Weekend, March 13-16, 2014 - The Daily Cardinal by The Daily Cardinal

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Since 1892 dailycardinal.com

Weekend, March 13-16, 2014

State Senate approves campaign finance, absentee voting legislation By Andrew Hahn THE DAILY CARDINAL

The state Senate passed a package of bills Wednesday that would limit absentee voting times and change rules relating to election officials. The bills’ approval came after Senate Democrats temporarily stalled the legislation’s passage Tuesday night with a procedural move forcing the Senate to take up the legislation Wednesday. State Sen. Lena Taylor, D-Milwaukee, and her Democratic colleagues condemned restriction of absentee voting as an attempt to disenfranchise voters of certain demographics, especially seniors, students and minorities. “It’s like going back to Jim Crow days,” Taylor said.

Senate Minority Leader Chris Larson, D-Milwaukee, accused Republicans of limiting citizens’ right to vote, saying, “At the end of the day you are trying to abort democracy in the state of Wisconsin.” No Republicans comment-

“It’s like going back to the Jim Crow days.” Lena Taylor state senator Milwaukee

ed on the legislation during Wednesday’s session. A second bill passed Wednesday would allow partyaffiliated election observers to

stand within three to eight feet of voters in polling places. State Sen. Jon Erpenbach, D-Middleton, called the legislation an opportunity for voter intimidation and predicted the state would see problems with its implementation. “[This bill will] create profiling,” Erpenbach said. “It’s going to create tension, it’s going to create shouting and the police will be called to the polls.” State Sen. Mary Lazich, R-New Berlin, defended the bill and said it would give election officials authority to set appropriate rules within polling locations and escort disruptive people from the area. The bill, which also outlines proper certification of

senate page 2

Police still searching for local burglars Three St. James Court residents in their twenties found laptops and other items missing after a burglary Tuesday, according to Madison police. The residents contacted the Madison Police Department at approximately 4 p.m. Tuesday when they realized their laptops were missing, along with a jacket and calculator. Police believe the suspects entered an unlocked sliding glass door at the residence, 1321 St. James Court, because there were no signs of forced entry. According to police, two suspects were reported searching for unlocked doors in the area at around 2:45 p.m. earlier that day. Police described one of the suspects as a six-foot-tall black man who was wearing camouflage pants and a dark hoodie. The second suspect is described as a shorter black man wearing a Chicago White Sox jacket, according to the report. Madison police strongly urge students to avoid possible burglaries by taking precautions before leaving their residences for upcoming spring breaks.

ASM dissects recent draft of Diversity Plan By Emily Gerber THE DAILY CARDINAL

LAKE MENDOTA

Snow way!

A man takes advantage of the frigid weather Wednesday as he snowkites across the frozen lake. + Photo by Amy Gruntner

Senate committee blocks cancer legislation debate The Senate Committee on Organization made a rare move Wednesday to prevent a cancer bill from being debated in the state Senate’s morning session. Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, chairs the committee and is responsible for scheduling debates on bills after their original committees approve them. Instead of assign-

EMILY BUCK/THE DAILY CARDINAL

ASM Chair David Gardner presents a resolution to request more funding from UW Athletics for the Master Plan Wednesday.

ing the bill for floor debate, Fitzgerald scheduled the bill for a public hearing after the Senate’s session ended. Senate Committee on Insurance and Housing unanimously passed the bill, which would prohibit insurance companies from requiring a higher co-payment for oral chemotherapy treatment regardless of the

The spring break you’ve probably never heard of

insurance policy. State Sen. Chris Larson’s, D-Milwaukee, Communications Director, Gillian Drummond, said the public hearing was scheduled as a tactical move to keep Democrats from pulling the bill onto the Senate floor. The public hearing was canceled shortly after Wednesday’s Senate session adjourned.

Representatives from the committee responsible for drafting an updated University of WisconsinMadison Diversity Plan fielded questions from Associated Students of Madison Student Council members and detailed the future of campus diversity efforts Wednesday. In the current draft of the plan, the Ad-Hoc Diversity Planning Committee found nine areas where campus diversity needs improvement. Each goal is accompanied by recommendations for plan implementation as well as accountability measures for how each goal will be enforced. Co-chair of the planning committee Ryan Adserias said this plan focuses more on changing the culture associated with diversity than improving diversity statistics in the university, which was a characteristic of the 2008 Plan. “You can’t change a culture overnight, you can’t even really change it in a year,” Adserias said, emphasizing the plan is not intended for yielding short-term results. Though some council members questioned the draft’s occasional vagueness, co-chair Ruth Litovsky said by explicitly detailing each element of the plan university members would lose a possibility for creativity in the plan’s enactment and may feel the issue of tackling diversity to be confined to set tasks. Litovsky said engagement sessions regarding concerns and

Triple Digits +OTHER NEWS, page 5

Goaltender Alex Rigsby plays for 100th win Saturday

comments for the plan are scheduled for early April, following the release of the document to campus members later this week. After making changes, the entire plan will be up for a vote at a Faculty Senate meeting in May. Faculty Senate approval will not prohibit alterations. “It’s not a document that will live on the shelf and will be forgotten,” Litovsky said. “It will be an intermittent framework.” Student Council members also passed a resolution to request the UW Athletic Department put more funding toward the recently approved Recreational Sports Master Plan. The resolution, introduced by ASM Chair David Gardner, highlights the group’s goal of ensuring college affordability. In an effort to decrease the contribution currently fronted by student segregated fees, ASM requests the department put forward a comparable amount of funding, between $30 million and $127 million, as presented by the chancellor and the state. Campus members also spoke to Student Council on behalf of a motion asking the university to divest from fossil fuel companies, citing concern for continuing climate problems that stem from their use. A decision on the resolution was tabled until after spring break, as various council members said extra time for research would allow for a more informed decision.

+SPORTS, page 7

@dailycardinal The Daily Cardinal

“…the great state University of Wisconsin should ever encourage that continual and fearless sifting and winnowing by which alone the truth can be found.”

news 2

TODAY: sleet

hi 39º / lo 34º

FRIDAY: partly cloudy hi 48º / lo 34º

hi 43º / lo 23º

Weekend, March 13-16, 2014

Volume 123, Issue 91

2142 Vilas Communication Hall 821 University Avenue Madison, Wis., 53706-1497 (608) 262-8000 • fax (608) 262-8100

News and Editorial edit@dailycardinal.com Editor-in-Chief Abigail Becker

Managing Editor Mara Jezior

News Team News Manager Sam Cusick Campus Editor Adelina Yankova College Editor Emily Gerber City Editor Patricia Johnson State Editor Eoin Cottrell Associate News Editor Dana Kampa Features Editor Melissa Howison Opinion Editors Haleigh Amant • Ryan Bullen Editorial Board Chair Anna Duffin Arts Editors Cheyenne Langkamp • Sean Reichard Sports Editors Brett Bachman • Jonah Beleckis Almanac Editors Andy Holsteen • Kane Kaiman Photo Editors Courtney Kessler • Jane Thompson Graphics Editors Mikaela Albright • Haley Henschel Multimedia Editor Amy Gruntner • Grey Satterfield Science Editor Nia Sathiamoorthi Life & Style Editor Katy Hertel Special Pages Editor Samy Moskol Social Media Manager Rachel Wanat Copy Chiefs Vince Huth • Justine Jones Maya Miller • Kayla Schmidt Copy Editors Jennie Russnow • Claire Esmonde

Business and Advertising business@dailycardinal.com Business Manager Tyler Reindl Advertising Manager Jordan Laeyendecker Assistant Advertising Manager Corissa Pennow Account Executives Brianna Albee • Erin Aubrey Michael Metzler • Dan Shanahan Elisa Wiseman Marketing Director Cooper Boland

The Daily Cardinal is a nonprofit organization run by its staff members and elected editors. It receives no funds from the university. Operating revenue is generated from advertising and subscription sales. The Daily Cardinal is published weekdays and distributed at the University of WisconsinMadison and its surrounding community with a circulation of 10,000. Capital Newspapers, Inc. is the Cardinal’s printer. The Daily Cardinal is printed on recycled paper. The Cardinal is a member of the Associated Collegiate Press and the Wisconsin Newspaper Association. All copy, photographs and graphics appearing in The Daily Cardinal are the sole property of the Cardinal and may not be reproduced without written permission of the editor in chief. The Daily Cardinal accepts advertising representing a wide range of views. This acceptance does not imply agreement with the views expressed. The Cardinal reserves the right to reject advertisements judged offensive based on imagery, wording or both. Complaints: News and editorial complaints should be presented to the editor in chief. Business and advertising complaints should be presented to the business manager. Letters Policy: Letters must be word processed and must include contact information. No anonymous letters will be printed. All letters to the editor will be printed at the discretion of The Daily Cardinal. Letters may be sent to opinion@ dailycardinal.com.

Editorial Board Haleigh Amant • Abigail Becker Ryan Bullen • Anna Duffin Mara Jezoir • Cheyenne Langkamp Tyler Nickerson • Michael Penn Nikki Stout

Board of Directors Herman Baumann, President Abigail Becker • Mara Jezior Jennifer Sereno • Stephen DiTullio Jacob Sattler • Janet Larson Don Miner • Phil Brinkman Jason Stein • Nancy Sandy Tina Zavoral

For the record Corrections or clarifications? Call The Daily Cardinal office at 608-262-8000 or send an email to edit@dailycardinal.com.

SUNDAY: partly cloudy hi 30º / lo 21º

dailycardinal.com

Metro Transit sees record ridership

An independent student newspaper, serving the University of Wisconsin-Madison community since 1892

SATURDAY: partly cloudy

CAPITOL ROTUNDA

Spin my head right round

Students from UW universities gather at the Capitol to present their efforts in undergraduate research to state legislators Wednesday. + Photo by Wil Gibb

WAA gives UW alumna Vel Phillips distinguished award The Wisconsin Alumni Association named University of Wisconsin-Madison alumna Velvalea “Vel” Phillips winner of the Distinguished Alumni Award this month, according to a Wednesday news release. Phillips, a prominent civil rights and social justice advocate from Milwaukee, became UW-Madison Law School’s first African-American female graduate in 1951, according to the release. She was also the first AfricanAmerican woman voted onto Milwaukee’s Common Council, where she focused her work on

advancing minority rights, specifically by ending discrimination against those seeking to rent or buy property in Milwaukee. The award is given in recognition of UW-Madison alumni’s professional successes and contributions to society and the university. It is the highest award the WAA gives to alumni. “There are few UW alumni who are as courageous or inspiring as Vel Phillips,” WAA President and CEO Paula Bonner said in the release. “She has never backed down from the mission to extend civil rights and social justice to all.”

Metro Transit recorded approximately 14.7 million bus rides for 2013, giving last year the second-highest ridership the company has seen since 2011, according to a city of Madison press release. The 2013 ridership is a 1 percent increase since 2012, and only a few hundred thousand less than Metro’s highest record of 14.9 million in 2011. According to the release, the decrease in 2012 was due to a change in routes in the university area, which was the primary factor preventing ridership to break its previous record. Since 1995, Metro ridership has increased by approximately 52 percent and recent studies show there is room to continue growing, according to the release. The long term increase in ridership is comparable to a nationwide increase of 37.2 percent since 1995, according to the American Public

Transportation Association. According to the release, the most common complaint the company receives from riders is overcrowding on buses. A recent study done on bus sizes by Metro and Madison Area Transportation Planning Board shows that the company can optimize its efficiency and effectiveness by adding 40 buses to city routes. The new buses would add to the company’s current 214 fullsized buses and 17 paratransit vehicles that already exceed the space limit in the company’s parking garage. Metro representatives met with federal and state Legislatures to discuss the increased demand in buses and garage space despite an expected decrease in federal funds. Metro is also seeking funding from regional transit authorities in Wisconsin, according to the release. —Patricia Johnson

Assembly Democrat introduces bill mandating minimum sick days Assembly Democrats introduced a bill Wednesday designed to help one million employees in Wisconsin who do not have paid sick days. State Rep. Cory Mason, D-Racine, introduced legislation that would mandate a minimum number of sick days for Wisconsin workers. The “Earned Sick Days Act” would give employees a minimum of nine paid sick days, but would allow businesses that have less than 10 employees to grant employees only five sick days. Mason said the bill is

extremely important because it would prevent employees from having to choose between going to work or taking a child to a doctor’s appointment. Additionally, Mason said employers would save money through higher employee retention rates and reduced health care costs. “For families that are trying to make it in this economy, giving them economic security that they are not one illness away from being financially destitute is a really important thing to give workers in the state,” Mason said.

UW-Madison seminar to mark 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act The University of WisconsinMadison will sponsor a seminar March 26 to commemorate the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, according to a university press release. UW-Madison alumna Vel Phillips will be the keynote speaker at the event. Phillips, a Milwaukee native, was the first AfricanAmerican woman to graduate from UW-Madison’s Law School and is known for her support of the Civil Rights Movement. Other presentations will include history professor Brenda Gayle Plummer’s “The Continuing

Legacy of the Civil Rights Act of 1964” and a discussion on civil rights issues moderated by Michael Thornton, professor of Afro-American studies, Asian American studies and sociology. The event, “A Nation Still Under Construction: Observing the 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act,” will take place in Union South’s Varsity Hall from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The seminar will be co-sponsored by the campus Office of the Vice Provost and Chief Diversity Officer, and the Department of Afro-American Studies. JANE THOMPSON/CARDINAL FILE PHOTO

300 block of West Dayton Street to be closed for construction Friday The 300 block of West Dayton Street, located between North Broom and North Henry Streets, will close Friday from 2:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., according to a city of Madison news release. Traffic will be blocked due to construction by J.H. Findorff & Son Inc. and subcontractors for the Ovation 309 mixed-use living center project, according to the release. Access to the Overture Center parking garage will be blocked at the West Dayton Street entrance

between 4 a.m. and 12 p.m. Vehicles will have access to the garage through the West Mifflin Street entrance at all times. Additionally, traffic and parking on the 100 and 200 blocks of North Henry between West Johnson and West Mifflin Streets will be restricted from 2:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., according to the release. Parking on the 10 block of North Broom Street will also be restricted during the closure for contractors to assemble construction materials.

Senate Minority Leader Chris Larson, D-Milwaukee, accused Senate Republicans of limiting democracy in Wisconsin.

senate from page 1 election observers, will go to Gov. Scott Walker’s desk for a signature. The Senate also passed legislation introduced last week that would allow lobbyists to make political contributions more frequently and remove financial reporting requirements for some political campaign organizations. The bill would also remove reporting requirements for campaign advertisements on

the Internet. A bill mandating residency of election officials in their polling counties also cleared the Senate. The Senate rejected a motion to take up discussion of a bill that would change the rules by which the state draws its legislative districts. The legislation limiting absentee voting, changing campaign finance rules and mandating residency of election officials will go to the state Assembly for approval.

dailycardinal.com

Weekend, March 13-16, 2014

arts

Tuesday brings good films, okay music By Cheyenne Langkamp The Daily Cardinal

Tuesday, March 11 found our intrepid Arts editor Cheyenne Langkamp on the beat at South by Southwest for sweet tunes and good movies. Here’s some of the things she saw down in Austin, Texas: “American Interior” Gruff Rhys of Super Furry Animals departs on a North American tour to showcase his newest solo efforts, but also—and more interestingly—to track the mysterious journey of his ancestor John Adams, who in 1792 left Wales to search for what was believed to be the last tribe of Welsh Native Americans in the

new world. What may at first sound like a boring History Channel feature becomes an enveloping tale through Rhys’ genuine half-silly, half-serious approach and the sincerity he encounters from local experts and Native American tribesman along the way. In the end, “American Interior” is a story about connections—to places and people—told through the intersection of history, language and song, the fundamental elements of any culture. The film’s black and white shots interspersed with psychedelic color are also a nod to Rhys’ experimental rock background and keep the film alive for viewers.

“Evaporating Borders” Filmmaker Iva Radivojevic’s documentary feature on the life of ostracized migrants in Cyprus, many of whom are asylum seekers, is a string of crisp shots paying homage to the beautiful land and daily interactions of its myriad people. What makes the film appealing and impacting are not the visual elements, but the personal essay from Radivojevic herself, a migrant out of Yugoslavia, which narrates it. In a Q&A after the premiere she said she wrote the film’s script first as a letter to a friend and then edited her video material to fit the story line. What she has created is a visual essay exposing a war on

identity in Cyprus that receives little mainstream attention. Radivojevic lays before her audience a place in the world where who you are to fellow citizens and government entities alike rests on the place you call “home,” whether you call it that with love or despair. For the viewer, it becomes a meditation on how we define ourselves and others and the impact of the borders we create between these identities. KCRW Showcase at Haven For a first experience of SXSW Music, this showcase did not impress. It seemed the venue was having technical issues as the microphones cut out for a good portion of one song in both

of the sets we saw. However, Glass Animals and Arthur Beatrice—both from the U.K.— were good sports and continued singing and playing through the silenced vocals. The two indie rock groups both played decent sets despite the complications, but didn’t manage to stand out. For someone who went in as a huge fan of Arthur Beatrice’s track “Grand Union”— which was equally impressive live—it was unfortunate to come out of the set without any new favorites. With Tuesday, March 11 being only the first day of the Music portion of the festival, hopes are still high that other acts will make a lasting impression.

2014 Academy Awards commit the act of killing potential austin wellens alls wellens well So the Oscars have come and gone once again, and I know this is late but, I mean, for the most part they just sort of happened? Ellen was charming, Jared Leto plugged his band is his acceptance speech and “12 Years a Slave,” thankfully, won Best Picture (I didn’t love it like I loved “Her” and “Inside Llewyn Davis,” but it was the right choice for a lot of reasons). There is, however, one thing that bothered me. You know what no, I’ll say it: I was upset by it. I was upset by the fact “20 Feet from Stardom,” and not “The Act of Killing,” won for Best Documentary. Now before I start, I want to express that I did sincerely love both of these films, and I’m in no way trying to take anything away from “20 Feet.” It was a gorgeously moving film, brilliantly

constructed and it got me a dose of Talking Heads. I adored it. So, that being said, I also want to acknowledge the long history the Oscars have with playing it safe in the Documentary Feature category, rewarding technical excellence over formal innovation. And with straight goofing on films like “The Thin Blue Line” and “Hoop Dreams.” Really, this isn’t anything new. But this year, the Oscars made a mistake. This year they picked the safe option, the Hollywood option, the film about show business and art and struggling to reconcile the two ideas, over a film that asked a nation to own up to its genocide, specifically the, uh, people who did the genociding. That seems… important. And yeah, “The Act of Killing” is also just an insane reinvention of the idea of a documentary; it challenges both its audience and its subjects to reexamine everything from human nature to the way art allows us to reflect on and

potentially redeem ourselves, to how these things can be allowed to happen. If you haven’t seen it you need to—like actually need to see it. The movie’s significant.

What upsets me most is this: the misapplication of whatever power we’ve given the Oscars.

But we need to set aside all of that because, you know, the Oscars are subjective and not really about actual innovation or quality, but about validating certain works over others within the mainstream. Which is why the documentary issue is such a problem for me. Because documentaries are so much more likely to be political than other types of film, given the whole idea of a documentary, the validation (or not)

that can be given by something like an Academy Award takes on an actual significance that moves far beyond the realm of “Matthew McConaughey won, the McConnaissance is in full effect” or “Alfonso Cuarón won because he invented the future of action filmmaking.” It moves into “the issue is important, it needs attention and we can bring it to the attention of millions of people with our platform.” And they failed. I won’t say it’s the only useful role the Oscars can play, but socially it may be the most important. And they goofed. To paraphrase/quote a hero of mine, FILM CRIT HULK, they chose the film about how underrated Hollywood people are over the film confronting an unpunished atrocity. This might come down a little hard on “20 Feet from Stardom,” but the point is valid. The Oscars goofed, as they usually do. And it isn’t even the fact that they missed out on the ability to use

their cultural position to do something important, because they do that with their documentary picks all the time. It’s the fact they are unhesitant to apply this logic to their picks in other categories, all the way up to Best Picture. How else can we explain the awards “Crash” won? What upsets me most is this: the misapplication of whatever power we’ve given the Oscars, and their apparent inability to fully understand what exactly that power means or is capable of doing. But at any rate, both films were excellent, people at least found out about “The Act of Killing,” and Darlene Love was able to insert some soul into the otherwise sterile award show proceedings. Please go watch both of these films. Regardless of what award things happen, I think they’re both really wonderful, and I hope y’all will as well. Do you share Austin’s opinion? Email him at wellens@wisc. edu and tell him what you think.

RECORD ROUTINE

Tycho delivers chill but impenetrable album CD REVIEW

Awake Tycho By Allison Garcia The Daily Cardinal

Tycho is an artist of many names but only one distinct style. His real name is Scott Hansen and he is a brilliant mind with an incredible artistic talent. He creates music that is soothing to the soul and easy to listen too. With simple beats and hypnotic

melodies, his music is perfect for anyone who needs time for deep thinking or relaxation In Tycho’s new release, Awake, he reveals a skillfully sculpted masterpiece that flows together as though the album is just one long and peaceful song. Occasionally the tracks seem to pass by so seamlessly that the switch is not even something noticeable. This is not to say that the album is not versatile, it simply exemplifies the cohesiveness of it as a whole. It is difficult to pick out the high and low points on an album like this, however. The more featured, and coincidentally, more popular tracks on the albums include “Awake,” “Spectre” and “Montana.” Each of these tunes

are high quality and primitive— ideal for easy listening. The album consists of eight wistful tracks and runs about 40 minutes long. For music of this style, 40 minutes seems to be just the perfect length—long enough to get into a state of peace of mind, but short enough to create longing for more. All in all, this album is a clear example of the stunning musical talent on the behalf of Tycho. That said, however, it is difficult to love. Music in this style is simple and enjoyable, but you have to be in the right mood. I recommend checking this album out when looking for some chill study songs.

Rating: B

Watch for the monday, march 24 issue of the daily cardinal for our sxsw retrospective!

comics

Bitch, I’m FABULOUS. In the 16th century, a fancy or finicky dresser was called a prickmedainty.

4 • Weekend, March 13-15 2014

7 5

dailycardinal.com

You Look Tired Today

Chuck Norris’ googley eyes

Today’s Sudoku

By Haley Henschel henschel2@wisc.edu

9 3

1 2

2 3 1 4

2 5 1 9 7 3

1 9

3 8 6 8 7 4

8 6

Classic

Solution, tips and computer program available at www.sudoku.com.

HARD Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and# 97 every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through 9.

7 1

6 5

5 4 7

1 8

8 1 1 4 3 3

6 1 9 2

# 98

By Nick Kryshak

HARD

7 3

1 5 3 8 5 7 9

2 3

7 8

8 2 1 5 1 6 4

4 2

6 Evil Bird Classic

3 8 9

# 99

1 8 2 7 5 4 9 3 6

5 9 4 3 6 8 2 1 7

ACROSS 1 Electronic communication 6 “Brava!” elicitor 10 Flan need 14 Cowboy’s tool 15 Genie’s largesse 16 Undeniable 17 Reaching a turning point 20 Happy as a lark 6 9 school 3 2 health 8 7 21 High topic 3 6 7 4 2 5 22 Beaver State capital 27 5 Repertory 8 5 1member 6 9 26 Sharpness of voice 9 1 8 6 4 2 30 Egyptian goddess 31 2 Dead-end street 2 4 7 9 3 35 Glacial period 42 1 Make 5 9a beeline 3 7 to1 43 Be absorbed 8 gradually 3 6 5 1 4 44 Daggers with 4 slender 7 2 blades 8 5 6 45 5 Shake hands for the 4 1 9 3 8 first time 47 Get checkmated 48 Moroccan seaport 53 Theater necessity 56 Skimmer over frozen lakes 58 A disco move 63 Look perplexed 66 Energy output units 67 One getting a decoration

w.sudoku.com

68 Official language of India 69 Freelance submission encl. 70 Flubs one 71 Atlas closeup

4 1 3 5 8 6 7 9 2

DOWN 1 Hamburgers are at its mouth 2 Fertile soil 3 About a third of Earth’s land mass 98 5 4 Does not#exist 5 Some balcony 3 sections 6 Beard on grain 4 7 Drilling platform 8 Connecting strips of 6 land 8 9 “Hi!” on the high seas 1 10 Body of moral 9 values 11 Bid welcome to, as 7 guests 12 Fertilizer from bats 2 13 Passover feast 18 Crete’s highest mountain 19 General, to a Turk 23 Deceiver 24 Jailbreak participant 26 Unoriginal response 27 Union requirement 28 T. Rex and Roxy Music’s genre

Taro root Roadside reading Useful Scrabble tile Sunflower supporter 36 Ho ___ Minh City 37 “And others,” briefly 38 Frizzy coif 39 Impossibility for a monotheist 40 Language of Ireland 42 Very small amount 1 8of “Good 4 3 6 42 6 Rolle Times” 8 7 2 9 6 4 48 Starts a seventh9 inning 6 7routine 1 5 2 49 West African capital 3 9 1 7 8 5 50 Arctic masses 51 Lower in reputation 2 3 5attendee 4 9 57 2 Preschool 54 4 Indexers 5 6 generally 2 9 7 ignore it 3 that’s 5 6served 7 8 51 5 Roll cold 5 8 4 3 57 Training-room2 1 6 complaint 4 9 8 1 3 59 Tibia setting 60 Some wallet bills 61 Put on board, as cargo 62 Cut-and-paste 64 Rink legend Bobby 65 Refusals

By Caitlin Kirihara

HARD

# 100

Caption That!

Answer key available at www.dailycardinal.com

SHART HISTORY

4 6 1 8

HARD

9 By Melanie Shibley graphics@dailycardinal.com 3 7 4 9 6 3

Caved In Classic

Today’s Crossword Puzzle

29 31 33 34

What the h-e-double-hockey-

7 1 8 4 6 3 2 9 5

9 5 3 2 1 8 4 6 7

# 99

Page 25 of 25

6 5 3 9 7 2 1 4 8

9 4 7 3 8 1 2 6 5

1 2 8 5 6 4 7 3 9

8 7 4 2 1 6 9 5 3

2 9 1 8 5 3 4 7 6

5 3 6 4 9 7 8 2 1

3 8 2 6 4 9 5 1 7

7 6 9 1 2 5 3 8 4

4 1 5 7 3 8 6 9 2

sticks is going on in this Daily 8 6 5 9 3 2 4 7 Cardinal 2 archives 7 9 6 photo?! 4 1 5 3 4 3 1 8 7 9 S.6 *Invisible high five* 5 to Paul 6 5 4 1 7 8 2 9 for this1 glorious 2 3 5answer. 6 9 7 8 9 8 7 3 2 4 6 1 See7 you Monday 9 8 2 1 5 3 4 5for1 another 6 4 9 3 8 2 3 4 2 7 8 6 1 5

# 100

Caption That!

Local hippies perform human sacrifice ritual in attempt to summon warm weather.

1 8 2 3 4 5 6 7 9

24 Jul 05

other news dailycardinal.com

Hipsters plan Detroit spring break getaway By Dylan Anderson The Daily Cardinal

Four University of Wisconsin-Madison students booked bus tickets to Detroit, Mich., for their spring break vacation Wednesday. The round-trip tickets had a departure date of Mar. 15 and a return date of Mar. 23, according to eyewitness reports. At press time, the foursome were looking into lodging reservations at some weird, cozyfeeling dump downtown in the near vicinity of bars only serving craft brews. “While many of our peers will be catching rays and partying in Florida, we decided to spend spring break making a real difference in the world,” junior Cadence Smith-Givens told reporters while seated upon his fixed gear bicycle. Spring break is a week long break during the winter or spring semesters of the academic calendar. Many students use it to visit with friends or family in addition to travelling to warmer destinations for recreation. However, these students chose to be complete nonconformists and take the path less traveled. Detroit, one of the poorest and most crime-ridden cities in the world, experiences average

temperatures in March ranging from the mid 20s to the mid 40s Fahrenheit. “We surely won’t mind the cold, the stench or the thousands of abandoned homes and businesses,” sophomore Azalea Hwang-Gallicer said. “Our cause and what we believe in will surely trump all of the city’s shortcomings. How bad could Detroit possibly be if they have a Whole Foods there now?” The news of the group’s heroic trip has spread quickly through social media, and a crowd of several hundred students, reporters and faculty gathered outside their apartment to inquire about the noble quest. “What we will spend most of our time doing is just bringing positive energy and vibes to the city,” junior Mari GreenSarkissian announced. “People think their problems have to do with money, but they really just need a strong dose of chi.” The students noted that what they are doing is part of a new wave movement that progressive millennials all around the country are doing. When asked how exactly they would raise the spirits of the depressed city, the group responded in unison, “Probably drink some expensive beer and post pictures of it to Instagram.”

Almastat: How we’re preparing for spring break Compiled By Brett Klinkner The daily cardinal

—Working out at the SERF in a bro tank —Reading the Dalai Lama’s key works —Looking at Tessa’s bikini pictures on Facebook from last year’s spring break —Getting obliterated six days a week —Watching YouTube video, “Drunk chick shows tits spring break pcb 2010” eight times a day

Almastat: Worst spring break destinations Compiled By Brett Klinkner the daily cardinal

—Panama City Retirement Home where Grandma is staying —Cancun... Mexican Grill in Eau Claire, Wisconsin —Staying on campus with my girlfriend for a nice, relaxing and fiscally responsible week —Wherever that fucking douchebag Chad is going

Weekend, March 13-16, 2014

Batman, Superman to lock lips, become lovers in 2016 blockbuster By Zachary R. Clark The Daily Cardinal

Director of the upcoming film “Superman vs. Batman” Zack Snyder revealed the comic book film would break new ground in both characters’ mythos and take their heroic friendship to new levels Tuesday. In particular, Snyder has written into the film a sequence of casual flirtations which lead to an inevitable kiss scene, and possibly more. While many in the film community feel that this is a much needed step forward for both characters, who have repeatedly displayed extreme levels of sexual tension on previous collaborations, others are angered

over the new direction. “It’s just not right,” comic enthusiast and filmmaker Kevin Smith said. “In the 1986 miniseries by Frank Miller, ‘The Dark Knight Comes-Out,’ Batman was secretly involved with the Flash, not Superman. Superman and Batman had a friendship which time and again held them back from taking things further. It’s literally one of the defining characteristics of their partnership together: knowing that they want to be together, but never can because of Superman’s conservative upbringing in Kansas, not to mention his homophobic and religious father, Jor-El.” Many more feel that this

has been a long time coming, especially considering how excited fans were when a rumor cropped up in early 2011 that Superman might make a guest appearance in the Green Lantern movie, bringing the two’s longtime relationship to the big screen. Of course, this was not to be, leading the film to self-destruct at the box office amidst a massive cloud of fan resentment. At press time, it has also come to light that Ben Affleck was cast as Batman for just this reason, given his previous experience with the film “Chasing Amy,” as well as his role as a closeted U.S. serviceman in “Pearl Harbor.”

Speed Farming named fastest growing sport in America By Kane Kaiman The daily cardinal

According to a report released Monday by the Simmons Research Center, Speed Farming is America’s fastest growing sport. Speed Farming beat out other top growing sports, such as Speed Gardening, World’s Fastest Beard and Quick Puberty to earn the title. Simmons based its nomination on a comprehensive set of criteria, including rate of growth over time and scale of production. In Speed Farming, two competitors race to see how quickly they can grow one full acre of crops. According to speedfarming.org, matches typically last anywhere from one month to 55 days, however, top Speed Farmers can bring crops to maturity in less than three

weeks. The sport is broken down into crop-classes, such as soybeans, potatoes, wheat and corn. According to Dr. Harold Francovis, an expert on growing sports and an avid Speed Farmer, the Simmons report is a godsend. “American Speed Farming has been rapidly losing popularity in the wake of all the recent controversy,” Francovis said. “Hopefully this report will inspire young growers all over the country to put down their Speed Petri Dish sets and get back to plowing the field.” In the past month, numerous reports have flooded cable news outlets detailing the negative aspects of Speed Farming. Top Speed Farmers have been accused of using genetically modified plants and banned pesticides.

President of Environmentalists Against Speed Farming Linda Walters says GMOs and pesticides are not all that’s wrong with the controversial sport. “Speed Farming promotes raping the landscape,” Walters said. “These athletes don’t utilize environmentally sound farming practices, like crop rotation. Wherever Speed Farmers go, they leave behind a thin layer of topsoil that runs off after the first rain storm. If everyone Speed Farmed, we’d be looking at another Dust Bowl.” While Francovis admits Speed Farming is somewhat controversial, he claims it receives an unfair amount of criticism compared to other growing sports, especially with the rising popularity of Rush Pregnancy.

Interested in becoming an egg donor? Generations Fertility Care is looking for women who are willing to help make the dreams of becoming parents a reality for couples struggling with infertility. If you answer “yes” to the following questions, you might be able to become an egg donor. • You are between 21 – 31 years old • You are a nonsmoker for at least the last three months • You have some formal education beyond a high school diploma or GED If you qualify as a donor, you will work with a caring team to help others overcome infertility. As compensation for the service you are providing, you will receive monetary compensation of up to $4,500. For more information about our egg donor program, go to uwhealth.org/eggdonor or call (608) 824-6160.

—Milwaukee Brewers spring training —Anything church-related —Rikers Island

G E N E R AT I O N S fertility care

—Wherever James Franco/Gucci Mane are

OB-37657-14

OB-38657 Egg Donor Daily Cardinal AD2.indd 1

3/3/14 2:15 PM

opinion 6

Weekend, March 13-16, 2014

dailycardinal.com

Educational progression relies on technology TYLER NICKERSON opinion contributor

f you’re reading this, chances are you are educated and come from a relatively well off family. Maybe you are reading this on a phone or tablet that you own. It is also very likely that this access to technology and the learned ability to effectively wield its power gives you a better chance to be economically successful, politically acute and socially adept. Today’s technology is simultaneously ubiquitous and obscure. It is fundamental to the very fabric of our 21st century lives, yet overlooked and taken for granted. At least by those with access to it. But what happens when effective use of technology, and all its power to enable and transform, bypasses already disadvantaged communities? What happens when a huge proportion of Americans enters the increasingly competitive global work force with a second-tier ability to navigate in a digital world?

Will 21st century technologies be an enabler of socioeconomic mobility or a force that will exacerbate inequalities?

The term “digital divide” has taken on a new meaning in the last decade, as now nearly every American who wants to, can obtain access to countless

information and communication technologies. Now, the digital divide refers to critical differences in how individuals access, navigate and benefit from them. And these differences are extensive. At Milwaukee’s Bay View public high school, some of the teachers don’t even know how to use email, and certainly don’t know how to teach students Excel or various internet research techniques. However, just a few miles away, at the smaller Whitnall High School, there are three staff members dedicated to teaching important technology applications. And every student has access to an iPad. However, from a political and economic climate that features liberals outraged with the harsh reality of our income inequality. Republicans struggle to deal with acceptance of this reality. Additionally, there are growing concerns from both sides about the rise of emerging countries like China. An essential question is finally, if insufficiently, being acknowledged. How can we make sure every American learns and uses technologies to maximize their individual worth, and grow our economy collectively? There are some policy pushes currently under way designed to combat the problem. In his 2014 State of the Union, President Barack Obama laid out a public-private joint initiative to increase Internet access and broadband speed in America’s public schools. Also, in his recently proposed 2015 budget, the administration

outlined ‘ConnectEDucators’ grants designed to “leverage technology” to increase student learning and achievement. While some may argue technology education should be low on the list of concerns for poor schools in troubled neighborhoods, I would argue that a respectable, paying job is perhaps the most important catalyst for family and community development. An education designed to provide the skills to get that job is, then, imperative. While the recent developments are similar to previous (and for the most part unsuccessful) efforts to increase funding and enthusiasm for STEM subjects, they are different in the fact that basic technological literacy is now starting to be seen as essential across all disciplines—as fundamental to creating someone equipped with the human capital to succeed in today’s world is. It’s no longer only the future engineers and scientists who need to be digitally literate. For previous generations, being a computer “whiz” was an advantage. For future generations, not being computer “whiz” will be an enormous disadvantage. However, while Obama’s intentions are good, his budget proposal is unlikely to pass the House of Representatives, and to what extent the federal government will influence technology’s role in the classroom remains unclear. Even if passed, there are certainly roadblocks that remain with regard to efficiently and effectively distributing the new resources. While some states

have statewide technology education infrastructure already in place, many others do not. Wisconsin, for instance, has no such administrative structure, and funding for teaching education is largely decided at the district level. This means massive disparities.

How can we make sure every American learns and uses technologies to maximize their individual worth, and grow our economy collectively?

While there is little doubt my plea will fall deaf on Congressional Republicans’ ears, here it goes. Pass funding to increase technology and digital education in the classroom. Not all hope is lost, though. While many public schools struggle to keep up with the times, private and charter schools around the country have answered the call to advance (as they tend to do). Many are creating programs, and even entire curriculums, devoted to teaching advanced technology. The push by Obama and others for increased enrollment in technical colleges is part of the same trend: Supply students with skills the economy demands. There are other encouraging signs that awareness is growing, too. Locally, Ald. Scott Resnick, District 8, just introduced a plan to provide free or low cost high-speed Internet in the city’s low-income hous-

ing. Project: Community Computers is another local group making a difference. The Milwaukee based non-profit refurbishes donated computers and sets up computer labs at schools and through other non-profits serving at-risk communities. Their labs and partner organizations help the jobless create resumes and find employment, teach essential computer skills employers demand. Additionally, they provide countless services most of us take for granted. But real changes will only come to fruition if these efforts continue, and policy makers at the highest level wake up to the call. Bridging the “new digital divide” shouldn’t be an insurmountable political issue. Instead, it should be about re-framing and reforming our educational pedagogy, positioning technological literacy as a way to combat growing inequality and provide an American economy with a workforce equipped to compete. Will 21st century technologies be an enabler of socioeconomic mobility or a force that will exacerbate inequalities? Will a technologically literate populace continue to be the mainstay of the world’s economic power, or will the lack of it be the vulnerability that caused America to fall behind? The choice is ours. Do you agree with Tyler’s ideas on technological access expansion? Is this expansion necessary for the United States to compete in the global economy? Please send all of your feedback to opinion@dailycardinal.com.

The r-word continues to marginalize people with cognitive disabilities ANNA DUFFIN opinion contributor

obbie is a six-year-old kindergartner at a Madison school. He loves all things Disney, will embrace any opportunity he can get to show you his Spongebob backpack and will pout excessively when you end his Dora the Explorer episode early. If you offer him a hug, you can be sure to get a long, sloppy kiss on the cheek with it. By many standards, Robbie is a typical kindergartner with the lone exception being he has Down syndrome.

Many of us have become so immune to hearing this that we have completely ignored the implications that come with it.

Robbie often has to repeat himself four or five times for even his closest of friends to understand his response to a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ question. He knows other words, but has stopped trying to say them because he knows that nobody other than his four-year-old brother will understand. While his classmates are working on spelling words, he is work-

ing on tracing circles—often unsuccessfully. Robbie puts a valiant effort into everything he does, but frequently is met with disappointment in the end result of this effort. A couple of decades ago, the technical term for Robbie’s condition was “mentally retarded.” Since then, the world has recognized that this term does not envelop all that there is to be said about Robbie, and that a more proper way to describe him is as a “person with a cognitive disability.” Because his disability is not all there is to him. Most importantly, he is a person. Now, the word “retarded” has developed into a synonym for “ridiculous,” “crazy,” “obnoxious,”“messed up,” “idiotic” and a slew of other unflattering adjectives. Many of us have become so immune to hearing this that we have completely ignored the implications that come with it. We can think of very few instances when calling someone the r-word is intended to be anything other than derogatory. Nobody wants to be called it. Using it with such intentions implies that these individuals with disabilities are people you would not want to be; that they have so many negative characteristics about them that a retired description of their mental capabilities is enough of

an insult that it warrants being the catch phrase to describe any absurdity. This is not okay. So many of us have become so used to hearing the word in a social setting that we fail to even notice when it is said. It has become socially acceptable for a single word to label a specific group of individuals as the embodiment of “ridiculous,” “obnoxious,” “messed up,” “idiotic.” And since the group this damages often faces barriers to standing up for themselves, we have for too long failed to recognize how detrimental and backwards using the r-word is.

By many standards, Robbie is a typical kindegartner with the lone exception being he has Down syndrome.

The superiority so many people without disabilities for some reason feel entitled to over these individuals simply because they were born with different mental characteristics than us has allowed us to become bullies. Whether we realize it or not, when we say the

r-word, we assert our dominance over the silent minority.

And since the group this damages often faces barriers to standing up for themselves, we have for too long failed to recognize how detrimental and backwards using the r-word is.

And this completely normalized bullying will not stop until we make it stop. Each person has to make the conscious decision to eradicate the r-word from his or her vocabulary. Until this happens, we inherently admit that we are OK further marginalizing the already marginalized; that somehow Robbie is less of a human being than we are. March 5 was Spread the Word to End the Word awareness day. As 21st century citizens, it is our duty to step up and sign the pledge to end the word. Do you believe that our society should cease using the word “retarded” to describe an individual or a group of individuals? Will you personally commit to stop saying the word? Please send all of your feedback to opinion@ dailycardinal.com.

Bird is the word. Write for the Daily cardinal opinion page. Email the editors at opinion@dailycardinal.com for details.

dailycardinal.com

Women’s Hockey

Alex Rigsby seeks 100th win By Zach Rastall

L WIL GIBB/CARDINAL FILE PHOTO

Senior goaltender Alex Rigsby has a chance to be the third goalie in NCAA history to record 100 wins if she posts a victory Saturday. the law of averages is that we might get one or two.” This could prove to be a difficult task for the Badgers. They will go up against a Harvard defense that allows just 1.58 goals per game, the sixth-lowest mark in the NCAA. Wisconsin’s defense has been excellent as well, giving up the third fewest goals per game nationally (1.14). The Badgers will try to focus on getting a fresh start on offense against Harvard and forget about the past offensive struggles. “The worst thing we can do is start gripping our sticks tight and stop shooting the puck,” said senior forward Madison Packer. “We just have to keep peppering the goaltender, keep shooting the puck.” It will be an emotional night for the UW seniors, including Packer and goaltender Alex Rigsby, as this will be their final game at LaBahn Arena, win or lose. “It’s going to be an awesome game, it’s going to be competitive and I think the fans are going to

come and see a great game between two really good teams,” Rigsby said. “But it is sad that it will be my last game at home.” Rigsby has the chance to collect her 100th career win in her final home game as a Badger, which would make her just the third goaltender in NCAA history to reach the 100-win mark. Wisconsin and Harvard have met twice before in the postseason, with UW winning both times, including a 2007 four overtime quarterfinal matchup in Madison that ended up being the second longest game in NCAA women’s hockey history. Considering the success of both teams’ defenses this season, it could be another low-scoring affair when the two teams square off Saturday. “If you get into a situation where not many penalties are called, there’s challenges in scoring,” Johnson said. “If a team can score early and get that first one, it usually creates some energy for them.”

Summer Sessions 2014 Enjoy all that Chicago and Loyola have to offer this summer while taking a class to lighten your load for the fall. Choose from several convenient locations and more than 300 courses. Chicago • Online • Retreat and Ecology Campus (Woodstock, IL) Cuneo Mansion and Gardens (Vernon Hills, IL) • Study Abroad Apply and register today at LUC.edu/summer.

Players and storylines to watch for in World Cup JONAH BELECKIS real talk

THE DAILY CARDINAL

After missing out on the NCAA tournament just one season ago, the Wisconsin Badgers are not only returning to the tournament, but will get to play at home in the first round as well. Wisconsin (21-5-2 WCHA, 27-72 overall), which earned the No. 4 seed overall, will welcome Harvard (16-3-3 ECAC, 23-6-4) to LaBahn Arena in Madison for their quarterfinal matchup at 7 p.m. Saturday. UW was shut out in two of their last three games, despite outshooting their opponents by a 122-67 margin over that span. “[The scoring deficiency] is not from the lack of getting shots,” said head coach Mark Johnson. “The one thing that’s sort of been strange the last two games is there’s hardly been a power play on either side.” The Badgers had just one power play over the past two games. This has created problems for a UW team that scored 29 of its 109 goals on the power play this season. Special teams have been a strong point for Wisconsin this season, ranking third in the country with a power-play percentage of 23.97. They also boast the NCAA’s second best penalty-killing unit, having successfully killed off 86 of their 93 penalties this season. But if the recent trend of conservative officiating continues, UW will need to find a way to generate more even-strength offensive opportunities if it wants to avoid being eliminated by the Crimson. “You have to try and create a few more things five-on-five by creating more pucks to the net traffic, and deflections,” Johnson said. “If we’re able to get 40 or 45 shots, you think

Weekend, March 13-16, 2014

sports

ast week, I looked at the first four World Cup groups, including the Brazilian hosts, one of the most dominant teams of all time— Spain—and a group with Italy, Uruguay and England that could go any way. The rest of the field is filled with as many contenders, questions and storylines as Groups A-D. Without looking at the qualifying process, some casual fans might see France and Switzerland in the same group and assume France dominated on its way to being seeded first and the Swiss found a way to scrape through.

It is crucial to remember how the French blew up at the last World Cup and how they came very close to not qualifying this year.

Now that both teams have plane tickets booked to Brazil, it does not matter that their qualifying fates were reversed from common thought. France certainly has the names to make it through to the knock-out rounds. Ballon d’Or finalist Franck Ribéry and Real Madrid frontman Karim Benzema will likely get most of the attention, but France has a few talented players flying under the radar. First, the Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris has proven to be a lights-out shot stopper. Unfortunately, his season at Spurs has seen some very ugly games. If the old Lloris comes back, it could prove very tough to get the ball in the back of the French net, especially if 20-year-old rising star Raphaël Varane can hold down the fort in the center of France’s defense. Paul Pogba, another French 20-year-old, is one of my favorite players to watch. He is cruising with the Italian team Juventus on its way to a second-straight scudetto atop Serie A and appears to have limitless range to score. Look him up. It is crucial to remember how the French blew up at the last World Cup and how they came very close to not qualifying this year. They are a wild card to succeed past the first knockout stage at best. Argentina, who I see having as clear a path to the championship as anyone, should breeze through Group F. Lionel Messi, Sergio Agüero, Ezequiel Lavezzi, Ángel di María and Gonzalo Higuaín— that is all. Bosnia-Herzegovina will pose more of a threat than people are expecting, but not enough to

trouble the Argentines. Having a proven goal scorer in Edin Džeko and goalkeeper in Asmir Begovic can keep hopes alive for any team. With ambitions higher than they have been in a long time, last Dec. 6 saw a lot of United States soccer fans sulk down in their seats. Being drawn into a group with Germany, Portugal and Ghana will do that. The only reason the United States still has any hope of making it to the second round is because they have yet to play the games. It may sound obvious, but there is a reason they play the game. Other than that sliver of hope, the United States has not continued its run from last winter, spring and summer into 2014. Players like Clint Dempsey, Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley had everyone gleaming after their transfers to Tottenham, Sunderland and Roma, respectively, over the past few years. Very poor performances from each of the players have cultivated into returns to Major League Soccer for Dempsey and Bradley and a trip to the bench for Altidore. The bad form is not exactly what we thought would happen and not what anyone wants looking ahead to this summer. Germany is Germany. Portugal has the most complete player on the planet. Ghana has knocked the U.S. out of two straight World Cups. It would take considerable more momentum for the Americans to have positive outlooks going to Brazil. Belgium has gone from the team no one was talking about to the team everyone is talking about.

The only reason the United States still has any hope of making it to the second round is because they have yet to play the games.

That being said, they are loaded. Eden Hazard is one of the best players in the world on the flanks. Vincent Kompany is as solid as a defender as any in Europe. Thibaut Courtois will surely be one of the world’s top three goalkeepers in six to nine years. There are still many questions remaining three months before the World Cup. Some will get answered before, some will be answered during and some questions surrounding player form, team chemistry or coaching decisions will stay unanswered. What questions do you have about the World Cup? Send Jonah long, rambling emails about how excited and ready you are for June to show up by emailing jonah.beleckis@dailycardinal.com.

Sports

WEEKEND MARCH 13-16, 2014 DAILYCARDINAL.COM

Men’s Basketball

UW to face Penn State or Minnesota By Blake Duffin THE DAILY CARDINAL

After finishing second in the Big Ten’s regular season, Wisconsin (12-6 Big Ten, 25-6 overall) will head to Indianapolis, Ind., for a chance to win the Big Ten tournament. This year’s tournament may be as wide open as ever after an anarchic conference season proved to be saturated with talent. To put this depth of the conference in perspective, Iowa has the six seed in the tournament and beat first place Michigan by 18 points back in February. “This league, it’s the best it’s been in a while,” redshirt junior guard Josh Gasser said. “Every game is going to be a dog fight.” The Badgers defeated nine of the 11 other teams in the Big Ten this season, with the exception of Ohio State and Nebraska. Fortunately for UW, it would not have to play either of these teams until the championship game this weekend. Wisconsin’s quest for the tournament championship will begin Friday afternoon after it plays the winner of the first round game between Penn State and Minnesota.

“We’ve played both Minnesota and Penn State. We’ve come out on top against both of those teams,” said Gasser. “They both are similar in ways. They’ve got great guard play, bring it defensively and play really hard. It all depends on how hard we play and how well we execute our stuff.” The Badgers split their games with the Golden Gophers this season, including a 13-point loss on the road in Minneapolis, Minn. UW played its only game against Penn State just over a week ago, clawing its way to a five-point win over a tough Nittany Lion team. Whichever team they play, it will not be a walk in the park. “We treat every opponent the same,” freshman forward Nigel Hayes said. “They’re the best opponent because they’re next.” Wisconsin will look to play its style of basketball, regardless of whom they play. “Now it comes down to, you know, who plays hard and who executes better,” said Gasser. “Every team knows what every team is gonna do.”

The games will take place at the Indianapolis Bankers Life Fieldhouse, a neutral location. UW should not have a problem adapting to the site after losing only three times on the road all season, including its last game at Nebraska. “We’re a team that kind of likes that challenge and likes that excitement in other arenas,” sophomore forward Sam Dekker said. “Nebraska’s place was jumping. That was a fun place to play.” Last season the Badgers made it all the way to the Big Ten championship game before falling to Ohio State. The Big Ten tournament championship concludes Sunday, after which the NCAA tournament selection committee will finalize its bracket. For bubble teams like Nebraska, Minnesota and Indiana, a Big Ten tournament victory may be the only route to the NCAA tournament. “I’m eager to be out there,” Dekker said. “I’m excited. It’s the best time of the year, in my opinion, and it’s the best time of the year you want to be playing basketball.”

DREW GILMORE/CARDINAL FILE PHOTO

After an up-and-down season, sophomore forward Sam Dekker leads the Badgers into the Big Ten Tournament.

Big Ten Hockey

Inaugural team-by-team Big Ten Tournament preview Compiled by Adee Feiner and Devin Lowe

against the Spartans in the first round of the tournament as the fourth seed.

Penn State (2-15-1, 6-24-2)

The Nittany Lions are all hiss and no roar. The program’s second year has been plagued with losses, most notably its string of eight straight defeats over the month of January. Penn State’s lukewarm offense is led by sophomore forward Eric Scheid, who comes in at 29th in the Big Ten in points. Sophomore goaltender Michael Skoff highlights the Lions’ defensive weaknesses with a 3.23 GAA on the season. Planted firmly at last place in the conference standings, Penn State will likely play in a first-round matchup with Michigan, the only Big Ten team they’ve managed to beat in the regular season.

With the inaugural season of Big Ten hockey coming to a close this weekend, six programs will attempt to become the first-ever Big Ten tournament champions. The Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn., will play host to the tournament, which will take place March 20-22. Try and keep up as The Daily Cardinal breaks down the Big Ten’s inaugural bests and busts.

Wisconsin (12-5-1 Big Ten, 21-9-2

overall) Home is where the wins are for the Badgers: Wisconsin went 17-21 at the Kohl Center this year and notched a slightly less impressive 4-7-1 record on the road. In order to be successful in the tournament, the Badgers will have to rise from their road woes as well as adjust to the Xcel Energy Center’s NHL-sized ice sheet. Wisconsin is abundant in Big Ten leaders: senior forward and Hobey Baker candidate Michael Mersch leads the conference in goals with 20, while senior forward Mark Zengerle tops the conference in assists with 27. Not all of the Badgers’ strength is on offense, however. Junior goaltender Joel Rumpel put forth a standout season between the pipes with a conference-leading 1.83 goals against average and a .937 save percentage. Wisconsin’s special teams has been both strong and weak at points this season. While the team’s power play percentage is tied for second-lowest in the Big Ten at .172, its penalty-kill percentage leads the conference at .863. The Badgers wrap up regular season play this weekend in East Lansing against the

Minnesota (13-2-3, 24-4-6) NICK MONFELI/CARDINAL FILE PHOTO

Senior forward Mark Zengerle, nicknamed ‘the setup man,’ leads the Big Ten in assists.

NITHIN CHARLLY/CARDINAL FILE PHOTO

Senior forward Michael Mersch leads the Big Ten in goals and is up for the Hobey Baker award.

Spartans. Most likely to finish as the second seed, Wisconsin will have a bye in the quarterfinal round and will play the winner of the 3 and 6 seed matchup.

wins against Penn State next Thursday, the Badgers and Wolverines will face off in the semi-final round March 21.

Michigan (9-7-2, 17-11-4)

The Spartans head to St. Paul in fifth place, but are one of the best defensive teams in the conference. Sophomore goaltender Jake Hildebrand leads the Big Ten in saves with 870 on the season. Michigan State is also known for blocking a conference-leading 583 shots. The Spartans haven’t proved to be much of a challenge for Wisconsin, who swept MSU 5-2 and 2-0 back in February. If Michigan State remains in the fifth spot they’ll take on Ohio State, who they failed to win a single game against this season.

The Wolverines enter the tournament currently sitting in third place in the Big Ten, seven points behind Wisconsin. The Badgers had a back-and-forth season with Michigan, sweeping the squad at home behind Michael Mersch’s hat trick. However, just two weeks later, Wisconsin was unable to secure a win in Ann Arbor and left with a loss and a tie. Michigan sophomore forward Andrew Copp leads the team with 13 goals. If these teams close out the season strong and Michigan

Michigan State (4-8-6, 10-16-7)

Ohio State (5-8-5, 15-12-5)

The rest of the Big Ten better bring their umbrellas to St. Paul: Ohio State is notorious for raining on everyone’s parade. Most recently, the Buckeyes downed Minnesota in a shootout, halting what would have been a conference clinch for the Gophers. In January they handed Wisconsin one of its only two home losses. At first glance, the Buckeyes’ record and lack of a ranking is unimpressive, but the squad does boast the Big Ten’s leading scorer in junior forward Ryan Dzingel. Dzingel tops the Big Ten in points with 40 and ranks second in goals with 18, behind Mersch’s 20. Ohio State is also strong on the power play, tying Minnesota with 30 manadvantage goals on the season. It’s likely the Buckeyes will match up

They don’t call it the state of hockey for nothing. This season, Minnesota launched an aggressive campaign to cement their spot in first place. They lead the Big Ten with 24 wins, and have dropped only two games against conference opponents. Of course, those two losses came at the hands of Wisconsin in one of the Badgers’ most memorable sweeps of the season. It’s all but official that Minnesota will finish in the number one spot. The only way they could be dethroned would be for Wisconsin to sweep Michigan State and for Minnesota to lose on the road against Michigan this weekend. Junior forward Kyle Rau leads the Gophers with 32 points on the year, and is tied for first in the Big Ten for game-winning goals. If Minnesota remains atop the conference standings its first opponent will be the winner of the matchup between seeds four and five.