Daily Egyptian by Daily Egyptian

Daily Egyptian MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 2016

VOL.100 ISSUE 36

SINCE 1916

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Student charged with felony drug possession BILL LUKITSCH | @Bill_LukitschDE

An SIUC student has been charged with felony possession of narcotics with intent to deliver, according to Carbondale Police. Roosevelt Gaston, 20, of the 700 block of South Illinois Avenue in Carbondale, was stopped by a CPD officer at about 11:37 p.m. Wednesday for a vehicle equipment violation, police said. Officers found Gaston to be in possession of suspected marijuana upon further investigation. Gaston was subsequently arrested for possession of marijuana with intent to deliver and incarcerated at Jackson County Jail, police said. Court records show Gaston faces Class 2 and Class 3 felony charges for possession of at least 500 grams – or 17.6 ounces – of marijuana, which carry maximum sentences of seven and five years imprisonment, respectively. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. Feb. 18 at Jackson County Courthouse. Gaston is currently enrolled at the university as a sophomore studying early childhood education, said university spokesperson Rae Goldsmith. Bill Lukitsch can be contacted at blukitsch@ dailyegyptian.com or (618) 536-3329.

Yenitza Melgoza | @YenitzaM_DE Adalynn Wille, age 5, enjoys looking through a book while visiting her grandpa on Saturday at his apartment in Carbondale. Wille attends one of four Head Start Centers and receives new books through SIU Head Start’s “Book in Every Home” campaign. The campaign’s intent is to collect enough new books for all the children who attend the centers.

‘Book in Every Home’ campaign aids in children’s reading development SHANNON ALLEN | @ShannonAllen_DE

Roosevelt Gaston

Children enrolled in Carbondale’s Head Start program receive 10 free books each year through the “Book in Every Home” campaign, and one Carbondale child is benefiting from it greatly. Amber Wille, mother to Adalynn Wille and substitute teacher at Head Start, said the campaign has aided Adalynn’s learning abilities. “Last year, Adalynn brought home nine free books because of this campaign,” Amber Wille said. “I have a few friends in the program who don’t even buy books anymore because they get

so many for free.” Head Start, a national program with an SIU location, “provides comprehensive early childhood education, health, nutrition, and parent involvement services to low-income children and their families,” according to its website. The program, which serves 3-year-old to 5-five-year-old children, has locations throughout Jackson and Williamson Counties and operates at SIU with funding from a federal grant. Amber talked about the lack of resources for

underprivileged children, who are targeted by the program. “Some children don’t always have access to books unless they’re donated or they visit the library,” Wille said. “But how children learn depends on the time and effort the parents put into it.” Books for the program are donated from various places, including the university and Carbondale Public Library, Amber said. Please see BOOK | 2

SIU isn’t new to the debate game ANNA SPOERRE | @AnnaSpoerre

A small room in the Communications Building was filled with energy Thursday, as five teammates sat around a table clicking keyboards, scribbling notes and exchanging yellow legal paper like a welloiled machine. Director of Debate Todd Graham sat across from two debaters and two graduate assistants, giving suggestions and occasionally cracking jokes as his team prepared for its first practice debate of the semester since returning from the World University Debating Championships in Greece. Teams such as Harvard and Duke fell victim to SIU’s superior discussion ability during the World Universities Debating Championship, held in Greece from Dec. 27 through Jan. 4. SIU’s debate team has existed since at least 1937, said Nathan Stucky, department chair of communication studies, and the team has had waves of success and failure. Graham, who has been the coach since 2000, said he choose to coach at SIU despite other offers because the team had a rich history. “I knew how proud the institution used

Aja Garman | @AjaGarman_DE Bobby Swetz, a freshman from Flossmoor studying economics, and Arielle Stephenson, a junior from Torrance, Calif. studying business economics, attend a Saluki Debate Team practice Thursday in the Communications Building.

to be of its debate team and the success it used to have, and I wanted to recreate that,” said Graham, who has won five national championships at SIU. When he came to Carbondale,

@DAILYEGYPTIAN

Graham said the debate team had almost disappeared because of numerous interim coaches and low funding. So he began to rebuild it. But, the road wasn’t easy. Graham, who previously oversaw the

debate program at Northwestern State University from 1990 to 1997, said his first team was made up of two walk-on debaters. As head coach, he did not go to a single competition that year, but instead worked with university administrators to build funding and traveled the country recruiting, leading to a team of eight members the following year. Graham said after a few years the team was competitive at nationals. In 2015, for the eighth consecutive year, the team made it to the final four. “Nobody wins this much,” Graham said as he sat in his office, pointing to a bookshelf with a dozen first place trophies from 2015 on it — too many to fit in the building’s trophy case. Graham said he attributes some of the team’s success to luck, but also to its focus on recruiting and practice methods. He said he travels across the nation, checking out high school debates and deciding which individuals would fit his vision of the team. Even while prepping for nationals in March, Graham was making calls to potential recruits for next season. Please see DEBATE | 3

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MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 2016

BOOK CONTINUED FROM

Five-year-old Adalynn, who is in her final year of the program, said her favorite author is Rosemary Wells and some of her favorite books include “Curious George” and “Just Going to the Dentist.” Amber said she and her daughter visit the library twice a week and read four to five books together every night. “When we read together, we’ll talk about why it’s important,” she said of the bonding experience. Adalynn was curious about why some of her Jewish and Muslim friends do not celebrate Christmas, so her mother said they read books about different traditions.

“She’s learning, and I’m learning to learn with her,” she said. Amber attended SIU for special education, but left school when Adalynn was four months old. She said teaching other students is different from teaching her own child. In addition to teaching Adalynn to read, Amber has also been teaching her Spanish and sign language. The five-year-old can say words like ‘mom’ and ‘dad’ and knows the sign language alphabet. Amber said another parent in the program has said since the campaign launched, his daughter reads more often and is learning letters more quickly.

Fax: (618) 453-3248 Email: editor@dailyegyptian.com Editor-in-Chief: Tyler Davis (618) 536-3397

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“He said that she wasn’t able to recognize letters as well as she does now,” Amber said. “He was shocked by how much she’s grown.” Ronda Dunn, SIU President Randy Dunn’s wife and university alumna, also comes into Head Start to read to the children from time to time. She is the chairperson for the campaign for the second time. “This campaign brings more awareness to the benefit of daily reading with small children,” Dunn said. “I enjoy reading to them.” Shannon Allen can be reached at SAllen@dailyegyptian.com or at (618) 536-3329.

About Us

The Daily Egyptian is published by the students of Southern Illinois University Carbondale 43 weeks per year, with an average daily circulation of 7,800. Fall and spring semester editions run Monday through Thursday. Summer editions run Tuesday and Wednesday. All intersession editions run on Wednesdays. Free copies are distributed in the Carbondale and Carterville communities. The Daily Egyptian online publication can be found at www.dailyegyptian.com.

Mission Statement

The Daily Egyptian, the student-run newspaper of Southern Illinois University Carbondale, is committed to being a trusted source of news, information, commentary and public discourse, while helping readers understand the issues affecting their lives.

Copyright Information © 2016 Daily Egyptian. All rights reserved. All content is property of the Daily Egyptian and may not be reproduced or transmitted without consent. The Daily Egyptian is a member of the Illinois College Press Association, Associated Collegiate Press and College Media Advisers Inc. and the College Business and Advertising Managers Inc.

Publishing Information The Daily Egyptian is published by the students of Southern Illinois University Carbondale and functions as a laboratory for the school of journalism in exchange for the room and utilities in the Communications Building. The Daily Egyptian is a non-profit organization that survives primarily off of its advertising revenue. Offices are in the Communications Building, Room 1259, at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale, Ill., 62901. Uche Onyebadi, fiscal officer.

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DEBATE CONTINUED FROM

MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 2016 1

This year’s team includes Graham, two debaters and two assistant coaches. Arielle Stephenson, a junior from Torrance, Calif., studying business economics and Bobby Swetz, a freshman from Flossmoor studying economics are his two debaters while Zach Schneider and Ben Reid — both of whom won national champion titles — help with coaching. Stephenson and Swetz regularly debate in practices against Schneider and Reid. “[SIU debaters] now have the best coaching rounds in the country,” Graham said. Stephenson, who won competitions in her home state, said SIU is held in high regard in the debate world. “The legacy is very strong,” Stephenson said. “People know that we have tough practices. People know that we have lots of research.” Debaters spend much more

“The legacy is very strong. People know that we have tough practices. People know that we have lots of research. - Arielle Stephenson debater

time reading and writing than they do debating, Graham said. He recommended his debaters spend at least two hours a day reading news, in addition to practicing from 3:30 to 10:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. When asked how much time they spend together, they all laughed and said “too much.” Despite having a fairly young team, Graham said he has been happy with its success this year. The team won its first competition of the year at Ohio

University earlier this month, a win Graham said he was not expecting. Now, Stephenson said the team is ranked seventh for nationals, which take place in California in March. “We have to have a lot of things go our way to do well at this tournament,” Graham said. “But things so far have been going our way pretty well.” Anna Spoerre can be reached at aspoerre@dailyegyptian.com or 618-536-3325

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MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 2016

Promoting education through science

Jacob Wiegand | @JacobWiegand_DE Arianna Belk, age 3, of Carbondale and Carter Plimper, who is nearly 4, of Corpus Christi, Texas, stare in amazement as a foam ball is sucked into a tube Sunday at The Science Center of Southern Illinois at University Mall in Carbondale. “We don’t have anything like this at home so [Carter] loves it,” said Carter’s mother, Jessie Plimper, who is originally from Carbondale. Abby Sell, animal curator at the science center, said the goal of the science center is to promote education within the younger generation. The center has operated for more than 20 years.

A year after publishing an award-winning novel, SIUC professor reflects on being a teacher, author and parent ANNA SPOERRE | @annaspoerre

One year ago Wednesday, associate English professor Scott Blackwood published “See How Small,” a fiction novel that has since been named to the New York Times’ Editor’s Choice Pick and NPR’s Best Books of 2015. Blackwood, who has been teaching fiction at the university since 2012, was nominated Jan. 14 for an American Society of Magazine Editors award for a nonfiction feature writing piece about poverty in Pembroke Township — a small town south of Chicago. The winner will be announced on Feb 1. Today, Blackwood’s own story includes teaching students while writing and raising a family, made possible thanks to weekly air commutes across the country. He recently moved back to Austin, Texas, so to make it to class on time, Blackwood leaves his home Tuesday morning and does not return until Wednesday night. With 15-hour shifts, he spends a lot of time in his Faner Hall office, which contains two large bookshelves and a desk

Aidan Osborne | @AidanOsborne_DE Associate English professor Scott Blackwood raises his hand while posing a question about writing habits to his advanced fiction course Wednesday in Faner Hall. Blackwood told the class that it is important to take risks while writing, especially at this time early in their writing careers. “If you’re coasting, you’re dying,” Blackwood said.

covered in papers and books. When he was an undergraduate

at the University of Texas, Blackwood said he related to

students writing.

who

struggled

with

“I don’t think I was a very good writer,” he said. “I wasn’t the golden child.” In his 19 years since college, Blackwood has published two novels, a short story collection and two nonfiction works. He said he hopes to continue teaching and publishing. “You’re trying to help people tell their own stories, whether it’s on the page or something they’re trying to overcome,” he said. This past year, he began writing a prequel to “See How Small,” a fictitious novel about the experience of a soldier who just returned home from Iraq. Blackwood, whose most recent novel took five years to complete, said his busy schedule only allows for sporadic writing. “If you find something you’re really interested in, you better pursue it ... and put your credibility on the line to achieve it,” Blackwood said. “The sooner you can find out what will fulfill you emotionally and intellectually, you should pursue that.” Anna Spoerre can be reached at aspoerre@dailyegyptian.com or 618-536-3325.

MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 2016

Page 5

Track and field wins three events at Gladstein Invitational BRENT MESKE | @BrentmeskeDE

SIU’s track and field team came away with three event wins during the weekend in the team’s second meet away from home this season. Senior shot putter Josh Freeman, junior high jumper Kyle Landon and sophomore runner Lucas Horton each won an event at Indiana University’s Gladstein Invitational. Freeman won the shot put for the third time in as many events this season. His throw of 18.84 meters won the event, but two of his other throws, 18.16 on his first attempt and 18.66 on his fourth, would have also won the event. The Dawgs finished Friday with nine top-five finishes in ten events including senior pole vaulter Jonathan Walsh’s second-place finish in the event with a vault of 4.91 meters, while junior Chad Weaver had the same height — a new season-best — but finished fourth. Landon and Horton won the high jump and 600-meter race, respectively, on Saturday. The win was Landon’s second in a row as he jumped 2.20 meters.

Horton ran a personal-best of 1:20.66 to win his race. Senior Bradley Sauer and sophomore Isaac Ingram finished second and third in the weight throw with distances of 21.06 and 19.53 meters each. In women’s shot put, Alexus Scott finished second with a throw of 15.87 meters after finishing third in the weight throw Saturday. The Salukis also had runner-up finishes from sophomore Denis O’Callaghan and freshman Warren Hazel in the 800- and 200-meter races. O’Callaghan lost to Indiana freshman Adam Wallace by one-hundredth of a second as the Saluki set a personal record of 1:55.49. Hazel finished .16 seconds behind senior Jerome Henderson from Tennessee State, posting a time a 22.41 in his second collegiate meet. The SIU women’s 4x400 relay team, composed of juniors Ashanna Hodge and Chrissa Harris and sophomores Victoria Archie and Alicia Reed, finished third with a time of 3:48.69. They beat the relay teams from conference rivals Indiana State and Loyola. The Salukis’ next meet begins Friday

in Nashville, Tenn., at the Vanderbilt Invitational.

Daily Egyptian File Photo

Freshmen finding footing at college level THOMAS DONLEY | @tdonleyDE

Incoming freshmen may need some time to find their footing in the college game. That’s even more true for athletes who go from being local stars in high school to just another player in college. SIU women’s basketball freshmen guard Olivia Bowling and center Ashley Hummel are finding this out firsthand. Through 17 games for the Salukis, Bowling has seen action in 14 contests, and Hummel has played in six. “It’s hard to come from high school where I played every minute of the game, and then come here,” Bowling said. “I get down on myself. It’s all mental.” Bowling averages 1.8 points and 0.6 assists in 5.9 minutes per game. Hummel averages 1.0 point and 1.3 rebounds in 5.7 minutes per game. Another freshman, forward Tiajaney Hawkins played in each of SIU’s first five games this season before going down with a season-ending shoulder injury. She averaged 3.0 points and 1.0 rebound in 6.8 minutes per game. Hawkins is taking a medical redshirt this season and will have

Jacob Wiegand | @JacobWiegand_DE Freshman guard Olivia Bowling dribbles toward the basket during SIU’s 69-68 loss to Loyola University on Jan. 10 at SIU Arena.

four years of eligibility remaining. As for the other newcomers, they are spending their first year doing more watch than playing. Hummel said she came to SIU with high confidence in herself, but has since had to regain her composure.

“I didn’t know the players on the team, so I didn’t know they were going to be as good as they are,” she said. “I was confident and I was hanging with them, but when they started to really play their game, it started to bring my confidence down a little bit because they’re

such good players.” Hummel said a combination of extra work outside of practice to get stronger and faster, and positive self-talk have helped improve her confidence. She played an average of seven minutes in the Salukis’ first two games this season but did not

see action in the next six. While they are not exactly seeing a glut of playing time, Hummel and Bowling have the advantage of learning the game from some of the best players in SIU history. Junior guard Rishonda Napier, senior guard Cartaesha Macklin and senior center Dyana Pierre are all 1,000-point scorers for the Salukis. “I’ve learned a lot,” Bowling said. “I hate sitting on the bench, but I’ve learned it’s actually a good thing because I get to watch the leading scorer in SIU history play, and what I’ve learned from them is ‘Don’t take nothin’ from anybody. Take it at ‘em.’” Bowling and Hummel combined to play less than one minute Friday night. Bowling was injured chasing a loose ball shortly after entering the game for the first time. Hummel did not play. “I think they’re each getting better in their own way,” coach Cindy Stein said. “They’re doing solid things for us. It’s a huge learning curve for them still, but they’re doing everything they can to help us in practice and games.” Thomas Donley can be reached at Tdonley@Dailyegyptian.com or 618-536-3307.

Page 6

Monday, January 25, 2016

MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 2016

207 West Main Street Carbondale, IL 62901 Ph. 1-800-297-2160

FOR RELEASE JANUARY 26, 2016

Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis

<< Answers for Thursday’s Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit, 1 to 9. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit www.sudoku.org.uk

Today’s Birthday (01/25/16). Gather in an abundant harvest this year! Expand your team to take advantage. An income boom bursts into flower after spring, opening new options for study and exploration, especially after August. Autumn eclipses grow your family fortunes;

avoid spending it all. Stash nuts for winter. Share the love. To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging. Aries (March 21-April 19) -Today is an 8 -- Take on more work today and tomorrow. It’s easier to clean up misunderstandings, with Mercury direct. Communications barriers dissolve, especially between friends. Reconnect with a distant friend or relative. Let go of water under the bridge. Taurus (April 20-May 20) -- Today is a 7 -- Your professional creativity surges, with Mercury direct. It’s easier to concentrate. The road ahead is clear. An author’s circumstances inspire you. Team projects go well. Communication moves forward about career plans. Get the word out. Gemini (May 21-June 20) -- Today is an 8 -- Traffic flows clearly now that Mercury’s direct. Transportation and travels go smoother.

ACROSS 1 Zen garden growth 5 Arthur of tennis 9 Toss back and forth, as words 14 __ and for all 15 Fishing line holder 16 Be wild about 17 What buck passers “play” 19 JCPenney competitor 20 Former baseball commissioner Bud 21 Holiday song first popularized by Eartha Kitt 23 Hits gently 25 Arrest 26 Maiden name intro 27 Holiday threshold 28 Weeping, perhaps 30 In disagreement 33 __ meat 34 “A bit of talcum / Is always walcum” poet 37 God of love 38 You might stand pat in it 41 Auth. unknown 43 Back of the neck 44 Navig. tool 47 Some stoves 49 Tailor 51 Insistent knock 52 Drill insert 53 “Mazel __!” 56 Italian deli sandwich 58 Navy stunt pilot 62 One with wanderlust 63 Countesses’ spouses 64 Drill sergeant’s directive ... and, literally, what the ends of 17-, 21-, 38- and 58Across can each have 66 Rhubarb unit 67 Island near Corsica 68 Masterful tennis server 69 Monica of tennis 70 Ultra-fast jets 71 Brewed beverages

Creative efforts take a leap forward. Fix up your place today and tomorrow. Your home and family require more attention. Money saved is money earned. Cancer (June 21-July 22) -- Today is a 9 -- Financial transactions flow easily now that Mercury’s direct. Sign and send contracts and agreements. Open new accounts. Things are starting to make sense. Study and practice today and tomorrow. You can expand your area of influence. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) -- Today is a 9 -- Creative collaborations spark easily with Mercury’s direct. Communication between partners connects. This could get profitable, over the next few days especially. Congratulate each other on a job well done. Store away provisions for the future. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -- Today is a 7 -- Workplace communications zing and buzz now that Mercury’s direct. Issue promotions and media releases. Less effort is required. It’s easier to reach

By C.C. Burnikel

DOWN 1 Many a character in “The Godfather” 2 Temporarily not working 3 Sold for a quick profit, as tickets 4 Loading dock trucks 5 Chile neighbor: Abbr. 6 Salty waters 7 Muscle beach dude 8 Court colleague of Ruth and Sonia 9 The Crimson Tide 10 Very little 11 “Impossible” 12 Signs of prolonged drought 13 “I completely agree!” 18 Showbiz clashers 22 “Check back later,” in a sked 24 Grandma 29 Light before sunup 31 Concert shirt 32 Bobby of hockey 35 Mother’s Day indulgence

01/25/16 1/26/16 Thursday’s Answers Monday’s Puzzle Solved

36 Short plane trips 38 Crime family leader 39 Genetic letters 40 “__ your chin up!” 41 “Have we started yet?” 42 Without additives 44 Pained expression 45 It’ll cure all ills 46 Little web masters

consensus. You’ve got extra energy today and tomorrow. Try a new style. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) -- Today is an 8 -- It’s easier to make romantic plans, with Mercury direct. Your sweet signals are finally getting through! Send invitations or respond to them. Lines of communication clear up. Enjoy some peaceful privacy together today and tomorrow. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) -Today is an 8 -- Transportation and communications flow with greater ease now that Mercury’s direct. There’s less confusion in the workplace, fewer equipment breakdowns. Team projects go well today and tomorrow. You can always include another into your circle. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) -Today is a 9 -- Long-distance connections come together. It’s easier to get your message out, to travel and to launch projects now that Mercury’s direct. Publish, broadcast and present. Your influence is rising, over the next two days. Take advantage of the spotlight.

1/26/16 01/25/16

47 Convent overseer 48 LIRR stop 50 Desire 54 Fairy tale baddies 55 Bridal shop buys 57 Jack Sprat’s restriction 59 InStyle competitor 60 Poses a question 61 Pride parade letters 65 Owns

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- Today is an 8 -- It’s easier to advance. Your cash flow increases. Brainstorming is more productive with Mercury direct. Keep track of shared accounts. Avoid gambling or risky business. Replenish your reserves. Resist the temptation to splurge on toys. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) -Today is a 9 -- Group membership pays off newly. You learn even more quickly with Mercury direct. It’s easier to get teams aligned. Begin a two-day planning phase. Be a strategist, rather than impulsive. Join forces to get the funding. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) -Today is a 9 -- A barrier to your objective is dissolving. Words and traffic flow better with Mercury direct. The pressure eases. It’s easier to get the word out. Discover romance today and tomorrow. Enjoy a delicious conversation.

Sports

PAGE 8

MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 2016

Salukis win at Missouri State for first time in seven years EVAN JONES | @EvanJones_DE

The SIU men’s basketball team won in Missouri State on Sunday, 80-65, for the first time since 2009. SIU (18-3, 7-1 Missouri Valley Conference) shot 47.5 percent from the field and 7-18 from behind the 3-point arc en route to the win. The Dawgs are now solely in second place in the MVC behind Wichita State, which is 8-0 in MVC play. The only loss in MVC play was to Wichita State, when the Salukis lost in front of a sell out crowd at home Jan. 9. The Salukis advanced to a nation-best 8-0 road record. They lost to UTEP on a neutral site game in Nov. 27. Junior center Bola Olaniyan put in a lay-up with 10:23 remaining in the second half to give the Salukis a gamehigh 23 point lead. Olaniyan led the team with a career-high 17 points and six rebounds in 23 minutes. Junior guard Dequon Miller led the Bears (8-12, 4-4 MVC) with 22 points on 8-16 shooting. Five Salukis ended the game in double figures, senior guard Anthony Beane did not as he finished with eight points on 1-7 shooting. He played in 37 minutes today, which led the team. Beane entered the game second in conference in scoring, but has failed to crack 10 points in his second straight contest. He finished the game with eight points, six assists and four rebounds. Junior guard Tyler Smithpeters made all four of his shot attempts Sunday, each from behind the 3-point arc. He finished with 13 points in 23 minutes. SIU plays Evansville 7 p.m. Thursday in SIU Arena.

Morgan Timms | Daily Egyptian Junior forward Sean O’Brien passes a rebounded ball during the 74-50 victory against Southeast Missouri State at SIU Arena on Dec. 2. O’Brien led all scorers with 22 points in the win.

Salukis have habit of What we learned from SIU’s getting into foul trouble win over Missouri State EVAN JONES | @EvanJones_DE

Fans and players couldn’t go more than a minute without hearing a whistle during the Saluki men’s basketball win against Indiana State Wednesday. Fifty-six fouls were called in just 40 minutes of game action. SIU committed nearly six more fouls than its season average of 22.2, which ranks No. 8 in the Missouri Valley Conference and No. 318 in the nation. That’s five more than the team averaged last season, and part of that may be attributed to several rule changes approved by the NCAA. Eddie Jackson, MVC head of officiating, said the majority of the rule changes were implemented to take physicality out of the sport. Some added or adjusted rules include an attempt to take hand checking out of the game, which is using your hands to stop the progress of an offensive player. “This is a game of finesse, not physicality,” Jackson said. “We have seen teams adjust to the rule changes and we have also seen teams who have not.” Most of junior guard Tyler Smithpeters’ fouls are called on hand-checking fouls. The Salukis may want the Harrisburg native to improve on this because Smithpeters leads his team in 3-point shooting and is second in the conference shooting 49 percent. He is also second on the team in fouls this season with 64. Every moment he is on the bench, SIU is missing a valuable outside shooter. Smithpeters is one of three guards that average

more 20 minutes per game. He averages nearly two more fouls per 40 minutes than the other guards who get regular playing time. “I try to stay off the bench as much as I can, but sometimes it doesn’t work,” he said. “Usually, I’m sitting on the bench around the 10-minute mark in the first half.” Another adjustment to the rulebook is the cracking down on physical screen play. The thinking being less hard screens means more freedom of movement for players without the basketball. Junior center Bola Olaniyan was benched by coach Barry Hinson after committing two fouls in the first minute of Wednesday’s game — one of which was a moving screen. Olaniyan, who is second in the conference in rebounds per game with 8.3, leads the team in personal fouls, even after missing three games due to a suspension. In the first three minutes of Wednesday’s game, Olaniyan sat on the bench with two fouls and did not play the rest of the first half. Olaniyan would foul out in the second half. “I just want to be there to help my teammates,” Olaniyan said. “I need to be out there to make an impact for my team.” For him to do that, he might have to adjust the way he plays with the new rules. After the game coach Barry Hinson said he “would not take the bait” and comment on the officiating. In Sunday’s game against Missouri State, SIU committed 22 fouls, on par with their season average.

SEAN CARLEY | @SCarleyDE

SIU defeated Missouri State on Sunday, 80-65. Here’s what we took away from the victory: 1. This team no longer needs Anthony Beane to have a big night to win every game. SIU has had back-to-back eight-point performances from senior guard Anthony Beane, who went into Sunday’s contest averaging 19.9 points per game. SIU also has back-to-back wins of 13 points or more. Granted, the Dawgs wouldn’t mind Beane scoring 20 points every game, but as this week shows, it’s no longer a necessity like it has been the past two seasons. In the two games combined, there have been seven double-digit performances: five from starters and two from junior guard Leo Vincent off the bench. These performances show the supporting cast is ready and can make a difference when called upon. 2. When Beane doesn’t score a lot, the entire team makes up the difference. Five different Salukis scored in double figures Sunday. On Wednesday against Indiana State, two were in double figures while another two had nine. This distribution shows the Salukis have meshed together as a team, instead of a collection of players. Playing as a team has carried coach Barry Hinson’s guys, but it will pay even bigger dividends next season when Beane’s eligibility runs out next season. These last two games have shown the ship will not sink after this season. 3. This team can win anywhere. The win puts the Salukis at 8-0 on the road — the nation’s longest road winning streak. The Salukis won only five games on the road the last two

seasons combined. Moreover, the team hadn’t beat Missouri State in Springfield, Mo., since Hinson was hired. Sunday’s game showed that no matter where they are, the Salukis feel comfortable. Hinson said the team feels less pressure on the road and its play reflects that notion. The Salukis’ biggest road tests lie ahead as four of their five remaining road games are against the top half of the Missouri Valley Conference standings. 4. This team does not care about history. SIU’s victory was their first at Missouri State since the 2008-09 season. This season’s team already has as many or more victories than any team since the 2006-07 Sweet 16 team. The program hasn’t had a six-game winning streak since that season as well. Bears coach Paul Lusk was 6-2 in his career against the Dawgs and 4-0 at home versus SIU. None of that matters to this group of Dawgs. Hinson said he uses last year as a motivating factor. With the Salukis breaking records and setting as many streaks as they are, the message appears to be received. 5. The monkey is finally off coach Hinson’s back. Until Sunday, Hinson had not won at Missouri State, his former workplace. Not to mention the Bears’ head coach, Paul Lusk, is a former Saluki. He said the games in Springfield no longer meant anything special to him, but even if it didn’t, he has to feel a weight is off his shoulders. To do it in this season, one that Hinson says he has enjoyed more than any other at SIU, probably makes it even more special. Sean Carley can be reached at scar@dailyegyptian.com or at 618-536-3304.