1 for underestimating Newton’s arm.
2. The Miami Hurricanes recently fired head coach Randy Shannon. Who should “The U” hire as their next head coach?
BO: Seriously? Two college football questions in the AtD Final? Whatever. Anyway, former Texas Tech coach Mike Leach should be the next head coach of the Hurricanes. Between 2000-2009, he wen
t 84-43, led the Red Raiders to a bowl game in all 10 seasons, and for a decade, he lived and breathed football in a state where football is everything. He said he wants to coach at Miami and would be a great fit, coming from one large program to another. The kicker? After his firing, Leach moved his family to Key West, Fla. He is in Miami’s backyard, knows how to build an offense as well as anyone and is ready for another shot. Give him the job.
KL: The Miami Hurricanes should hire Jon Gruden. Gruden is a hard-nosed coach who can really whip the Hurricanes’ program into shape. Most importantly, Gruden is a winner and has won a Super Bowl. Gruden’s best coaching asset is his ability to develop good quarterbacks, and that’s something the Hurricanes have not had in recent memory. Lastly, former NFL coaches seem to have great success at the college level, such as Dave Wannstedt and Steve Spurrier.
JF: If the ’Canes could pick any coach, I think the best choice right now would be to hire current Stanford coach, Jim Harbaugh. Harbaugh has been able to take Stanford from a below .500 team to an 11-1 team that came within one game of the National Championship game. This is his fourth year with Stanford. His first recruitment class is now seniors. He is the perfect man for the job. He was able to make Stanford, who had almost no tradition of football success, a nationally ranked team. If he were to go to “The U,” the ’Canes, who have had a large amount of success in their history, he could use that to recruit high quality players. If Harbaugh became head coach, it would be “all about the U” again.
BG: Bobby gets 3 for giving the most reasonable option in Mike Leach. Joshua gets 2 for picking the hottest coach commodity in the country right now. Kevin gets 1 for going with ESPN’s gossip pick.
3. In case you forgot, hockey has been going on and the NHL season is about a third of the way over. In your opinion, who has been the MVP of the league so far this year?
BO: I haven’t forgotten about hockey, and so far, NHL poster boy Sidney Crosby is the MVP. He leads the league in points and goals, and is a leader on a 18-8-2 Pittsburgh Penguins team loaded with talent. The Pens have won nine games straight, and are currently tied with the Flyers and Capitals for first in the Eastern Conference, and would not be there without Sid the Kid. One could make an argument for Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos, but his stats are a little lower, and he is younger than me, so screw him. I would also like to add that if Steve Yzerman were still playing, he would be my MVP, mainly because I like saying “Stevie Y,” and I like that his website is Steviey.net.
KL: Up to this point in the season, Sidney Crosby is without a doubt the MVP. Crosby is the best player in the NHL on the best team in the NHL. Crosby has an uncanny knack of scoring at will, while also having the rare ability to make his teammates better through his passing. As a result, this has allowed Crosby to be the points leader, leading the league in goals and assists. Because Alex Ovechkin is having a down year in scoring, the only other player that possibly has a chance of challenging Crosby for the MVP is Steven Stamkos. With that said, the MVP award reflects the performance of the team, and I don’t see the Tampa Bay Lightning being atop the standings come season’s end, mainly because of their defense (29th in goals allowed).
JF: The Hart Memorial Trophy normally goes to the points leader, or someone in the top of the points standings. In the last 20 years, only one defenseman has received the Hart Trophy. Sidney Crosby is leading the NHL in points, with 23 goals and 23 assists. He is the most valuable player on the Penguins and the most valuable in the league. He has 20 more points than Kris Letang who has the second most points for the Penguins. Crosby is No. 1 in goals and tied for second in number of assists. Crosby will receive his second Hart trophy at the end of the season.
BG: Not much variety here, but Joshua gets 3 for stating how important Crosby has been for his team. Bobby gets 2 for calling out Stamkos on his age and Kevin gets 1 for pointing out that Ovechkin is having a down year.
Joshua wins and is the AtD champion, 8 - 7 - 3
(12/09/10 4:07am)
(12/02/10 3:20am)
To help upper and lower classmen alike, the Signal editors have compiled a list of sure-fire ways to pass your finals and deal with end of semester stress. Here’s how…
It’s really important to study for finals with the right people. If you’re me, or someone like me, these people must be able to keep you awake (crucial) and maybe make you laugh a little (you know, keep it light) without distracting you so much that you can’t actually study. It’s a delicate balance.
— Juliana Fidler
As finals approach, my best advice is to stay away from the library. This might sound counter-intuitive, but it’s the best advice I have to offer. It has been my experience that around finals time the library is nothing more than a bedlam of stress and freneticism. Give yourself a break and find some peace and quiet — that is, unless you’re not into that kind of thing.
— Todd Petty
My finals week survival kit: Açai Machine Naked Juices, MET-Rx Big 100 Colossal Peanut Butter Delight high protein brownie bars, Louis CK YouTube clips and Taco Bell. Here’s the plan: Buy and consume the Naked juice and protein bar before you start a night-long study fest. Both are sold at the C-Store. Watch Louis CK when you get frustrated, and go get Taco Bell to celebrate upon completion. My 3.6 GPA doesn’t lie. Although, I’d much prefer cocaine ...
— Bobby Olivier
As an English/journalism major, I’ve had to physically sit down to take a final maybe twice. Maybe. I haven’t seen a Scantron since high school. I’ve most likely forgotten how to study, and most certainly have forgotten math. All of it. But I am currently drowning in projects and papers. How do I manage my time? I find a finals fest schedule as fast as I can, and mark in my calendar the free food days. Bagels, pizza, the works. After this, there isn’t much room for any due dates in the tiny calendar squares provided by my super pretentious moleskine planner. So, I eat, blackout during reading days, then go home for Christmas. Somehow my work gets done.
— Katie Brenzel
Get your shit done on time. Just kidding! During finals, just do one assignment or study for one final at a time. Don’t get overwhelmed and after you’re done with each one, reward yourself with something, like a trip to the mall or going out with friends.
— Hilarey Wojtowicz
Find your happy place. I mean this literally — find a good place to study for you — and figuratively. Don’t lose your sense of humor. Take breaks! Listen to music. Try not to stress. You’ll be fine. You’ll be better than fine — you’ll be great.
— Emily Brill
When life gives you finals, make final-ade. It’s just like lemonade, but there are bits of shredded notes in it, so you know its good… I’m just kidding, of course. Study until you can’t study no more, then cry yourself to sleep. Welcome to the real world.
— Laura Herzog
I freak out about finals and stress like nobody’s business until I sit down and make my finals master list — an epic list filled with every paper, project, final and homework assignmnet due in the coming weeks. I instantly feel better and able to handle everything ahead.
— Caroline Russomanno
(12/02/10 3:10am)
(12/02/10 2:15am)
In Week 12 of Around the Dorm, second-time “Ref” Joshua Fidler challenges Staff Writers Krystal Spencer and Kevin Lee, along with Sports Editor Hilarey Wojtowicz to answer questions about which team will be representing the NFC West by the end of the season, which team is currently the best in the NBA and how soccer and the MLS could become more popular in the United States.
1. Which team will represent the NFC West? As of Nov. 21, no team was over .500, and all the teams had given up more points than they scored.
KS: These teams are tragic … can’t we just give their spot to another NFC team? I’m just gonna go ahead and say that the Seahawks will take the division with a record of 8-8. Hasselbeck is the most competent of the West Quarterbacks and while their defense is inconsistent, they still leave room for an upset against a better team. Plus they have home field advantage for four of six games and are 2-1 in the division.
HW: I have to say the St. Louis Rams are going to take the NFC West. They have Sam Bradford for their quarterback, and even though that hasn’t gotten them to a .500 record yet, they are holding strong at 5-6. Every loss has been close except for one, and every win has been a definite win. Bradford is holding the team together and with his defense behind him, they’ll be able to pull past the Seahawks for first in the division.
KL: The Rams will represent the NFC West. Sam Bradford is easily the best quarterback in that division, and as we know, having a good quarterback keeps teams in the game. I also love Steve Spagnuolo as the head coach of the Rams more so than any coach in that division. Spagnuolo has transformed the defense from last year to the ninth best defensive team this year, which is giving up a stingy 19.8 points per game. Although the offense hasn’t played as well, it will develop more consistency for each game Bradford plays, allowing him to gain more experience. Eight wins should be enough to win this division, and the Rams have a significantly easier schedule than the Seahawks for the remainder of the season.
JF: I give Kevin 3 points, for saying that the Rams have a good defense, Sam Bradford is doing well and that they have an easier schedule than the Seahawks. I give Hilarey 2 points for also picking the Rams. I give Krystal 1 point for picking the Seahawks.
2. Who is the best team in the NBA right now?
KS: Well it’s definitely not the Miami Heat! But seriously, we all know it’s the Lakers. Yes, the Spurs are on quite the hot streak, but Los Angeles. is the most consistent team in the NBA. Somewhere, somehow, San Antonio will falter, and the Lakers will resume their place at the top. For now, I’m more than happy to see someone else with the best record in the league. It’s about time someone made a
serious challenge on the Lakers’ reign.
HW: The Lakers are definitely the number one team right now. The Heat just haven’t stepped up to its full potential yet, and even though Boston is right behind L.A., they don’t have Kobe Bryant. The Lakers are gaining more points a game than the other contenders and coming in strong every game. They’re definitely first right now, but I’m going to say I wouldn’t be surprised if an underdog team came in and gave them a run for the top spot.
KL: Without hesitating, the Lakers are easily the best team in the NBA right now. They have two legitimate MVP candidates in Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol. With this being said, boy do I love me the Utah Jazz. I think that the Jazz are one team that could creep into the discussion sooner rather than later. Deron Williams is an MVP candidate in his own right, and if he keeps this current play up he should definitely be in the discussion come seasons end. The Jazz have arguably the best big man combination in Paul Milsap and Al Jefferson, and with a point guard like Deron Williams who can get the ball to either, makes the combination even more lethal. In a seven game series, I think the Jazz is one of the few teams who could really give the Lakers a run for their money.
JF: Since everyone picked the Lakers I will give 3 points to Hilarey for saying that the Lakers are outscoring their opponents. I give Kevin 2 points because, having an MVP doesn’t make a team the best in the league. I give Krystal 1 point for not saying why the Lakers are the best.
3. The MLS cup was Nov. 21. Did anyone care? What is a way to improve soccer’s popularity in the United States?
KS: I’m an avid soccer fan … but I didn’t watch the game. The problem is that most soccer fans can’t deal with the confusing playoff selection or lack of star power. European leagues bring all of our heroes together in one place. The MLS has taken strides with David Beckham (Los Angeles Galaxy) and Thierry Henry (New York Red Bulls) but until they have a full arsenal of famous players (or those team actually win an MLS Cup), their fan base will remain limited.
HW: Alright, I’m a soccer player. But I’ll be honest, I don’t watch the MLS. First off, they need to put the games on primetime networks during the season in order to get people to notice that the games are actually happening. Second, they need to highlight the star players in the league. You’ve got David Beckham, but he’s also from England. Start talking about the American all-stars and get people interested in them. We can’t all suddenly be fans of America soccer players during the World Cup and forget about them until the next one. I’m a big Donovan fan and people need to see that American soccer players are just as entertaining as Cristiano Ronaldo and Ricardo Kaká once in a while.
KL: We’ve all played rec soccer when we were kids so it’s not because that Americans don’t like the game of soccer itself. In order to improve soccer’s popularity in the United States, the MLS needs to do a better job of recruiting the star players overseas. Sure David Beckham was a nice addition to the MLS, but he was more of a celebrity. The MLS is such a diluted pool of talent that it makes it easy for Americans to overlook the MLS, considering that we have the best basketball, football and baseball leagues in the world. All the big names that we know like Ronaldo and Kaká are all overseas. So what’s the point in watching the MLS? Until the MLS can up the star power in its league, it will never be a powerhouse like the NBA, NFL and MLB.
JF: I give Krystal 3 points for saying that Europe is taking all of the players, not just the good European ones. I give Kevin 2 points for saying that the MLS needs to recruit overseas players that are not past their primes. I give Hilarey 1 point.
Kevin wins this week’s AtD, 7 - 6 - 5
(11/17/10 8:52pm)
(11/17/10 8:46pm)
To thank all of the great contributors in this week’s edition of The Weekly Prophet, Signal editors decided to share their own Harry Potter memories and feelings about the upcoming film, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1.”
I identify with the cast of the Harry Potter movies. Although I would choose the books over the films any day of the week, it seems to me that the Harry Potter books preceded me by just a few years — Potter flew (on his Nimbus 2000) under the radar for a few years before I picked up the books in seventh grade. In contrast, I had the voyeuristic pleasure of watching Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint clumsily stumble on set, mature as actors and grow old with me.
— Todd Petty
I have not read one word of any Harry Potter book. But I have seen almost every movie. I am not ready to shut down my schedule and set a time to sit in a theater full of people who know what is going to happen already, but in a few weeks, if I am bored and my friends want to go, I wouldn’t mind seeing some wizard peril. Also, I’m a big fan of Dobby, because he rhymes with Bobby. I hope nothing bad happens to him …
— Bobby Olivier
When I was ten, I wanted to fake a british accent in order to audition for Hermione in the first Harry Potter film. Emma Watson does a way better job, but I still hope she knows that Ron Weasley is my man.
— Hilarey Wojtowicz
When I was young my mom bought me the first Harry Potter book. I read the first page and didn’t get any further than that. Many years later, the cultural phenomenon has made many happy, sad, laugh, cry ... anything and everything. I’m happy for them. With the new movie coming out, I hope they enjoy it. I’m too far detached to know what’s going on. But that movie poster does look pretty menacing.
— Jeffrey Roman
I’m a big fan of the Harry Potter books, but I’m not wild about the movies. I feel like they don’t do Ginny justice. She’s supposed to be fun. This ‘Bonnie Wright’ character - she’s not fun. When I was 11, I read a short feature about her in my American Girl magazine. I was underwhelmed. The Ginny I imagine is vivacious, adventuresome and keeps Harry Potter on his toes. The movie Ginny seems demure, not spunky. She looks the part with her red hair, but just looking the part isn’t enough. That would make her more Lockhart than Lupin. And everybody knows who’d win in that battle.
— Emily Brill
I loved “The Sorcerer’s Stone,” but the “Harry Potter” series lost me after book four. Some say I quit just before the books hit their stride; Todd Petty says I “pulled out half way through.” I saw the sixth film when I had nothing better to do last Halloween. If I’m bored enough, I just might give the seventh a chance, though I can’t promise I’ll make it through both two-plus-hour-long parts.
— Matt Huston
There are few things I love more than Harry Potter. Actually, I’m pretty sure Disney is the only thing that beats the boy wizard in my book (and the Yankees are a close third). Harry Potter consumed my childhood (for the full story on that, hop on your Firebolt and head to page 19) and I wouldn’t have had it any other way. My excitement level for this movie is in the stratosphere, but I’m also afraid of the end and all of the tears I already know I’ll shed. But, you can bet I’ll be in a movie theater, poised and ready at 12:01 a.m. this Friday!
— Caroline Russomanno
(11/17/10 8:01pm)
In Week 11, first-time “Ref” Brandon Gould asks Editor-in-Chief Bobby Olivier, Correspondent Ken Mauss and Correspondent Joshua Fidler whether Auburn quarterback Cam Newton will still get a vote for the Heisman Trophy, where Cliff Lee and Carl Crawford will sign as the front-runners in the free agent market and which young quarterback will be next to join the upper-tier of their position in the NFL?
1. After hearing all the reported allegations against Auburn quarterback Cam Newton, does he still get your Heisman vote?
BO: After enduring the media coverage of the Reggie Bush Heisman fiasco, I am so sick and tired of these allegations against Cam Newton. His father clearly didn’t understand, or disregarded NCAA rules by telling Mississippi State that it would take money to get Newton to play there. As of right now, Newton himself has done nothing but score touchdowns for an undefeated SEC squad, and for that, he still gets my Heisman vote. Unless league regulations pull him off the field, he deserves the award for what he has done between the hashes this season, not what his idiot father did beyond them.
KM: If the allegations are true, no, he does not get my vote. He’s having an exceptional year for arguably the best team in the country, but accepting money to play at a school is an absolute no-no, and would automatically rule him ineligible for the entire season. Newton would not only lose his chance at a Heisman, but Auburn would have to forfeit all of their wins from this year. A safer choice for the Heisman is sophomore LaMichael James, the star running back for the BCS No. 1-ranked Oregon University. He has 17 touchdowns and 1,331 yards rushing heading into the game against California. Both are deserving, but the question marks surrounding Newton makes James a much more attractive choice.
JF: Unfortunately, I do not vote for the Heisman winner. But if I were to be voting I would have to still give it to him. I believe in America someone is innocent until proven guilty. We are not in communist Russia. Does accepting money make Cam Newton run faster, throw with more precision? No, and it is ridiculous to say that accepting money would improve his stats. On an unrelated note I think Reggie Bush still deserves his Heisman. I think college athletes should be compensated somehow. They put their lives on the line to play for free. With what happened to Rutgers’s LeGrand who is now paralyzed below the neck, it would be insane to not accept money. Also Newton has been the best player this year, leading Auburn to an undefeated 10-0. He has almost 2,000 throwing yards, more than 1,000 rushing yards and 34 total touchdowns, 19 throwing and 15 running. Since Newton is the most deserving player, he deserves the Heisman Trophy.
BG: Josh gets 3 for stating that money doesn’t score touchdowns, Cam Newton does. Bobby gets 2 for pointing out that it hasn’t been proven that Newton did anything wrong. Ken gets 1 for giving a pick other than Newton.
2. Cliff Lee and Carl Crawford are the two biggest names on the free agent market — where do they sign?
BO: As a Yankees fan, I must admit, I feel like the Yankees signing Cliff Lee is the easy way out after he torched them this season. Usually if there is a player of Lee’s caliber available, I want him on the team,
but after learning to hate him, I don’t want him as much as I want to beat him. I have a feeling Lee feels the same way. He doesn’t seem like a big-city guy, and the Rangers left a positive impression on him. I say he stays put in Texas. Despite the pleading of many Mets fans, Carl Crawford will fly west to California and play for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim next season. The Angels had a down year, Crawford fits their system and mentality, and reports have said that the halos will make a serious run at the 29-year-old outfielder.
KM: Cliff Lee isn’t leaving Texas. He’s going to listen to the Yankees offer, but I don’t think Nolan Ryan lets his ace walk. There’s no income tax in Texas, so if money is truly the driving factor, Texas technically can offer more by simply coming close to the Yankees offer. Carl Crawford, however, won’t be in Tampa Bay at the start of next year. Bobby Abreu is a terrible outfielder. He’ll be 37 when the season starts and would be better served in a DH role. I think this makes Anaheim a great landing spot for Crawford. Tampa Bay won’t be a big player in Crawford, and the Yankees like Nick Swisher and Brett Gardner. The Angels make the most sense.
JF: Unfortunately for the fans of the Rangers, Red Sox, Mets, Rays and anyone who hates the Yankees, Cliff Lee will be wearing pinstripes come next spring. It is almost inevitable, with the Yankees’ insane ability to spend a lot of money, and Cliff Lee’s ability to accept a lot of money. The Yankees have a few things on their side: 1. The money 2. Cliff Lee and CC Sabathia are good friends, going back to their days on the Indians, (this includes their wives too) 3. The money. It is simple and for many it is upsetting. Carl Crawford however is another story. There are a few teams that could end up with Crawford on their roster in 2011 — the Tigers, Angels and Red Sox. Personally I think that the Angels will sign him. They have a vacancy in their outfield, and Carl Crawford is the perfect person to fill an outfield vacancy. The Angels also have enough money to give him to make him happy. Signing Crawford will give the Angles an all-star left fielder and one of the fastest players in baseball, which will make small-ball lover Mike Scioscia happy.
BG: Josh gets 3 for giving a trifecta of reasons why the Yankees will sign Cliff Lee. Ken gets 2 for bringing up the lack of income tax in Texas. Bobby gets 1 for not wanting Cliff Lee.
3. There are several young quarterbacks who are having strong seasons thus far, which of these quarterbacks will be the next to join the upper-tier of their position in the NFL?
BO: I would like a definition of upper-tier, but going on what I think it means, Sam Bradford is the only one I see reaching that level anytime soon. He gives the Rams hope, and has already shown that he can win — or at least not lose — games on his own. His completion percentage for a rookie (58.6) is strong, and coming off serious shoulder surgery in his senior year of college, he has been a pleasant surprise on his way to offensive rookie of the year. He spreads the ball around (six receivers with more than 10 receptions), and even though Stephen Jackson only has two touchdowns, Bradford has kept the Rams in every game but one. He’ll be on the cover of Madden one day.
KM: Josh Freeman has started only 18 games in his young career for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, yet already has six come from behind wins. His 85.8 quarterback rating is six points ahead of fellow second -year quarterback, Mark Sanchez. He only has five interceptions on the season, tied for fifth fewest in the NFL for quarterbacks who have started all of their teams games. Freeman’s maturity from last season to this season has shown, as Tampa Bas already has more wins than all of last season, and will be in contention for a wild card berth in the wide open NFC.
JF: I am interpreting young quarterback to mean that he is 25 or younger, which automatically eliminates Rodgers (27 in a month) and the younger Manning (29). This leaves a few candidates, Joe Flacco, Matt Ryan and the annoying Jets fan will say Mark Sanchez. The next elite quarterback will be Joe Flacco, he has one of the strongest arms in football, and accuracy to go along with it. Flacco’s passer rating is 88.9, compared to Peyton Manning’s 96.1. Flacco has thrown 12 touchdowns and 6 interceptions in the strongest division, defensively in football. Ryan has similar numbers, but because Flacco has the better running back and wide receivers, he can only get better. Sanchez has more career interceptions than touchdowns, until he gets that number turned around, he will never be elite. Flacco has the arm, but is also sneaky fast, which adds another dimension to his game.
BG: Josh gets 3 and the win for noting that Flacco is not only talented, but also has the weapons to succeed. Ken and Bobby both make good points that Freeman and Bradford have been difference makers on their teams. Bobby gets 2 for making a Madden reference and Ken gets 1 for discussing Freeman’s maturity.
Joshua takes this week’s AtD, 9 - 5 - 4
(11/17/10 7:50pm)
(11/17/10 6:45pm)
As part of Black Music Celebration Month, the Black Student Union hosted a number of events to expose students in the Brower Student Center to everything from gospel to jazz music. A series of five installations were on display in the Student Center Atrium titled, “The Evolution of Black Sound.”
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(11/10/10 6:42pm)