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Alternative Spring Break Programs

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*AIDS/HIV – Work at assisted-living facilities that house AIDS/HIV patients. Activities include general cleaning and interacting with the residents.

*Domestic Violence – Work at a battered women’s shelter doing miscellaneous chores and light maintenance that the shelter cannot afford to pay for.

*Hunger and Homelessness – Learn about the issues the homeless face and help with food preparation and light maintenance work around the shelter.

*Environmental – Work on educational issues concerning the environment and natural park restoration/preservation.

*Animal Sanctuary – Learn about issues concerning exotic animals, work on building animal habitats and prepare and feed animals.

*Youth Violence – Work with children in inner-city schools promoting non-violent alternatives.

*Poverty Issues – Migrant Farm Workers – Learn about the issues migrant farm workers face – being paid below minimum wage, no health insurance, poverty levels, etc. – and join the workers in the field.

*Mini Site (Sat. – Wed.): Animal Rights – Learn about issues concerning exotic animals, work on building animal habitats and prepare and feed animals.

*Mini Site (Wed. – Sat.): Environmental – Work on educational issues concerning the environment and natural park restoration/preservation.

CALENDAR

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TODAY
Dr. Jonathan Hess, of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, will speak on “Enlightenment, Orientalism and the Jewish question: Debating Jewish emancipation in 18th-century Germany” at 3 p.m. For more information contact Dr. Krupp at krupp@miami.edu.

SATURDAY
The Alumni Club of Greater Miami hosts its second annual Murder Mystery Dinner to benefit University of Miami scholarships. For more information, call Richard Webster at 305-519-3720.

SUNDAY
If you are around campus during Spring Break, attend a free meditation/yoga seminar between 12:30 and 5 p.m. in Mahoney-Pearson Classrooms 101 and 102. For more information, please call the Wellness Suite at 305-284-LIFE.

MONDAY – FRIDAY
Spring break! Sleep in, pig out and don’t go to class! Go to the beach instead and work on your tan.

Bienuenidos a CUBA

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The smell of Cuban coffee mixed with lechn (roasted pork) filled the air while people danced to salsa music and had their fortunes told at the UC Patio earlier this week, as the Federation of Cuban Students [FEC] hosted their annual “3 Days of Cuban Culture.”

“For the most part, we live in a very Cuban Miami. It’s a second Cuba for most people, but at the University you don’t see much Cuban influence around,” Yadelene Riesgo, president of FEC, said. “The purpose of FEC’s ‘3 Days’ is just to bring our culture out and let everyone get a little taste of what Cuban culture is.”

This FEC tradition of more than 20 years brings students and administration together to celebrate the Cuban culture through music, food, dance and other traditional festivities.

“I feel that [this] serves as a platform for us to let people know what we’re about, and represent our people in a happy and a bright manner,” Evilberto Alvarez, sophomore and member of FEC, said.

“The purpose of FEC’s ‘3 Days’ is just to . . . let everyone get a little taste of what Cuban culture is.” – Yadalene Riesgo, FEC president

Renowned guitarist Juan Navarro played at the opening ceremonies on Monday, accompanied by a local dance troupe.

The next day, a cooking demonstration gave students a taste of Cuban cuisine as arroz con pollo (chicken and rice) was served with salad, fried plantains and Cuban bread. The band Dos Por Cuatro treated people to the flavorful sounds of Cuban salsa to enhance the cultural experience.

“La Vida Es Un Carnaval,” the theme for this year, was portrayed clearly throughout the final day, as students found themselves amidst a carnival, Cuban style. Students danced to live music from a band that played backup for Celia Cruz while an old man rolled up cigars next to the roasted pig. Several students playing dominos in guayaberas (Cuban-style shirts) added to the Cuban atmosphere.

“I like [the Cuban culture],” Kira Knight, a sophomore attending the carnival, said. “I’m from Grenada, which is in the Caribbean, and I think that it [Cuban culture] is really close to our culture in ways like music, and festivals and family, so I can relate to it a lot.”

Students joined in a series of carnival-style games, such as “Tumbar los Frijoles,” a game in which players try to knock down a pyramid of stacked bean cans from a distance. Mike Johnston was crowned victor of the guarapo – a sickeningly sweet drink made of pure sugar cane – chugging contest.

“I hope that all this helps students notice that they are living in a community where there are so many Cubans and that there’s so much Cuban culture around them,” Sonia Fernandez, co-chair of the event, said. “If they can grasp a little bit of it, then we’ve accomplished our goal.”

Christine Dominguez can be contacted at c.dominguez3@umiami.edu.

JUS’ A Swamp Thing: Schematic and Dizzee rep during WMC week

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Swamp Thing

I/O Lounge – March 7, 2004

I/O hosted the Schematic Music Company party called Swamp Thing Sunday night, a collection of more than twenty artists that approach electronic music from various innovate digital signal processing approaches but all in search of the common theme of throwing a raging, volatile party.

“I try to make everyone put their meanest face on and have the audience stay rugged while keeping their individuality as I try to be real physical living out my rock fantasies on stage,” said Frankie Musarra, 22 of Cleveland, also known as Hearts of Darknesses.

The entire night was a bit overwhelming with so many artists but it made for an eclectic showcase of talent. From the groove oriented minimalism of Styrofoam, the harsh industrial sludge of Doormouse and Baseck, the pop inclination of Girl Talk, to the Electroclash spectacles of Finnesse + Runway and Otto Van Schirach, there was something for all tastes.

“Fantastic chaos is Schematic’s approach. Artists that are the symphonic avant-garde that have nothing based on anything planned but just go on the fuel of the environments and the creation of one of a kind parties,” said Phoenicia member and Schematic creator Romulo del Castillo.

While the night progressed into the early morning hours, headliners Phoenecia and Richard Devine did not end up playing due to time constraints. However, over coming their frustrations with the sound system, the newly formed Airborn Audio, consisting of Priest and Sayyid of the now defunct Antipop Consortium, showcased their new material from their yet untitled album due out this Fall. The groundbreaking underground rap artists gave the crowd a taste of their intense, confrontational break beat style.

“Our main agenda is to keep the beats thick since there is so much space and room to create,” said Sayyid. He revealed that they will finish up their album at the notorious Hit Factory, with him and High Priest controlling all aspects of the production. While never reaching mainstream status, the legacy of Antipop is undeniable.

“Priest is the one who invented playing beats live-he’s the one who brought this into the game. Everyone was just bringing CDs and vinyl but he was the main cat that brought the equipment to make the beats live,” said Sayyid.

Dizzee Rascal

Surfcomber Hotel – March 8, 2004

Miami was given their first taste of British hip-hop sensation Dizzee Rascal, whose Mercury Award winning album was released domestically on Matador at the end of January. With warm-up performances from Peanut Butter Wolf, Amp Fiddle, and the deejay sensations Shortkut and J. Rocc, also known as the Beat Junkies, the Technics M3 Sunset Session on the beach was a low-key way to enjoy a show yet still utilized the over-indulgent, decadent fashion that is South Beach.

Making it to the stage at 9:45, Dizzee spouted out his thick accented rhymes with a quickness and precision that few rap artists carry in the game. Kicking off with “I Luv U,” he quickly dove into his library of brooding, somewhat unsettling yet always urgent and rowdy rhymes. He rapped songs from his album like “Live O,” “Jus a Rascal,” “2 Far,” “Wot U On,” while occasionally using breaks to freestyle accappella, asking the audience, “What’s your mission in life?”

The audience nodded their heads and some attempted to move to the beats, but for the most part the crowd did not know who to dance to less structured beats of the British 2-step garage sound that Dizzee raps over. Definitely a hype man is needed, like Bez in the Happy Mondays that rallies up the crowd and gets people moving. The closer was the one real exception to this, with the hard hitting break beat of “Fix Up, Look Sharp,” crowd finally started to really dig on it as Dizzee enlightened the audience with his own cultural slang.

Ross Whitsett can be contacted at r.whitsett@umiami.edu.

THE WRAP

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SOUL SISTAS
Gearing up for their tour, beauty Beyonce, soul sista Alicia Keys, and hip-hop queen Missy Elliot take over the stage at the Office Depot Center in Sunrise. The ladies of the Verizon 2004 however have not only been frolicking in and around the city, but in our own Wellness Center. Beyonce closed the gym on Monday afternoon and Alicia did the same on Tuesday. Too bad Jay-Z and Mos Def didn’t accompany them…we ladies want some eye candy as well. The Verizon Ladies First Tour 2004 happens tonight at the Office Depot Center at 7:00pm. Tickets are few and far between.

MODELS, BOTTLES…
Rande and Tiki Barber were spotted entering Nikki Beach on Monday night at around midnight for infamous Washington D.C. promoter Masoud’s Models and Bottles event. Although there were no real models, beautiful faces did abound. As for the bottles, a plethora of ocean blue water bottles and Corona’s with limp limes littered the wooden tables- wait, do those even count?

WE TAKE IT BACK
Retraction: A comment was early in the year about restaurant/lounge Joia on Collin’s Ave., regarding it’s rather rude treatment to several staff members and friends; that statement is since retracted due recent treatment. Hit up Joia’s upstairs lounge on Friday nights at around midnight.

GET THEE THERE QUICKLY
Again Lincoln Road is filling our never-ending appetites for the latest in new trends, hot stores, and anything that feeds our fancies. On Saturday, March 13, Quicksilver opens another Quicksilver Boardriders Club at 1023 Lincoln Road between Alton and Michigan Road. Stop by the opening for free give-aways and some ogling at Tahitian Hula Dancers and Polynesian Drummers.

And finally…WMC is over!

SPRING BREAK
‘Nuff said… get crazy.

THE “Future Feels Good” FOR MORNING BELL

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After graduating from UM together and moving to Gainesville for law school and a music scene more accepting of rock music, what is Morning’s Bell’s stronghold for staying together? All the band members live together, two are engaged, and the lead and backup vocalists are brothers. Sounds like a complicated situation to the average person, however, Morning Bell, formerly known as “Future Feels Good” has got everything set straight. The band has been together for about three years and seems to be finally settling into their skin. EDGE sat down with Eric Atria, bassist, backing vocalist, and self-proclaimed PR whore for the band, to eat and shoot the shit.

EDGE: Why did you change your name?

Eric: For some reason everyone thought that is was religious or had to do with robots and spaceships. So we wanted a neutral name, it’s actually a Radiohead song, and Radiohead took their name from a Talking Head song.

EDGE: What is your favorite song to perform?

Eric: We actually do a cover of “Tomorrow Never Knows” and that is the show song.

EDGE: [After seeing a picture of lead vocalist Travis Atria jumping at least three to four feet above the stage] How does he do that?

Eric: I think it’s because he lifts his knees up, it’s not Photoshopped – that’s him.

EDGE: What is your favorite song on the album?

Eric: Well we’re actually working on new stuff right now, since about September/October, we’re taking our sweet ass time. We actually did our first album in five days because the studio is really expensive and we weren’t really comfortable with the music. Now there’s a more unified sound.

EDGE: Describe your music.

Eric: It’s just rock music – we’re not a punk band.

EDGE: Musical Influences?

Eric: Well my brother writes all the songs, so Hendrix, Beatles, Flaming Lips, The Postal Service, solo records from the Beatles. Our keyboardist listens to Bjork, drum and base.

EDGE: About how many gigs do you play a month?

Eric: About three to four times a month, the last time we played at Tobacco Road we were stuck with this Spanish Rock Band who had the place packed with like 200 people – it was awesome.

Listening to Morning Bell’s two CD compilations, the first done in studio and the second done with a good ‘ole iMac, there’s definitely a slightly different sound and obvious growth with the music. Not quite punk, not quite hardcore rock, Morning Bell is simply just good music.

Check out Morning Bell at www.morningbellband.com.

Joanna Davila can be contacted at j.davila1@umiami.edu.

DanceStar Awards bring the celebs to Bayfront

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“And thanks for a president who has hustled and lied to us,” said international DJ and producer Moby, referring to Bush during his acceptance speech for the ‘Outstanding Contribution to Dance Music’ award last Tuesday night. Moby was just one of the dozens of electronic music celebrities in attendance at this year’s DanceStar U.S.A. Awards Show held at Bayfront Park in Downtown Miami.

Hailed as the largest televised electronic music event, with broadcasts to 54 different countries, DanceStar U.S.A. asks the fans to decide who should win in 25 categories including Best International DJ, Best CD Compilation, and Best use of Music in a Computer Game.

But Moby’s not so unexpected political speech was one of the high points of this year’s event. Granted, it was great to see Paul van Dyk win three awards, including best International DJ and lesser-known Gabriel and Dresden receive the award for Best Breakthrough DJ.

However, the show as a whole was a letdown.

A seemingly apathetic crowd of over two thousand did not help as very talented performers took the stage, including Crystal Method, Audio Bully’s, and the first-ever collaboration between Paul van Dyk, Moby, and Perry Farrell.

The only time the crowd leaped to their feet was for the Blue Man Group, which gave an incredible performance of Donna Summer’s “I Feel Love.”

Hosting the awards show was Carmen Electra, who did a great job keeping the audience calm through a series of technical and production problems. Her presence was only matched by Paris Hilton, who was there as a presenter and as the winner of the “Best Celebrity DJ” award. It was at her expense that the most humorous part of the night took place, as Drag Queen Lady Bunny, a presenter wearing a Janet Jackson-inspired nipple- bearing dress, asked: “Paris Hilton as Best Celebrity DJ? Maybe Best BJ! I saw the video.” This then prompted a small catfight with Carmen Electra over her new husband Dave Navarro, also in attendance as a presenter.

Other winners include Crystal Method for Best Album, Best Single, and Best Act by a U.S. artist; Benny Benassi for Best Music Video for his song “Satisfaction,” and Deep Dish for Best U.S. DJ and Best CD Compilation for Toronto 025.

It was very exciting to see so many talented DJs and producers in one place, and to watch electronic music receive recognition as a respectable form of entertainment. But unless there are some pretty big changes to the awards show for next year, don’t bother shelling out the dough for the $20 ticket price.

Corey Reeser can be contacted at c.reeser@umiami.edu.

Briefs BASKETBALL, TRACK, TENNIS

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Men’s Basketball

Kevin Pittsnogle and D’or Fischer each scored 19 points and West Virginia knocked Miami out of the Big East Tournament with a 58-53 win on Saturday night.

The Hurricanes (14-16, 4-12 Big East) trailed for most of the game until Robert Hite’s dunk with 5:54 left capped a 12-3 run and gave Miami a 51-48 lead.

After Johannes Herber’s 3-pointer tied it again, a running jumper shot by Darius Rice put Miami ahead 53-51 with 2:54 remaining, but the Hurricanes would fail to score for the rest of the game.

West Virginia (15-12, 7-9) hit two quick lay-ups and a free throw to take back the lead before Rice missed a deep 3-pointer that would have tied the game with 14 seconds remaining. Patrick Beilein secured the win with a pair of free throws.

West Virginia easily out shot the cold-handed Hurricanes, hitting 52.4 percent from the field while Miami shot 36.8 percent. Rice scored 16 points but was the only Miami player in double figures.

Tyrone Salled added 11 points and 10 rebounds for the Mountaineers.

The loss hands the Hurricanes their second straight 4-12 season in the Big East and the disappointing season could be the last for embattled coach Perry Clark, who has three years remaining on his current contract.

Women’s Track

The 13th-ranked University of Miami women’s track and field team won four events at the Fast Times Meet in Gainesville, Fla.

The competition is the final tune-up prior to the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships, March 12-13, in Fayetteville, Ark.

Junior All-American Lauryn Williams finished first in the 55-meters with a time of 6.89 seconds. Williams, who ranks fourth in the nation in the 60-meters and sixth in the nation in the 200-meters, has already automatically qualified for the NCAA Championships in both events.

Freshman phenom Tabia Charles remained undefeated this season in the triple jump winning Saturday with a NCAA Automatic qualifying mark of 13.30 meters. Charles, the 2004 Big East Champion in the long jump and triple jump, improves to 4-0 in triple jump competition.

Charles currently ranks third in the nation in the triple jump and earlier this season broke her own Canadian Junior record with a mark of 13.53 meters.

Freshman Brenda Faluade was also impressive winning the long jump with a leap of 6.17 meters.

Also recording a win on Saturday was sophomore All-American Dominique Darden who finished first in the 200-meters with a time of 24.30. Freshman Ginou Etienne finished second in the 400-meters with an NCAA provisional qualifying time of 53.89 seconds

Women’s Tennis

The 21st-ranked University of Miami women’s tennis team swept all three doubles matches as well as all six singles matches to overtake in-state rival South Florida, 7-0 Friday afternoon in Tampa, Fla. to improve to 6-1 on the season.

The Hurricanes opened the match winning the doubles point with Mari Toro and Audrey Banada edging out Yuri Kurashima and Luisa Obando, 9-7 at No. 3 doubles, Megan Bradley and Melissa Applebaum winning at the No. 2 spot over USF’s Gabriela Duch and Marie F. Lord Andrade, 8-3 and UM’s duo of Sihem Bennacer and Sara Robbins defeating Patricia Kolendo and Talia Romero, 8-5 at the No. 2 position.

Miami’s momentum carried into singles play with Bradley winning at the No. 1 slot over Duch, 7-5, 6-4, Applebaum downing Lord Andrade, 6-1, 6-2 at No. 2, Toro winning at No. 3 over Kolendo, 6-2, 6-2, Banada defeating Obando, 6-2, 6-2 at No. 4, Stevens blanking Kurashima, 6-0, 6-0 at No. 5 and Bennacer upending Romero, 6-1, 6-3 at the No. 6 position.

-Compiled by the sports information department.

Intramural Scores

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Basketball Playoffs

Men’s Division:
Med 3 – 46
Basketball Team – 45

Dead Prezzidents – 72
Springs Boys – 58

The Department – 48
Miami Hurrigangsters – 21

Primetime Playas – 40
Free Agents – 36

Miscellaneous – 56
Supreme Court – 5

Freebies – 41
PM Producers – 36

Fumundacheez – 39
The Deuce – 29

Kalik – 66
Gusman Grace – 20

PF Flyers – 53
Big Ballin – 39

Med 2 – 46
Versus Versus Versus – 21

Gunners – 64
Lil Lebowski – 58

Band of Brothers – 43
Bullets – 24

Griswolds – 50
Stacks Bundles – 33

We Love K. Hardy’s – 43
Tim Golden – 23

Animal House – 48
Miller Time – 38

Monster Mash – 28
Penthouse Ballers – 15

Freaks of the Industry – 69
Free Agents – 45

12 Angry Men – 36
Westside Ballaz – 33

Fast Break – 55
Tall Boys – 21

Franchise – 60
Mongoose – 25

Dream Team – 90
Caucasion Invasion – 45

Blue Steal – 47
Hip Hop Hindus – 45

DPT – 50
Outkast – 46

Dead Prezzidents – 68
Med 3 – 55

The Department – 41
Primetime Playas – 28

Miscellaneous – 51 (OT)
Med 1 – 49

G Unit – 87
Freebies – 37

Kalik – 62
Fumundacheez – 39

Med 2 – 45
PF Flyers – 23

Knight Riders – 55
Gunners – 50

Women’s Division:
The Dynasty – 56
Wahine – 16

Nuff Said – 49
Med Girls – 18

Arena League:

Men’s Division:
Hornets – 35
The Crew – 8

Dirty – 27
Tri Lams – 14

Regulators – 34
Lawn Mowers – 7

Springs Boys – 22
Armed Robbers – 19

Greek Divison:
Lambda Chi Alpha – 33
Pi Kappa Alpha – 6

Sigma Phi Epsilon – 22
Phi Delta Theta – 9

Co-rec Division:
Ten Arrests – 29
Da Fins – 20

Butterfingers – 85
Med 1 – 50

Spring Flag Football:

Women’s Division:
TBA – 19
Fast & Easy – 0

Golden Girls – 31
Tenacity – 0

Golden Girls – 9
TBA – 0

Men’s Division:
Boss Players – 47
3L Scrubs – 0

Boss Players – 25
Boobeliks – 13

Fully Staffed – 18
3L Scrubs – 6

Too Tough – 29
Hornets – 0

Too Tough – 33
SAE – 0

The Department – 22
Hornets – 7

14 – 29
310 – 6

Dirty – 26
14 – 7

310 – 20
Reginators – 12

Penthouse Pimps – 40
XFL – 6

Playmakers – 20
The Mooks – 14

XFL – 26
The Mooks – 6

Playmakers – 20
Penthouse Pimps – 13

Bay Area Ballers – 17
Bearfahckers – 7

Phi Delta Theta – 20
Boozers – 6

Phi Delta Theta – 21
Bearfahckers – 0

Boozers – 14
Mother Ship Down – 6

Kickball Playoffs:

Co-rec Champion:

We Get Hurt

Men’s Champion:

Sigma Phi Epsilon

Hechtman overcomes tragedy to shine for Hurricanes

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Eric Hechtman is a person who loves his tennis “crazy,” but still considers the sports to be a great way to relieve stress.

“When you sit in class all day you can’t wait to come out here…it brings out the competitive nature,” Hechtman said. “The reason why I chose to play college tennis is because I like the crazy atmosphere. I mean, that’s what makes it so much fun.”

Hechtman said that he has enjoyed his experience here but acknowledges the rigors of being an undergraduate student-athlete.

“Basically, after an entire day of school, it’s time for practice, and then studying,” he said. “It’s just hard to stay focused.”

Hechtman said that what gets him through the long days is reminiscing about the compelling advice he used to receive from his deceased mother.

“We are not going to be satisfied with being 8-0. We want to just keep the fire and the hunger going.” – ERIC HECHTMAN, Sophomore tennis player

“She passed away a little bit ago and she was just there for me through anything,” he said. “Basically, you know, when you lose someone you can either go down or go up.”

Hechtman also recognizes, now that his mother is gone, the monumental influence that she had on his life.

“Of course you’re going to be down right away but you think of everything that they tried to mold you into being and try to live for them,” he said.

Hechtman has been using this mentality as fuel for his emotional engine. He is particularly anxious about the outcome of the rest of the season for his team, which has an unprecedented record of 8-0. The undefeated streak is a major focus of his aspirations for the season.

“It’s a tough goal but I would like us to stay undefeated,” Hechtman said. “Our main goal coming into the season was to win the Big East. I think seeing what we’ve done so far has changed our main goal to hosting the Regionals and advancing into the Sweet 16.”

This change of focus for the season has not come without a price. He said that the team’s success could be attributed to the hard work and self-discipline they practice on a day-to-day basis.

“We’ve been busting our ass…training every single day, making sure there are no extra problems outside the court,” he said.

The most important obstacle in his mind is the University of Illinois, who will be gracing the Neil Schiff Tennis Center with their current top national ranking and 13-0 record in a showdown on Mar. 26.

“They’re coming in here and I’m hoping they are going to be undefeated when they come here so we have a chance to have a crazy upset. That would be just about the most unbelievable thing that could happen in my college career.” Hechtman said.

Hechtman and the rest of his teammates are looking not to be disappointed with their efforts this year

“We are not going to let up and be satisfied with being 8-0,” he said. “We want to just keep the fire and the hunger going.”

Larry Nolan can be contacted at l.Nolan@umiami.edu.

Shannon decides to stay with Hurricanes

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The football team has had to adjust to several coaching changes this off-season, but it can take comfort in the fact that defensive coordinator Randy Shannon has decided to stay put for the time being.

Shannon was being courted by North Carolina State to take over the same job for the Wolfpack. Soon after it became known that Shannon was not leaving Miami, N.C. State hired Reggie Herring to fill the vacant position.

Shannon has renegotiated his salary with Athletic Director Paul Dee and Head Coach Larry Coker. The terms of the new deal have not been disclosed yet.

According to the Miami Herald, Shannon makes about 175,000 dollars a year working for the Hurricanes. North Carolina State was offering more than 300,000 dollars a year for Shannon’s services.

Coker told the Herald that Shannon’s contract is unconventional when compared to normal deals for assistants.

“He doesn’t actually have a contract but he’ll be here as long as I’m here if he wants to stay,” Coker said. “It’s not a written contract per se.”

Dee told the Herald that Shannon’s raise was not motivated by the increasing of assistant coaches’ salaries, and it does not mean that other UM assistants will be having their contracts modified.

“He’s the defensive coordinator,” Dee said. “And a senior member on the staff. And the market determines people’s values to us sometimes, too. This is an independent event.”

Shannon used to play linebacker for Miami, winning a National Championship in 1987, and returned to the coaching staff in 2001 after working for the Dolphins. His aggressive 4-3 scheme has been regarded as one of the most potent in the nation. In 2001, Shannon received the Frank Broyles Award as the national assistant coach of the year.

Eric Kalis can be contacted at e.kalis@umiami.edu.

Women’s basketball preps for NCAA Tourney

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The women’s basketball team has had a dream season.

They have won over 20 games and earned a first round bye in the Big East Tournament. They should be a four or a five seed when the NCAA Tournament comes around in about a week. They could possibly make a Sweet 16 run.

Compare that to the men’s basketball team. The men had a chance to amend some of their mistakes Saturday night thanks to a gift from Virginia Tech. Only the bottom two teams do not make the Big East Tournament and after Virginia Tech won at Georgetown, the Hurricanes had an opening.

All they needed to do was beat West Virginia at home and they would have been in the Big East Tournament, and with a good showing there, could have possibly earned an NIT bid. Instead, for the 11th time in 12 games, the Hurricanes could not get the job done.

The Hurricanes led by two late in the game, but they gave up two easy lay-ups and a free throw and never recovered. Once again, Miami failed to make a defensive stop with the game on the line and did not score a field goal in the final 2:54 of the game.

Truthfully, the only mystery in the last 12 games is how they beat Villanova. I was hoping maybe that one win would give them momentum, which could have propelled them into the Big East Tournament and maybe set them up to pull off an upset. However, it was not to be and instead, more frustration and a second consecutive 4-12 season in the Big East.

The reason I’m telling you about the men’s team is so students can appreciate what the women’s basketball team has done. As much as the men have struggled, the Lady ‘Canes have made our school proud. The Hurricanes ended the regular season 22-5 overall and 11-5 in the Big East. The 22 victories they posted are eight more than the men earned.

In addition, the ladies play basketball the right way. They have the ability make a defensive stand and they can score down the stretch.

They will also be playing in both the Big East and the NCAA tournaments.

Led by a dominant starting five consisting of sophomore Tamara James, who was named to the All-Big East first team, juniors Melissa Knight and Yolanda McCormick and seniors Chanivia Broussard and Shaquana Wilkins, the Hurricanes are poised to advance deep into the NCAA Tournament. McCormick received an honorable mention on the All-Big East team, and Broussard made the third team. Don’t be surprised if this team pulls off an upset or two and makes a Final Four run. I’m not predicting that it will happen, but I’m simply telling you not to rule out the possibility that it could happen. The Hurricanes starting five is among the best in the nation, with four starters averaging double digits and the fifth, Melissa Knight, averaging over nine points a game.

The Hurricanes’ biggest concern is depth, which has hurt them against good teams like Connecticut and Notre Dame, but if they can overcome that, this team could be a dark horse to go all the way.

So when March Madness rolls around and you’re filling out your men’s brackets for the pools you will be playing in, don’t be depressed because Miami is not on there. Instead, turn to the next page of the newspaper and you will see our school listed in a bracket. You will see Miami as a fairly high seed. It might even make you smile.

So when it’s time for March Madness, remember the women’s basketball team. Watch them when they play, and take time to pay attention to whom they are playing and how they are doing. Otherwise, if they win the national title, you won’t be invited to the parade.

Darren Grossman can be contacted at d.grossman@umiami.edu

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