Primetime Pack: ACC Titans Clash — Technician 1/20/22

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VOL . 102 | NO. 16

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IN THIS ISSUE: page

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NC State design students, faculty to redesign floor inspired by fascist architect

WHAT YOU MISSED:

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NC State fundraising campaign raised $2.1 billion The five-year Think and Do the Extraordinary Campaign raised over $2.1 billion dollars to go toward scholarships, fellowships and new professorships among other things. The campaign is officially the largest in NC State’s history and among the largest across the country. There were over 128,000 donors, including 67,751 alumni and 26,759 new donors.

NEWS page

A quick look at the headlines in and outside of NC State

DUELING COLUMNS: HBO’s ‘Euphoria’

SOURCE: NC STATE NEWS

More snow for North Carolina this weekend After a weekend of snow across western parts of North Carolina that started the night of Jan. 15, another wave of cold weather is expected to make its way towards the Raleigh area beginning Thursday, Jan. 20 starting with cold rain and possibly some snowflakes. Friday evening and Saturday may bring inches of snow.

OPINION

SOURCE: THE NEWS & OBSERVER page

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Who’s Who at Student Media: Technician Editor-in-Chief Jaylan Harrington

CULTURE page

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No. 4 Pack women’s basketball against No. 3 Louisville Cardinals in Reynold’s Coliseum

SPORTS

323 Witherspoon Student Center, NCSU Campus Box 7318, Raleigh, NC 27695 Editorial Advertising Fax Online

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STAFFORD COMMONS Free To honor the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., the African American Cultural Center will be hosting a commemorative march this Friday. Starting at Stafford Commons and ending in front of Witherspoon Student Center, the march will cap off a week of MLK campus commemoration events.

UP LATE AT STATE Saturday, Jan. 22, 10 p.m.

TALLEY STUDENT UNION Free Ever wondered what Talley is like after hours? Join your peers at Up Late at State, a late-night event with complimentary food, fun and games.

Some of the featured events include laser tag, a hypnotist show, arcade games and more.

$5 for students, $10 for faculty, staff and seniors, $12 for the general public Join one of NC State’s talented a cappella groups, Wolfgang, for their summer-themed winter concert. With a special guest performance from NC State’s Fusion Dance Crew, there will be no shortage of entertainment for attendees.

SOURCE: THE WASHINGTON POST

Tonga cut off from the outside world after volcanic eruption NASA researchers said the explosion force of an eruption from a volcano near Tonga was hundreds of times more powerful than the blast of the nuclear bomb dropped over Hiroshima, Japan. The blast also caused a small tsunami over the western part of the main island. The island nation is almost unreachable days after the incident as sea cables necessary for communication have been cut and airports are covered in ash.

News Editor Avery Davis

Opinion Editor Shilpa Giri

technician-news@ncsu.edu

technician-opinion@ncsu.edu

Culture Editor Sam Overton

Assistant Opinion Editor Mari Fabian

Asst. Culture Editor Myra Bari

technician-sports@ncsu.edu

technician-copydesk@ncsu.edu

Friday, Jan. 21, 4-5 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 23, 7 p.m.

Managing Editors Caryl J. Espinoza Jaen Tristan Tucker Copy Desk Chief Allie Remhof

MARCH LIKE MARTIN

Microsoft announced in a blog post that they are buying Activision Blizzard, the video game publisher behind popular games such as Call of Duty and Candy Crush. Activision Blizzard would add to Microsoft’s already competitive position as a tech company. The transaction stands as one of the largest tech deals in recent history, surpassing other notable transactions including Amazon buying Whole Foods and Facebook buying WhatsApp.

technician-editor@ncsu.edu

technician-managingeditor@ncsu.edu

Events to keep an eye on for the week of Jan. 20

Microsoft will buy popular video game publisher Activision for $68.7 billion

SOURCE: NPR Editor-in-Chief Jaylan Harrington

THE RADAR

technician-features@ncsu.edu

Design Editor Ann Salman

technician-design@ncsu.edu

Sports Editor Nicholas Schnittker

Assistant Sports Editors Wade Bowman Bryan Pyrtle

Photo Editor Mollie Mitchell

technician-photo@ncsu.edu

Video Editor Chloe Allen

technician-video@ncsu.edu

WOLFGANG A CAPPELLA IN CONCERT STEWART THEATER

BOOK CLUB INTEREST MEETING Tuesday, Jan. 25, 1:30-2:30 p.m.

AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER LIBRARY Free This year’s book of the Women’s Center and African American Cultural Center’s book club is “Pleasure Activism: The Politics of Feeling Good”

by Adrienne Maree Brown. Whether you’re an avid reader or just looking to join in on the discussion, visit the African American Cultural Center library to engage with your peers.

Technician (USPS 455-050) is the largest student newspaper of NC State University and is published every Thursday throughout the academic year from August through May except during holidays and examination periods.

Opinions expressed in the columns, cartoons, photo illustrations and letters that appear on the Technician’s pages are the views of the individual writers and cartoonists. As a public forum for student expression, the students determine the content of the publication without prior review. To receive permission for reproduction, please write the editor. Subscription cost is $100 per year. A single copy is free to all students, faculty, staff and visitors to campus. Additional copies are $0.25 each. Printed by Triangle Web Printing, Durham, NC, Copyright 2011 by North Carolina State Student Media. All rights reserved.

COVER BY SARAH COCHRAN

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 2022

NC State design students, faculty to redesign floor inspired by fascist architect Avery Davis News Editor

With support from the design school’s administration, a team of students is petitioning to replace a floor in the Allred Gallery in Kamphoefner Hall which is inspired by fascist architect Le Corbusier.

This issue was first made known when Sea Tong Veng, a fourth-year studying environmental design in architecture, learned about Le Corbusier in class and decided to do his own research.

I think a lot of people don’t have a say in the spaces that they’re in, and I feel like that should change.

- Sea Tong Veng

“There’s a class that we all have to take as architecture students, and it’s about contemporary theory and architecture,” Veng said. “That’s sort of like the introduction into Le Corbusier being a terrible human being. But we didn’t really say anything about his involvement with fascist movements and him being a Nazi or anything. And so I just sort of did my own research, which wasn’t even hard to find at all.”

Veng said he was surprised there was a floor pattern inspired by Le Corbusier without any mention of his involvement in fascism.

“I’ve never heard anyone talking about him being a fascist,” Veng said. “That sort of blew me away, and I couldn’t believe it, and I wanted to say something about it.

I just feel like as an institution, having a room dedicated to fascist figures, [is] sort of like lowkey glorifying fascism. I don’t think that that’s right.”

Veng decided to create posters and pamphlets that would inform others about the situation and refer them to the website and petition he created. He said he received some backlash and another student created counter posters, one of which was placed on his studio desk.

“It was a little scary, and I didn’t want

to expose myself,” Veng said. “And in the meantime, I was trying to talk to close friends and see if they’re interested in starting a team.”

Veng said after the issue began circulating within the college, the dean of the College of Design, Mark Hoversten, set up a meeting with the students and some other faculty members.

“At the end of the meeting, they were all on board with us,” Veng said. “No one in the faculty denied his involvement with fascism, which was great. A lot of the backlash that we got is mostly from students.”

Before meeting with the students, David Hill, the head of the architecture school, said he noticed the flyers around campus and spoke with Burak Erdim, an associate professor of architecture.

“I remember Burak and I saying to one another, ‘This is kind of interesting. Do you know who’s bringing this up?’ Because it was anonymous,” Hill said.

“As designers will do, they designed very beautiful flyers that caught our attention.”

Erdim said he was thrilled to see the flyers because of the important conversation that could come from discussing this issue.

“This is the very thing that we talk about in our classes at the school, and to see the students actually apply what they’re learning in the classroom, to look at the environment around them; where else would you start but the very school that you’re in?” Erdim said. “It was really kind of wonderful to see that.”

Erdim decided to open one of his weekly graduate-level discussion sessions up to the undergrads to discuss Le Corbusier, and the session was even held in the Allred Gallery. Veng said these discussions are important because a lot of students didn’t have much information about Le Corbusier before.

Erdim said it is important to find a balance when discussing Le Corbusier as an architect and as a person because he was so influential to modern architecture.

“So much of the architectural establishment viewed Corbusier as one of the most influential and prolific figures of the 20th century, so his work was seen as exemplary and canonical,” Erdim said. “The students are aware that Corbusier is an influential figure. What they’re asking for about these types of canonical figures right now, is a kind of a recontextualization of their work within the social and political context which they’re coming from. So if we are teaching Corbusier, we kind of provide this enigmatic background and the multiple as-

Hoversten said there are many ways they could handle the redesigning of the floor, and they want to discuss those with the students as well.

“We’ll talk about, ‘Well, what should we do?’” Hoversten said. “There are probably several options, because as designers, we like to open up the options before we make decisions. And then we’ll figure out, ‘Should we use this as an exhibit?

As a way of talking about this very issue? Should we be covering it up? What are the different options?’”

The students will be able to use the design process, Hoversten said, to make a real impact on the issue they’ve raised.

“It’s another way of taking [a] history class and actually applying it in a broader sense in a real life situation, and seeing what happens,” Hoversten said. “We’re going to use it as an educational moment.”

Hill said he thinks it is important to problem solve as a group in order to appeal to all people.

“As designers, we seek to engage a broader range of stakeholders, and we think that doing that will allow us to gather opinions and thoughts and to have empathy in ways that maybe designers in the past did not,” Hill said.

Veng said this issue is important to him because students should have a say in the spaces they occupy.

“I study architecture, [so] I’m a little more sensitive to spaces, but I think a lot of people don’t have a say in the spaces that they’re in, and I feel like that should change,” Veng said.

Hill said the faculty’s job is to support the students and listen to their concerns.

“I think one thing we always say here is ‘The students are why we’re here,’” Hill said. “I think it’s really important that we listen to our students, and that they listen to us as well. And that there is a back and forth, there is a scholarly debate. But there’s also a level of care that we have for GRAPHIC BY ANN SALMAN one another in sort of cultiThis graphic features the “Modular,” which was devating a community of good signed by Le Corbusier in design, but also of just won1946 as a way to measure derful interaction.” human proportion and

pects of it.”

Mark Hoversten, dean of the College of Design, said following the initial meeting with the students last semester, they plan to reconvene again this semester to plan the future of the gallery floor.

“One of the things we try to do is empower our students, and so we’re going to get our students back together for what we call a charette, which is a short intense workshop,” Hoversten said. “It’s a very common thing that we do in the design disciplines. … We will review this context about how we’re learning about designers as multidimensional people.”

scale.

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Cameron Rhinehardt

discussion about mindfulness and spirituality, and the supervisor of the club gives a presentation.

“We’ll have a philosophical discussion and talk and have a presentation on yogic philosophy and the Bhagavad Gita, which is a spiritual text,” Reeves said. “So, discussions are based on that, but it’s mostly about how to focus your mind, what is the purpose of life, and other deeper questions in [the Bhagavad Gita] that we’ll talk about.”

Because Bhakti yoga emphasizes deep relationships, many friendships are created through the Bhakti Yoga Club.

“There are different loving exchanges that we try to participate in, such as sharing food, revealing your mind and giving and receiving gifts,” Reeves said. “It’s all about deep, loving relationships and living for a higher purpose rather than moving through the world aimlessly.”

All students are welcome to join, and anyone who is interested in joining the club can attend a meeting or reach out to the club via Instagram (@bhaktiyogaclubncsu) to get more information.

“I’ve met some really great people through that club,” Doody said. “I’ve made a lot of friendships, and it’s nice to see people regularly once a week and then bump into them on campus.”

Students learn focus, mindfulness on campus with SEVA Bhakti Yoga Club Staff Writer

NC State’s Bhakti Yoga Club introduces students to meditation and mindfulness.

Members of the club have been setting up tables around campus to share information about club meetings and what the club is all about.

Bhakti Yoga is an ancient tradition associated with the Bhagavad Gita, an important Hindu scripture. The primary practice of Bhakti Yoga is mantra meditation, and club president Veda Reeves said Bhakti Yoga is considered the “yoga of love.”

“We have one senior Bhakti Yogi who, before there even was a club, used to come on campus and sit with students and teach them how to meditate,” said Reeves, a third-year studying horticultural science.

According to Kaily Doody, the social director of the club and a fourth-year studying science, technology and society, meetings begin with an icebreaker and a mantra meditation.

“We start with just a regular meditation with a mantra, where you would repeat the Maha Mantra,” Doody said. “Then, we do music meditation, which is basically the same words, but with music.”

The club offers students a way to relax and destress, and is interactive with the

COURTESY OF KAILY DOODY

members. Members can bring or play instruments during music meditation, and there is a vegan meal at the meetings where members can socialize.

“We started to hand out instruments, so

if you feel musically inclined, you can get a drum or an egg shaker,” Doody said. “We all like to play music, we all sing together and it’s really nice.”

Following musical meditation, there is a

MLK Commemoration Week kicks off with teach-in about breaking the silence Avery Davis News Editor

The African American Cultural Center kicked off its Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Week with a virtual teach-in event exploring critical race theory, structural change and other social issues.

Andaiye Qaasim, the assistant director of the AACC, said the center wanted to celebrate MLK day with a full week of events instead of only one day.

“When we remember MLK’s legacy, he really talked about three core issues: fighting extreme capitalism, militarization and racism, and really looking at structural change,” Qaasim said. “So this year, we said, ‘Well, this is a great opportunity; rather than one day, we can create a weeklong series of learning events where people can come together and learn.’”

The other events this week will focus on finding solidarity and recognizing Black students’ impacts and struggles at NC

FEON MAK/ARCHIVE

A graffiti painting outside the Free Expression Tunnel on Monday, Jan. 16, 2011 depicting Martin Luther King Jr. as well as his famous quote, “I have a dream.”

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 2022

NC State professor’s alcoholism study highlights importance of Pack Recovery Mariana Fabian

Lynsey Romo, an NC State associate professor with a doctorate in communication, conducted a study on alcoholism which highlights ways in which students can find resources for their recovery process.

In her recent work, “An Examination of How Students in Recovery for a Substance Use Disorder Manage Uncertainty,” which she co-authored with a former NC State graduate who was in recovery, Romo discussed the recovery experiences of 19 participants from 15 different colleges across the country.

“A lot of students were really uncertain about whether they even had a problem because there’s so much drinking in college; [they all say] ‘I’ll grow out of this, it’s not that big of a deal,’” Romo said. “They would compare themselves to other people who were a lot worse than them. They eventually realize, ‘No, actually this is not good — this is not healthy and sustainable.’

A lot of them are able to get help through collegiate recovery centers, and we have one at NC State, which is awesome.”

Romo said anyone can struggle with alcohol or drug misuse, not just the stereotypical alcoholics people refer to. According to Romo, the goal of her study was to highlight ways students can maintain sobriety and what works for students in long-term recovery.

“A lot of folks disclose their recovery, to stay sober and to help other people counter those stereotypes of what an alcoholic looks like or what a drug addict looks like,” Romo said. “They don’t like using those words, either. Students are pretty open about reframing it and talking about it like, ‘I’m in recovery for drug misuse. I’ve been in recovery for X amount of years,’

or ‘I’m sober.’

They didn’t like to use words like alcoholic or addict, because no one really knows what that means.”

Romo’s biggest hope for her st udy is expanding collegiate recovery centers all across the country, as she found many universities didn’t have these programs at all. She also wants there to be more awareness about Pack Recovery, a program that aids students in recovery.

Jason Saville, a fourth-year Ph.D. student in the psychology program, talked more about Pack Recovery, and his involvement as acting president for the past year or so.

“One of our goals is to help reduce stigma around substance use, which includes alcohol, and to help students at any level of recovery,” Saville said. “... As a part of that, we’re creating a space for individuals who would like to have a college experience without the use of alcohol and other drugs.”

Saville said Pack Recovery has existed for a number of years, but has only operated as a student organization for two. Since class

is back in-person this semester, Saville said there are various initiatives they are trying to implement.

“We’ve been meeting bi-weekly and reserving a space in Talley where students can come,” Saville said. “It’s a space that people can check in and interact with other people that are either already doing or looking to have sober college experiences and how they’re managing all the things we have to deal with as college students without the use of substances.”

Pack Recovery has also worked with other organizations such as University Recreation and had impromptu events like game nights, Friendsgiving and more. Sav-

ille emphasized students can and should reach out to Pack Recovery when they feel comfortable doing so. The Pack Recovery website also has contact information for Saville and the organization’s advisor, Jeffrey Fay. “Our existence as a group of students together challenges the idea that it’s impossible or infeasible to successfully navigate college without the use of substances or to have fun without them,” Saville said.

“Even if students aren’t sure of what life would look like without the use of substances, they don’t have to figure it out on their own.”

State.

“This has been a conversation I think a lot of students are interested in: how do we actually build real connections and real solidarity, not just as allies, but as accomplices to each other, and each of our different movements and see ourselves as one?” Qaasim said.

During the teach-in, Angela Gay-Audre, the director of the AACC, spoke about some important distinctions when talking about critical race theory and whiteness.

“When we say whiteness, we’re not talking about a racial category, we’re talking about a belief system,” Gay-Audre said. “So critical theories situate the belief of whiteness, because whiteness has become a belief system, and it’s grounded and rooted within supremacy. So we’re not talking about white people. We’re talking about belief. And that’s a distinction that we need

to make when we’re talking about critical theories that sometimes we don’t necessarily know.”

Irving Joyner, a professor at the North Carolina Central School of Law, gave some context about the education of Black Americans when he was growing up. “[I] attended one of the segregated African American schools,” Joyner said. “And in fact, contrary to what many people believe, we had, within [the] African American community, excellency. … The theory being that when you come out of bondage, you don’t turn your children over to the enemy to be educated. And so with that frame of reference, our early ancestors, at the beginning of Reconstruction, made the decision that we’re going to build our own school. And we’re going to teach our own people.”

Joyner said many people aren’t aware that

the Black community had schools during that time that actually taught Black history.

“People don’t know that we had schools of distinction in the African American community where you had teachers who were better academically prepared than their white counterparts in the white schools, and principals who were academically better trained than those who were in white school,” Joyners said. “And they were there to provide the guidance that we needed to move forward. Our educational deconstruction began with desegregation.”

Gay-Audre went on to talk about some of the important tenets of critical race theory, with one being the permenance of racism.

“What that simply means is that racism is ordinary, is endemic,” Gay-Audre said.

“Ain’t nothing new. We can point it out, we can say racism, we can say that racism exists, because we know that it does, it’s a

part of our American society. It’s a common experience for people of color.”

Students also engaged in the discussion through use of a Jamboard that allowed them to write their own thoughts or add pictures to discuss systemic racism.

Qaasim encouraged students to take part in the events going on this week.

“This is going to be a wonderful week of learning,” Qaasim said. “From critical theory to very hands on understanding of current issues, food justice, the policymaking panel, to an exhibit that traces our own history and accountability of things we have to really face of what has happened at NCSU in terms of activism, or the need for activism, even violence against Black students, and then the legacy we still have to move forward today, to some wonderful conversations around solidarity building.”

Assistant Opinion Editor

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY RYAN FARISCHON AND MARISSA MCHUGH

Opinion 6 TECHNICIAN HBO’s ‘Euphoria’ has nor- HBO’s ‘Euphoria’s depiction malized difficult conver- of mental issues is too explicit for its own good sations among teens THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 2022

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DESPITE BEING HARD TO WATCH, ‘EUPHORIA’ DEPICTS REAL PROBLEMS IN AN ACCURATE SENSE The w idely popular TV show “Euphoria” has quickly become a cultural phenomenon for Gen Z. The show ’s de piction of drug use, racia l disparities and mental Anu Mishra hea lt h issues Correspondent create what many believe to be a more in-depth depiction of what teenage life is really like. While the show may be controversial, the depiction of these modern issues in “Euphoria” invokes feelings of inclusion and understanding amongst its viewers, mainly its younger audiences.

The show’s take on these sensitive and difficult topics incites controversy about whether TV accurately depicts teenage life and the many issues adolescents face in modern society. I believe the show provides a strong outlet and depiction of these topics, which are far too often overlooked by society, highlighted primarily by every character’s individual storylines and issues.

Most TV shows have created a negative perception about drug addicts. The addicts themselves are depicted in a negative light and blamed for the choices they make. Rue’s (played by Zendaya) struggle with drug use and addiction is, however, depicted in its rawest form. She struggles with her sobriety throughout the show and the lives of those around her combined with her own mental health determine her use of drugs.

The show’s explanation of Rue’s drug addiction makes her seem human and even relatable to those who are going through the same challenges. Her relationship with her sponsor, Ali (played by Colman Domingo), and the show’s emphasis on Rue’s internal struggles allow for viewers to finally see drug addiction as a disease rather than a crime. Ali and Rue’s conversation on race and the role it plays with drug addiction is one of the first times a national TV show has acknowledged drug addiction can in fact be targeted towards people of color.

The writer and creator of “Euphoria,” Sam Levinson, talks about how Rue’s story line is based off his own. Levinson struggled with drug addiction throughout his life and spent his teenage years going in and out of

rehab and halfway homes. Levinson wrote the show with the intent to be raw, and at times even graphic, in order to depict the real emotion surrounding its heavy issues.

This has created positive change among its viewers and allowed for them to relate to the struggles depicted by these characters.

While it may be graphic, it has allowed for its viewers to face issues that have riddled our youth and adolescents for years.

Each character in the show deals with a different issue the American youth faces.

Kat’s body dysmorphia, Maddy’s struggles with an abusive relationship, Jules’ mental health issues and her struggle with gender identity, Rue’s drug addiction and much more. Each of these character’s individual struggles are depicted in the rawest form.

And while each of these are definitely situations that aren’t easy to watch, there’s no point denying they are real. Many people in our age group deal with issues like these on a daily basis, either with themselves or someone they know.

I strongly believe the reason “Euphoria” invokes so much controversy is because the show doesn’t depict a fantasized or sugar-coated form of these struggles, but rather an accurate and real portrayal. And at times, these portrayals can be graphic, difficult to watch and even triggering but I believe this is the point of the show. These difficult portrayals are what allows audience members dealing with similar issues to connect with the show, and what helps teach those fortunate enough to not go through such traumatic experiences about the reality of the world.

It’s not supposed to be easy to watch Rue struggle with drugs, see Fezco’s life story or watch Maddy deal with an abusive relationship — it’s supposed to be difficult.

This is done to depict these issues in a real way and allow for viewers to gain awareness of what these issues actually look like.

Not to mention for many, these depictions are accurate. They’re what they see and struggle with every day and they finally have a show that allows them to speak their voice.

“Euphoria” may be a controversial show but its take on many important issues has allowed for students, teenagers and people in general to finally talk about issues that have been suppressed for years.

It has created an outlet for the coming of age struggle and has led to open and positive conversation about important issues.

Olivia Pagach

HBO’s “Euphoria” is a TV show that has become a sensation among young people for its “realness” and depiction of mental health issues. However, I believe that it is inaccurate, unnecessarily explicit and a bad message to its young audience.

“Euphoria” is mainly praised for its realistic portrayal of a variety of issues teens deal with nowadays. Let’s talk about that starting with the creator Sam Levinson.

Levinson said it is inspired by his own drug-riddled childhood, but he is also the son of a famous director nearing his 40s. He is not your average Gen Z person, so why is he acting like his childhood is universal? Hollywood execs seem to think their extravagant drug-filled high school experience represent the general public when in fact Gen Z is having less sex and using less drugs and alcohol. So why are we trying to paint a different narrative?

That brings me to my next point, which is this insistence that the show is for entertainment, so you shouldn’t take it so seriously. Which is funnily enough the exact opposite of the first defense, yet often said in the same breath. That’s because Euphoria is trying to be entertaining and beautiful, but also claiming to be authentic and educational simultaneously. For one of these things to be true, the other cannot be in full capacity.

Correspondent

We saw drug tests and pregnancy tests but what about an ACT test which all high schoolers have to take?

First, let’s start by clearing up the fact that the target audience is high school students, because despite Zendaya tweeting the series is designed for mature audiences, it’s a series about high schoolers which will ultimately be watched by high schoolers.

If it was for adults, it shouldn’t be set in high school.

This age group of teens is highly impressionable as there really is no “mature” high schooler. I think well-adjusted healthy adults can be rather unaffected by it, but based on what we know about immature

minds, it’s not healthy to be watching this extent of explicit content due to the tendency for teenagers to mimic behavior.

Studies show seeing alcohol and drugs in media or in social networking sites does have an impact on usage in adolescents and young adults.

Teenagers do drugs to fit in, to feel good, to experiment and for attention. All of the reasons can easily be reflected in a glamorous TV show, embellished with attractive celebrities, outfits, aesthetics and music.

One of the biggest concerns I have with “Euphoria” is it will convince people to try drugs just once to see what it’s like based on the depictions in the show, but trying drugs even once can lead to addiction.

One of the main problems I am personally disturbed by is the unnecessary, highly explicit nudity of actors depicting minor characters. Again, there’s this argument about “realism,” but I fail to see the realism extended as much as Hollywood loves to display the realism of women’s naked bodies. We saw drug tests and pregnancy tests but what about an ACT test which all high schoolers have to take? Or state benchmarks? If we are really going for accuracy, why don’t we see these more menial aspects of high school, if realism is so very important? Seeing drugs, abuse, rape, sex work, alcohol and objectifying women is not the “realistic, awareness-bringing, helpful” content you think it is. It’s trauma porn that makes you numb to these sorts of behaviors and vices.

Another damaging aspect of this show are the numerous illegal, unhealthy, abusive relationships put on display. These situations are never directly condemned through the writing. They are “left up for interpretation,” which is an interesting choice given the nudity is full frontal. I worry younger girls watching this series are getting the entirely wrong message from multiple storylines like Kat, the girl who uses sex work for a false sense of empowerment.

For those who can relate to any of the characters or storylines in “Euphoria,” they don’t need to see their situation in hazy LED lighting and depicted by actors with glittery eyeshadow. This show is not therapeutic. What they really need is extensive therapy. So who is really benefiting from the premises of this show?

You don’t have to do drugs, have sex, drink alchohol or have a traumatic backstory to have a complete teenage experience.

Behind the colorful facade, “Euphoria” is only presenting harmful, excessive explicit content no teenager should be consuming.

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Don’t let COVID catch you slipping

For nearly three years, COVID-19 has pinned the world against the ropes. Vaccines brought hopes of returning to prepandemic ways of life, but the light Lauren Richards at the end of the Correspondant tunnel is still a distance away. With the recently discovered omicron variant making the rounds around the country and causing disruptions on campus, we must remember to stay vigilant.

Earlier this month, NC State released new quarantine guidelines in response to the growing pervasiveness of omicron.

The guidelines reflect the CDC’s updated recommendations — released in late December — which include a reduced isolation period of five days for those who test positive. In a more recent announcement, the University has opted to allow students who test positive to remain within their residence halls if a permanent residence is not available.

While research suggests omicron causes milder infection, the high transmissibility rate coupled with what little we know

about the variant makes it a cause for concern. Because the University has allowed COVID-19 to enter our living spaces and shows no signs of halting in-person classes for the foreseeable future, we must take it upon ourselves to fight the spread.

The best possible measure we can take to protect ourselves from COVID-19 is to get vaccinated if eligible to do so. While initial skepticism about receiving a COVID-19 vaccination is understandable, there is mounting evidence to suggest vaccines are effective at preventing transmission, severe illness and hospitalization. Though recent studies reveal the effectiveness of Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson doses wane over time, receiving an additional booster shot can reinforce the immune response.

Approximately 84% of the Pack has either received a vaccine or is fully vaccinated, including 81.3% of undergrads and 91% of grad students. Although this number is a vast improvement from the start of the school year, there is still much room for growth. In comparison, UNCChapel Hill reports a 94% vaccination rate among its students. If there is a time to beat Chapel Hill, there is no time better than now.

Vaccines, however, do not ensure im-

munity against COVID-19, as no vaccine is 100% effective. As we have seen with omicron, even individuals who have received both doses of a vaccine and a booster shot can contract the virus and spread it to others. In other words, while it may be tempting to shed the mask around your

Vaccines, however, do not ensure immunity against COVID-19, as no vaccine is 100% effective.

vaccinated friends, maybe hold off for now.

In regards to masking, NC State is continuing to require face coverings in all indoor facilities. For the most part, students and staff have done an excellent job of practicing appropriate mask wearing. As a reminder, it is crucial to wear

a well-fitted mask over the nose because respiratory particles are a primary route of transmission. Cloth and procedural masks offer some level of protection, but for the best protection, opt for an N95 or KN95.

Proper handwashing — which has fallen by the wayside since the beginning of the pandemic — is another important ritual we must maintain. Although the possibility of the virus being transmitted via surfaces is low, washing your hands regularly for a minimum of 20 seconds helps to prevent germs from spreading. When soap and water is not available, the next best option is to use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

As the potential to come into contact with someone with COVID-19 is particularly high now, social distancing will be difficult but still nevertheless important.

If at all possible, try to stay at least six feet away from others and avoid crowded or poorly ventilated spaces, especially if you are at a higher risk of becoming sick.

With the start of the new year and another semester, the time for setting annual resolutions is here. While making good grades likely tops the list for many students, there is one resolution everyone should strive for in 2022: to take the necessary precautions to end this pandemic.

We need an official trigger warning policy for NC State’s class content T he m ater i a l taught in any college course can contain triggering or just disturbing content.

Whether you are in a psychology class discussing Emily Cooney Staff Columnist mental disorders or a film studies class watching a movie with characters struggling in any capacity, it’s important that professors realize class material can trigger students and induce effects like anxiety, PTSD or worsened mental health overall. Therefore, trigger warnings need to be adopted into course curriculums and descriptions to ensure students’ mental health is not accidentally negatively impacted.

I’ve had countless conversations with friends and fellow classmates throughout college about how upsetting or even triggering class content can be. For example, I remember being in one of my lower level Spanish courses and watching a short film

about a woman who was having a pretty intense existential crisis and wondering why we were watching such heavy content for a homework assignment.

I’ve also heard many students talk about how they’ll purposefully avoid watching or reading a lot of their class material in efforts to keep their mental health more stable. This is especially true for majors like social work, psychology, sociology or others that involve an abundance of discussion surrounding serious societal issues.

However, the need for trigger warnings applies to every major as I, a communication media and Spanish double major, have also experienced being upset or disturbed by class content in a wide range of classes.

There are certainly some professors who make an effort to provide trigger warnings for their students in order to protect their mental health, but the fact that there is no requirement or official policy makes this issue an urgent one to say the least. With our University student population sitting at 37,556 and reportedly 73% of all college students experiencing some sort of mental health crisis during college, it’s clear trig-

ger warnings have become increasingly necessary.

For students who are experiencing mental health issues, whatever they may be, disturbing or depressing class material is the furthest thing from what they need to be consuming mentally.

Even for students who aren’t actively experiencing issues with their mental health, it’s important to note that class content can still be quite upsetting. I know I’ve left class still thinking about some rather disturbing material that may not have ruined my day or caused me prolonged anxiety, but still affected my mood significantly enough to have appreciated a trigger warning. Especially as someone who cares a lot about mental health but does not like to discuss it in extensive detail, I think trigger warnings would be beneficial for all students.

According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, a trigger warning is defined to be a statement cautioning that content (as in a text, video or class) may be disturbing or upsetting. That being said, it would be a rather simple task for professors to provide trigger warnings within class content.

This could be done in the syllabus, in class powerpoints, really any way possible that can reach students.

Not only would this help avoid worsening students’ mental health by giving them the warning to mentally prepare to watch or read the content, but also give them the option to not do so if necessary.

I will never forget my introduction to psychology professor from freshman year at NC State telling us in advance the following week’s content would contain disturbing photos and explanations of distressing disorders, so if we were to use our free absences at any time, we should do so then if we think it would be too much to handle. I greatly appreciated this as someone who finds many mental health issues difficult to talk or hear about, simply because I find them upsetting and sometimes scary.

For students similar to me or students unfortunately experiencing mental health issues, trigger warnings should be implemented into all class material to try to hopefully improve students’ overall mental health, not worsen it.

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Who’s Who at Student Media: Technician Editor-in-Chief Jaylan Harrington Karsyn Westerbeek Correspondent

Chances are anyone reading this is familiar with Technician. But who oversees this publication as the Editor-in-Chief? That would be Jaylan Harrington, a fourth-year studying communications. This might seem like a huge job, but with the experience Harrington has, it’s no wonder he’s qualified.

Starting with sports writing, followed by video, then dabbling in photography all in his first year at NC State, Harrington filled the Video Editor position his sophomore year while continuing to write for the sports section. When junior year came around, Harrington took over as the first Multimedia Managing Editor and did a few podcasts. Fast forward to senior year and he’s now the Editor-in-Chief.

“It kind of only felt natural to become Editor-in-Chief,” Harrington said. “I felt the most comfortable with everything that we have to do at Technician in terms of journalism and in terms of all the different facets of the work that we do, so it felt like a natural next step.”

Regardless of his experience, Harrington admits that starting such a big role was intimidating.

“Even after they named me Editor-inChief, I still felt that impostor syndrome,” Harrington said. “I think that’s only natural, but then you kind of get into the role and you start to hire your staff and you get into the actual work of production every single day and it goes away.”

But what exactly is the everyday job of the

Editor-in-Chief? Harrington admits that it can be unpredictable at times.

“When I wake up, the first thing I do is check my phone and I’m hoping the sky hasn’t fallen because you don’t know what you’re gonna get,” Harrington said. “You roll the dice and start your day, and then beyond that, there’s just a lot of coordinating.”

Even with the unexpected parts of the job, his flexibility as a person helps him to adapt to challenges.

“I’m not a very rigid person, and I think that characteristic helped me,” Harrington said. “When something new pops up, it isn’t something that’s earth-shattering. It’s just kind of something that makes me go, ‘Okay, I have to consider this as well.’”

While adapting to the changes that came with taking on the Editor-in-Chief position, Harrington also started working on his personal goals that he has for the publication, including reacclimating the staff to being in person.

“Most of the staff and most of the people that work at Technician either were not here or do not remember how it was in a normal year when we were fully in person because of the pandemic,” Harrington said.

Harrington also wanted to prioritize mental health during his time as Editorin-Chief, saying that he had witnessed too many people leave the office because of reasons related to mental health.

“A huge thing for me was making sure that we’re doing the work and doing the job and also making sure that I’m not pushing them too much,” Harrington said.

COURTESY OF JAYLAN HARRINGTON

So far, he also completed some of his smaller goals including redesigning Technician’s website and is looking forward to including more podcasts in the publication’s future.

Improvement is something that Harrington has strived for since his first year with Student Media. He has always wanted

to be good at what he does, and his efforts will surely be remembered in years to come.

“I want people to look back and be like ‘Hey, that year was a crazy year. They did a great job,’” Harrington said. “I think that’s what will make me happy. After I’m gone … I want people to look back and go ‘That was kind of special.’”

‘BRIGHTSIDE’ is old news for fans of The Lumineers Sam Overton Culture Editor

It’s hard to believe, but it’s already been a decade since “Ho Hey” debuted on the Billboard Hot 100. The breakout hit from The Lumineers would help lead to the revival of folk-rock and Americana music, infiltrating every indie coffee shop on the block.

Ten years later, The Lumineers return with their fourth studio album “BRIGHTSIDE,” a nine-track project with old folk staples

the band’s been exploring for years.

There’s nothing quite like the nostalgia of “The Lumineers” and “Cleopatra,” the band’s first two albums, but “BRIGHTSIDE” has its moments. The return of the “stomp-and-holler” genre is a tried-andtrue formula for The Lumineers, and veteran fans will appreciate Wesley Schultz’ and Jeremiah Fraites’ dedication to the craft.

However, the album falters a bit when compared to its predecessors. “The Lumineers” and “Cleopatra” had granola

Scan the Spotify tag through the app to take you to The Lumineers’ album, ‘BRIGHTSIDE.’

staples such as “Stubborn Love,” “Ophelia” and “Sleep On The Floor” that led a generation of fans to learn to love the raw, stripped-back sound. “III” sounded a little different, perhaps due to the loss of cellist Neyla Pekarek, but the storyline was strong and unique and generally impressed critics.

“BRIGHTSIDE” is the mediocre product of the albums which came before it.

The first single and titular track harkens back to “Cleopatra,” pleasing listeners with electric guitar backing tracks and a chorus you can’t help but bob your head along to.

It’s a solid start for the album, even if it stumbles later on.

Honestly, the singles are some of the best tracks of “BRIGHTSIDE.” “A.M. RADIO” begins with trickling acoustic guitar and ends with a cacophony of piano and background vocals, something that fans have

grown accustomed to over the past several years. It’s a lovely throwback to their debut album and some of the strongest tracks off “Cleopatra.”

It’s a shame that the rest of the album doesn’t follow with the same energy. The third track, “WHERE WE ARE,” starts out extremely strong but finishes with repetitive lyrics and a simple melody that feels overdone by the time the song finally ends. “BIRTHDAY” is reminiscent of “III,” but it was hard to hear this song as more than the background track to an upbeat car commercial.

“BIG SHOT,” the second single to be released off the album, is simplistic and a tad boring at times. The Lumineers have never had a problem producing head-bopping beats, but it felt like this song had so much more potential than just your average indie folk track that, according to Schultz, is “all

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KRISTS LUHAERS/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

about humbleness.”

“NEVER REALLY MINE” picks things back up a bit, hitting some rock-n-roll notes reminiscent of one of the band’s biggest influences, Bruce Springsteen. That being said, we’re already over halfway through the album at this point, and there hasn’t been anything that’s stuck out to me outside of the titular track and “A.M. RADIO.” Unfortunately, “BRIGHTSIDE” is marked throughout by flippant lyrics and only somewhat-impactful storylines, as opposed to “III” or even their debut album.

Despite the title, “ROLLERCOASTER” is monotonous and simple, marked only by repetitive piano and indicative yet vague lyrics that spell out loss. “REMINGTON” is just musically strange, although the lyrics harken back to the historical themes which were once well-loved staples of the band’s early hits.

“REPRISE” allows the album to end on a good note, incorporating a bit more of that stomp-and-holler genre fans and passive listeners have grown to love. Nodding to the first track, “REPRISE” brings “BRIGHTSIDE” full circle. Granted, it’s a small circle — at nine tracks lasting only 30 minutes, it’s a short listen — but it’s a good finale to an underwhelming album.

The Lumineers have never depended on splashy features or new-age instrumentals to produce a Billboard Top 100 hit, but that’s both a blessing and a curse in the music world we live in today. Although true fans will appreciate Schultz and Fraites’ dedication to the craft, new listeners might turn their backs on “BRIGHTSIDE” and The Lumineers without the help of the 2010s-fueled craze surrounding the revival of Americana and folk-rock.

Student-led nonprofit Lux Resources supports survivors of sexual violence Myra Bari

Assistant Culture Editor

Editor’s note: This article contains mentions of sexual assault.

For survivors of sexual violence, finding support and legal aid during the healing process can be tumultuous. Lux Resources seeks to fill this gap, providing survivors with advice on everything from navigating

the criminal justice system to clear guidance on medical care and reporting.

Led by Catherine Carter, a second-year studying political science, and Emma Grace Barnes, a second-year studying

neurobiology, the idea for Lux Resources was brainstormed in January 2021 after the two observed several factors preventing survivors of sexual violence LUX continued page 10

Are you being discriminated against or harassed because of a protected status and need support and resources?

Report a concern: go.ncsu.edu/ reportconcern SAFE at NC State: go.ncsu.edu/safe

2022 MLK Campus Commemoration Office for Institutional Equity and Diversity

“They tried to bury us, they didn’t know we were seeds.”

January 17 – January 21, 2022

For full calendar of events, visit go.ncsu.edu/mlk

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10 TECHNICIAN THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 2022

from speaking out.

Sexual violence is a n continued from page 9 incredibly taboo subject, with many placing shame on the survivor rather than the abuser and creating stigma. Societal pressure to stay quiet coupled with a lack of resources means incidents of sexual violence frequently go unreported.

“If you go to the police, they might not be trained on how to help you in your specific situation — places like Legal Aid, which is a federal organization, are incredibly backed up,” Carter said. “If you look at North Carolina, specifically places like the Department of Justice that test rape kits, they are backed up, and your rape kit might not be tested for your trial until years after the assault happens.”

In addition to stigma, cost is also a huge reason many survivors fail to go forward with the legal system especially in underresourced communities, regardless of demographic or socioeconomic level.

“One of the things that we realized is just streamlining that process … but also being able to provide lawyers at a reduced cost, or even free for the survivors so that they don’t have to worry about being able

LUX

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to pay for help that they should be entitled to, to be able to actually get the justice they deserve,” Barnes said.

In preparation for Lux Resources’ launch and incorporation as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in August 2021, the duo reached out to a diverse group for assistance in compiling resources and finding answers to commonly asked questions, including lawyers, nonprofit leaders and past survivors of sexual violence.

COURTESY OF CATHERINE CARTER

“Being as young as we are and going through this process for the first time and then being students on top of that has definitely been time consuming, but we

are really passionate about it,” Carter said.

“It’s something that we felt like we needed to do. It’s still a really new business; we’re less than a year old. But we’re really excited about what we’re doing.”

In the next year, the pair intend on revamping the Lux Resources’ website by adding more inclusive services for all identities. Additionally, a pop-up will be held on campus this spring in the hopes of raising both monetary funds and student awareness.

They have also looked into collaborating with nonprofit organizations like Interact and Our Wave to increase awareness in the Triangle area. In addition to expanding their services and collaborations, Carter and Barnes want to connect survivors with on-call aid from local professionals.

“The overall goal is to be able to actually provide people aid and/or advocates or lawyers for survivors to talk to figure out the best way for them to go about their situation, whether that’s pressing charges or something different,” Barnes said. “We just want to make sure that we have those people in the legal system available for their use whenever they need.”

To learn more about Lux Resources, check out its Instagram or sign up for its monthly newsletter.

If you or someone you know is experiencing relationship violence, sexual violence, stalking or any other form of interpersonal violence and are in need of advocacy services, the NC State Women’s Center has trained advocates available to offer crisis intervention, emotional support, resources and referrals. Students can contact the 24/7 Sexual Assault Helpline at 919-515-4444 or email ncsuadvocate@ncsu.edu to schedule an appointment with an advocate.

Advocacy services through the NC State Women’s Center are available for all students inclusive of all gender identities and sexual orientations.

For more information on advocacy services, please visit go.ncsu.edu/supportsurvivors. If you would like to talk to a confidential resource, you can also connect with the NC State Counseling Center at 919-515-2423. You may also visit go.ncsu.edu/safe for additional information on resources and reporting options.

FKA Twigs’ ‘CAPRISONGS’ is a brave yet nervous step into new territory Caryl Espinoza Jaen Managing Editor

Two critical hit albums and near-universal praise should show that FKA Twigs does not play around. Her new mixtape “CAPRISONGS” released last week on Jan. 14, is no less than good, a formidable addition to the avant-pop artist’s stellar discography that tries to break into the mainstream.

Life hasn’t been easy for Twigs. The avant-pop artist has faced multiple traumatic events such as a physically abusive relationship, the racist public backlash from her former fiance’s fans and a longtime battle with fibroid tumors. Her work has viscerally reflected on these hardships, with Twigs pairing operatic wails about heartbreak and trauma against experimental visuals and sonic backgrounds.

“CAPRISONGS” is a bit different. Twigs is still brutally raw, so much so that some critics are calling this album more personal than the emotionally wrecking “MAGDALENE,” but instead of the high fantasy aesthetic veil we’re used to, “CAPRISONGS” deploys its honesty through largely relatable imagery.

I’m going to make two things clear before continuing. First, Twigs deliberate-

ly calls this a mixtape and not a continuation of her usual avant-pop album discography — more on that later. Second, Twigs wrote that “CAPRISONGS” is “Bronzer in the sink, alco pop on the side … a club pre game, your best ie who is always late but brings the most to t he

reason, I’m going to try my best to avoid comparing this mixtape to albums such as “MAGDALENE” or “LP1.” Instead I’ll be reviewing “CAPRISONGS” on its merits as a mixtape and as a side project in Twigs’ discography. “tears in the club,” the mixtape’s lead single, is perhaps most emblematic of Twigs’ new direction. It’s an uptempo dancehall R&B track about the sudden flood of grief that comes after a failed relationship, with The Weeknd serving as the feature and the allegorical former partner. It’s also co-produced by electronic music giant Arca, and that should be more than enough to entice you to give it a try.

This isn’t to say “CAPRISONGS” lacks the usual quicks of FKA Twigs’ albums.

Opener “ride the dragon” features Twigs’ usual siren chants at its outro, “papi bones” has her collaborating with hyperpop rapper Shygirl over an elastic AfGRAPHIC BY JOE LINGO robeat reggae and “pamplemousse” distorts her voice so much it’s reminiscent of her collaboration with (my favorite artist) Nicolas Jaar.

It’s definitely Twigs at her most accessible, but “CAPRISONGS” definitely has its moments.

Twigs is the most outstanding performer out here. She absolutely bodies The Weeknd in “tears in the

party, meeting a friend at the airport, just togetherness.” In other (much shorter) words, it’s supposed to be a fun little appetizer, a short pick-me-up from the drabness of life to kick off the party.

“CAPRISONGS” is not trying to be the next peak of artistic expression.

For this

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Twigs is no longer an alien nor the holy mother. She’s Tahliah Barnett, who goes to the club, hangs around in athleisure and gets way too into astrology and tarot readings with her cool friends.

club” and runs laps around Daniel Caesar in “careless” — although to be fair, most people tend to be more talented than Caesar. If anything, Twigs is such a standout part of this album that in the few moments the features give her a run for her money (namely, Shygirl in “papi bones” and both Jorja Smith and Unknown T in “darjeeling”), you’re almost shocked.

Both new and old Twiglets should be able to find something to enjoy in this mixtape, and while that’s usually a high compliment, in “CAPRISONGS” it’s also its downfall.

“CAPRISONGS” is not eccentric enough to leave a lasting impression on its newcomers, and it’s also not deconstructed enough to surprise Twigs’ core base. There are not enough operatic moments, not enough emotional high drama.

I return to the format of Twigs’ latest release. Historically, mixtapes have allowed people to compile their favorite songs together — they’re the precursor to the modern playlist, one could say — and they create a platform for multiple artists to come together and share what they consider their best standalone work. And “CAPRISONGS” seems to fit the bill, from its extensive number of producers and songwriters to the “click” of a portable cassette at the beginning of almost every track.

It’s also undoubtedly Twigs to a fault. We as an audience know what Twigs is capable of, and while “CAPRISONGS” is definitely an above average album, it’s by no means the usual masterpiece. I don’t want to see Twigs flex her musical muscles; I want to see Twigs gracefully redefine contemporary music with the delicacy of an angel pole dancing to the bottom of Hell.

But that’s the appeal of “CAPRISONGS.” There’s a charm in the pseudo-philosophical, self care dialogue recordings in the album’s interludes. Twigs is no longer an alien nor the holy mother. She’s Tahliah Barnett, who goes to the club, hangs around in athleisure and gets way too into astrology and tarot readings with her cool friends. After two tight inhales with “LP1” and “MAGDALENE,” Twigs finally gets to exhale and relax.

And who knows. Maybe her next album will leave us breathless.

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No. 4 Pack women’s basketball prepares to go against soaring No. 3 Louisville Cardinals in Reynolds Coliseum Tristan Tucker Managing Editor

The No. 4 NC State women’s basketball team has a chance for a character-defining win in its matchup with the No. 3 Louisville Cardinals. While the Wolfpack has been on a roll as of late, easily dispatching then-No. 19 North Carolina and then-No. 16 Duke within the last two weeks, there still hasn’t been a season-defining moment for this squad.

In the first game of the season, the Wolfpack lost to No. 1 South Carolina, who is still the nation’s top dog. The other team receiving No. 1 votes in the latest AP Poll? The Cardinals, who are flying high with just one loss — its season-opener against No. 10 Arizona present the Pack’s biggest challenge since that fateful opener.

Sure, the Wolfpack blew out then-No. 3 Maryland early in the season, but the Terrapins now sit with five losses. No. 6 Indiana is the Pack’s other big win, but beating the Cardinals would be significant. In last year’s record-breaking season, the Wolfpack took down Louisville twice — once when the Cardinals were the No. 1 team in the nation, a game that took place on the road, and again in the ACC Championship, giving the Pack its second straight title.

But Louisville has long been a thorn in the side of the Pack, beating NC State once in the 28-4 championship season and then blowing it out in the 2018-19 season before eliminating the Wolfpack from the ACC Tournament that same season.

Unlike those seasons, this year’s Louisville offensive attack is headed by several players as opposed to one or two high-flying scorers, like Dana Evans.

Kianna Smith is Louisville’s leading scorer, averaging 12.2 points per game and shoot-

HALLIE WALKER/TECHNICIAN

Junior forward Jada Boyd drives around defensive opponents in the game against Duke on Sunday, Jan. 16, 2022 in Reynolds Coliseum.

Boyd scored 10 points and contributed seven rebounds. NC State beat Duke 84-60.

ing a ridiculous 45.8% from 3 on 72 total attempts. Smith is responsible for much of the Cardinals’ offensive creation, leading the team in assists and playing with extreme control. As one of the primary ball handlers for Louisville, her 1.95 assist-to-turnover ratio is extremely impressive, the second-best on the team.

Syracuse transfer Emily Engstler is exactly

as advertised: a defensive menace. Engstler’s team-leading 45 steals are not only 16 more than the next-highest player, but it comes out to a whopping 2.8 per-game average. Engstler also leads the team in rebounds and blocks and registers a ridiculous 4.4 stocks per game. The Pack is going to have its hands full with Engstler, with no clear mismatch to take advantage of and with Louisville’s Olivia

Cochran set to occupy senior center Elissa Cunane.

There is one area where the Wolfpack is significantly better than Louisville: 3-point shooting. The Cardinals shoot 36.9% on 3s with 94 total makes, an excellent mark, but one that pales in comparison to NC State’s 40.9% clip on 153 makes.

WBB continued page 14

By the numbers: Lackluster assist numbers, defensive stats defining Pack men’s basketball Tristan Tucker Managing Editor

The NC State men’s basketball team has continued to be a predictable force, losing close games that it has no business being in and winning here and there unexpectedly.

Let’s take a look at some key statistics over the last few games on the schedule.

2.9 - Sophomore forward Ebenezer Dowuona’s attempted field goals per game Even though the Wolfpack’s offense is mediocre to above average compared to the abysmal defense, there are still some glaring holes on the offensive side of the formula.

One such void is in the offensive play of the

Pack’s big men, specifically those who helm the very middle.

Dowuona got thrown into the fire early this season, becoming the full-time starter after redshirt junior forward Manny Bates went down for the season, despite not being projected to play many minutes at the onset of the season. Dowuona has done an admirable job for what you could ask of him, as seen in spirited efforts like against No. 8 Duke in which he put up 10 points and nine boards, but there is some left to be desired.

Some of that comes down to the Pack’s offensive sets and how often players end up playing iso ball and cornering themselves

into taking contested jump shots that have an extremely low probability of going in. Part of NC State’s problems could be resolved by trying to play more in the halfcourt and creating open looks down the middle. Dowuona could be effective in pick-and-roll situations as the roll man but there aren’t many instances in which the Pack runs set plays.

That much is made evident when you take a look at the Wolfpack’s shot attempts in the middle. Dowuona averages just 2.9 field-goal attempts per game. Junior guard Casey Morsell has 50 more shot attempts in 127 less minutes on the season.

In the Pack’s most recent outing, the of-

fense looked incredibly effective against Duke in the first five minutes, taking a relatively sizable lead. That could have been because Dowuona eclipsed his season average of field-goal attempts in his first few shot attempts, along with a handful of emphatic dunks. Getting more looks to the Wolfpack’s big men should be more of a priority moving forward.

299 - NC State’s national ranking in assists per game To further emphasize the extent to which NC State moves the ball around, look no further than the team’s awful assist numbers — the 16.5th percentile in the country. The

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COMMENTARY: MLB Pack Pro Rodón faces career crossroads during lockout, free agency Bryan Pyrtle

Assistant Sports Editor

With Major League Baseball embroiled in a lockout since Dec. 2, left-handed pitcher and MLB Pack Pro Carlos Rodón remains among several free agents still available on the market. Although no free agents can sign new deals until the league and the MLB Players Association reach an agreement, the hot stove surrounding Rodón and other stars still simmers in the offseason.

Rodón’s breakout 2021 season makes him one of the top arms on the market.

The 29-year-old finally lived up to his pro potential last season, earning his first AllStar appearance and finishing fifth in AL Cy Young voting seven years after the Chicago White Sox selected him with the third overall pick in the 2014 MLB draft. Still, with his extensive injury history, teams may look elsewhere to bolster their rotations for the 2022 season.

One obvious alternative to Rodón is lefthanded pitcher Clayton Kershaw. The lifelong Los Angeles Dodger hit the free-agent market for the first time since re-signing with the Dodgers in 2014, and every team in the league would benefit from reeling in the perennial Cy Young contender. Although Kershaw has a lot of arm mileage with over 2400 IP at the major league level, his consistently dominant year-to-year production solidifies him as the more proven commodity compared to the relatively high-risk, lowsample size Rodón.

In terms of dollars and cents, it’s likely Pack’s leading passer is redshirt sophomore Dereon Seabron, with an average of 3.3 assists per game, a figure that ranks tied for 216th in the country.

This is a result of some of the lack of the aforementioned set plays that the Pack fails to run on the inside but the Pack’s best players also run plenty of iso ball. Seabron, in particular, drives straight to the rim when he sets at the top of the arc. Many of freshman guard Terquavion Smith’s possessions also end up being mid-range jumpers off the dribble.

But some of these iso possessions are extremely harmful to the team. As stated before, the Pack’s offense is above the national average but it could be even more of a welloiled machine if players didn’t settle for 3s too early into the shot clock, especially shots with a low percentage of being made such as off-the-dribble 3s.

106 - Wolfpack’s defensive team rating The talk of the town is obviously the Pack’s lackluster defense and there is a myriad of statistics that prove that. Losing Bates obviously hurt the Pack’s interior defense and that’s where it gets killed the most.

While Dowuona is a player to be excited about, the fact of the matter is that he was thrust into this position unexpectedly, as

RYAN PARRY/ARCHIVE

Sophomore pitcher Carlos Rodón pitches against Appalachian State University Friday, Feb. 15, 2013. Rodón suffered his first loss of his collegiate career falling to the Mountaineers 6-3 at Doak Field at Dail Park.

that Rodón will rake in plenty of dough despite having only one All-Star season to his name. 29-year-old right-hander Noah Syndergaard inked a one-year, $21 million deal with the Los Angeles Angels despite pitching only two innings since 2019 due mentioned before. Because of that, Dowuona is still a raw prospect. The Gabon product has some exciting blocks at times, such as his eight-block performance against Nebraska, but there is still plenty of work to be done on his game.

For starters, Dowuona tends to jump early and allows opposing centers to earn foul shots or get easy looks inside. The Pack allows ridiculous amounts of points to opposing centers and players 6-foot-6 or above have been the leading scorer for every NC State loss without fail.

Sophomore forward Jaylon Gibson and senior forward Jericole Hellems are also guilty of the same tendencies. Hellems is second on the team in turnovers and first in personal fouls per game. Gibson is simply too raw at this point and freshman forward Ernest Ross is now out for an undisclosed period of time with an ankle injury.

The Wolfpack is going to have to take its defense one game at a time and try to focus on the things it can improve. Dowuona will continue to improve over the course of the season and will likely build on his career day against Duke, but he isn’t the only player that needs to improve if the Pack wants a shot to string together some wins.

to Tommy John surgery. Right-hander Alex Cobb struck a two-year, $20 million deal with the San Francisco Giants after a comeback season with the Angels. With Rodón the top lefty remaining on the market not named Kershaw, the southpaw stands to

secure several sacks worth of cash in his next contract.

A few factors play against the Pack Pro’s favor, however. With a long history of injuries to his pitching arm and only one solid season to show for it, front offices may be skeptical of Rodón’s ability to repeat his 2021 numbers. After all, even last year saw the lefty withered out towards season’s end.

With such a shaky track record, few teams, if any, will be itching to offer him the multiyear contract he wants.

Still, the longer the lockout lasts, the more likely it is to cut into spring training or even the regular season. With less time to prepare their squads, teams will be more willing to negotiate in order to strengthen their rosters with high-end talent like Rodón. With this much negotiating power over time-pressed general managers scrambling to solidify their starting rotations for 2022, Rodón will likely have his pick of the litter when it comes to contract offers he gets. With several teams competing for his services, Rodón could also leverage this situation into a higher salary and/or longer contract as teams look to outbid each other.

A lot of factors in when and how the MLB lockout will end are still up in the air at the moment. But once the dust settles, the free agency market will more or less turn into a mad scramble for the remaining available players. With Rodón in the mix as one of the most sought-after arms left unsigned, he has the opportunity to impose his will on contract negotiations that will heavily affect his career trajectory going forward.

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Freshman guard Terquavion Smith goes for a shot in the game against Clemson on Saturday, Jan. 8, 2021 in PNC Arena. Smith had three rebounds. NC State lost to Clemson 70-65.

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However, taking advantage of that disparity is easier than it continued from page 12 seems. In its six games against ranked opponents, NC State has shot 34.7% from deep, which isn’t horrible but is a far cry from the rest of the games on its schedule. In those games, the Pack’s two best 3-point shooters, guards graduate Raina Perez and sophomore Diamond Johnson combined to shoot 40.4%, meaning that the Wolfpack is going to need more contributions from the rest of the squad, like graduate guard Kai Crutchfield, who has yet to hit a 3 in a loss, if it wants to truly take over that aspect of the game.

Something else to consider is the fact Louisville has played and, for the most part, dominated a much more difficult schedule than the Pack. After Louisville plays NC State, the Cardinals will have taken on six players that have a strong chance to be selected in the first round of the 2022 WNBA Draft: No. 8 Michigan’s Naz Hillmon, No. 23 Kentucky’s Rhyne Howard, Cunane, No. 9 UConn’s Evina Westbrook and Christyn Williams and No. 8 Georgia Tech’s Lorela Cubaj. By contrast, NC State will have taken on one: No. 1 South Carolina’s Destanni Henderson.

It’s important to look at how Louisville handled that sheer star power considering the Pack has its own star in Cunane. Hillmon and Howard are consensus future topfour picks, with Howard the consensus No. 1 overall prospect, a title she’s held for some time. Louisville beat Hillmon’s Michigan by 22 points and held Hillmon to 12 points and five turnovers. Howard had nine points and shot a mere 3 of 13 from the field.

This isn’t a one-off situation. In its win over Connecticut, Louisville held Williams and Westbrook to a combined 16 points and seven turnovers and 30.4% from the floor. Cubaj matched up with Engstler and had 12 points but five turnovers.

WBB

EMMA SHEPPARD/ARCHIVE

Head coach Dave Doeren yells at the refs for a call at the end of the game against Syracuse on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019 in Carter-Finley Stadium. The Pack beat the Orange 16-10.

COMMENTARY: ESPN jumps the gun with its Way-Too-Early CFB rankings Wade Bowman

Assistant Sports Editor

With the finale of another college football season comes time again for one of the most controversial traditions in the sport, ESPN’s Way-Too-Early top 25. This year’s rankings hold plenty of no-brainer picks, such as Alabama reclaiming the No. 1 spot and Clemson working its way back into the top 15, but it’s not without its long shots.

Of those long shots is throwing the Wolfpack into the No. 8 spot, a placement that many Wolfpack faithful will understand comes from a place of hope rather than probability.

That isn’t to say that the Pack doesn’t have the potential to sneak into the upper echelon of the rankings later on in the year, but “potential” is likely the one word that will describe the 2022-23 NC State football team the best. This year brings its fair share of uncertainties for a Wolfpack squad that is losing a handful of key pieces, especially on offense such as sophomore offensive tackle Ikem Ekwonu, senior wideout Emeka Emezie and the running back duo of sophomore Zonovan Knight and junior Ricky Person Jr. As is true in almost all high-level athletics, there’s always a man on the waiting deck, hungry to get their chance at making a name for themselves, and the individuals who will fill these key gaps are no dif-

ferent. Redshirt sophomore wide receiver Devin Carter is going to be forced into a WR1 role, the running back tandem of sophomore Jordan Houston and redshirt freshman Delbert Mimms III will hope to rekindle the flame in the backfield and the departure of NC State’s first consensus AllAmerican since 2017, Ekwonu, will leave a massive opportunity ready to be seized by the next man up.

The good news, however, is that nearly all of the uncertainties around this squad begin and end on offense, with the defense having the potential to return 14 of 15 tacklers in the coming season. The odd man out is graduate defensive lineman Daniel Joseph, who has used up all of his NCAA eligibility. Last season was one of constant battles for the defense on and off the field, with starting spots acting as rotating doors due to consistent injury issues. Simply put, in a sport as physical as football, players are going to suffer significant injuries, but the prospect of a completely healthy team come fall is an incredibly exciting one.

While the linebacking trio of redshirt junior Payton Wilson, graduate Isaiah Moore and junior Drake Thomas all hit their individual strides at different times due to injuries amongst the unit, the concept of all three on the field at the same time has to be terrifying for opposing offensive coordinators. Pair a linebacking core with potential

to be one of, if not the best in the nation with experience surrounding it at all positions and there’s a legitimate conversation to be had on NC State’s chances to boast one of the best defenses in college football.

Personally, I’m expecting a massive year for head coach Dave Doeren’s squad next season, building off of its successes in the 2021-22 season. With that being said however, a No. 8 ranking in the Way-Too-Early poll could only make sense if everything goes right for the Pack this year, and let’s be honest, when does it ever? NC State will almost surely make a splash in the top 25 at some point throughout the year, and a better preseason ranking for the team would definitely be somewhere in the bottom 10 of the list. Publishers such as Bleacher Report and SI agree, listing the Pack at 20 and 19 in their respective rankings.

The 2022-23 NC State football squad absolutely has top-10 potential, but potential only gets you so far in the world of college sports. As the season inches closer, more and more details about how the roster is rounding out will surface and provide some clarity on the actual position the Pack is in regarding filling the gaps left behind by those who have moved on. For now, however, the idea of the Wolfpack as the No. 8 team in the nation will only lead to broken hearts, something that this program has specialized in for its 130 years of existence.

Head coach Wes Moore will need to get his other players in his deep rotation involved or it could be a rough day for the Pack.

NC State has to prepare for the fact that Louisville head coach Jeff Walz has gameplanned for Cunane and is eager to get a turnover fest started early. If Engstler gets the matchup on Cunane defensively, it could spell trouble for the Wolfpack’s inside game.

Head coach Wes Moore will need to get his other players in his deep rotation involved or it could be a rough day for the Pack.

NC State’s highly anticipated matchup with Louisville takes place Thursday, Jan. 20 inside Reynolds Coliseum. The game tips at 7:30 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN. Be sure to follow along with @TechSports on Twitter to follow along with the game live.

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Comics TECHNICIANONLINE.COM

THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 2022

Nova and Comet - Get Set

Pearl Knight, a third-year studying art and design

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Kiara Bush, a third-year in design studies and statistics

Organ Expenses

Emma Reid, a first-year in exploratory studies

See page 10