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Daily Egyptian THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2016

University, Illinois leaders react to Rauner’s State of the State address BILL LUKITSCH | @BILL_LUKITSCHDE

Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner recited Wednesday his mantra of promoting a businessfriendly atmosphere in Illinois through principles listed on his so-called “Turnaround Agenda” during the State of the State address. There was talk of freezing property taxes, curbing the power of state unions, introducing term limits for state politicians and redrawing legislative maps. Little was said regarding the ongoing budget impasse, which has left public universities, like SIU, without state money for fiscal year 2016. “To me, that was the elephant in the room that went undiscussed in the governor’s speech and I think other officials were somewhat surprised by that as well,” SIU President Randy Dunn said. During his speech, Rauner acknowledged the importance of state-funded post-secondary education and proposed reforming higher education by cutting administrative costs and rerouting savings to the classrooms. But Dunn said that’s nothing new. “We’ve been in discussion on reduction of administrative costs and overall bureaucracy since last summer, given the work that was advanced by the Senate Democrats at that time,” Dunn said. Dan Montgomery, president of the Illinois Foundation of Teachers, criticized Rauner for his “so-called education reforms,” via press release just after the 40-minute speech. He also noted the governor did not address the “funding crisis in higher education.” “Try as he might to distract from it today, Governor Rauner can’t escape his failure to fulfill his primary responsibility — to negotiate and enact a state budget,” Montgomery said. Community colleges and public universities across the state have received no state money for research projects, need-based grant aid or operational costs. And as the stalemate between Rauner and the Illinois General Assembly approaches the eightmonth mark, some university officials say the damages are irreparable. Administrators at Chicago State University said it could close as early as March 1 without state funds. Eastern Illinois University and Western Illinois University officials have announced layoffs and furloughs. Dunn said in a WSIU radio interview this week that the budget delay has terrible repercussions for SIU, but the university has enough money in reserves to keep the school afloat through the semester. He indicated in that same interview that WIU and EIU do not have the level of reserve funds as SIU, Illinois State University or the University of Illinois. While there are no plans to close any of SIU’s three campuses, Dunn and interim Chancellor William Bradley Colwell have said the university depends on state appropriations to continue providing the same functions and services it has in the past. Please see RAUNER | 4

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Aspen Court, CPD prepare for Polar Bear EVAN JONES | @EvanJones_DE

Saturday is the 15th annual Polar Bear celebration, an allday drink-fest started by Pinch Penny Pub. Property damage, city ordinance violations and drinking citations have caused Carbondale police and Aspen Court Apartments to amp up efforts to curb the partying. Aspen Court staff has

fenced off the courtyards that were ruined last year in an attempt to reduce large crowds from damaging property, while Carbondale police will increase its presence throughout the city. Dozens of partygoers congregated on the complex’s courtyard between buildings Q and P during recent Solar and Polar Bear celebrations,

resulting in several arrests and pepper spray being dispersed on the crowd. Brian Marik, property manager of Aspen Court Apartments, said DJs and large sound systems are not allowed and city ordinance violations must be followed this weekend. In past years, Solar Bear attendees were seen on roofs of buildings

and hanging out of apartment windows. “Last year we had extra security because we knew what was happening,” Marik said Monday. “This year we’re going to have heavy security. We want people to have a good time — we just don’t want destroyed property.” Please see POLAR | 2

Taking a whack at boxing

Jacob Wiegand | D AILY E GYPTIAN Yovonne Williamson, a program adviser for the off-campus degree programs in the College of Engineering from Glen Ellyn, takes a whack at boxing during a demo session of Jim Crouse’s boxing class on Wednesday at the Recreation Center. “I enjoyed the cardio part and the working out,” Williamson said. “Just trying to get into a place of endurance and building my strength.” Crouse said he believes boxing is the best overall exercise a person can perform because it combines speed, power, cardiovascular conditioning and strength. Williamson said she is very interested in continuing boxing in the future.

Trump unlikely to change his mind on debate LESLEY CLARK McClatchy Washington Bureau

@DAILYEGYPTIAN

“Something that this country should be able to do.” He accused the network of making “personal attacks” on Trump and questioned how the debate would succeed without the Republican front-runner: “Maybe Fox was going to have a 20 or 25 million-person debate,” he said. “But without Mr. Trump’s participation, I think they may have a 1 or 2 million-person debate.” Trump said Tuesday he won’t participate in Thursday night’s Republican debate, escalating a long-running fight with Fox News, which he blamed for refusing to pull Megyn Kelly as a moderator and for taunting him. Fox News accused Trump’s campaign of threatening the network if it didn’t remove

Kelly and said it would not capitulate to his demands. It called his decision “near unprecedented” and questioned “how Iowans are going to feel about him walking away from them at the last minute.” Trump, who had threatened earlier in the week to sit out the debate because of Kelly, told reporters Tuesday ahead of a town hall at a high school gymnasium here that he “probably won’t bother” to appear at the debate and instead will hold an event to raise money for veterans. His campaign later confirmed that he would indeed sit out the event, the last televised contest among the candidates before voters in Iowa cast votes on Monday. Please see TRUMP | 4

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2016

POLAR CONTINUED FROM

In response to Aspen’s efforts, an ad on craigslist was posted offering free fencing that “needed to be gone by Saturday morning,” located in the area Marik said was prohibited. Marik said security is contracted by the apartment complex, but according to a flyer posted on the property, Carbondale police will be called if any criminal action occurs. CPD Sgt. Corey Kemp said there

will be five more police officers per shift this weekend, but they will not patrol one area more than another. “Wherever we’re called for service is where we’re needed,” he said. CPD administered 27 citations to partygoers during August’s Solar Bear celebration. More than 1,000 people were estimated to be at Aspen during the peak of the party. Marik said Aspen has never promoted Polar Bear festivities at the complex. He attributed the

Editor-in-Chief: Tyler Davis (618) 536-3397

increased partying in the courtyards to Pinch Penny changing entrance requirements from 19 years old to 21 years old in past years. This weekend, Pinch Penny and Copper Dragon will admit people 19 or older and will open at 10 a.m. More than 2,600 people said they will partake in the celebration, according to a “SIU Events and Parties” Facebook event. Evan Jones can be reached at EJones@Dailyegyptian.com.

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THURSDAY , JANUARY 28, 2016

Dying laughing with Dye

Morgan Timms | @Morgan_Timms Jeremy Brown, a freshman from Champaign studying journalism, laughs during Jeff Dye’s standup performance at the Student Programming Council’s “Laugh till you Dye” comedy event on Wednesday in the Student Center Ballrooms. An aspiring standup comedian himself, Brown set up the event and opened for Dye with about a six-minute routine.

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2016

RAUNER CONTINUED FROM

“At some point, we do need the state to do their part,” Colwell said during an interview last month. Per usual, local state leaders responded to Rauner’s statements on job creation with more fingerpointing across the aisle. “We have to create a situation

TRUMP CONTINUED FROM

Donald Trump’s campaign manager said Wednesday it’s unlikely the Republican front-runner will change his mind and show up at Thursday’s Republican debate, accusing Fox News of launching personal attacks and defending Trump’s decision to skip the debate as one of a “clear leader.” In an interview with MSNBC, campaign manager Corey Lewandowski said Trump is someone who “is not going to be toyed with. “A person who understands when a bad deal is in front of him and is ready to walk away from a bad deal,” he said of Trump. “Something that this country should be able to do.” He accused the network of making “personal attacks” on Trump and questioned how the debate would succeed without the Republican front-runner: “Maybe Fox was going to have a 20 or 25 million-person debate,” he said. “But without Mr. Trump’s participation, I think they may have a 1 or 2 million-person debate.”

that fosters business and people moving back into Illinois,” Dave Luechtefeld, R-Okawville, said in a press release. He added that Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan will make state reform and job creation difficult in his determination to show Rauner “who is boss.” State Sen. Gary Forby, D-Benton, said Rauner’s push for state spending

reform has left both SIU and John A. Logan College without state money. “Those decisions cost people jobs,” Forby said. “I hope he realizes he’s made a mistake and is going to work to undo his decisions and finally invest in southern Illinois.”

Trump said Tuesday he won’t participate in Thursday night’s Republican debate, escalating a long-running fight with Fox News, which he blamed for refusing to pull Megyn Kelly as a moderator and for taunting him. Fox News accused Trump’s campaign of threatening the network if it didn’t remove Kelly and said it would not capitulate to his demands. It called his decision “near unprecedented” and questioned “how Iowans are going to feel about him walking away from them at the last minute.” Trump, who had threatened earlier in the week to sit out the debate because of Kelly, told reporters Tuesday ahead of a town hall at a high school gymnasium here that he “probably won’t bother” to appear at the debate and instead will hold an event to raise money for veterans. His campaign later confirmed that he would indeed sit out the event, the last televised contest among the candidates before voters in Iowa cast votes on Monday. “Now let’s see how many people watch,” said Trump, the reality TV

star whose appearance on the debates has helped spike viewership. “Why do I have to make Fox rich? Let me make the Wounded Warriors rich. Let me make the veterans rich.” Fox for its part, said the show would go on, with or without Trump. A spokesperson for the network said it would not buckle to what it said was the campaign’s effort to intimidate Kelly. But Fox said Trump is welcome to change his mind. “We can’t give in to terrorizations toward any of our employees,” the spokesperson said. “Trump is still welcome at Thursday night’s debate and will be treated fairly, just as he has been during his 132 appearances on Fox News & Fox Business, but he can’t dictate the moderators or the questions.” Trump has been at odds with Fox News since the first Republican presidential debate in August when Kelly asked him a question about negative comments he’s made about women. On Tuesday, he repeatedly called her a “lightweight” and a “third-rate reporter” who “shouldn’t be in the debate” as a moderator.

Bill Lukitsch can be contacted at blukitsch@dailyegyptian.com or (618) 536-3329.

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2016

International swimmers compete on short notice EVAN JONES | @EvanJones_DE

Two SIU swimmers had to travel across the Atlantic Ocean and compete for the Salukis all in the same week — thankfully they didn't have to swim. Oliwia Okaj, a freshman from Poland, and Filippo Dell'olio, a junior from Italy, each competed in their first meet as Salukis in a Arkansas-Little Rock meet Jan. 16, less than a seven days after arriving in Carbondale. A hectic travel schedule didn't stop Dell'olio from winning both evens he swam in Arkansas. He finished with a time of 1:53.53 in the 200-yard butterfly and 1:55.9 in the 200-yard individual medley. Dell'olio traveled from Milan to London to Miami last Monday, prior to his first meet in an SIU swim cap. He was supposed to get on a connecting flight from Miami to St. Louis, but he missed the plane. Dell'olio spent the night in Miami and caught the next flight in the morning. Overall, Dell'olio spent more than 40 hours trying to get from Italy to Carbondale and was in the pool practicing for the Salukis on Thursday afternoon. Luckily, Okaj's trip wasn't as stressful as Dell'olio's. After catching all three of her flights, Okaj was picked up by swim coach Rick Walker in St. Louis on Monday and arrived in Carbondale later that night. Filippo Dell’olio, a junior swimmer from Usmate, Italy, races in the butterfly leg of a 400-yard individual medley time trial at Butler University’s swim meet Sunday. Dell’olio posted two top-three finishes in the 500-yard freestyle and 100-yard butterfly races. Morgan Timms @Morgan_Timms

Morgan Timms | @Morgan_Timms Oliwia Okaj, a freshman swimmer from Wroclaw, Poland, races the breastroke leg of a 400-yard individual medley time trial at Butler University’s swim meet Sunday. Okaj finished in fifth place in the 500-yard freestyle.

Okaj recieved a text from Natalia Hajduk, a freshman track athlete from Poland, and the two foreign

athletes later met up on campus. "I like my teammates, they are so great," Okaj said. "There is so much

difference between Polish people and here. We are so united." She swam in four events in her debut meet: the 200-yard freestyle, 100-yard butterfly, 200-yard individual medley and the third leg of the 400-yard freestyle, which the team took third overall. Walker said he expects a lot of development from the young, tall swimmer over the next three years. "Before she's done, people are going to know she's been here," he said. Okaj and Dell'olio said it's difficult to adjust to the shorter distances in American swimming. Europe uses the metric system, so the pool is measured by meters, but the United States measures in yards. For a distance of 200 yards, which Dell'olio and Okaj both compete in, they are swimming 13 less meters total.

Both swimmers' school years ended in December, so even though they are only competing in half of the season at SIU, it still counts towards a full year of eligibility. Walker said he is expecting a superhuman-type of career out of Dell'olio during his year and a half at SIU. "We've got a really short time with him," he said. "From what I've seen, he is fully capable of doing that." Two weeks after the pair arrived stateside, neither have grasped the severe change in her lifestyle. "For now it's the time difference and weather change, but it still doesn't feel like I'm in America," Okaj said. The SIU swimming and diving team competes against Evansville on Feb. 6 in Carbondale.

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2016

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FOR RELEASE JANUARY 28, 2016

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

<< Answers for Wednesday’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

ACROSS 1 Takes shape 6 Military installations 11 Armonk, N.Y.based tech company 14 Quarterback with the 2011 autobiography “Through My Eyes” 15 Tell’s target 16 PBS funder 17 Downpour 19 40-yr.-old NBC show 20 Mature insect 21 Singer Vannelli 22 Fairy tale word 25 Weasel relative 29 Horned Frogs’ sch. 30 Spot 31 Forward, in a way 32 Ankle bones 34 Put up 35 1980 sci-fi thriller, and a hint to this puzzle’s circles 40 Sister of Clio 41 Drive respondent 43 It’s usually taken in twos 46 Rival 48 Reason for adolescent angst 49 1988 Best Supporting Actress Oscar winner 51 Only 52 Mythical arrow shooter 53 Key 55 2014 FIFA World Cup champion: Abbr. 56 Christmas, for many 62 “Wheel of Fortune” buy 63 “__ Grows in Brooklyn” 64 Carrot family herb 65 __ jacket 66 About 17 of them equal a United States dollar 67 Toyota’s luxury division DOWN 1 Former Ford model

Today’s Birthday (01/28/16). Team collaborations pay off this year. Coordinate financial plans. Income surges over spring, leading to a turning point in your travels and studies. Explore over the next two years (with Jupiter in Libra after 9/9). Shared accounts rise, after autumn eclipses, for new financial opportunities.

Share your passion. 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 a 9 -- There’s more work coming in. Accept an offer of assistance. Work together over the next two days. A shift in philosophy does not require a complete turnaround. Recall a friend’s wise advice. Review instructions again. Taurus (April 20-May 20) -- Today is an 8 -- Take frequent beauty breaks. A flood of work has your focus. More assignments like this could follow. In a controversy, use your best judgment. Don’t try to spend your way out of a mess. Gemini (May 21-June 20) -Today is a 7 -- Relax and enjoy yourself. Play with people you love and respect over the next two days. Delegate tricky tasks to specialists. Get involved in your game. Opposites

attract. Magnetism pulls you together. Share something delicious. Cancer (June 21-July 22) -Today is a 7 -- Your home and family have your attention over the next few days. Household issues want solutions. Practice your domestic crafts. Get creative with color and form. Play with long-term plans. The decisions you make now last. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) -- Today is a 9 -- Dig deeper into a favorite subject. Your concentration is especially keen today and tomorrow. Study and research your objective. Write your findings, and share news through your networks. Publish and broadcast. Talk about what you love. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -Today is a 9 -- Today and tomorrow are good for making money. Plan shopping carefully, or it can escalate. Keep your credit cards locked up. Scratch out the things you can’t afford. Practice kindness, especially to those with less.

By Robert E. Lee Morris

2 Poetic preposition 3 Japanese sash 4 Tinseltown vehicle 5 Show off a butterfly, perhaps 6 Snack sack 7 Grilling garment 8 Place to kick back 9 Whitney, by birth and by education 10 D.C. VIP 11 As found 12 “Pride and Prejudice” family name 13 NBA great Karl 18 Scruff 21 Underground chamber 22 Polo Grounds slugger 23 Univ. sports organizer 24 Circular lock 26 Drops the ball 27 Track competition 28 Penny __ 30 “The Treasure of the __ Madre”: Bogart classic 33 Beer orders 34 Tokyo, long ago 36 Vice squad tactic

01/28/16 1/28/16 Wednesday’s Answers Wednesday’s Puzzle Solved

37 Peak south of Stromboli 38 Automaker Ferrari 39 Get dirty 42 Map abbr. 43 Generation-togeneration span 44 Calm 45 Illinois county or its seat 46 Drops a line 47 European capital

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) -- Today is a 7 -- You’re especially strong and confident, with the Moon in your sign for the next two days. Use your power responsibly. Offer leadership where it’s needed. Spend a little, especially on personal matters. Express your own style. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) -Today is an 8 -- Take things slowly today and tomorrow. Consider options and possible directions. Figure out your moves in advance. Meditate on it. Relax in hot water. R ituals and traditions soothe and guide your spirit. Pay attention to your dreams. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) -- Today is an 8 -- Get into a party phase over the next two days. Socialize, gab and converse. Share resources and discover that your community has far more than expected. Support each other. Pass along what you’re learning.

01/28/16 1/28/16

50 Tape, maybe 51 “Goosebumps” series author 54 Ben Gurion carrier 56 Drivel 57 Emptied the feedbag 58 Govt. collection agency 59 Twice cinq 60 Pac-12 sch. 61 “Of course”

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- Today is a 9 -- Career matters occupy your time over the next two days. Plan your advances, and get into motion. It could be profitable. You can see for miles and miles. Look up. Fulfill a fantasy. Consider all possibilities. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) -- Today is an 8 -- Studies and research f lourish today and tomorrow. Get out and investigate! Your wanderlust is getting worse. Apply finishing touches to your creative work. Things fall into place over the next few days. Take the philosophical high road. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) -Today is a 9 -- The next two days are good for financial planning. Take on new attitudes along with new responsibilities. Advance a level. To avoid a potential problem, play the game exactly by the book. A partner can support progress.

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Sports

THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2016

Scouting the Purple Aces SEAN CARLEY | @SCarleyDE

Jacob Wiegand | @JacobWiegand_DE Senior forward/center Dyana Pierre grabs a rebound during SIU’s 74-56 win against Evansville on Jan. 16 at SIU Arena.

Pierre day to day with dislocated shoulder THOMAS DONLEY | @TDonleyDE

The SIU women’s basketball is without its star post player indefinitely. Coach Cindy Stein said senior center Dyana Pierre is “day to day” after dislocating her right shoulder during Sunday night’s 82-77 loss at Missouri State. Stein said Pierre has been rehabbing her shoulder and has not yet returned to practice. Pierre was injured battling for post position with three minutes to play in the fourth quarter Sunday. She left the game with 16 points and 10 rebounds, her seventh straight double-double. Pierre is the Missouri Valley Conference’s leading rebounder with 12.1 boards per game. She is eighth in the conference and second on the team with 14.0 points per game. Her twelve double-doubles lead the Valley. This will not be the first time the

Salukis will be without their All-MVC center. Pierre served a suspension during the first weeks of the season, missing both of SIU’s exhibition games and its season opener. SIU was 1-2 in those games. “Honestly, we got used to not having her on the floor early in the season,” Stein said. “And she got in foul trouble against Wichita, so we had to deal without her there. There’s been times in games where other kids have had to step up. So I feel like we’ll be fine.” “Obviously, she’s a big focal point for opposing defenses. We’re not going to change what we’re doing or how we want to do it. We’ll let the chips fall where they do.” The Salukis’ first test with Pierre sidelined will be Friday night against Indiana State. The Sycamore frontcourt includes 6-foot-3 junior forward Kelsie

Second place in the Missouri Valley Conference will be up for grabs Thursday when the Evansville Purple Aces come to town to take on the Salukis. After Evansville’s loss Saturday to Indiana State, a win would put the Salukis (18-3, 7-1 MVC) two games ahead of the Aces (17-4, 6-2 MVC). A loss would put SIU in third place by virtue of a head-to-head tiebreaker. The difference between second and third will loom large once the conference tournament starts. Evansville is coming into the contest hot even with its loss, winning 10 of its last 12 games. SIU is just as hot, winning 10 of its last 11, but the Dawgs have lost three of their last four to UE. Fans can expect a high-scoring game featuring the Valley’s top-two offensive teams. Evansville leads the league at 77.9 points per game, while SIU is second at 77.1. Evansville leads the league in field goal percentage at 52 percent and the Salukis are just behind with 47.6 percent. It seems the game will come down to which team can get more stops. Marty Simmons’ team is just as strong on defense, limiting opponents to a Valley-best 40.7 field goal percentage. Barry Hinson’s guys are sixth in the MVC, holding opponents to a 43.8 field goal percentage. On offense, Evansville is led by two

of the top seniors in the country: Guard D.J. Balentine and center Egidijus Mockevicius, who are first in the Valley in scoring and rebounding, respectively. They will matchup against Salukis who are second in the MVC in those statistics, senior guard Anthony Beane and junior center Bola Olaniyan. Saluki coach Barry Hinson said Balentine’s ability to draw fouls makes him a dangerous scorer. Balentine has made the second-most free throws (99) in the conference. He attempts an average of six free throws per game. “The thing that bothers me about him is that he baits guys into getting fouls,” Hinson said. “He flops into them ... I hate playing against guys like that, but I’d like to have one on my ball club.” Balentine also draws attention for his passing ability, as he’s third in the Valley with 4.5 assists per game. The entire Purple Aces team likes to pass the ball, leading the league in assists with 19.4 per game, almost six more per game than second-place Wichita State. In the post, the matchup will pit the top-two rebounders in the Valley against each other: the 6-foot-10 Mockevicius leads the country with 14.5 per game, and the 6-foot-7 Olaniyan is No. 2 in the MVC with 8.3. To read more, please see www.dailyegyptian.com

Dirks and 6-foot junior forward Joyea Marshall. Dirks averages 4.0 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. Marshall averages 7.2 points and a team-high 8.0 rebounds per game. “They’re pretty big,” SIU sophomore forward/center Celina VanHyfte said. “They’re physical, they have really good post moves. It’s going to be tough, but I think we can do it.” The players who will be asked to step in for Pierre feel confident in their ability to fill the void. “[Pierre]’s a huge rebounder and defender,” junior forward Kim Nebo said. “She draws a lot of attention, but I feel like me and Celina can fill in for her and hopefully get the win.” Thomas Donley can be reached at Tdonley@Dailyegyptian.com or at 618-536-3307

Jacob Wiegand | @JacobWiegand_DE Junior center Bola Olaniyan attempts a basket during SIU’s 72-69 win against Kent State on Nov. 18 at SIU Arena. Olaniyan scored seven points and fouled out of Wednesday’s game.

Conference matchup features top players in country EVAN JONES | @EvanJones_DE

Saluki senior guard Anthony Beane and Evansville’s senior guard D.J. Balentine, the NCAA’s current career leader in points, will meet for the final time in SIU Arena and it could be their most competitive game yet. Thursday’s game between the SIU men’s basketball team and Evansville matches up the No. 2 and No. 3 ranked teams in the Missouri Valley Conference and some of the best players the conference has to offer.

Beans and Evansville senior center Egidijus Mockevicius were added to the watchlist for the Lou Henson Award earlier this month, which is given to the nation’s best mid-major basketball player. Valentine, who is averaging an MVCbest 21.1 point per game, was named to the Lute Olson watchlist, which goes to the nation’s best overall player. Beane, Balentine and Mockevicius have played in all six regular-season meetings between the Purple Aces and the Salukis the last three seasons.

Leading up to Thursday, the Evansville seniors have a 4-2 record over SIU. “It’s fun playing in Carbondale,” Balentine said. “Now that they are having a good year, it makes the game more interesting.” In first three meetings, Beane outscored Balentine 49-9. In the next three games, Balentine outscored Beane 73-40 and his team won those games. “They have more options to score now, everyone knows [Beane] can score,” Balentine said. “He’s one of the most athletic guards in the country.”

Saluki coach Barry Hinson had some praise for the opposing guard. “The thing that makes Balentine so good is that he gets assists and plays off the big fella,” Hinson said. “He’s seen it all.” The “big fella” in question, Mockevicus, leads the MVC and NCAA in rebounds per game (14.5). His 2.7 blocks per game are the most in the Valley and almost double the No. 2 shot blocker, Missouri State freshman forward Obediah Church (1.5). Not far behind the Evansville duo’s stats are Beane and junior center Bola

Olaniyan. Beane is averaging 19.3 points per game, which is second in the MVC, while Olaniyan is averaging 8.5 rebounds per game, also second in the MVC. Olaniyan’s 8.5 rebounds per game is three more than his career average. “Size is not everything,” Mockevicus said. “Smaller guys are usually faster than me. [Bola] is a hell of a player, he’s improved a lot since his freshman year.” To read more, please see www.dailyegyptian.com