The Daily Egyptian - December 7, 2022

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Peyton Cook | @pcook02

RSOs share how they celebrate the holidays

Janiyah Gaston | @DEJaniyah

With the semester coming to a close and the holidays right around the corner, different Registered Student Organizations (RSO) are sharing different ways they celebrate with students.

student center. She said the event is open for everyone to participate in and there will be a lot for people to do.

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The Hispanic Student Council hosted its annual La Posada event on Dec. 2 in the student services building. Vianey Sanchez, president of the Hispanic Student Council, said La Posada is a mainly religious holiday that focuses on Mary and Joseph looking for shelter before their son was born.

Having this event allows for not only people of different backgrounds to come together, it also opens up a conversation about immigration, Sanchez said.

“It really has been a tradition for every single year because it is just so relevant to the political climate here in the United States, and then, like, another aspect is that a lot of us come from different backgrounds, whether we are first generation, second or third, and any of the above. So, I think it’s also, like, a good time to reflect on the sort of the lack of immigration reform there’s in the country,” she said.

Sanchez said the purpose of her RSO is to bring the Hispanic and Latinx community together and provide a space for them to be themselves.

“Well, it’s also trying to serve the entire population on campus. So if there’s any issues that you hear about, the Latinex and Hispanic community really students of any background and they can feel free to come to us and we’d also like to advocate for them and their needs and make sure all their needs are met on campus,” Sanchez said.

Ra’Deja Johnson, president of National Association of Colored Women’s Club (NACWC), said her group will be hosting its annual Christmas party on Dec. 9 from 6-8 p.m. in the Missouri room at the

“We’ll have food like pizza and breadsticks and things like that and then we’ll have some minute to win it games; wrapping a gift game; and we’ll have games like that; and then we’ll also have ornament decorating and stocking decorating and music,” she said.

Johnson said, because NACWC has held the event for so long, it did not take a lot of work to set the event up. She said having this event is a great way for people to take a breather before finals and meet new people.

“We always have a really pretty good turnout. It’s super fun. Kind of relaxing and you get to kind of mix and mingle and just kind of decompress while doing little activities with other people and just talking amongst other people and then also with our ornament decorating and

stocking decorating it kind of gives you something like you can go home and you can look at it or just have to let you know that the holidays are coming” she said.

Samuel Wolf, the president of the Chabad Jewish Student Group, said that group will be hosting its PreHanukkah party on Dec. 8 from 5-7 p.m.

“Hanukkah is all about how the oil stayed for eight nights instead of one, so everyone will be making their own olive oil container and will be taking it home as a gift,” Wolf said.

This event is not only for the Jewish community, but all people are welcome to come and experience a culture and tradition that is different from theirs, he said.

Staff reporter Janiyah Gaston can be reached at jgaston@dailyegyptian.com or on Twitter @DEJaniyah.

New mural brings new life to building in Murphysboro

A mural of a winter night scene featuring a 3-D yeti extrudes from the wall Dec. 4, 2022 on a brick wall in Murphysboro, Ill. This mural was produced in collaboration of Silkworm Inc, Revitalize 62966 Art, designer Tony Phillippe, and several other artists. Lylee Gibbs | @lyleegibbsphotography

Names of the artists and designers sit on display on a brick wall Dec. 4, 2022 on a brick building in Murphysboro, Ill. The winter mural was designed by Tony Phillippe and brought to life by artists Christine Deshazo, Sue Gindlesparger, Leah Heller, Tony Phillippe, Bob Chambers, Tom Waterford, Kennedy Jennings, Kylie Graff, Cynthia Mill, Liam Hurst, and Phill Deshazo with the help of Silkworm and the city of Murphysboro. Lylee Gibbs | @lyleegibbsphotography

A portion of the winter mural pops off a wall Dec. 4, 2022 on a brick wall in Murphysboro, Ill. The mural comes to life with a 3-D yeti that extends from the original artwork painted on the side of a brick building. Lylee Gibbs | @lyleegibbsphotography

Rico attempts a trick on a ramp Dec. 2, 2022 at the new indoor skate park in Carbondale, Ill.

Wheels Up: Indoor skating takes off

Skaters stand at the top of a ramp Dec. 2, 2022 at the new indoor skate park which opened Wednesday on S. Illinois Ave in Carbondale, Ill. Naia McPherson @naiamcpherson

Skaters stand at the top of a ramp Dec. 2, 2022 at the new indoor skate park which opened Wednesday on S. Illinois Ave in Carbondale, Ill. Naia McPherson

@naiamcpherson

Dylan Stanton and Rico stand and chat while skating Dec. 2, 2022 at the new Slabz indoor skate park in Carbondale, Ill. Naia McPherson | @naiamcpherson

Naia McPherson | @naiamcpherson

Preston Greff rides his skateboard Dec. 2, 2022 at the new Slabz indoor skate park in Carbondale, Ill.

Naia McPherson

@naiamcpherson

Nathaniel Fisher drops in on a ramp Dec. 2, 2022 at the newly opened Slabz indoor skate park in Carbondale, Ill.

Naia McPherson | @naiamcpherson

Dylan Stanton drops in at the new Slabz indoor skate park Dec. 2, 2022 in Carbondale, Ill. Naia McPherson | @naiamcpherson

Nathaniel Fisher rides his skateboard at the newly opened indoor skate park Dec. 2, 2022 at Slabz indoor skate park in Carbondale, Ill.

Naia McPherson | @naiamcpherson

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. introduces pledges with its Neophyte Presentation

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. hosted its Fall 2022 probate on Saturday, Dec 3 in the Furr auditorium. The probate was a chance for Alpha Phi Alpha to introduce its newest members.

To kick off the event members walked down the aisle towards the stage. The new member’s faces were covered until the end of the probate.

Once on the stage, the Dean and Assistant Dean of pledges introduced the line. Throughout the probate the new members stated information about Alpha Phi Alpha, such as the founding year and what it means to be an Alpha.

Anaiyah Agee, a fourth-year student and new member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc., said she came out because she wanted to support the men of Alpha Phi Alpha since they have always supported her sorority.

“I love the men of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. I love them with my whole heart, especially the Beta Eta chapter. I also have a friend who is on this line,” she said. “I am just excited to see what they have going on and they support us, so we will always support them.”

Agee said probates are a great way for the students to be introduced to the new members and allows for the new members’ faces to be seen.

“A lot of people might not know the new members or like they’ve never seen them before. So, it is a way for everybody to come out and see them, get to know them, their name and know who they are and to just put their talents on the forefront, so the hard work they put in to get in the position

they are in right now,” she said.

To get the crowd more engaged, the members interacted with different Black sororities and fraternities, such as Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc., Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc., and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.

As the event was coming to a close, the newest members were finally able to show off their identities.

Other members of Alpha Phi Alpha surrounded the new members so they could put on their Alpha Phi Alpha shirts and be officially recognized as members of the fraternity.

Once the members changed, their ship name was announced to be the USS Revelation. The new members were revealed to be Nigel Singleton aka Apedemic, Femi Terebo aka Gold

Singleton and Council said they joined Alpha Phi Alpha because of the brotherhood and how active it is on campus.

“For me it was the fraternity’s involvement on campus. These are guys that I look up to by doing things:

SPC, BAC, USG [...], but also just the Brotherhood thing, the way they lift up each other and hold each other accountable,” Singleton said.

Council said he was also inspired by the group’s involvement, but also because he wanted to be a part of something that would make an impact in people’s lives.

“I wanted to be an Alpha to have a brotherhood because I’m an only child. I didn’t have any brothers growing up. I also wanted to join something that was larger than me and bigger than myself,” he said. “I wanted to serve my community and I saw what the men of the Beta Eta chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha were doing and I just wanted to join it and now I’m here and the real work begins.”

Terebo said he joined because he felt the fraternity’s message spoke to him and he saw how the fraternity encouraged their members to try and do things on their own.

“The reason I joined Alpha Phi Alpha was I saw how they move both as a unit and individually. You don’t have to be around your brothers all the time, [...] that’s something I value, especially as a black man in the U.S. You gotta be able to stand on your own,” he said.

He said Alpha Phi Alpha impacts the Southern Illinois University (SIU) campus through a lot of different events.

“Alpha really does speak for itself. You see what they do on a regular basis on campus and off campus both with community service and with events they throw, stuff like March of Dimes, and their homecoming week, things of that nature,” he said.

Staff reporter Janiyah Gaston can be reached at jgaston@dailyegyptian.com or on Insta @janiyah_reports.

Menace, Andre Council aka In2itive Rebel, and Jakari Patterson aka C3rberice.

Janiyah Gaston | @Janiyah reports

Alpha Phi Alpa Fraternity Inc. members stroll down the aisle at Furr Auditorium Dec. 3, 2022 at SIU in Carbondale, Ill. | @janiyah_reports

Members of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. cheer on the new members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. at Furr auditorium Dec. 3, 2022 at SIU in Carbondale, Ill. | @janiyah_reports

Students Celebrate La Posada

Continued from page 2

Members of the Hispanic Student Council serve food at La Posada Dec 2, 2022 at the Student Services building in Carbondale, Ill. | @janiyah_reports

People wait in line for food at La Posada Dec 2, 2022 at the Student Services building in Carbondale, Ill. | janiyah_reports

Carbondale Lights

People dressed as Bob Ross walk through the streets of Carbondale Dec. 3, 2022 during the Carbondale Lights Fantastic Parade in Carbondale, Ill. Hannah Combs | hcombs@dailyegyptian.com

Shawnee Band plays for the guests at Carbondale’s Light Parade Dec. 3, 2022 in downtown Carbondale, Ill. Will Gessinger | wgessinger@dailyegyptian.com

Train made of lights passes through downtown pulled by a truck Dec. 3, 2022 during the Carbondale Lights Fantastic Parade in Carbondale, Ill. Will Gessinger | wgessinger@dailyegyptian.com

Judge Services truck passes through downtown Dec. 3, 2022 during the Carbondale Lights Fantastic Parade in Carbondale, Ill. Will Gessinger | wgessinger@dailyegyptian.com

Fantastic Parade

Carbondale Community High School Band performs for the residents attending the Carbondale Lights Fantastic Parade Dec. 3, 2022 in Carbondale, Ill. Will Gessinger | wgessinger@dailyegyptian.com

Trucks line the street while guests look at them Dec. 3, 2022 during the Carbondale Lights Fantastic Parade in Carbondale, Ill. Will Gessinger | wgessinger@dailyegyptian.com

Children perform with the Happy Little Tree group for the Carbondale Lights Fantastic Parade Dec. 3, 2022 in Carbondale, Ill. Hannah Combs | hcombs@dailyegyptian.com

HUMANS OF

Melissa Adams crams for finals Dec. 4, 2022 at Morris Library in Carbondale, Ill. Mo Collar | @m0.alexander

Shaun Mauhall waits at the bus stop Dec. 4, 2022 outside Thompson Point in Carbondale, Ill. Mo Collar | @m0.alexander

A student walks behind Morris Library Dec. 3, 2022 in Carbondale, Ill. Mo Collar | @m0.alexander

SIU

Student worker, Missy Huddleston, checks classes in Morris Library Dec. 4, 2022 in Carbondale, Ill. Mo Collar | @m0.alexander

Students relax in Morris Library Dec. 3, 2022 in Carbondale, Ill. Mo Collar | @m0.alexander

A student takes a walk Dec. 3, 2022 outside Faner Hall in Carbondale, Ill. Mo Collar | @m0.alexander

45th Annual Holiday Craft Sale

Breanna GallaGher BGallaGher@dailyeGyptian com

The 45th Annual Holiday Craft Sale at SIU ran Dec. 1-3 above the Student Center Craft Shop. This event hosted more than 50 regional craftsmen with their skills including different types of media such as ceramics, candle making, glass work, paintings, and fiber works such as knitting and crochet.

With so much range, customers were sure to find something that might suit everyone on their list this holiday season. Some booths were more focused on the holidays and Christmas creations but a majority of the sale consisted of things that you can appreciate year round.

Some fan favorites were candles, jewelry, stocking caps and hand drawn art. All quite simple and easy to give to anyone something special because they are handcrafted in limited amounts.

There might only be one or two produced in exactly the same way and someone spent their own personal time perfecting that exact item. This is why these creations are so coveted and appreciated.

This event is perfect for anyone who may not have the option to go out shopping either because they don’t have a car or just have a busy schedule with finals coming up. Not only was this event convenient for busy students but it also provided the perfect opportunity to support local artisans.

Shopper Lauren Nippa said, “With finals and everything coming up, I haven’t had that much time to think about the holidays and how they’re coming up so quickly, so

this was perfect to just stop in here after class and look around.”

She said she wasn’t expected to find as much as she did.

“I managed to find something for almost every member of my family and I really like that they were all hand made it feel a little more special than just going to a store even if it wasn’t me who made it,” she said.

Not only is it good to support local artisans and to give family and friends something a little more unique but it is also relatively inexpensive. Most of the items sold at the craft sale were very reasonably priced and totally within a college student’s budget.

The SIU Annual Holiday Craft Sale provides opportunities for both students and community

members

and it is clearly felt and appreciated. arrangement helps more artists get recognition and promotes the local businesses, while also providing students with a new view on Carbondale and the

Staff Reporter Breanna Gallagher can be reached at bgallagher@

Liz Garnati from Box Turtle Seeds and Daniel Mattingly from Mighty River Nursery sell plants and seeds at the Holiday Craft Sale Dec. 3, 2022 at Southern Illinois University Student Center in Carbondale, Ill. “It’s been going on for so long, and people from all around the area really seem to know about it and come out for ans support local businesses and that’s really nice and you get to meet all the different vendors and artists in the area,” Garnati said. Janiyah Gaston | @janiyah_reports

Loren Koenigstein, Treasurer of Horticulture Club makes reef at the Holiday Craft Sale Dec. 3, 2022 at Southern Illinois University Student Center in Carbondale, Ill. Janiyah Gaston | @janiyah_reports

Gabrielle Spencer and other members of the Horticulture Club make Christmas Wreaths to be sold at the Holiday Craft Sale Dec. 3, 2022 at Southern Illinois University Student Center in Carbondale, Ill. Janiyah Gaston | @janiyah_reports

Fire up jellies and jams products sit on table at the Holiday Craft Sale Dec. 3, 2022 at Southern Illinois Student Center in Carbondale, Ill. Janiyah Gaston | @janiyah_reports

“Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” solves the case of the perfect sequel

dennis @letterBoxd com/Zadenator

In 2019, “Knives Out” was released on Thanksgiving week. The film was a surprise hit and immediately garnered acclaim from audiences and critics alike. It made more than $300 million at the box office, a considerable amount for an adult-geared mystery thriller with a budget of around $40 million.

The film was nominated for an Academy Award for best original screenplay and became one of the most widely beloved films of the year. Very soon after its success, a sequel was greenlit, and writer/director Rian Johnson began work on “Glass Onion.”

The film takes a unique approach, not functioning as a continuation of the events of the first film, but rather having Benoit Blanc, the ace detective played by Daniel Craig in “Knives Out”, take on another case within the same universe. Aside from Craig, “Glass Onion” features an entirely new cast of seasoned actors, all playing off each other to great effect.

Although some moviegoers have been confused/disappointed in the strange rollout the film is receiving, “Glass Onion” has shifted from the first film in that it’s a Netflix original and is premiering on the streaming service on December 23. The film received a very limited theatrical release, a whole month before its Netflix premiere, again on Thanksgiving week.

This theatrical release was limited to roughly 600 theaters, but still managed to pull around $13 million in its “one week only” release. This theatrical release was partly to qualify the film for awards submissions, as the Academy requires that to be considered for nominations. Many fans of the original film also clamored for the film to be released in theaters, as the nature of the first film played extremely well in a theater setting.

I was able to see this film on release day, November 23, and it undeniably plays best with an audience, which the reaction of in my screening was rapturous. The crowd was laughing along with all the jokes and were completely wrapped up in unraveling the mystery at the center of the film. This strange, highly limited release and the film’s Netflix premiere is a perplexing decision to say the least.

“Glass Onion” is exactly what you want out of a “Knives Out” sequel. It lives up to the tantalizing mystery of the first film, while still being unique and subversive in a new way, which continues to keep the audience

guessing, even when we’ve now gotten a taste of what makes up a “Rian Johnson whodunnit.”

While “Glass Onion” undoubtedly raises the stakes in many ways, the most impressive step-up is how Johnson can hide his hand for so much of the runtime. The film is nearly two-and-a-half hours long and it spends a large chunk of it leaving the audience completely in the dark, allowing for the truth to boil to the surface as you attempt to unpeel the layers.

Even in its final moments, Johnson still has tricks up his sleeve, waiting patiently to let everyone in on the mystery, making it one of the most fun viewing experiences I’ve had in a theater this year.

The cast is just as sharp and precise as Johnson’s script, giving perfectly pulpy performances that look just as fun to play as they are to watch.

Daniel Craig continues to nail his

performance as Benoit Blanc, who is quickly becoming one of cinema’s most fun and charming on-screen detectives.

Everyone involved gives devilishly deceiving performances, but former wrestler-turned-actor Dave Bautista is undoubtedly the film’s standout. In arguably his best performance to date, he plays the perfectly hateable Duke Cody, a hyper conservative live streamer preaching “men’s rights” and “self-wellness.” His satire on modern masculine influencers is perfectly biting and hilarious from start to finish, thanks to Bautista’s sheer commitment.

“Glass Onion”, like the first film, is equal parts social and political satire and murder mystery. The film takes place in the heat of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the core plot itself parodying the absurd news story that circulated during the pandemic, when Kim Kardashian flew her friends and

family to a private island to party while the rest of the world was still deeply entrenched in quarantines and lockdowns.

Johnson holds no punches, with each of the main cast serving to critique hilariously unique and absurd aspects of our culture. It continues in its attack on the entitled one percent and the complete lack of self-awareness that most of the hyperfamous and hyper-rich are known for in the social media world.

Although the commentary never feels too indulgent or self-serious, never getting in the way of the core mystery at the center, “Glass Onion” is a symphony of many pieces, working together to create a film that is just as satisfyingly complex as it is downright simple on the surface. You can choose to watch (and rewatch) the film trying to dig into all the little details peppered throughout, or you can sit back and enjoy another

whodunnit that’s sure to surprise any audience member, regardless of preconceptions.

It seems that Johnson will continue to stay busy doing what he does best, as a third film in the series has already been confirmed, as well as a new series “Poker Face” premiering on Peacock in January. The series is another mystery-comedy-drama directed and written by Johnson.

While sadly, many will have to wait for the film to release on Netflix later this month to dig into another “Knives Out Mystery,” I can easily recommend everyone to throw it on this holiday season, as it’s one the year’s most entertaining films.

Rating 8/10

Staff reporter Zaden Dennis can be reached at zdennis@dailyegyptian.com and you can find his other reviews at letterboxd.com/Zadenator.

Zaden

Day Starr-Flemming | @designsbydaydreaming

Punter from down under finds a home at SIU

AmAndA PozniAk AmAndA PozniAk@siu edu

It’s a hot, humid day in San Antonio, Texas. Sept. 3 at 6 p.m. The home crowd screams, “Go Cardinals!” Lightning flashes across the sky and rain thrashes over the football field. Kickoff is on a two-hour rain delay.

The Saluki’s rookie starting punter, Nathan Torney, is uneasy as is. As the storm brewed for two hours before kickoff, so did Torney’s anxiousness. The ball sat tauntingly, waiting to soar across the field.

The first snap of the ball, when it came, flew over Torney’s head, which did not go how they had practiced.

“I didn’t know what to do,” says Torney, “that made the blood boil a bit.”

Nathan Torney, 24, is from a small rural town outside of Melbourne, Australia, studying sports administration and management. He has a unique experience with his sport. As far as American football goes, his few games so far with the SIU football team have been his only exposure to officially playing.

Torney was an active child. It served as a getaway from an unconventional home life. Cricket and Australian rules football were Torney’s pastimes. Through these sports, he developed a passion for the latter and excelled. He made three appearances playing representative Australian rules football where he competed at the national level, facing more seasoned players, and was captain of his under-18 league. Torney came to realize that Australia did not have much to offer if he wanted to pursue football professionally. This required Torney to pick up his life and pursue his passion in a brand new country.

Torney took 18 months to hone his skills and concentrate on punting. His talents caught the attention of multiple scouts at the professional and college level. Torney takes pride seeing his efforts have paid off, giving him the chance to play football in America at the D1 level on a full scholarship.

Torney carefully contemplated pursuing football, as it meant leaving everything he knew thousands of miles away. Some people find hobbies to distract themselves from the burdens of life. For some it’s music or drawing.

For Torney, it was football.

“That’s probably particularly the reason I fell in love with sport - just once you hit the field, everything leaves your mind. I use it more as an escape, a mental health blanket,” Torney said.

He grew up without a father figure, but does not see that as a limitation. He utilizes it as inspiration to improve in his own situation. Torney assumed the duty of a provider at a young age, landing his first job at 15. He moved out at 18 and worked in the trades. Torney took these skills with an eye toward the bigger picture.

In the friends he surrounds himself with, Torney has discovered a new family. He said he had no trouble making friends in America, since he had to learn how to come out of his shell when it came to moving different places.

Despite the fact that life’s journey has separated them by thousands of miles, Torney still stays in touch with his childhood friends.

Torney moved to a larger urban city in Australia just two years prior to arriving in the U.S., where he had to meet new people from

different backgrounds than what he was used to. Making friends in America was the biggest culture shock. The Southern Illinois University football team recruits people from all over and they’re brought together in one small town in Illinois.

Torney has had the opportunity to meet all different kinds of people from different cultures and backgrounds like never before. He has met people with common interests and has also been brought closer to people through their differences.

With his newfound American friends, Torney experienced his first hockey game. He said he had no idea what the rules of the games were, but still had a fun time.

“I love experiencing new cultures, new people,” he said.

The game of American football itself is a new experience for Torney. Torney goes into the game of football with two different mindsets. One of which he calls his “gameday mindset” and the other his “practice mindset.”

The practice mindset entails analyzing all the factors of the game. Where the ball is placed

and where his feet are placed are considered when it comes to following through a successful punt. Gameday on the other hand, Torney uses adrenaline as motivation.

“I look around for the pressure and what’s coming at me,” says

Torney, “I do the opposite of what I do at practice.”

One of Torney’s coaches, Saverio Rocca, gave a piece of advice Torney will never forget: to just looked past the negatives. After struggling with a matchup against SEMO, Torney went into the next game with a fresh mindset and was ready to approach the new team with a different outlook. Torney says he applies this way of thinking in his everyday life. He does not allow any troubles that he has overcome to impact any decision making going forward.

Torney has lived this out by playing the sport he is passionate about in an entirely new country. He said he would never have achieved the things he has if he was stuck letting his past hinder his future.

Torney hopes that his continued interest in football will lead him to the Canadian Football League (CFL). Snowboarding is a very popular sport in Australia, so it is very common for Australians to migrate to Canada in search of work, the scenery and a place to play in the snow.

“Canada is like Australia, but colder,” Torney said.

Torney is appreciative of every leap of faith he has taken that has led to where he is today.

“This is probably the first time I’m doing something for myself, this is why I’m here,” says Torney.

Guest Contributor Amanda Pozniak can be reached at amanda.pozniak@siu.edu

Photos provided by Nathan Torney

Photos provided by Nathan Torney

Saluki Basketball heading into conference play

Joei Younker | JYounker@dAilYegYPtiAn com

This year three schools were added to the Missouri Valley Conference, Belmont, University of Illinois Chicago, and Murray State. Not only are these teams new competition for the Salukis, but important games that can help the Dawgs accomplish their 2022 season goals.

“These teams are all great additions so it is definitely going to be a challenge,” said junior guard Dalton Banks.

Having added three new schools that the Salukis have not competed against previously is a big change for the team. Players like Senior guard Trent Brown aren’t concerned about the preparations for the new additions. Each season the Salukis coaching staff scouts conference and non-conference teams to prepare the team to perform at the best of their abilities.

“I believe we just have to prepare like we always do. Our coaches do a phenomenal job scouting teams in both the conference and non-conference schedule. A team motto of ours is to do everything ‘one way’ and that is what we’re going to do,” Brown said.

One day at a time and game by game is exactly how the Salukis are preparing for conference play. Nothing changes season to season when it comes to conference preparation, it’s always ‘one way’ and that one way is the Dawgs sticking to their principles.

“We’re continuing to work on our foundation everyday. For us nothing really

changes, we’re just continuing to be the best we can everyday and stick to our principles,” Banks said.

The Missouri Valley creates a long season within itself which makes each game so important, and the Salukis have to attack each game with the same mentality and a renewed energy. This is one important thing for the Salukis to keep in mind when preparing for conference play.

Another thing the Dawgs are keeping in mind is understanding how important each game is. When it comes to the final week of the season, no team wants to look back and wish they could have played any game a different way. So keeping the energy high and continuing to work on their principles are going to be the keys to the Salukis conference play preparation.

“The win differential between a team finishing middle of the pack to the team taking home the trophy may only be three games. So, having that in the back of our minds as we prepare for every game is highly important,” Brown said.

Not only are they working as a team to prepare, but each player on the roster has been taking into consideration what they need to work on to help their team perform the best that they can.

“Individually I need to continue to be aggressive and help my teammates out. I want to make sure when I get in the game I have the right mindset and do anything I can to benefit the team,” Banks said.

Brown has similar things he is working on, “I have a lot to work on. I need to continue using my voice to communicate and keep everyone on the same page. Skill wise, I have to shoot the ball confidently and have better defensive positioning,” he said.

When it comes to the overall goal for the Salukis, they all have the same thing in mind, to hang a banner in the Bantera Center. This has been a goal for the team since the core of the team came in a few years ago.

“I remember coming in and shooting around with Lance (Jones) and Marcus (Domask) when we first got on campus. We were starry

eyed looking up in the rafters. One way or another we are hanging a banner in those rafters, there’s no other option,” Brown said.

With high hopes and big goals for the season, Southern Illinois men’s basketball began conference play on Nov. 30 with an 8053 win over Evansville in Indiana. The Salukis take on Indiana State Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. for a conference game at home, then start an 18game run of MVC matches on Dec. 29 versus Murray State in an away game.

Reporter Joei Younker can be reached at jyounker@dailyegyptian.com

Staff

Marcus Domask (1) drives the ball up the court as Christian Brown (2) follows just behind during the game against the Tigers of Tennessee State Nov. 17, 2022 at the Banterra Center in Carbondale, Ill. Lylee Gibbs | @lyleegibbsphotography

Sophie Whitten

Sophie Whitten swhitten@dailyegyptian.com

I never even got to the parade