The Daily Orange

Moving Forward: After losing top 3 scorers from last season, Syracuse hopes its retooling, not rebuilding

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Scoop Jardine pleaded his case to a trio of Syracuse teammates who had visions of professional basketball dancing in their heads. Jardine, a redshirt sophomore, tried to convince Jonny Flynn, Paul Harris and Eric Devendorf to stay for one more season in the frozen tundra of Syracuse.

'It's been a long road': Wes Johnson has been just about everywhere, but he has finally found a place to call home

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Wesley Johnson stole away from the media day crowd, a group who'd already pegged him as the afternoon's main attraction.

Dressed inconspicuously in his gray hooded sweatshirt, the highly-touted transfer snuck behind the masses and into the Carmelo K. Anthony Basketball Center weight room to bang out some bicep curls before his inevitable date with the bevy of cameras and reporters waiting for him.

Taking the lead: Rautins, Onuaku return for a 5th year and become the leaders of a program searching for an indentity

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Andy Rautins and Arinze Onuaku decided to take the other path.

While Jonny Flynn, Paul Harris and Eric Devendorf spent the offseason showcasing their abilities for professional basketball executives, Rautins and Onuaku opted to return to Syracuse for a fifth year in the program - an oddity in major college basketball these days.

Diamond: Triche has bright side, but Jardine deserves chance to show his worth

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

The moment Jonny Flynn announced his decision to leave Syracuse and enter the NBA Draft, Scoop Jardine finally saw the opportunity he feared would never arrive. He felt helpless for much of last year, barely a part of the Orange's Sweet 16 squad, doubting the fate of his career.

The payoff: Seton Hall gave Bobby Gonzalez a hefty contract extension. Now he has to prove he's worth the price.

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

In Bobby Gonzalez's mind there is "bad pressure," and then there is "good pressure" when it comes to coaching basketball.

"Bad pressure" is when a coach is on the hot seat and in desperate need of a winning team. "Good pressure" accompanies a coach whose team is expected to perform well because of previous accomplishments.

Life in the fast lane: With a speed-oriented offense, Siena transcends common traits of a mid-major

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. - Don't call them underdogs. By now, Siena is sick of that stereotype.

"Underdog" means they haven't arrived yet. "Underdog" means they're still a cute subplot, a gimmick. Standing at midcourt of Siena's practice facility, seniors Alex Franklin and Edwin Ubiles cringe at that word.

Face of a program: Michael enters senior year with a chance to become SU's all-time greatest player

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Over the past three years, almost everything about Nicole Michael's career has been a blur to Quentin Hillsman.

She was his first major recruit after he was appointed to head coach in 2006, and since then, has helped him take his first steps toward building a program at Syracuse.

Believing the hype: Quentin Hillsman calls Juanita Ward the best he's ever coached. This is her last chance to prove it.

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Quentin Hillsman invested four years of his coaching career into recruiting Juanita Ward. From the moment he saw her play at Callaway (Miss.) High School in 2004, Hillsman, then Alabama's assistant coach, fervently sought the 6-foot-2 forward's services.

And at last year's media day, Syracuse' head women's basketball coach sauntered into Manley Field House and finally celebrated the culmination of his efforts, offering his blue-chip, JUCO prospect the greatest compliment a coach could give a player.

Candidates face off on finances, MayFest

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Jon Barnhart has plenty of Student Association experience under his belt to help him if he were to become president of Syracuse University's student body government. Hari Iyer, his opponent, admits that leadership is a bit foreign to him, but he knows how to take initiative and hit the ground running.

SU falls in college sex health rankings

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Syracuse University has received a grade point average of 2.61 in the sex department.

In its fourth annual Sexual Health Report Card, Trojan Brand Condoms ranked 141 different universities and colleges based on the access and availability of sexual health information and resources at their student health centers.

Week of remembrance events to include memorial

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Two months after the release of the only man convicted in the Pan Am 103 bombing, Syracuse University will be thinking about the tragedy for a different reason.

Sunday begins SU's 13th Remembrance Week in honor of the victims who lost their lives in the terrorist bombing over Lockerbie, Scotland on Dec.

Former Playboy CEO dispels company myths

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Anyone expecting the typical Playboy playmate would have been disappointed.

Christie Hefner, former chief executive officer of Playboy Enterprises, is known by some as the daughter of Playboy's founder and satin robe-wearing Hugh Hefner. But many recognize her as the individual that led the entertainment magazine into a global and digital age.

Sophistafunk to appear at Westcott

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

IF YOU GO

What: Big Break Contest

Where: The Westcott Theater

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

How much: Free

The Syracuse band Sophistafunk will compete at The Westcott Theater as finalists in the Big Break Contest Friday at 7 p.m. The contest will be hosted by WSTM/CW6, a local cable and news channel.

New roots

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

The American chestnut tree could make a comeback with the help of biotechnology and the American Chestnut Research and Restoration Center.

The center is based at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Bray Hall and aims to restore the chestnut tree to New York and, eventually, the United States.

Puff of fresh air

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

A movie playing on a 5-foot screen TV and a couch welcomes customers to take a break from the hustle and bustle of campus life at Exscape Smoke Shop. Customers can watch the film while simultaneously browsing through the items on sale - tobacco pipes, various artwork, hookah, tapestries, posters, gift items and, the most popular, hand and water pipes.

Students' collaboration leads to record deal

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Brandon Linn and Kevin Hegedus met when they were introduced at a party at Hegedus' house in the summer of 2008. Despite living just a few blocks away from each other in Allentown, Pa., and going to the same high school, the two never met before this encounter.

Toback: Numbers show more attention is paid to the calorie counts

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Last summer, I went with friends to the Hard Rock Café in New York City. When we opened our menus I was surprised to see calorie counts next to each food. I quickly changed my ordering plans after noticing the high-calorie dressing in the Asian chicken salad and went for a surprisingly healthier route, chicken fajitas.

Back to business:

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Take your pick. Just about every type of distraction blindsided Syracuse's football team this week. The blizzard of bad news never seemed to stop.

In a matter of days, students booed their starting quarterback every time he stepped on the field, the team's star wide receiver abruptly quit, three players were suspended, a key defensive end was forced to have his second season-ending knee injury and, for the cherry on top, cornerback JohnMark Henderson quit the team.

Draft expert says Williams' stock still safe

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

When Mike Williams quit the Syracuse football team Monday, his draft stock took a nosedive. But according to one NFL Draft expert, he should still be selected anywhere within the second and fourth rounds.

Despite the star receiver quitting with four games remaining, Scout.

In preparation for Big East tournament, SU field hockey turns to assistant coach to simulate Providence's play

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

In practice leading up to the Big East tournament this weekend, Guy Cathro has had a specific job.

At times, the Syracuse assistant field hockey coach felt the need to embark from his spot on the sidelines of Coyne Field. Instead of standing idly by, Cathro walked out onto the Astroturf, picked up a field hockey stick, and ran up and down with the team.

After transferring form St. Lawrence, Maschmeyer joins SU ice hockey team to reunite with Flanagan

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

When Brittany Maschmeyer notified Paul Flanagan last spring that she was looking to transfer from St. Lawrence, the Syracuse ice hockey head coach advised the then-junior against her decision.

After all, Maschmeyer was already established there. She had friends at St.

Quick Learner: Pitt running back Lewis thrives in freshman season

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

When Pittsburgh wide receiver Jonathan Baldwin entered the weight room early last spring, he meant business.

All year he lifted with linebacker Steve Dell. Though Dell had 20 pounds on Baldwin, lifting with a big guy pushed him to get stronger.

The two had a good thing going and formed what Baldwin called "The 300 Club.

Jon Barnhart for SA President

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

The students of Syracuse University need a Student Association president who recognizes the needs of the current SU student. The next SA president needs to have a strong platform that addresses campus issues that affect students now, such as safety, MayFest and student-administration communication.

SU students could learn a lesson from London football fans

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Tuesday night, I took the next step in becoming a true Londoner. I'm not a sports fanatic by any means, and if it weren't for my freshman year roommate I probably still wouldn't be able to follow a football or basketball game. But a London soccer game has more to offer than pure athletic talent, such as hot guys and crazy fans.

Reel fake

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Movie: "The Fourth Kind"
Genre: Horror
Starring: Milla Jovovich, Elias Koteas, Will Patton
Director: Olatunde Osunsanmi
Grade: C

Like "The Blair Witch Project," "Cloverfield," and recent box-office smash "Paranormal Activity," "The Fourth Kind" fakes the use of found footage for effect.