The Miami Hurricane -- Febrary 1, 2010

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The Miami

Vol. 88, Issue 4 | Feb. 1 - Feb. 3, 2010

HURRICANE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI IN CORAL GABLES, FLORIDA, SINCE 1929

Canes snap four-game losing streak

Back on track

BY LELAN LEDOUX | SENIOR SPORTS WRITER

ame building, different result.

The Miami Hurricanes did not have a déjà vu moment this time at the BankUnited Center. The Hurricanes nearly squandered a 19-point lead but held on to defeat Virginia Tech, 82-75 in front of 7,189 fans Sunday afternoon.

The Canes (16-5, 2-5 ACC) snapped a four-game losing streak against the Hokies (16-4, 3-3) and, more importantly, a four-game losing streak overall.

“It was a great win for us, one that we really needed,” head coach Frank Haith said. “We showed some toughness down the stretch. We knew they we going to make a run and we handled it. I’m really proud of our guys.”

The last time Miami played at home, the Canes blew a 17-point second half lead against Boston College and lost 79-75.

“We talked about [that loss],” Haith said. “We were disappointed. We learned from it. We have to protect our home court.”

But on this occasion the Hurricanes buckled down and made the plays when they needed to. Down the stretch, Virginia Tech couldn’t get within a five-point deficit of the Hurricanes lead.

Redshirt freshman center Reggie Johnson and senior guard James Dews sealed the Canes win with key free throws in the final minute.

The Canes as a team was 25-for-32 from the free throw line.

Dews led Miami with 21 points and Johnson added seven points, all coming from the free throw line in 13 minutes of action

S

SEE BASKETBALL, PAGE 10

AN APPLE A DAY NEW VENDING MACHINES OFFER HEALTHY CHOICES AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS PAGE 3

GET YOUR SNEAKER FIX BOUTIQUES OFFER ‘SNEAKERHEADS’ RARE FINDS AND UNIQUE OPTIONS PAGE 7

ALEX BROADWELL // The Miami Hurricane

WISHES GRANTED: Redshirt sophomore Malcolm Grant drives to the basket past two Hokie defenders and scores on a floater. The Canes beat the Hokies 82-75 Sunday at the BUC.

THERE’S NO ‘I’ IN TEAM SUCCESS IN THE NEW BASEBALL SEASON DEPENDS ON TEAMWORK PAGE 9

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Non-experts used in study New research trend gives undergrads valuable experience

Check out what’s exclusively available at TheMiamiHurricane. com.

BY MEREDITH REILLY CONTRIBUTING NEWS WRITER

MESSINGER

Associate Professor of Psychology and Peidatrics Daniel Messinger, Ph.D., is conducting a study on facial expressions in infants at risk for

autism.

However, instead of yielding research solely gathered from experts, he and his colleagues are also using non-expert students, a new trend in psychology research.

So far, 188 University of Miami students, mostly those enrolled in Psychology 110 (introduction to psychology), have participated in the research. The students are rewarded for their contribution to the autism study, whether through research credit for PSY110 or with small monetary compensation if they are not a psychology student.

In the study, the non-expert students were shown a video of parents playing with their infants.

The parent in the video would play with the infant for three minutes and then remain still and emotionless for two minutes.

The role of the students was to measure the positive and negative changes in the facial expressions of the infants, which the researchers then assessed with the use of a joystick.

“What we found was when we asked [the parents] not to play with the babies, the babies at high risk for autism showed a rating as being less positive than those who had no risk for autism,” Messinger said.

According to Messinger, the difference in the ratings done by the students and the ratings done by the experts is very subtle. The use of non-experts simplifies the search for people who would be able to assign ratings, which is typically an incredibly arduous task for scientists.

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NEWS

Alex Broadwell captured all of the action in Miami’s 82-75 victory over Virginia Tech in a photo slideshow.

BRITTNEY BOMNIN // Photo Editor

WATCH AND LEARN: Whit Mattson, a grad student in psychology, explains how the mother and baby are filmed for the videos that will later be viewed by both the non-experts and trained coders.

Potential experts would then have to go through several-hundred pages of a training manual before being able to view the video.

However, the availability of nonexperts means that the lengthy scientific orientation would not be a factor.

“I think it’s a great way to involve students in scientific research, and so far their findings have been very useful,” he said.

Danielle Norona, a graduate student in education and a psychology research assistant, said that she participated in the non-expert student autism study because she wanted to get more involved with research during her senior year.

“In some of the other studies for my [psychology research] credit, they were testing on you,” she said. “This was different because you actually got to have a handson experience and learn something instead of being a test subject.”

Both the experts, like Messinger, and the non-experts, like Noro-

THE MIAMI HURRICANE

na, agreed that data gathered from the perspective of the average person is a very valuable asset to psychology research on humans.

“It gives you an insight into what the general person might be thinking,” Norona said. “With the parents, most don’t have a Ph.D. in psychology, so it’s important to know how they perceive emotions in general, whether or not their perceptions are accurate.”

Whitney Mattson, a graduate research assistant with Messinger, is not worried about whether or not this study will be met with doubt by critics.

“There’s a fairly long history of using undergrads in research,” she said. “I think the initial tendency is to be skeptical because there are so many measures that we take in psychology that require a lot of training by expert researchers, but as studies like this get more attention, I think that we may see that it becomes more of a trend in psychology research.”

February 1 - February 3, 2010

The study has been published in the “International Journal of Behavioral Development,” and is also available on sciencedaily.com, an online scientific journal.

“I didn’t even know that it was there until a student told me,” Messinger said.

The psychology department plans to continue to use non-expert students in future research studies.

Messinger and Mattson agree that there are potential disadvantages to using non-experts, such as not paying adequate attention while participating in a study, but both believe that overall the students have been a valuable asset to the autism research study.

Meredith Reilly may be contacted at mreilly@themiamihurricane.com.

Log on to THEMIAMIHURRICANE. COM to view the study

Women's tennis won a pair of matches at the ITA Kick-Off Weekend in Coral Gables. Read Andrew Dymburt's article to learn more.

Debora Rubi recaps men’s tennis action at the ITA Kick-Off Weekend in Athens, Ga. Women’s basketball lost a tough road game to Boston College. Find out more from Justin Antweil.

Calvin Cestari details all of the results from Penn State’s National Invitational, including Ti’erra Brown’s two provisional times.

Lindsay Brown shot the ING Marathon.

Watch the Running Club cross the finish line in her slideshow.

Subscribe for the e-mail edition of the newspaper at www. themiamihurricane. com/subscribe.

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Fruit at your fingertips

Climbing the charts School of business ranked No. 40 internationally

BY RAMON GALIANA NEWS EDITOR

FOOD FOR THOUGHT A fruit machine is located at the law school next to Subway There are two vending machines at the Ashe Building with healthy snacks and fruit In the UC there is a healthy snack machine next to Sbarro Fruit machines have: bananas, pineapples, apple slices, grapes, baby carrots, and celery Healthy snacks machines have: granola bars, 100-calorie snacks, energy bars

ILLUSTRATION BY FELIPE LOBON, IMAGES FROM FLICKR.COM

HEALTHY HAVEN: In several locations near high-traffic areas, new vending machines featuring fruit and other healthy snacks have been installed. Prices range from $1-$2.25 for a variety of sweet and salty treats to satisfy the health-conscious.

New vending machines offer healthy alternatives

BY REBECCA ZIMMER CONTRIBUTING NEWS WRITER

Healthy vending machines have revolutionized people’s idea of snacking. Chips and cookies are no longer the only option. Now, anyone can choose from a variety of fruits or vegetables.

Friday marked the unveiling of the new healthy vending machines on campus.

“I think it’s a good thing,” said Brody Shulman, a second-year law student. “I have seen tons of students walking around with fruit, and the great thing is that it’s about half the price compared to Starbucks.”

The innovative new trend makes it easier and more convenient to eat healthy. Busy students may quickly stop by these vending machines on their way to classes.

All of the fruit is replaced three times a week in order to guarantee freshness.

“I’ve worked for UM for 15 years, and this is the first time I’ve ever seen something like this,” Vice President of Auxillary Services Mel Tenen said.

There are currently four machines: two contain fresh fruit and two contain healthy snacks like granola bars, 100-calorie snacks and other low-calorie options.

The Ashe Building houses a fresh fruit machine and a healthy snack machine, the law school offers a fresh fruit machine and the University Center contains a healthy snack machine.

This new healthy eating movement and healthy vending machines has spread across America and, according to experts, it will continue to expand.

Stanford University recently introduced YoNaturals Natural and Organic Vending Machines, and YoNaturals is currently seeking other locations nationwide.

“Our plans are to expand the program,” Tenen said. “Based on student input and sales, to several more locations.”

All of the selections range from $1-$2.25.

“It is consistent with our wellness

efforts. I think the students will appreciate it,” President Donna E. Shalala said.

Both she and Sebastian the Ibis attended the unveiling on Friday. The new healthy snack machines will replace duplicates of regular snack machines in some areas, and in other areas they will just be an addition.

Students like Brad Fishburger do not like the idea of the new machines.

“I don’t buy pre-packaged fruit,” he said.

The fresh fruit machine in the law school was the first machine to be available, and all of the selections have generated considerable sales.

“A combination of feedback from students and availability of these brand new machines are what prompted us to get them,” Tenen said. “These are the first of many.”

By the summer, the university plans to make all of the snack and drink machines accessible by credit and debit cards. At the moment vending machines across campus have limited credit and debit availability.

Rebecca Zimmer may be contacted at rzimmer@themiamihurricane.com.

February 1 - February 3, 2010

Last week the Financial Times ranked the full-time MBA program at the University of Miami School of Business Administration one of the best in the world.

The annual issue highlights MBA rankings of a number of colleges and universities. In addition, it ranked the school No. 35 in the U.S. and No. 40 in the world for research, based on the number of faculty members who have published research articles over the past three years.

“The Financial Times rankings are based on many factors including the faculty research publications in top journals, student job placement, alumni recommendations and the diversity of our faculty and student body,” said Anuj Mehrotra, vice dean of graduate business program. “These rankings help attract increasingly talented students and faculty which will in turn further enhance the reputation of the school and our MBA program.”

Last August, Forbes magazine ranked the MBA program at No. 43 in the U.S., while Hispanic Business ranked the program as No. 3 for minority students, and The Princeton Review held the program at No. 6 for minorities. The program ranks internationally at 83.

“Excellence in research, along with innovative cross-disciplinary academic programs and engagement with the business community is among the factors driving the school toward a new level of global preeminence,” said Barbara Kahn, dean of the business school, according to UM media relations.

The higher ranking in as a global research program is appropriate, due to the international diversity of the schools’ students. The most recent class of 87 students represents 16 countries, mainly from the Americas.

“Next year, we intend to create international study trips, solidify the existing corporate relationships and develop new ones to create the very best career placement and internship opportunities for our students,” said Mehrotra. “The intention is to keep doing the right things and hopefully the rankings will reflect that.”

Ramon Galiana may be contacted at rgaliana@ themiamihurricane.com.

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Excused vs. unexcused

TANYA THOMPSON // The Miami Hurricane

NO EXCUSES: President Donna E. Shalala sat in on a Student Government senate meeting. Student Government has unanimously passed the new attendance policy that may take effect in fall 2010.

Attendance bill to go before faculty senate

BY LILA ALBIZU AND RAMON GALIANA OF THE STAFF

The differences between excused and unexcused absences has been a source of confusion for many students at the University of Miami. Professors have varying policies regarding absences that have proven troublesome for students who sort through many different syllabi every semester.

One proposal to standardize attendance policies at the university unanimously made its way through student government senate and is currently being deliberated upon by administrators before being brought for a faculty senate vote.

“The major point of the bill was to create a uniform attendance policy regarding what is considered an excused absence, and what that means for students,” said sophomore Michael Kaplan, chairman of the student government academic affairs committee.

According to Kaplan, illnesses, university-approved religious holidays and pre-excused absences will be classified as excused absences that will not count against the student.

Pre-excused absences must be 4

NEWS

requested and registered via myUM. A form would be e-mailed to the respective professors, giving them the option of classifying the request as excused or unexcused. If the student cannot have the request approved, an appeals process would be available whereby the student can overturn the professor’s decision.

The bill would not mandate students to attend classes.

“All it does it set up a uniform definition of what is an excused absence, and what that means for the student who is absent,” Kaplan said.

Currently, the bill is being modified by the administration. It should be presented to the faculty senate for a vote before spring break. If passed, the bill is expected to take effect in the fall of 2010.

“The bill gives a way for students to have a uniform process to have an equal chance for absences to be excused,” said Christina Farmer, student government Speaker of the Senate. “In terms of illnesses and emergencies, a lot of times the process on the campus is not uniform with the administration.

What’s best for students is to know how to get their absences to get their absences approved. We don’t think it should hold them back if they have a family emergency or an appointment.”

Members of the Academic Affairs Committee have been working with

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Dr. William Green, the dean of undergraduate education.

Attendance policies throughout the university vary widely. For example, the business law department in the School of Business Administration, requires an 80 percent attendance rate in order to attain an “A”.

The only provision the university policy for excused absences is in the academic bulletin. Students are justified in missing a class in case of a university activity, an academic activity,or a major religious holiday, as designated by the university. Students must provide documentation for the first two excuses, according to the bulletin.

The bulletin also leaves a window for the instructors to designate what other excuses, such as illness or family emergencies, are acceptable.

The university also requires professors to give students “either the opportunity to make up, or to be excused from, work missed, without any reduction in the student’s final course grade” in case of a university-approved absence. It’s left up to the instructor whether to extend the same courtesy to the student in case of other absences.

Lila Albizu may be contacted at lalbizu@ themiamihurricane.com.

Ramon Galiana may be contacted at rgaliana@themiamihurricane.com.

February 1 - February 3, 2010

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OPINION

The Miami

“

Imagine what the people who come to take a campus tour think when they see students walking by in USC, FSU and UNC gear.

Evan Peskin Contributing Columnist

HURRICANE

”

Founded 1929 An Associated Collegiate Press Hall of Fame Newspaper NEWSROOM: 305-284-2016 BUSINESS OFFICE: 305-284-4401 FAX: 305-284-4404

speak

UP!

If you could be on any TV show, which one would you choose?

MAX TERLECKI Sophmore Sophomore “’It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.’”

STAFF EDITORIAL

For advertising rates call 305-284-4401 or fax 305-284-4404.

Attendance policy unnecessary The new standardized attendance policy is overly cumbersome. A system that makes students register absences on myUM at the start of the semester complicates a simple process.

What is wrong with students asking their teachers on a personal basis if they can miss class? Why does it have to involve an appeal process to either the student government affairs committee or its counterpart in the faculty senate?

While it is slightly annoying that some teachers take attendance and others do not, that is the teacher’s prerogative. Professors teach in different subjects in varying styles. Their opinion on the importance of attendance will probably be affected by these

factors. If they do not think the reason a student is missing class is reasonable then that is their decision. It is insulting that a teacher’s assessment in their own classroom could be overturned by students or by their colleagues.

Further complicating this process is the large lecture class scenario. If students are continuously telling the teacher or teaching assistant that they will be missing classes, this will be a large burden. Some teachers cannot even return e-mails in a timely fashion much less check every student’s absence excuses.

Even if this system does pass the faculty senate then it should be an optional system. If a teacher cares to have this information

EDITOR IN CHIEF Chelsea Matiash

through a standardized process it is their choice. It does provide a convenient way to store this information.

On the other side of the argument are students. If a teacher is not making their class worthwhile, students should not have to attend it. If they are missing enough class to make it detrimental to their grade, a student should have enough sense to talk to the teacher.

It is because of reasons that the faculty senate should not pass the proposed bill by student government.

Editorials represent the majority view of The Miami Hurricane editorial staff.

BUSINESS MANAGER Jessica Jurick

MANAGING EDITOR Christina De Nicola

WEBMASTER Brian Schlansky COPY CHIEF Laura Edwins

ART DIRECTOR Felipe Lobon

COPY EDITOR Alexa Lopez

NEWS EDITOR Ramon Galiana PHOTO EDITOR Brittney Bomnin

ADVERTISING EDITOR Emma Cason-Pratt

SPORTS EDITOR Justin Antweil

PUBLIC RELATIONS Jacob Crows

EDGE EDITOR Danielle Kaslow

ADMINISTRATOR ASSISTANT Maria Jamed

OPINION EDITOR Ed S. Fishman ONLINE EDITOR Megan Terilli ASST. NEWS EDITORS Lila Albizu Nina Ruggiero ASST. SPORTS EDITOR Calvin Cestari

JANE PRYJMAK JANEJunior PRYJMAK Junior “I would be on ‘Dancing “I would ‘Dancing Withbe theon Stars.’”

With the Stars.’”

ALI GRANA Sophomore ALI GRANA Sophomore “’Jersey Shore!’” “’Jersey Shore!’”

Speak Up answers are edited for clarity, brevity and accuracy. compiled by

Kyli Kyli Singh Singh

Canes from other colleges T

he purpose of this column is to take a closer look at the many types of people that make the University of Miami the amazing place that it is and that each week make me more and more proud to go to this school.

EVAN PESKIN CONTRIBUTING Sadly enough, there COLUMNIST are a few types of people that I need to call attention to and not in a good way. In this case, I’m talking to you, the people who wear other college shirts on campus!

Don’t misunderstand me. There is nothing wrong with other colleges. I myself am an enormous fan of Ohio State University due to the fact that I spent most of my life in Cleveland. My best friend goes to OSU, so did his father and so do half of my friends from back home.

You can bet every dollar you have that on the day of the OSU-Michigan game, I’ll be decked out in scarlet and gray, rooting on my home team. Though this is true, you can be equally confident that on the day of every single Miami football game, as well as most other days, I will be wearing the green and

orange, nice and proud.

Take pride in the fact that you are a Miami Hurricane! Imagine what the people who come to take a campus tour think when they see students walking by in USC, FSU and UNC gear. They must think that though we are here, we want to be at other schools!

That’s not pride. That’s not school spirit!

Our bookstore has every single type of clothing, for any situation, all with an Ibis, a U or the word Miami written in bold letters across the front! There are Miami ties, Miami hats, Miami hoodies, Miami socks and even Miami belts (which this writer wears almost daily).

Go to the bookstore and take pride in the U! If your (second) favorite college has a big game, then by all means, wear the gear when you’re watching the game and, if you have to, even during that day. But don’t keep those clothes in your standard wardrobe. Make them a rarity. Fill your closet with green and orange clothes with a U! Take pride in YOUR school! After all, if you don’t love the beautiful University of Miami… why are you here?

Evan Peskin is a sophomore majoring in pre-med psychology. He may be contacted at epeskin@ themiamihurricane.com.

February 1 - February 3, 2010

GRADUATE ASSISTANT Nick Maslow FINANCIAL ADVISER Robert DuBord

ASST. PHOTO EDITOR Steven Stuts

MAGGIE GOLDBERG MAGGIE GOLDBERG Sophomore Sophomore “I want to be on the ‘Real “I want toWorld!’” be on the ‘Real World!’”

ACCOUNT REPS Shoshana Gottesman Misha Mayeur Katie Norwood Brian Schuman Jack Whaley

DESIGNERS Allison Goodman Savanna Stiff

FACULTY ADVISER Bob Radziewicz

©2010 University of Miami The Miami Hurricane is published semi-weekly during the regular academic year and is edited and produced by undergraduate students at the University of Miami.

The publication does not necessarily represent the views and opinions of advertisers or the university’s trustees, faculty or administration. Unsigned editorials represent the opinion of The Hurricane’s Editorial Board.

Commentaries, letters and cartoons represent only the views of their respective authors. The newsroom and business office of The Hurricane are located in the Norman A. Whitten University Center, Room 221.

LETTER POLICY The Miami Hurricane encourages all readers to voice their opinions on issues related to the university or in response to any report published in The Hurricane.

Letters to the editor may be submitted typed or handwritten (please make your handwriting legible) to the Whitten University Center, Room 221, or mailed to P.O. Box 248132, Coral Gables, FL, 33124-6922. Letters, with a suggested length of 300 words, must be signed and include a copy of your student ID card, phone number and year in school.

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OPINION

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POLL RESULTS: Has President Obama done a good job so far?

I’M STUCK IN A COMIC! ©

Yes 27% No 53% It’s too early to tell

20% Total Voters: 51 DO YOU THINK CLASSROOM ATTENDANCE SHOULD BE MANDATORY? TAKE OUR POLL AT THEMIAMIHURRICANE.COM. MATT ROSEN // The Miami Hurricane

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OPINION

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February 1 - February 3, 2010

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Want to break into the music industry?

Hear from music executives tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. in the UC Flamingo Ballrooms, hosted by Toppel and MEISA.

Cool kicks in Miami

edge

BY CAMRON GHORBI CONTRIBUTING EDGE WRITER

Most students at UM don’t think twice about choosing comfortable flipflops over the constraints of sneakers in such a humid, tropical climate. For some Canes, however, the need to look fresh in a brand new pair of sneakers takes priority, even in the heat.

While the number of boutiques in Miami pales in comparison to cities like New York or Los Angeles, a few havens remain for “sneakerheads” across South Florida. Before making a trip to the local mall for a new pair of kicks, check out some of these boutiques first.

Air Traffic Control 1601 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach

Shoe Gallery 244 First Avenue, Brickell

Invazion 2765 SW 27th Avenue, Coconut Grove

Invazion is a small boutique located right near the Coconut Grove metro stop on US-1. The strong collection of streetwear brands like The Hundreds and Crooks & Castles make up for a somewhat disappointing sneaker collection. Although Invazion has some fantastically colorful sneakers, the boutique does not boast many limited releases. Even so, Invazion is still worth the short Metro ride to the Grove.

Camron Ghorbi may be contacted at cghorbi@themiamihurricane.com ILLUSTRATION BY ALLISON GOODMAN IMAGES FROM MAPS.GOOGLE.COM, FLICKR.COM

Recently ranked by Dime Magazine as one of the top-50 sneaker stores in the country, Shoe Gallery has a legendary reputation across the city of Miami. Celebrities have turned Shoe Gallery into a mandatory stop on trips to South Florida; the walls are lined with pictures of all the Hollywood stars and icons that visit the store.

The selection of streetwear brands inside is expansive.

Boasting the most limited sneakers in the city, Shoe Gallery commonly has campouts by collectors before the release of exclusive kicks.

FootSoldiers

Air Traffic Control just might be one of the most awe-inspiring boutiques in the entire country. Boasting a collection of extremely rare sneakers, ATC is a consignment boutique for the most dedicated of sneaker aficionados.

The store, set up with a conveyor belt that rotates some of the most exclusive pairs, regularly has sneakers on sale ranging from $500-$1000. While ATC is not a place to purchase a new pair of kicks on a whim, it is unquestionably worth a visit for anyone remotely interested in fashion.

M.I.A. Skateshop

100 SE First Avenue, Brickell

229 Ninth Street, Miami Beach Located only a few blocks away from Shoe Gallery, FootSoldiers is the only store in the immediate area that sells the highly desirable Nike Skateboarding line of sneakers. The store also boasts an impressive collection of streetwear, including limited brands like KidRobot, as well as footwear from up-and-coming brand Supra. FootSoldiers has a loyal following of young hipsters and sneaker collectors and, as a bonus, always has a good sale rack.

M.I.A. serves skaters across South Florida as Miami’s premier skateshop, selling everything from skateboard decks and wheels, to helmets and backpacks. Along with FootSoldiers, M.I.A. is one of the only places in Miami to snag the newest Nike Skateboarding releases. While the sneaker collection is not expansive, reasonable prices and the rare Nike offerings make this little skateshop a worthwhile boutique.

February 1 - February 3, 2010

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‘Crazy Heart’ leading actor impresses

BY SARAH B. PILCHICK SENIOR EDGE WRITER

It’s refreshing to see a film that relies on its plot and performances rather than bombast and shiny visual effects. Instead of taking cues from a certain behemoth action film from this season, “Crazy Heart,” much like last year’s “The Wrestler,” is given its soul by a tremendous performance from its leading man; in this film, that actor is Jeff Bridges.

“Crazy Heart’s” plot sounds like it could be ripped from the lyrics of a woeful country song. Bad Blake (Bridges) is a country singer far past his prime, living a doleful existence out of his ’78 Silverado and falling into bed with any number of groupies. His life is as depressing as one would think, until he sees his shot at redemption in journalist Jean Craddock (Maggie Gyllenhaal).

Bridges is outstanding in the role, charismatic and sympathetic yet never pitiful. His performance is full of nuance and grace, and as in any other film where the lead performance is so overwhelming, the other actors fall by the wayside.

That’s not to say that Gyllenhaal, Colin Farrell and Robert Duvall are bad, but

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they just seem superfluous in the film.

The filmmaker could have excised any of them from the movie, and the result would be the same thanks to Bridges’s powerhouse performance.

Everything about “Crazy Heart” is understated thanks to writer-director Scott Cooper. It isn’t the best film of the year or the most memorable, but it serves its purpose as an impressive, poignant movie, and it serves it well.

Sarah B. Pilchick may be contacted at spilchick@themiamihurricane.com.

THE MIAMI HURRICANE

‘Crazy Heart’

STARRING: Jeff Bridges, Maggie Gyllenhaal DIRECTED BY: Scott Cooper MPAA RATING: R RELEASE DATE: Friday, Jan. 29 in South Florida

COURTESY 20TH CENTURY FOX

COUNTRY CROONER: Jeff Bridges’ character, Bad Blake, sells the poignant film, ‘Crazy Hearts.’ It is now playing in select theaters across the country.

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SPORTS

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number of newcomers to the UM baseball team

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number of catches Jimmy Graham had in the Senior Bowl on Saturday

BASEBALL

Good chemistry key to a better season Coaches emphasize team camaraderie

BY JUSTIN ANTWEIL SPORTS EDITOR

As the baseball team prepared for the first day of spring practice Friday afternoon at Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field, players were mingling in the dugout, hitting in the batting cages and taking ground balls without the request of coaches before stretching and warming up.

It was a sign that this team has learned from last year’s mistakes.

After a disappointing 16-5 loss in the NCAA Gainesville Regional against the Florida Gators, the Hurricanes deemed that team chemistry issues were the culprit of the team’s early exit in the postseason.

“Sometimes you don’t realize how important chemistry is, but there’s no question in my mind now that it is very important,” 17th year head coach Jim Morris said. “I think we are going to be more athletic this year. We are excited about the attitude of this team.”

Junior left-handed pitcher Chris Hernandez is one of the veterans who is taking on the leadership role.

“We can be really good,” he said. “I think we can be young and fresh, but still old enough to guide the new guys, help them get ready to go and beat the best teams out there.”

There are six ACC teams ranked in the top 20, and the Hurricanes have been tabbed as high as No. 12 in the preseason polls.

Pitching coach and recruiting coordinator JD Arteaga stressed the importance of being athletic and having good team camaraderie.

“We have six guys who can run the 60yard dash in under 6.7 [seconds],” he said.

“We worked harder in the fall than we did in the previous years. If they suffer together, they come together, then they play together.

There will be some adversity throughout the season and the way they handle that will determine how far we go this season.”

This Hurricanes squad features 14 newcomers, but the biggest addition to the team will be redshirt junior Eric Erickson who returns after missing all of last year

STEVEN STUTS // Assistant Photo Editor

CANES CHEMISTRY: Senior right-hander David Gutierrez, freshman left-hander Ethan Bornstein and sophomore left-hander Sam Robinson mingle before practice starts Friday afternoon at Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field. because of Tommy John surgery. Together with Hernandez, they can make a dynamic duo every Friday and Saturday night.

“I don’t really want to brag about anything, but it looks like a good one-two punch,” Hernandez said. “Erickson always comes through big for us. He’s a good pitcher and we want to go out there and win.

That one-two punch is pretty good.”

Hernandez and Erickson are a combined 37-10 in four seasons with the orange and green.

“It’s a huge strength to have [them] at the top of the rotation,” Arteaga said. “Both guys are capable of winning 10 games.”

Another key factor this year will be filling the big shoes of former All-American closer Kyle Bellamy. Bellamy led the ACC

in saves with 16 and had an ERA under 1.00. This year, senior right-hander David Gutierrez will take the mound in the ninth inning.

“I told Coach [Morris] that I would do anything to help the team, and he wanted me to close, and I’m all for it,” Gutierrez said. “My freshman year I was a set-up man and I liked it. I liked coming out of the bullpen. I’m a senior now and I kind of like the pressure of being in the game in a crucial situation.”

The biggest surprise on defense was second team All-ACC selection and reigning team MVP senior Scott Lawson who has been splitting time at both second and first base. The Hurricanes’ two biggest offensive weapons will be junior catcher February 1 - February 3, 2010

Yasmani Grandal and sophomore third baseman Harold Martinez. Grandal is a preseason All-American and Martinez has been working on driving the ball opposite field.

Miami’s biggest area of concern is its pitching depth. According to Grandal and Arteaga, left-handers Steven Ewing and Jerad Grundy as well as right-hander Eric Whaley are the freshmen who have shown the most promise.

“We have eight left-handers and nine right-handers,” Arteaga said. “We have a lot of options, and that’s what you need to win in May and June.”

Justin Antweil may be contacted at jantweil@ themiamihurricane.com.

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BASKETBALL FROM PAGE 1

FOOTBALL COMMENTARY

Final recruiting push T h i s past weekend, while most were attending UM baseball practices, watching the men’s basketball JUSTIN ANTWEIL team at the SPORTS EDITOR B a n kUn it e d Center, lying out on the beach or finally opening their text books that they spent a hefty amount of money on, the University of Miami football coaches were making their final recruiting push.

Wednesday is National Signing day. High-profile 17-year-olds will f lock to their gymnasiums in the next few days to sit at a table full of hats from various prestigious athletic programs across the country. They will then choose the hat that represents the college where they want to spend the next three or four years of their lives.

It’s imperative that Miami brings in a solid recruiting class.

Of course this class will not make or break the success of the Hurricanes in the upcoming 2010 season, but it could put the finishing touches on an already solid nucleus.

The players in head coach Randy Shannon’s heralded No. 1-rated recruiting class back in 2008 will all be juniors this coming year, so youth can no longer be used as an excuse. But Shannon and his staff can fill in the missing pieces with a strong recruiting class this year.

Some recruits have already enrolled this semester and will be around for spring practice. Of note is local quarterback Stephen Morris from Monsignor Pace High School, who will indeed be able to enroll early despite the fact that he attended a private school.

Morris will join freshman A.J. Highsmith as one of two scholar-

ship quarterbacks taking part in spring practice.

Sophomore Jacory Harris is out indefinitely due to his thumb surgery from earlier this year.

Heading into National Signing Day, the biggest areas of concern for the Canes are at tight end and offensive line.

The Canes lost three tight ends on the 2009 roster due to graduation. Miami has recruited junior college transfer and Texas native Chase Ford as its tight end of choice for next year. The 6-foot6-inch, 245-pound tight end petitioned the NCAA for a waiver to allow him to enroll early, but the waiver was denied.

Three-fifths of the Hurricanes’ offensive line graduated and leave huge holes to fill. It gave up five sacks in the Champs Sports Bowl. This past weekend offensive lineman Seantrel Henderson, who is the No. 2 player overall regardless of position according to Rivals.com, took his official visit to the U. This was a perfect weekend to visit as a record-number 11 former Hurricanes played in the Pro Bowl, which was held in South Florida.

Henderson is 6 feet 8 inches tall, 301 pounds and from Saint Paul, Minn. He has been compared to former Cane great Bryant McKinnie and is very physical on the line. Henderson is also considering Ohio State, Notre Dame and Florida.

Miami has gotten notable stars like Broward County’s offensive lineman Brandon Linder and Loganville, Ga.’s running back Storm Johnson to sign letters of intent, but it is still missing pieces.

Still, the Hurricanes have a chance to fill the voids over the next couple of days.

Justin Antweil may be contacted at jantweil@themiamihurricane.com.

WANT MORE CANES COVERAGE? CHECK OUT SPORTS EDITOR JUSTIN ANTWEIL‘S BLOG “CHEW ON THAT NUGGET” AT THEMIAMHURRICANE.COM. 10

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“We needed this,” said redshirt sophomore guard Malcolm Grant, who scored 13 points, nine coming in the second half.

“Now we feel good. We got to stay strong.

We have to have the same concretion.”

This was a revenge win for Miami.

The last time the Hurricanes and the Hokies squared off, Virginia Tech raced out to a dominating 35-point lead in the first half and routed Miami, 81-66. The ACC leading scorer, junior Malcolm Delaney had 28 points and a career-high nine assists.

It was a vice-versa this time around as the Canes jumped out to a controlling 17-point lead heading into halftime up, 47-30. Redshirt senior Adrian Thomas hit a three-pointer from the top of the key as time expired in the first half to give UM a jolt heading into the break.

“We wanted to start out quick and we did that,” said Haith, whose team shot 70 percent from the f loor in the first half.

The key for UM was staying positive despite the fact they had not won a game in three weeks. Earlier this week the coaching staff made every player write down something positive about every teammate.

The goal was to filter out negative thoughts.

Haith knows there are ups and downs through out the ACC season but empha-

sizes there is still plenty of basketball left.

“We were 2-6 when we made the tournament two years ago,” Haith said.

“There are a lot of games to be played.”

Lelan LeDoux may be contacted at lledoux@ themiamihurricane.com.

Last Five Meetings Against Virginia Tech January 31, 2010 Miami wins 82-75 January 13, 2010 Miami loses 81-66 March 12, 2009 Miami loses 65-47 January 25, 2009 Miami loses 88-83 (OT) March 14, 2008 Miami loses 63-49

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dear ...

Dear V: I’m looking for more from my digital date...

Dear Full Monty, , Dear V, My girlfriend and I just became a long-distance couple. To cope, we each set up Skype accounts. While being able to see her face makes things a little easier, I still want to see more than her face- if you know what I mean. Unfortunately, she’s made it quite clear that she’s uncomfortable with stripping down in front of a web cam. How can I ease her into it? A guy has needs, you know!

Sincerely, Full Monty

Long-distance relationships can definitely be tricky and this can be a good way to release some of that sexual tension (if you’re both up for it). For a first timer, this can be quite uncomfortable. Girls this age can be very self-conscious and she may never be confident enough to strip down for you online, but it would help if you try to boost her self-esteem. Taking your clothes off in front of a tiny camera feels awkward, so you need to help ease her fears and remind her of how beautiful she is and that it’s only you sitting there. Making her feel at ease may at least open her up to the idea of a sexy Skype session.

Even once you make her comfortable enough to try this newfound activity, you’ll have to start slow.

Try just starting with both your shirts off before you get online, this way you’ll be on even ground and later when she’s more comfortable, she can switch

to actually removing the clothing on camera for your eyes only. Keep this going with other items (slowly of course, you don’t want to pressure her), and she may eventually be a full web cam stripper.

If this doesn’t work and she never warms up to the online peep show, maybe she’d be more comfortable using photos instead of a camera. Try sending her a semi-seductive picture of yourself and see how she responds. She’d have much more control of taking her own photo and could primp until she liked the way it looked. Plus, you could sneek a peek even when she’s not around (just make sure not to share it with anyone else).

Best of luck, V Have a question for V? Hit up Dearv@themiamihurricane. com.

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