Articles by: jdavis15

 

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  Long, Patriots ride seven-game win streak

  Sports January 31, 2011 at 9:02 pm Comments are Disabled

  Offense wins games. But defense wins championships. If that statement holds true, the George Mason University Patriots have themselves in prime position to make a run at the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament championship in March. And, most importantly, they have themselves in great position to make some noise in the 2011 version of NCAA March Madness. Their three point defense ranks among the top-20 in the entire country while their scoring defense weighs in for 35th best in the nation. As their team defense has progressed throughout the season, the offense has benefitted greatly and allowed the Patriots to post a +12 scoring margin, good for 28th in the county, throughout the first 22 games of the season. “Right now, we feel like we are clicking real well,” said junior forward Mike Morrison. “Everybody is on the same page and playing together. We’re doing a great job of adjusting to each team and our confidence is very high right now.” Mason’s stellar defense was on display in the Patriot Center on Wednesday night as they held Towson to a mere 42 percent shooting in their 84-58 victory. In that contest, the Patriots notched eight steals and were able to convert […]

   
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  CAA Midseason Breakdown

  Sports January 31, 2011 at 8:57 pm Comments are Disabled

  Halfway through the Colonial Athletic Association schedule, the George Mason University men’s basketball team enters the final stretch of their regular season. Key matchups against CAA leaders Virginia Commonwealth University and Hofstra University as well as a big game against Old Dominion University for Homecoming make the road for the Patriots that much more challenging. With five weeks left until the CAA tournament, it is ironic that there are five top contending teams that are making a run at an NCAA tournament berth. Over this next month, we will take an in-depth look at James Madison University, Hofstra, ODU, VCU and Mason to better understand what they bring to the table in preparation for the CAA tournament which begins March 4. This week’s CAA spotlight team is the James Madison University Dukes. In the last meeting between the JMU Dukes and the Patriots, Mason came away with a narrow 75-73 victory in Harrisonburg in what proved to be a momentum- changing game. A pair of clutch threes by senior guard Isaiah Tate added to a late run by Mason in the second half which proved to be the deciding factor in the Patriots road win against JMU. However, if it […]

   

• Players of the Week

  Sports January 31, 2011 at 8:50 pm Comments are Disabled

  For two consecutive weeks, a member of the George Mason University Patriots was selected as the Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Week. Senior guard Cam Long, who averaged 22 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game in the Patriots victories over conference opponents Drexel and James Madison last week, was awarded the honors. His 30-point explosion in the victory at James Madison marked a career-high in the scoring category as he was 8-of-9 from the field, including a perfect 4-for-4 from deep range. He became the first Mason player in three seasons to top the 30-point plateau. “It’s all about confidence,” Long said. “Confidence in myself and confidence in my teammates. They were able to get me in a good position to shoot the ball and I just took advantage of it. I’ve been feeling really good lately and my confidence level is continuing to grow.” The previous week, junior forward Ryan Pearson posted 19 points and 5.5 rebounds a night for the Patriots in their victories over Northeastern and Georgia State. He poured in a career-best 24 points against the Huskies early in the week and came back with another 14-point effort at home against Georgia State. […]

   

• The State of DC Sports Address

  Sports January 31, 2011 at 8:49 pm Comments are Disabled

  As set forth by the citizens in the most powerful city in the world, (insert name here) shall deliver to our fan base information regarding the state of our beloved sports franchises from time to time. For more than a century, this nation’s capital has played spectator to a rich history of sports franchises, venues, players and owners. It has witnessed three Super Bowls and one NBA Championship. And, most recently, it has sat by and watched the state of the district’s sports turn into a conglomeration of suck.

   

• Students and the practice of drunkorexia

  Editorials January 31, 2011 at 8:43 pm Comments are Disabled

  It’s no secret that the general population of college students in our society depends on alcohol abuse for social enjoyment. In general, alcohol abuse is the consumption of alcohol to the extent that it impairs the mental, physical, social and emotional capacity of the user. Whether it’s to forget our problems, feel happy or decrease our social inhibitions, we abuse alcohol in order to temporarily enter a mindset that dismisses our concern for how others view us. Senior Brent Dicken admitted that becoming drunk is a confidence booster, saying that it “makes people feel more comfortable around people they don’t know.” However, decreased inhibitions are not always a good thing. They often lead to decisions that impact or ruin the rest of our lives. Perhaps the most common and dreaded result of drunkenness is the pounding in our heads when we wake up. Hangovers. They’re a little like an incurable STD. You can’t repair; you can only prevent. Drink plenty of water, pace yourself, and of course, eat enough or else alcohol is going to swim solo through our veins and conquer us before we even have a chance to enjoy a little buzz. The result? Our starving bodies are […]

   

• The seat saving situation

  Editorials January 31, 2011 at 8:41 pm 1 comment

  Last week, I went to an event where patrons saved seats for their friends, resulting in another experience where I had the strong desire to stab people in their necks. I hate the practice of saving seats and I hate seat-savers. I make exceptions for those who are already seated but have some reason to leave, such as going to the restroom. However, people who save seats for others who have not arrived get my blood boiling. In a room with n seats, if I’m qth in line, such that q < n, basic decency states I get a seat. But if the kth person (k < q) wants to save w seats and w > (n – q), I don’t get one, even though q < n. If that’s too mathematical for you, let me put it plainly (again): I hate seat saving. We use waiting lines to apportion access to goods and services because time spent waiting approximates how valuable said good or service is. Someone ahead of you put more time in, therefore he values it more, and he should get it before you do. But saving seats pools the costs and allows a bunch of people […]

   
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  First date faux pas

  Lifestyle January 31, 2011 at 8:35 pm Comments are Disabled

  First dates – we all know the protocol. There are some things that just aren’t appropriate to talk about. If you don’t have too many beverages and make a conscious effort to steer clear of hot button issues, then you may save yourself some embarrassment. Over break, some of my friends were telling me about a couple of dates they went on and it seems like the perfect time for me to make it clear what you absolutely should not talk about on a first date. Ladies and gentlemen, it is not cute to brag about how much money you make or things you own. No matter how much you think this will increase your chances of getting laid, money is not the best way to get somebody to like you for you. Telling a person you just met how much you earn is a major turn off and has no relevance. Also, do not talk about how little you make, either. (In guy lingo, that’s like admitting you are a gold digger.) Do not bore him with your life story. If a guy is out on a date with you, it is because he is interested in who you […]

   
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  Cheap Eats with Ramy Zabarah

  Lifestyle January 31, 2011 at 8:32 pm Comments are Disabled

  One meal at a restaurant or at the food court in the Johnson Center is harmless to your wallet. It might even be feasible the second time. However, the third outing in a week might raise some concerns, especially when it’s time to check your bank account balance. But here’s a crazy idea: cook at home. Many students reject the idea of cooking because they think it’s too difficult, time consuming or expensive, which isn’t necessarily the case. I intend to provide you – the average college student – with simple, cheap recipes for meals that can be made in your apartment, dorm or communal office kitchen. This week, I bring forth the conversation of eggs. Whether you prefer them hard-boiled, scrambled or sunny-side up, eggs can make all the difference in your daily budget. At only two to three dollars a dozen, eggs contain enough protein to keep you going from the minute you leave the house until lunchtime. And we all know breakfast is the most important meal of the day! Give this recipe a try: GOAT CHEESE OMELET Servings: 1 2 tablespoons olive oil 3 eggs 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped. 1/2 tomato, diced 1/4 onion, diced 1/2 […]

   

• More of the Same: Cage the Elephant delivers predictable sophomore album

  Lifestyle January 31, 2011 at 8:25 pm Comments are Disabled

  To follow up their hit debut album, Cage the Elephant had to do something truly fantastic. For their sophomore effort, “Thank You Happy Birthday,” Cage seems to have accidentally stumbled on what could be called a valiant effort and a worthy successor. People know Cage the Elephant widely for the mainstream success of their single “Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked,” which was largely overplayed by the end of the 2009. For those who enjoyed that single, “Birthday” is going to be largely something new from the 5-piece alternative rock outfit. The album opens up strong with “Always Something,” a heavy, rhythm-driven power anthem that is sure to please Cage’s mainstream and casual audience. In general, “Thank You Happy Birthday” is lightly sprinkled with songs people would expect from Cage such as their latest single “Shake Me Down.” Things get messy when Cage taps into their punk and grunge influences with songs like “Aberdeen” and “Around My Head.” These songs feature frantic tempos and lazy vocals over sloppy arrangements that are probably much better live than on the album. Still, these strange punk songs have a boyish charm that, when juxtaposed with every other song on the album, aren’t too […]

   

• From The Vault: ‘The Girl Who Knew Too Much’

  Lifestyle January 31, 2011 at 8:23 pm Comments are Disabled

  In 1963, while Americans were raving about Elizabeth Taylor in “Cleopatra,” Italy was pioneering a new genre of film called “giallo.”