March 11, 2021 by The Daily Orange

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N • Suspension lifted

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S • Offensive barrage

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A state supreme court justice ruled Wednesday that an university official’s decision to suspend Alpha Chi Rho “has no rational basis.”

Claud Mintz recently released their debut bedroom-pop album, “Super Monster,” which features nods to Syracuse University. Now, the artist is signed to Phoebe Bridgers’record.

Syracuse scored its most-ever points in an ACC Tournament game in its 21-point thrashing of NC State. The Orange advanced to the quarterfinals.

on campus

How SU’s conduct process works By Michael Sessa news editor

The conduct process at colleges and universities can sometimes be controversial. Since its procedures differ so much from the ones that play out in courtrooms, the process can often leave students and their families unsure of their rights and the basic functions of the system. Here’s a breakdown of who is involved in the conduct process at Syracuse University and how it works:

Who is involved?

At SU, the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities oversees any alleged violations of the Code of Student Conduct. The vice president of enrollment and the student experience is responsible for overseeing the university’s student conduct system. Amanda Nicholson, who was filling the role on an interim basis, retired in September. Three current administrators — Robert Hradsky, vice president for the student experience; Ryan Williams, vice president of enrollment services; and Brittany Zaehringer, senior associate vice president of operations and strategic initiatives — are filling the position while SU searches for a permanent replacement. Sheriah Dixon, the director of OSRR, is responsible for the university ’s student conduct system procedures. Any member of the university community, including students, faculty and staff, can file a complaint against any student or student organization.

Lawsuits provide small glimpse into SU’s conduct process, wide-reaching discretion By Michael Sessa and Gabe Stern Illustration by Emily Steinberger the daily orange

hen Alpha Chi Rho sued Syracuse University in June after being suspended, the fraternity argued that university officials led a conduct proceeding riddled with errors. Most alarming to the fraternity and its lawyers was how one university official single-handedly changed the trajectory of the case. After a student alleged that members of the frater-

nity shouted a racial slur at a student, a University Conduct Board suspended Crow, claiming that a guest of the fraternity may have shouted the slur. But a University Appeals Board said no policy exists at SU that would make the fraternity responsible for the actions of a guest. The appeals board overturned the prior ruling and threw out the suspension. A week later, Dolan Evanovich — who oversaw the conduct process and has since retired — rejected the board’s decision. He reinstated the suspension, saying “it was more likely than not that the guest used a racial slur.” see proceedings page 6

What happens when someone files a complaint?

After a complaint is filed, OSRR will assess whether the complaint concerns students or student organizations and whether it falls within the jurisdiction of the university conduct system. If a complaint is proven to have violated the Code of Student Conduct, OSRR will reach out to the student involved to offer them the opportunity to participate in an informal resolution meeting. According to SU’s Student Conduct System Handbook, the informal resolution meeting can result in one of three possible outcomes. If the university finds the see conduct page 6

2 march 11, 2021

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INSIDE

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OPINION “I’ve had multiple times where my ‘why’ was not only questioned but also answered. Confirmed and reconfirmed.” - SU graduate Camille Daniels Page 5

CULTURE “They were ready to go out and take over the world” Joshua Mehling, SU senior and best friend of Claud Mintz Page 7

SPORTS “Our offense has been there all year. We’re a very good offensive team. When we make shots, we’re really good. Today, we made shots.” - Head coach Jim Boeheim on SU’s win Page 12

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NEWS

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on campus

graduate student organization

State court annuls Alpha Chi Rho suspension GSO gives feedback on provost search By Kailey Norusis asst. digital editor

The judge said that SU violated its policies when it refused to allow an attorney to represent the fraternity at its hearing when it knew the allegations included sexual harrasment in addition to racial bias. corey henry senior staff photographer By Michael Sessa news editor

An state supreme court justice judge ruled in favor of Syracuse University’s chapter of the Alpha Chi Rho fraternity Wednesday, annulling a suspension imposed by a high-ranking SU official. The university suspended Alpha Chi Rho, also known as Crow, in November 2020 after it determined that members and guests of the fraternity were involved in shouting a racial slur at a Black woman on College Place. Crow initially won an appeal in February 2020 that lifted the sanctions placed on the fraternity. But Dolan Evanovich, a former SU official who oversaw the university’s conduct system, later overturned the findings of SU’s appeal board and reinstated Crow’s suspension. The fraternity sued SU and Evanovich in June. Wednesday’s ruling affirmed that no members of Crow “uttered any derogatory or racially offensive statements” and that Evanovich’s determination “has no rational basis.” The judge also said that SU violated its policies when it refused to allow an attorney to represent the

fraternity at its hearing when it knew the allegations against Crow included allegations of sexual harassment in addition to racial bias. “The record is clear: Alpha Chi Rho did nothing wrong,” the judge wrote in the ruling. The judge denied a petition by SU and Evanovich to dismiss the lawsuit. Sarah Scalese, senior associate vice president for university communications, did not respond to a request for comment. SU’s University Conduct Board found on Dec. 19 that four members of Crow who had been suspended were not responsible for violating the Code of Student Conduct, letters sent to the students show. Disciplinary proceedings continued against the fraternity as a whole. The conduct board sent a letter to Crow on Jan. 28 stating that the fraternity was not responsible for any conduct violations. The board was “unable to determine what exactly was said” to the student who made the allegations against the fraternity but found it likely that a guest of the fraternity, a student from Rutgers University, “startled or offended” her and tried to look up her dress, the letter states. After reviewing witness interviews and camera footage of the

incident, the conduct board said on Jan. 28 that it was not able to prove that any members of the fraternity or its guests said a racial slur, the conduct board ruling states. Though the victim alleged that several members of the group were chanting the N-word, none of her family members who were present reported hearing the chanting, the board said. Video footage of the incident shows a guest of the fraternity briefly approaching the woman’s car ahead of the rest of the group but does not show any reaction from the group, the board said. When the fraternity’s lawyer reached out to Sheriah Dixon, director of SU’s Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities, to follow up about a paperwork technicality, Dixon claimed that the Jan. 28 conduct board finding was sent by another SU employee in error, emails between the lawyer and Dixon show. The conduct board was actually still deliberating, Dixon wrote. Dixon informed the fraternity on Feb. 11 that the conduct board had issued another opinion that now found Crow responsible for violating SU’s Code of Student Conduct. SU suspended the fraternity for one year.

The university argued that the person seen on camera approaching the woman at College Place and trying to look up her dress was an “informal guest” of Crow, making “the organization responsible for his actions and the impact they had on the Syracuse University community.” After the fraternity filed an appeal, the University Appeals Board overturned the conduct board’s decision on Feb. 21 and removed the sanctions placed Feb. 11 on Crow. The appeals board said it could not find any university policies that make an organization responsible for the actions of its guests during any event or gathering. A week later, Evanovich announced he was rejecting the decision of the appeals board and finding the fraternity responsible for violating the Code of Student Conduct. Though the conduct board had been “unable to determine what exactly was said” to the woman, Evanovich decided that “it was more likely than not that the guest used a racial slur,” a Mar. 3 letter from Evanovich to Alpha Chi Rho shows. msessa@syr.edu @MichaelSessa3

on campus

SU plans for in-person commencement in May By Sarah Alessandrini asst. news editor

Syracuse University is planning for an in-person commencement in May, though it may not be in the Carrier Dome. Holding an in-person ceremony ultimately depends on guidance from the state and the public health situation, said Vice Chancellor Mike Haynie at a press briefing Wednesday. But SU’s reopening of the Dome to fans last weekend shows its ability to safely host larger events, which sets the stage for a potential in-person commencement, he said. SU allowed fans for a men’s lacrosse game, where attendees

took two COVID-19 tests prior to entry and sat socially distanced inside. “What we’re doing right now is setting the conditions for us to be able to have a significant number of guests into that stadium for a commencement in May,” Haynie said. “We have very publicly promised our students a commencement. The university is committed to doing right by those promises.” The ceremony wouldn’t necessarily be in the Dome, as some of the university’s outdoor spaces may be more suitable to accommodate the large crowd, Haynie said. A team of SU officials is currently reviewing possible plans for commencement and will announce their findings

on April 1, said Sarah Scalese, senior associate vice president for university communications at the press briefing. “The stadium is off the table until we can prove to the state that we can open it,” Haynie said. SU has also made preparations to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine to students on campus once they’re eligible, if the state allows the university to do so. The university has secured freezers necessary to store vaccines — at minus 80 degrees — and SU’s health staff is trained in administering the shots. “We have told the state that we’re ready. Give us the vaccine, and we’ll take care of the SU campus population,” Haynie said.

Enhanced COVID-19 testing has made a significant difference in contact tracing this semester, Haynie said. The university has conducted upwards of 75,000 tests on campus as of yesterday and has returned results after an average of 17 hours, he said. Haynie said he’s hopeful that, by the fall semester, the university will be able to reopen indoor spaces closer to normal capacity and will not need as frequent testing. “We’re in the last hundred yards,” Haynie said. “If we could keep it together, do what we need to do, there is normalcy to come,” Haynie said. scalessa@syr.edu | @sarahalessan

Members of Syracuse University’s Graduate Student Organization on Wednesday provided recommendations for the university committee tasked with searching for a new provost. The search for a provost began in late January, and the goal of SU’s Provost and Academic Officer Search Committee is to hire a provost by early summer, said Jamie Winders, chair of the committee. Members of the 21-person committee attended group meetings and other sessions across the university to discover what students, faculty and staff are looking for in a provost. At Wednesday’s GSO meeting, Winders posed several questions to the Senate about research demands, living conditions and mental health. The search committee’s members signed a nondisclosure agreement so that students feel comfortable sharing their thoughts, she said. “We’ll use this feedback, as a committee, to shape what we look for in the pool of candidates,” Winders said. Members of GSO said they hope that the provost will be receptive to students’ concerns and willing to track action concerning them. Some graduate students said it’s important for the provost to be well-informed on inclusive educational practice and systemic oppression. They said that it’s not enough to admit that these problems exist — the provost should be able to mobilize around those issues and come up with plans to address them. A provost who “walks the halls” is a key aspect of what the search committee often hears students and employees are looking for in a provost, Winders said. “You’re intensely connected to the university for a relatively short period of time, but your attachment to it is probably different from your attachment to where you were as an undergrad,” Winders said. “So you see the university in a different way.” Graduate students also expressed concerns about their mental health. They said the provost should be attuned to the mental health challenges that graduate students face. “I mean, what’s wrong with this picture that we’re all nodding,” Winders said as many in the meeting began to nod their head in agreement to the topic of mental health challenges among graduate students. The information from the session with GSO, along with the other sessions held by the provost search committee with other university organizations, will help shape the pool of candidates that the committee looks for and picks from, Winders said. “We want someone who is visible, who’s accessible, who’s approachable for all the different constituencies and groups in campus,” Winders said. kmnorusi@syr.edu

4 march 11, 2021

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on campus

SU looks to replace plastic bags with paper in dining halls By Paige Hayes

contributing writer

Syracuse University Food Services has used plastic utensils and bags in dining halls throughout the pandemic, which has made it more challenging to enhance sustainability on campus. Since dining halls have been operating with takeout-only options, Food Services began offering plastic bags to students to carry their food, said Mark Tewksbury, the director of dining centers and concessions operations in the Carrier Dome. New York state issued a ban last March on the use of plastic bags for entities required to collect state sales taxes. While the university is not subject to this law, it has taken efforts to become more sustainable and reduce its consumption of plastic. “We’re looking to try to provide paper bags if we can. We’re working on that,” Tewksbury said. “Right now, the supply chain is so messed up when it comes to paper goods and plastic goods, and whatever you order today may not come tomorrow.” The increased use of plastic in dining halls this year has also made composting difficult, Tewksbury said. Usually, the university composts any leftover food or uneaten food. But sorting out compostable waste has been difficult, as plastic products are being thrown into the composting bins, he said. SU staff and experts said students’ individual efforts may go a long way in keeping SU dining halls

The increased use of plastic, including plastic bags in dining halls, has made it difficult to maintain sustainability on campus. daily orange file illustration

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environmentally friendly. While paper bags are the greener option, Food Services employees are worried students will prefer plastic bags since they’re less likely to leak, Tewksbury said. Food Services has already started offering paper bags in the Ernie Davis Dining Hall to determine whether students will use them across campus. SUNY-ESF also recently replaced plastic products from vending machines with aluminum options in an initial effort to become a plastic-free campus. “I think taking the initiative is attainable for everyone,” said Susan Fassler, the sustainable facilities manager at SUNY-ESF. “Making that commitment is something that any university or college or entity can do.” But students are often the ones to make sustainability initiatives possible on their campuses, Fassler said. “It’s easy to make commitments. It’s hard to follow through,” she said. “But I think colleges are in a better space than other entities, because you do have student energy.” SU students can help make dining halls more sustainable by taking the time to sort their food in the sustainability and recycling bins, Tewksbury said. “I get it. People want to get in, get out. They don’t want to spend time sorting things,” he said. “But if students could help us or when they’re leaving the dining centers, that would be fantastic.” phayes02@syr.edu

OPINION

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march 11, 2021

personal essay

What I’ve taken away from my graduate school experience By Camille Daniels

n the campus bus ride back home after class, I once overheard a pretentious undergraduate describe graduate students as having “the experience of a senior with the knowledge of a freshman.” It left me both surprised and insulted. Insulted because it just reminded me of how little is known about the graduate student experience. I can’t speak for every graduate student on campus, but I can say without a doubt that being one is not an easy thing, and that alone should be given respect. As I’ve tried to touch upon in a few of my previous columns, graduate students, first and foremost, are students. This means that, like our undergraduate counterparts, we are also learning and growing, and the journey is one that, like theirs, is full of trial and error. No graduate student is perfect or has all the answers. In the end, we’re just like you. It would be helpful if undergraduate students would keep this in mind. When I think of my cohort or any other graduate students I’ve had the pleasure to meet, they all seem like people who just happen to be going for a master’s or doctoral degree. They make the degree, the degree does not make them. This entire experience of being a graduate student in the Newhouse School of Public Communications has been a whirlwind. I was honored and humbled to get in after a dark period in my life. I felt this was not only something I wanted to do but also something I needed to do for myself. I’m grateful to God I had the chance to do so. Even through the setbacks, I’m glad I came to experience about as much as I could in my

News Editor Michael Sessa Editorial Editor Cori Dill Culture Editor Sydney Bergan Sports Editor Roshan Fernandez Presentation Director Shannon Kirkpatrick Photo Editor Emily Steinberger Video Editor Rose Skylstad Podcast Editor Moriah Humiston Illustration Editor Nabeeha Anwar Enterprise Editor Gabe Stern Asst. News Editor Sarah Alessandrini Asst. News Editor Mira Berenbaum

short time here. The people I’ve met and the classes I’ve taken taught me more about journalism and about myself than I could have imagined. If anyone is ever questioning if they should go to graduate school, the answer is in making sure you know your “why.” Go to grad school for yourself or don’t go at all. I know that, as a young Black woman, this experience has been nothing but an eye-opening time for me. I’ve had multiple times where my “why” was not only questioned but also answered. Confirmed and reconfirmed. Whenever I experienced any of this, it always happened at the time it needed to or was supposed to happen. The best part for me was when I had the “why” of my life purpose answered. It came one night after I attended an event on campus featuring a professional journalist as the guest speaker. I went just for myself and left knowing what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. I walked away from that feeling like every prayer I needed an answer to had been answered. It’s something I still turn to for help as I move forward with my own life and career. If anything, I wish I had had more time. More time to socialize with classmates. More time to spend at the swimming pool in the Barnes Center at The Arch. More time to simply get to know the campus community more. But school work came first, so it won most of my time. I once worked on an assignment for a class and interviewed someone who just so happened to be an alumna of Syracuse University. When she learned I was attending, she called me an “Orange woman.” It felt strange to hear that because, while I was attending the school, I

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Both on and off campus, I found balance and purpose through my graduate school experience. Take it from me, the extra years of classes pay off. sarah lee asst. photo editor

didn’t see myself as a student. I felt like a visitor. Maybe it was too much time spent within Newhouse, but it almost felt like Newhouse was in its own world and the rest of the university was in another one. The disconnect surprised and troubled me. I don’t think that’s what one should think about their university, especially considering the amount of money they’re paying. But I was feeling like that here. It’s not a good sign, at all. I hope that’s not the case for other graduate students. If it is, something needs to be done.

Graduate school is not for the faint of heart. But if that is something you want to do for yourself and you know your “why,” then it’s worth it. The stress will make you question it, which is all the more reason why you should have your own personal toolkit ready to deal with it. It is also why self-care is essential and why, even in the middle of the madness of school work, you should aim to find the good in the scenario. For me, one example of the good was writing for this newspaper. It gave me a chance to do something I did not know much about but found that

I liked enough to keep doing. It was worth it for me to attend SU, but if I could go back before I started this journey, I would give myself a few pieces of advice. The first being to make sure to breathe deeply and to laugh — a LOT. You’re going to need it. Secondly, none of this is worth stressing over. No matter what happens, you’re not a failure. You’ve already proven that you’re capable, and now all you have to do is trust this process to teach you again that you’re smart, and therefore, yes you can.

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6 march 11, 2021

from page 1

proceedings “According to section 11.9 of the Student Conduct System Handbook, I have the authority to overrule decisions of a University Appeals Board,” Evanovich wrote in an email to the fraternity before citing his supervisory authority over SU’s conduct system. A court ruled against SU and Evanovich on Wednesday, overturning his decision. The fraternity’s lawsuit is one of several against SU making their way through the state and federal court systems. The Daily Orange reviewed documents filed in lawsuits associated with seven different cases — police reports, emails, transcripts and confidential university documents demonstrate SU’s wide-reaching disciplinary discretion and how it defends those policies in court. The Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities processes approximately 3,000 conduct cases every year, according to a university official. The lawsuits provide just a small glimpse into the private hearings, as many students do not have the resources to take SU to court. The cases highlight key areas where students and their lawyers say SU most frequently strays from its policies or is stringent in applying them. Christopher Burke, an attorney for Student Legal Services, said SU adheres to its processes and procedures “pretty regularly,” largely due to a section of its Student Conduct System Handbook that reserves the right for SU to modify its procedures at its own discretion. “When you have that ability, then it’s kind of difficult to say that you really strayed from your rules,” Burke said. “I don’t think the issue is that they don’t follow their procedures … it’s (that) they can change it as they please with that one provision, and then the procedures are ‘fundamentally fair’ as they determine it to be.” from page 1

conduct student has no responsibility or there isn’t a basis to proceed against the student, the case will not go to a formal hearing. If the student

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Unlike student conduct offices at public colleges, OSRR is not bound by due process — a standard set by the courts — and instead utilizes “fundamental fairness,” which guarantees a student written notice and a hearing before their status at SU changes, barring a “significant threat.” Staff, faculty and administrators hear cases that range from underage drinking and public health violations to assault and Title IX violations. SU, like many private schools, must prove students “more likely than not” violated university conduct codes to find them responsible for violations — a significantly lower threshold for proof than is used in court. Since SU isn’t a state entity, there’s also no case law, meaning one conduct ruling doesn’t set the precedent for another, Burke said. SU controls what evidence can be used in each hearing, and students must speak for themselves in each case. In one lawsuit, a student argued that the university refused to consider text messages and other statements that would have shown racial bias in his case. In another, a student said the university failed to notify him that he could bring witnesses to his hearing. A student in a separate case argued that SU violated his rights when his conduct proceeding lasted 463 days — 403 days longer than the university’s own policies typically advise. The university can’t and doesn’t comment on individual conduct cases or pending litigation, said Sarah Scalese, senior associate vice president for university communications, in a statement. In each case, SU provides students with notice of the alleged misconduct, an opportunity to be heard and an opportunity to appeal, Scalese said. Students also receive a handbook containing procedures for the conduct process. Every student is provided a fair process, she said. A January lawsuit claims SU violated its own

policies when it appointed one professor to act as investigator, judge and jury when looking into cheating allegations. Usually, the university’s academic integrity process, which is separate from OSRR, utilizes a five-member panel of students and employees. But the university changed its policies due to “emergency procedures” brought on by COVID-19. The student argued that the policies don’t explicitly allow officials to deny students a conduct hearing. But recent updates to the policy say that SU can modify academic integrity procedures to be resolved “as fairly and expeditiously as possible.” Both SU and the student voluntarily dismissed the case. Interim Vice Chancellor and Provost John Liu, who authorized the policy change, didn’t respond to a request for comment. Gregory Germain, a professor in the College of Law, recently organized a group of law students to act as procedural advisors in conduct proceedings. Most cases have to do with alleged violations of SU’s Stay Safe Pledge, a set of university guidelines related to COVID-19 public health orders, he said. The team of about 30 law students offers guidance to students who cannot bring outside attorneys or family members to hearings. “I think that’s the primary problem, is not having somebody independent questioning what the basis for the charge is,” Germain said. “And there are other problems. The rules are extremely vague, and they can mean whatever they want them to mean.” Others say SU’s discretion allows it to be more fair than the courts. Walter Freeman, an associate teaching professor of physics, said that in the most serious cases — such as those involving assault or Title IX violations — discretionary processes help the university adapt to each case. “In cases involving a student hurting another student, we have a duty to our students to keep them safe and provide them a

good environment,” said Freeman. “And if the criminal justice system is bad at it, we can’t just pass the buck and say ‘Oh, somebody hurt you? Go talk to the district attorney.’ We’ve got to do better than that.” More than a decade ago, SU allowed outside counsel to act as procedural advisors for students. They could sit in at their hearings or walk students through the conduct process. Since then, the university modified its rules. Now, only SU students and employees can sit in on hearings not related to Title IX. Student Legal Services, which is independent from SU, was effectively shut out from conduct hearings, Burke said. Students and other members of the public often expect hearings to mirror court proceedings, Burke said. When he tells students about the university conduct process, they’re “quite surprised.” When he tells parents, they’re “more surprised.” And when he talks to outside attorneys about the process, they’re “shocked.” That’s because of how little they resemble formal court proceedings. Laura Bennett, Title IX coordinator at Nova Southeastern University and the former president of the Association for Student Conduct Administration, said the court process as seen on TV is often the only reference people have to understand university conduct proceedings. Conduct cases can be controversial, Bennett said, but universities have an obligation of fairness to all students involved in the conduct process. “They’re both our students until one is not,” Bennett said. “Unfortunately, there are those cases where a complainant may choose to drop out of school or a respondent needs to be removed from school. But until that point, they’re both our students, so I think it’s on us to give the best process we can.” news@dailyorange.com

accepts responsibility and sanctions for the complaint, the case would be considered informally resolved. If the student doesn’t accept responsibility and the case manager determines that the case warrants a hearing, the case will proceed to a

formal hearing.

evidence,” which means it must be “more likely than not” that a student or student organization violated the Code of Student Conduct. The conduct board is permitted to impose sanctions up to and including expulsion. There are also standard sanctions established for a variety of conduct violations, including substance-related violations and gender-related violence and harassment. Both parties have the right to appeal the conduct board’s decision by providing a written statement within three business days after the board’s written decision becomes available. msessa@syr.edu @MichaelSessa3

How does the formal hearing work?

If the complaint moves to a formal hearing, the University Conduct Board — which is composed of five students, selected from a pool of at least 10 — will hear the case, unless it’s a case of academic dishonesty. The University Conduct Board, typically a 3-5 member panel, may be composed of students, faculty, staff or external professionals as determined by OSRR. The board is advised by a trained designee of the director of student Rights and Responsibilities and external professionals as necessary. The standard of proof used in the university conduct system is a “preponderance of

The University Conduct Board is permitted to impose sanctions up to and including explusion. elizabeth billman senior staff photographer

CULTURE

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PAG E 7

march 11, 2021

Self-taught sensation

CLAUD MINTZ was a student at SU in the Bandier program where, even though they were an introvert, they were able to make friends who would later collaborate on their debut album “Super Monster.” courtesy of angela ricciardi

Bedroom pop artist Claud Mintz has released their debut album, “Super Monster”

By Christopher Scarglato asst. culture editor

hether it be the photos of Syracuse University friends still sprinkled throughout their Instagram feed, their stashed SU sweatshirts or the frequent visits they’ve made to campus, Claud Mintz’s memories still lie here. The 21-year-old bedroom pop artist — who is signed to singer-songwriter Phoebe Bridgers’ record label, Saddest Factory — released their debut album, “Super Monster,” in February. Mintz’s music has already amassed millions of listens on Spotify, and it includes nods to SU, which they left over two years ago. The two-year accumulation of songs making up “Super Monster” isn’t just a collection of tracks about relationships, but it’s also Mintz’s reflection on being non-binary and on self-discovery.

The album’s fifth song, “Cuff Your Jeans,” references Day Hall and Oakwood Cemetery. SU was the place where they performed at house shows and studied in the Newhouse School of Public Communications’ Bandier Program. Where they met their best friends. Going to SU is how Mintz met their co-collaborator Josh Mehling, who produced three of the

beyond the hill

album’s tracks. It’s how Mintz and their close SU friends Mehling, Noa Getzug and Claire Cottrill — also known as singer-songwriter Clairo — came together as a band called Shelly. The artist hasn’t let go of the memories they made during their freshman year and beyond, including those of first-week jitters. Mintz was an introvert growing up in the suburbs outside of Chicago, but nothing stopped them from roaming over to both Cottrill and Mehling during a Bandier meet-and-greet their first week on campus. After spotting Mehling and his “cool” sweater, Mintz walked over and introduced themself. Soon, the three freshmen would hang out on Marshall Street, grab snacks at the Mount’s Junction and attend house shows at underground venues such as Space Camp. For Mintz, the houses gave an 18-year-old kid from Highland Park, Illinois, the chance to gain see claud page 8

beyond the hill

Salon opens after year-long wait ‘Six Figures Under’ uncovers artists

By Olivia Ciancio

contributing writer

Right as the sun starts to set, Claudia Kosty sometimes parks in a lot and stares at her salon from across the street. For over a year, the salon’s opening was in limbo due to COVID-19 and other setbacks. With the windows lit up and workers running around, it looks amazing to her. “It’s just like, ‘Oh my gosh, I can’t believe we did this,” Kosty said. Kosty’s salon, Inspire at the Grain-

ery, opened in January. The beauty salon and day spa, located at 128 N. Warren Street, offers a variety of services from manicures and pedicures to facials and waxing. “We knew we wanted to have a place where you could have everything done at once,” Kosty said. “We felt that it was really important that not only could you get your hair done, but you can also get a facial and get your lashes done.” Kosty and Candace Winchell, a hairstylist at Inspire, envisioned the idea for a new beauty salon and day spa

when working together at a different salon, Sola Salon Studios in DeWitt. Winchell and Kosty wanted to create a camaraderie and a “dream team” that would be a supportive place for all of the people working there, including volunteering together or working out when it’s safer to spend time together. After working in a corporate environment and deciding it was no longer the route for her, Kosty always had a passion for beauty and trying products. Kosty decided that see

salon page 8

By Gabby Kepnes

contributing writer

Every Friday night, someone can find two Sadler Hall roommates running their own radio show out of a tiny room hidden on the third floor of the Women’s Building. Syracuse University freshmen Sam Baylow and Payton Dunn are co-hosts of the WERW show “Six Figures Under,” where they

feature underground artists. Each show is an hour, and the hosts spend 20 minutes talking about the featured artists and their backgrounds. The rest of the show is devoted to 40 minutes of pure underground music. When Dunn met Baylow, their first conversation consisted of both underground and mainstream music. At the start of the see radio page 8

8 march 11, 2021

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screen time column

‘The U.S. vs. Billie Holiday’ lacks empathy for singer’s pain By Madison Tyler staff writer

Despite “The United States vs. Billie Holiday” chronicling the last few years of the legendary jazz singer’s life, as well as her battle with the Federal Bureau of Narcotics and with substance use disorder, the film seems to have little empathy for Holiday as a human. Biographical films usually offer the chance for audiences to get closer to larger-than-life historical figures. It allows us to see their humanity, if only through imagined and fictionalized conversations and interactions. However, director Lee Daniels and Suzan-Lori Parks, the film’s screenwriter and a Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, focus so much on Holiday’s encounters with the Federal Bureau of Narcotics that they don’t leave enough room to really grapple with the emotional and physical toll that the bureau’s persecution took on the musician. The focus of the film is therefore centered around the Federal Bureau of Narcotics’ efforts to use narcotics charges to silence Holiday (Andra Day). The Federal Bureau from page 7

claud confidence performing in front of an audience. Mintz recalled performing their first house show in Space Camp’s living room on an “unplugged night,” with a borrowed guitar in hand and people sitting around them. No one judged. “I felt like I could play the worst show in the world, but everyone would treat it like I did something amazing,” they said. While searching the web one day, Mintz dug up a breezy, minute-long guitar loop on Mehling’s SoundCloud. Mintz asked Mehling for the instrumental and began to tinker with it, writing over the instrumental and adding their soft vocals on top. Mehling recalled Mintz showing him the recreated track on the upper level of Marshall Square Mall. He freaked out. “This was the sickest thing I’ve ever heard,” he said. Before going to SU, Mehling never had a collaborator like Mintz — when he was at home in Houston, he often spent time alone in his bedroom messing around with beats. The recycled instrumental became Mintz and Mehling’s first track, “Onetwothree.” The two continued to make music during the course of their spring semester. Both Mintz and Mehling sent instrumentals back and forth, working with each other to create a five-song EP. The duo decided from page 7

salon she wanted to go back to school to become an aesthetician and ended up working at the salon in DeWitt. Inspire is located in a building called “The Grainery,” which was built in the 1800s. The Grainery has ample parking, and Kosty also felt that the hustle and bustle of downtown Syracuse made it a prime location for them. Kosty and her fiance, Adam Gasiorowski, purchased the building in 2019 and planned to open in May 2020. However, with construction pushbacks, public health restrictions and businesses closing, the salon ended up opening in January instead. from page 7

radio school year, Baylow mentioned to Dunn that WERW, an independent student radio station, was looking for shows and that’s when Baylow had the idea of creating a radio show featuring music from artists with less than 100,000 monthly listeners on Spotify. “A lot of the assumptions from a smaller group is that it’s demo-ish, not as high quality and a little thrown together,” Baylow said. “But in reality, it’s just really talented people who

of Narcotics assigns Jimmy Fletcher (Trevante Rhodes), a Black bureau agent, to tail Holiday, but he ends up getting closer to the singer than he anticipated. The audience isn’t afforded the same opportunity. The film, streaming on Hulu, opens with a title card layered over a photograph of a lynch mob and their victim. It reads, “In 1937, a bill to finally ban the lynching of African-Americans was considered by the Senate,” and places the story’s context within the history of lynching in the U.S. This is significant because Holiday rose to fame with her song, “Strange Fruit,” a haunting account of the ubiquity of “Black bodies swingin’ in the Southern breeze.” “The United States vs. Billie Holiday” doesn’t seem to justify its premise on the unsettling “Strange Fruit” and the social and political movement for civil rights that it invokes. Holiday’s time in prison was merely relegated to a quick montage, a missed opportunity to see her be in community with the people she sang “Strange Fruit” for. Instead, the film gives off hints of the strong, Black woman trope without showing enough of Holiday’s vulnerabilities. There are numerous sequences where she’s shooting a needle into her arm, being arrested or

suffering from some other tragedy, and then she rolls with the punches, bouncing back. Daniels and Parks don’t tap into the pain that particularly stems from being a Black woman in the U.S. with nuance. Parks’ script also dances around the widely-known secret that Holiday had a romantic affair with actress Tallulah Bankhead (Natasha Lyonne). It’s a shame that there was not one intimate scene between the couple, especially considering the many rough sex scenes Holiday has with the men in her life. In reality, Holiday and Bankhead may have had to be discreet about their relationship, but “The United States vs. Billie Holiday” could’ve put it on full display by putting that side of her private life on screen. However, Day does her best with the material given to her. It’s in scenes that take place on club stages during concerts that Day really shines. Not only does Day look like Holiday, she also channels her profound stage presence. In one such scene, Day is still, soulful and elegant as the camera pushes closer and closer into her face as she defiantly sings “Strange Fruit” in Carnegie Hall. It’s another scene, though, where Holiday

is dressed in a sparkly red matching set, dances freely on stage, interacts with her jazz player, Lester Young (Tyler James Williams), and vibes with the audience – eventually crowd surfing. This scene shows how Day truly imbues life into the legend. In a way, Day’s performance as Holiday links the past to the present. Day’s sound is unmistakably R&B and soul with a dash of the blues, all music genres that have been influenced by Holiday’s innovations in jazz, blues and pop music. This musical connection between Day and Holiday enhances the sentiment that the film is as much about back then as it is about today. In one scene, Holiday tells a white agent with the Federal Bureau of Narcotics that “your grandchildren will be singing my song.” If only it weren’t true. Though the film’s message about the struggle for racial justice, and the slow pace at which it comes, resonates with the contemporary moment as the trial of the police officer who killed George Floyd starts, “The United States vs. Billie Holiday” doesn’t capture the contours and textures that shaped the end of Holiday’s life as a three-dimensional human being.

to call themselves “Toast,” and the two freshmen sent their music to indie labels. Eventually, they connected with Max Wortman of Terrible Records, who helped them release their EP in August 2018. Over the summer, the head singer of The Marías, María Zardoya, direct-messaged Mintz on Instagram and asked if Toast wanted to go on tour as their opener — “We love Toast,” Mintz recalled Zardoya saying. With their sophomore year looming, Mehling decided to stay in school, but Mintz wanted to test it out. So, Mintz took the semester off and hopped into their black 2009 Toyota RAV4 to travel around the U.S. for four weeks. “They were ready,” Mehling said. “They were ready to go out and take over the world.” Two years, many tours and a branding change — “there was like a million other ‘Toast’s’” — later, Mintz, now Claud, has become a full-time musician. They never came back to SU. Getzug didn’t like the way her Gibson sounded when plugged into her computer, so she opted for her iPhone instead. It was around April 2020, the beginning of the pandemic, and like everyone else, the thenSU sophomore felt bored at home. To cope, she picked up her guitar, began strumming around and created a loop over voice memos. Getzug then sent it over to Mehling, who, within the same day, added drums, synths and piano, forming a beat.

“Do you mind if I send this to Claud,” Mehling texted. “Go for it,” Getzug texted back. By the end of the week, Mintz crafted a full-fledged song. It’s a tendency for the 21-year-old to be hands-on and learn to do things by themselves. In high school, Mintz taught themself guitar chords by watching NPR’s “Tiny Desk Concerts” and practiced songwriting by scribbling through notebooks. And for their debut album years later, they spent two days designing their album’s cover on Adobe Illustrator. “Claud is such a DIY,” Mehling said. “Claud can literally do everything.” After leaving SU, Mintz found ways to stay connected with friends. They would travel to Syracuse when they were free, and Mehling would visit Cottrill and Mintz in New York City, too. During Mehling’s sophomore year, he, Getzug, Mintz and other friends would hang out in Mehling’s Farm Acre apartment, watching YouTube videos and listening to music. Mintz and Mehling still text practically everyday. But during the pandemic, Mintz, Cottrill, Getzug and Mehling were scattered across the country. To cure their boredom, the four made an iMessage group chat and began collaborating. Together, they created Shelly, a band that, over the course of 2020, created music with one another by sending instrumentals to each other constantly. Shelly dropped two songs — “Steeeam” and

”Natural” — on Oct. 30, which have gained over a million listens each on Spotify. And if someone scrolls down past the track listing, they’d see in small print the EP’s made-up label name, “Orange Hill Records.” The four thought the name fit perfectly. After Mehling graduates, he and Mintz hope to room together in a New York City apartment — one with a spare bedroom set aside for a home studio. Mintz is currently based in Brooklyn. Mintz is still connected to Bandier, too. They offer guidance to students in the program, and last September, participated in the David M. Rezak Music Business Lecture Series with Cottrill. Bill Werde, the director of Bandier, keeps track of his former student through social media, and he sometimes shoots them a text. Early on, Mintz would ask him for advice, but now the two usually check in with each other, or Werde congratulates them on a new accomplishment. “It’s increasingly obvious to me that this is what Claud was put on this Earth to do,” Werde said. But just a couple years ago, Werde was concerned. He felt that the buzz wasn’t there yet, that Mintz needed to build more of a base. “My perspective was this industry can really chew you up and spit you out,” Werde said. He’s glad they didn’t listen.

Winchell said the visibility of Inspire’s downtown location, plus the salon’s social media platforms, have helped attract new clients. When they first opened, the workers brought past clients into the business. As COVID-19 settles down, they plan to boost marketing. The salon currently runs at half capacity. Aesthetician and Inspire team member Casey Dougherty said that working at the salon has made all of the difference while going through the pandemic. “It’s been tough through the pandemic. Working here has just made it so much better,” Dougherty said. “(Kosty) is amazing. She’s an amazing woman, and I love going into work. The sky’s the limit for the salon.” ojcianci@syr.edu

might just not have the label or marketing team behind them that some other artists do.” Dunn and Baylow theme each episode around a specific genre. Baylow starts compiling the playlist, and if Dunn has any song suggestions, he gives it to Baylow. While Baylow handles the order of the music and social media, Dunn does all the tech-related tasks. “Payton’s a wizard at what he does, and I would be helpless without him,” Baylow said. Episode six featured 11 songs, ranging from “Victory Shall be Mine” by Rev. James Cleveland to “Dirt and Grime” by Father’s Children,

mntyler@syr.edu

cscargla@syr.edu @chrisscargs

CLAUDIA KOSTY opened her downtown Syracuse salon, Inspire at the Grainery, in January after more than a year of setbacks. young-bin lee staff photographer

a song that was sampled on Kanye West’s 2015 track “Facts.” Baylow wanted to host artists in the studio, but they haven’t been able to implement that aspect during the pandemic, he said. “The great thing about radio and our show is that it’s something that, even with COVID, doesn’t change that much,” Baylow said. As many musicians are unable to perform during the pandemic, Baylow and Dunn want to position “Six Figures Under” as a platform for smaller artists to present their talents and songs.

Dunn is looking forward to next semester in hopes of COVID-19 restrictions being lifted, which would lead to potential advancements for the show. Eventually when more people are allowed in the studio, Dunn hopes they can try to bring in some artists since many come straight from Syracuse University’s campus. “To have an avenue where we can just stay at a very covid-safe, tiny closet of a room in the Women’s Building and just geek out about music is really special,” Baylow said. gckepnes@syr.edu

From the

studio Bridge across eras

dailyorange.com @dailyorange march 11, 2021

Everson Museum curator Garth Johnson said the exhibition tells the story of a generation of Japanese artists who bucked the trends of previous generations of artists. chenze chen contributing photographer

‘Floating Bridge’ exhibition features Japanese ceramic artworks from previous, contemporary movements By Linh Le

staff writer

alking in the large exhibition room at the Everson Museum of Art, Japanese ceramic artworks are arranged in different glass cases, hung on walls and lined along shelves. Panels on the history of Japanese ceramics art through many movements lead the audience through the “Floating Bridge” exhibition. Jason Jose, an exhibition visitor, said the atmosphere feels like walking through history. The exhibition focuses particularly on two eras of Japanese ceramics arts: the postmodern Sōdeisha movement — a liberating era of Japanese ceramic art that adhered to certain traditions — and the contemporary era, where artists show defiance toward tradition. The exhibition aims to showcase the transition between these two periods. The “Floating Bridge” is currently on display at the Everson Museum until July 4. The exhibition sets out to “tell the story of this generation of artists who bucked the trends of previous generations of artists,” said Garth Johnson, the curator of ceramics at the museum. Johnson also stressed the importance of the relationships developed between the artists and museum that led to this exhibition. To connect an old and new era of art in Japan,

the exhibition displays the work of a generation of artists who bring global and culturally diverse elements into a traditional form of ceramics. “Really the era that the Everson was collecting, there was a group of artists that I know went far beyond Sōdeisha,” Johnson said. “So they were looking to Western artists; they were looking to pop art.” The convergence and adaptation of different cultural elements in these traditional and longstanding artforms are shown through pieces such as “From Nice” by Hirai Tomokazu. The piece speaks to the global network of Japanese ceramic artists, as Tomokazu incorporated global elements through bright colors and elements found in Italian and French fashion in the ‘80s, Johnson said. Besides an increase in the inclusion of ideas, this generation of art also saw an increased representation of female artists who were historically underrepresented. “Back even in the Sōdeisha era, ceramics were not friendly to women because usually the potters were men,” Johnson said. “The way that they taught their students was mainly through apprenticeships. And those were not really open to women.” With these stories, the Everson Museum presents a special collection of arts with works that are important to Japanese ceramics. Through

close connections developed by former director Ronald Kuchta with two artists, Kimiyo Mishima and Araki Takako, the museum was able to highlight works of other female artists. These relationships later helped connect Kuchta with other artists who donated their works to the museum. The works are on display in the exhibition. The Syracuse University Art Museum is one of the crucial donors for the exhibition, Johnson said, but many other pieces came to the museum as gifts from the artists. These gifts represent the established relationship between the museum and the artists, as well as the devotion of the museum to ceramic art, Johnson said. Some of these are major career pieces that the artists entrusted to the museum, “so it’s a celebration of those relationships,” Johnson said. Steffi Chappell, assistant curator at the Everson Museum, believes that it’s significant to have an entire exhibition that shows a different facet of artwork in the community. With the artwork’s rich cultural representation and the exhibit’s goal of showing the transition from the postmodern movement to the contemporary, the museum presents a distinguished collection, Johnson said. “Hopefully, I’m changing people’s ideas of Japanese ceramics to let them know that it’s fun, it’s playful, it’s relevant,” Johnson said. lle103@syr.edu

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10 march 11, 2021

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sports business

How SU apparel stores are staying afloat during COVID-19 By Tim Nolan staff writer

Manny’s co-owner Bill Nester remembers when hundreds of people would flow in and out of his Marshall Street store on Syracuse game days. Then the pandemic hit, and hundreds turned into “maybe a dozen or so,” Nester said. Until last Saturday, when 900 students were allowed into the Carrier Dome for a men’s lacrosse game and only 250 showed, the fan experience on the Hill was dormant for 370 days. Shirt World owner Dave Jacobs had similar experiences. So did Scholars and Champs owner Bert Aufsesser, whose store is located downtown. The pandemic has pushed apparel store owners to their creative limits to sustain a viable income. Students have kept them afloat, too. “It’s a lively street. It’s always been that way, forever,” Nester said of Marshall Street’s

game day reputation. “It’s very strange. You’re lucky if you see one or two people walking down the street.” Manny’s has served Syracuse University’s campus since 1949. The shop sells SU jerseys, hats, hoodies and accessories. Nester has been a partial owner since 1983 and has kept the business alive through the worst of SU’s football lulls and basketball’s postseason woes. But the pandemic has been hard. Nester recalls that even in the aftermath of the Pan Am Flight 103 plane crash in 1988, students came in to buy Christmas gifts while sobbing. People were still allowed to enter and shop freely. Lines could snake all the way to the back of the store, Nester said. Decades later, it’s the students who are keeping these businesses viable, said Jacob, who played as an SU placekicker in the 1970s. His family has owned the store since 1977, and without a website, sales are solely dependent upon who walks in.

“‘I’ve had students that would come in and say ‘Jeez, thanks for being here and being open,’” Jacobs said. “And our whole feeling was, ‘It’s not us, it’s you.’” Scholars and Champs was just a year old when the first COVID-19 case was recorded in Onondaga County, but Aufsesser is confident the store will make it through the pandemic, just like the more established SU apparel stores. He has added name recognition among SU students because of popular customers, including Khalid, who came during his 2019 visit to Syracuse for Block Party. Former Bachelorette contestant Tyler Cameron came by his store as well. Aufsesser used Instagram and Facebook to organize gift card giveaways and placed advertisements to promote the store’s “315” sale on March 15, a play on the Syracuse area code. All are ways to get people to “come check out the store,” he said. For Jacobs, without a website or a social

media page for online shopping, he’s turned to creative promotional offers like buy one, get one free specials where any item in the store comes with a free jacket or shirt with an orange and blue block ‘S’ on the front, among other items. Jacobs stands on Marshall Street daily, reminding passersby of the deal. Manny’s does have its own website, but most of the purchases since the pandemic began have happened in store, Nester said. The store used Instagram to promote online discount cards and now St. Patrick’s-themed outerwear. He’s hopeful that by the fall, regular, prepandemic business will start to resume. For Nester and Jacobs on Marshall Street, students played — and will continue to play — an integral role in their return to normalcy. “These kids at the university have done a fantastic job of helping locals, us,” Jacobs said. “And we can see the light and understand, ‘Hey ya know what, we’re gonna get through this.’” tnolan@syr.edu

softball

Jenna Caira prepares to be 1st SU softball alumna in Olympics By Connor Smith asst. copy editor

Jenna Caira was at her Canadian Tire office desk in Toronto in August 2016 when she saw an announcement that softball would return to the Olympics in 2020. The former Syracuse legend had been retired from softball for a year, but the draw of getting to pitch in the Games was pulling her back to the sport. Seven months later, Team Canada head coach Mark Smith called Caira, wanting to know if she would be interested in returning to the national team by playing in tournaments that summer. While Caira hadn’t pitched competitively since leading Canada to gold in the 2015 Pan American Games, Smith told her returning to the pitcher’s circle is “like riding a bike.” “When I went out to practice again for the first time, I felt like I could pitch forever,” Caira said. “I came in even more rejuvenated.” from page 12

nc state featured more depth. “In the second half, everyone was going,” Buddy said. “We all trust each other and just having a lot of fun out there making shots, setting screens, getting guys open.” Syracuse’s offense dominated the Wolfpack’s defense with ball screens. Buddy said postgame that they learned from the last two meetings with NC State. This time, SU hedged every ball screen instead of switching. When Marek Dolezaj slipped off a ball screen, Buddy said Dolezaj would either have a dunk or NC State would leave shooters to help. When the latter happened, the Orange could kick out for easy open looks. Dolezaj finished with four assists, Buddy and Griffin had five apiece, and Girard added three. The Orange assisted on 19 of their 34 made baskets. Boeheim said that the Orange don’t talk about the bubble, but Buddy acknowledged the reality of the bubble situation when he said from page 12

defense Edwards registered 23 and 24 minutes against Georgia Tech and North Carolina, respectively, but played sparingly in the regular season finale against Clemson. He’s established himself as a reliable option in the middle of the zone, but it was unclear pregame how much he’d be featured against NC State, which he played just two minutes against in their two regular season matchups. Reserve Robert Braswell also came off the bench and gave SU’s defense a boost. Boeheim previously said the redshirt sophomore is the best on the team at rotating from the weak side to disrupt plays, and that’s exactly what he did. One play, he tracked down from the far side 3-point line to break up an entry pass to

Caira’s decision to retire in 2016 — although temporary — came after seven years pitching for the Canadian Senior National Team. She competed in international competitions between 250-strikeout seasons at Syracuse, where she finished as the Big East’s all-time leader in strikeouts and Syracuse’s career leader in wins, starts, innings, strikeouts and ERA. This summer, she’ll have the opportunity to add to her legacy with an Olympic appearance. Those record numbers were made possible in large part by Caira’s change-up, deemed the “best in the world” by both Team Canada catcher Natalie Wideman and Caira’s longtime trainer, Todd Martin. Martin taught Caira the pitch in her childhood driveway at just 14 years old, and it is now widely known as the “Jenna Caira change,” Martin said. The change-up is famous for both its strong location and deception, according to Team Canada assistant coach Melissa Basilio. With one of the world’s most devastating

pitches in hand, Caira routinely found success in the circle. When she retired, Caira recalled Smith telling her that if softball returned to the Olympics, she “had to be there.” But she never fully left the game — in between shifts at her public relations job, she ran softball clinics for kids in Ontario, Canada. The feeling of wanting to return to the field lingered, according to Wideman. “I remember she called me (in fall 2016) … and was like ‘Nat, I have an itch, I’m coming. We need to start throwing. I need to get back into game shape,’” Wideman said. Canada won their Olympic qualifying game in September, but COVID-19 hit a few months later. On March 22, Canada became one of the first countries to pull out of the Olympics, and two days later, the Games were officially postponed a year. In less than a week, Caira went from lifting over 300 pounds on a trap bar with her

teammates to using her dog’s food bag for weight training in her house, she said. Without a treadmill, she ran outside in the cold Ontario weather to maintain her speed. She read books assigned to her by mental performance coach, Wade Gilbert, and wrote letters to teammates as part of a virtual camp. After having the summer off, the coaching staff brought the team back on Sept. 1 to train. Now, Caira finds herself just over four months away from living her dream of playing in the Olympics. She is expected to become the first Syracuse softball player to appear in the Games, and she will be looking to lead her country to their first softball medal. “Having softball be away from her life and then realizing there’s still fire burning, it means that much more that it was gone and now it’s back,” Wideman said. “She wouldn’t be back if she didn’t want it.”

they knew they still “had work to do” last week after North Carolina. Wins against UNC and Clemson at home were a good start, but those alone were not enough to vault SU onto the right side of the bubble. Now, Boeheim thinks that the Orange have done enough to claim one of 36 at-large spots in Indianapolis. “I don’t think it’s been taken into consideration, we played — the seven Quadrant-1 games we played were all on the road,” Boeheim said. “When you look at the profile overall, I think we’ve got a lot of good wins against good teams. I think we beat a team today that could have been in the Tournament.” Through the Wolfpack’s five-game ACC winning streak, the surging Wolfpack replaced Braxton Beverly with Dereon Seabron in their lineup. A 6-foot-7 freshman, Seabron’s emergence in the backcourt helped improve the Wolfpack’s defense. He previously had success guarding Kadary Richmond and Buddy in past meetings. Wednesday, though, was different. Even when the Orange botched an offen-

sive possession and forced a rushed, contested Robert Braswell 3, he sank it. The redshirt sophomore finished with 11 points in 21 minutes, as the Orange played at least eight players at least 10 minutes in a postseason game for the first time since 2013. The Wolfpack tried a press at various points in the first half, but that didn’t work either. On one play, Girard picked up his head and lofted a pass upcourt to Griffin. Griffin pivoted and looked toward the hoop before tossing an alley-oop to Guerrier. Girard’s steady backcourt play helped the Orange finish with just 11 turnovers. He provided an early spark to the offense with a pull-up jumper and a dribble drive and-1. He finished with 14 points, one of five Syracuse players in double figures. “I have a lot of confidence in Joe,” Boeheim said. “I know he’s had his struggles this year, but he proved himself last year and coming into a really tough situation where we had to have him play well, and he did it.” When Dolezaj pushed his way into the lane early in the second half, multiple NC

State defenders collapsed on him. As soon as Beverly stepped closer into the lane, Dolezaj kicked the ball out to Buddy, who set his feet and drained the 3. Beverly’s close-out was too slow, and he crashed into Buddy and knocked him to the floor for the foul. Buddy threw his arms in the air, fully extended, and held up three fingers in celebration. “Today he got a lot of open looks,” Boeheim said of Buddy. “His teammates did a great job of setting him up, finding him.” After the game, Buddy and Boeheim walked off the court together, the last two SU players to head back to the locker room. Buddy stopped for a moment to acknowledge the SU managers and a few friends from high school. He saluted them with his left hand as he left the floor. The Orange’s season didn’t end on Wednesday. And because of the last nine days, the same Syracuse team that looked off the bubble after a loss to Georgia Tech had life again.

D.J. Funderburk in front of the rim. Late in the second half, he hustled back on defense and forced a missed layup on the fast break. “When it goes in the high post, (Braswell) drops down almost right away and he cuts that pass off,” Buddy Boeheim (game-high 27 points) said. “He got a couple deflections, steals, and you can trust him. You know he’s going to make the right play. He’s a really smart player.” Even with Braswell and Edwards playing meaningful minutes, SU allowed a subpar 38 first-half points. Then the Orange turned up the defense to start the final frame. Syracuse brought its original starting five out to begin the second half, and that group held NC State scoreless for the opening two minutes. It forced five turnovers in four minutes, leading to buckets on the other end. Dolezaj and Quincy Guerrier collected live-

ball steals, and the Wolfpack’s Manny Bates and Dereon Seabron coughed up unforced errors. And when NC State could get shots off, they clanked and fell into Orange arms. It was part NC State implosion, part SU cranking up the temperature. SU turned a five-point lead into a 16-point advantage in four minutes. The defensive dominance continued for the rest of the game. NC State scored 30 second-half points on 29.6% from the field as SU extended its lead. The Orange even won the rebounding battle, 33 to 31. “Our defense was just better in the second half,” Boeheim said. “That was the difference in the game.” With Edwards, Braswell, Dolezaj, Guerrier and Alan Griffin patrolling the paint, SU held the Wolfpack to 36% shooting overall and just 34%

on 2-pointers — mostly attempts in the lane. In 2018, when Syracuse snuck into the NCAA Tournament as an 11-seed, it reached the Sweet Sixteen in part by upsetting Michigan State 55-53. That game, the Tyus Battle-led Orange held the Spartans to 25.8% shooting. This is a much different group than the 2018 team — though it is also right on the edge of the NCAA Tournament bubble — but countless iterations of the Syracuse zone have spooked teams in the postseason. When asked about how Syracuse was able to beat the Wolfpack all three times this season, Funderburk had a familiar answer in a familiar month. “Probably the zone,” Funderburk said. “That’s all I can really put it to, is the zone.”

csmith49@syr.edu @csmith17_

amdabbun@syr.edu @AnthonyDabbundo

dremerma@syr.edu @DannyEmerman

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SPORTS

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SYRACUSE 89, NC STATE 68 dailyorange.com @dailyorange march 11, 2021 • PAG E 12

One step closer

su athletics

SU to allow fans at games next week By Roshan Fernandez sports editor

BUDDY BOEHEIM led all scorers with 27 points as Syracuse beat NC State by 21 and scored its most-ever points during an ACC Tournament game. ethan hyman news & observer

With dominant 21-point win over NC State, SU moves on to ACC quarterfinals. And closer to March Madness By Anthony Dabbundo senior staff writer

REENSBORO, N.C. — As 45-year head coach Jim Boeheim was introduced during the pregame starting lineups, one of a few thousand fans in the Greensboro Coliseum shouted a message from across the court. “Welcome to Greensboro, Jim!” the NC State fan yelled. Syracuse entered its matchup with No. 9 seed NC State needing at least one win — maybe two — in Greensboro to secure an at-large bid for the NCAA Tournament. That run had to begin on Wednesday in the ACC Tournament, an event where SU was 3-5 since joining the conference. An arena where Syracuse had one win in the last three trips. A stadium where the Orange’s season came screeching to a halt due to COVID-19 last year after a blowout win over North Carolina. Boeheim has often voiced his distaste

for Greensboro in recent seasons — in 2017, he said there’s “no value in playing in Greensboro, none.” Fortunately for Syracuse’s Tournament chances, his son, Buddy Boeheim, didn’t seem to mind in a 27-point outing on Wednesday. Boeheim’s entire offense didn’t seem to mind either. Syracuse delivered one of its best shooting performances of the season at the most important time: a do-or-die elimination game. Buddy scored 20 first-half points as Syracuse’s (16-8, 9-7 ACC) overwhelming offense expanded its second-half lead to blowout NC State (13-10, 9-8), 89-68, in the second round of the ACC Tournament. SU’s second-largest win in an ACC Tournament game secures it a spot in the quarterfinals on Thursday against No. 1 seed Virginia, one step closer to the Orange’s NCAA Tournament aspirations. “Our offense has been there all year,” Boeheim said. “We’re a very good offensive team. When we make shots, we’re really good. Today, we made shots.”

Syracuse swept the Wolfpack 3-0 this season — home, away and now neutral — meaning the Orange are now 15-5 when going for the three-game sweep against the same team in the same season since joining the Big East in 1979. The first two meetings were won with SU’s improved second-half defense, which forced turnovers and rebounded well. In the third meeting on Wednesday, Syracuse shot the Wolfpack out of the gym from the opening tip. NC State trailed by just five at the break, but eventually, NC State cooled off. Syracuse never did. The Orange made 48.3% of their 3s on Wednesday, their fourth-best shooting game of the season from deep. The Orange grabbed control of the game with a 16-3 run to open the second half as four different SU players made 3s: Quincy Guerrier, Alan Griffin, Joe Girard III and Buddy. While Buddy carried the Syracuse offense in the opening 20, the second 20 see nc

state page 10

men’s basketball

Syracuse’s improved zone fuels 2nd round win By Danny Emerman senior staff writer

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Syracuse’s margin of error officially vanished 11 days ago in the McCamish Pavilion. Marek Dolezaj was too outmatched inside, and Syracuse’s defense got exposed. SU desperately turned on a full-court trap. Georgia Tech scored 54 of its 84 points in the paint and converted half its shot attempts. The Syracuse team that has shut down opponents since then barely resembles the one that lost its final chance at a Quadrant 1 victory at Georgia Tech in late February. The defensive struggles weren’t

isolated to just the GT loss — it has lagged behind all year. It allowed 96 points to Pittsburgh and 85 to Duke. There have been missed assignments, soft guard play and an undersized back line. Even after its second round Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament win, SU is 86th in defensive efficiency, per KenPom. But Syracuse’s Achilles’ heel may have been repaired at the flip of the calendar into March. In its last three games, all wins, SU has held its opponents to under 40% shooting from the field. In those three victories, SU’s forced an average of 13.3 turnovers per game, near its season average including nonconference play.

The No. 8 Orange (16-8, 9-7 ACC) offense showed how dangerous it can be in Wednesday’s 89-68 win over No. 9 NC State (13-10, 9-8), but a more significant development is SU’s 2-3 zone coming together at the right time. SU has more options defensively and is playing more on a string. Blink twice and you’ll see the defense that’s given teams fits this time of year in the past. “I think we’re better,” SU head coach Jim Boeheim said postgame. “I think we’re playing better defense. I think our rebounding has been better. But our offense has been there all year.” Syracuse’s defense started

Wednesday as a regression to the pre-March Orange. SU lost shooters and allowed easy high-post entries as the Wolfpack worked the ball around the perimeter. The score was 12-11 five minutes into the game. “We just couldn’t stop them, and they couldn’t stop us,” Boeheim said. Part of that was defensive rebounding. The Wolfpack cleaned up the glass early, and even though SU often swatted putback attempts away, NC State’s secondchance points piled up. Dolezaj picked up two early fouls and was replaced by 6-foot-11 sophomore center Jesse Edwards. see defense page 10

Syracuse University announced Wednesday that it has received approval from New York state to have student fans at the women’s lacrosse game against Notre Dame on Sunday and the men’s lacrosse game against Hofstra on March 20. SU did not specify how many fans would be able to attend each game. Saturday marked the first game in 370 days that fans could attend in the Carrier Dome, and it served as the first step in SU’s pilot program for reopening the stadium. The men’s lacrosse game against Vermont, which featured just 250 fans after SU made 900 seats available, was “a huge success” that led to the state’s approval for the university to continue its pilot program, SU Athletics said in an SU News release.

We will continue to work with NYS to refine and enhance our stadium COVID prevention procedures Syracuse Athletics press release

The university prioritized student season ticket holders for the Vermont game and will now prioritize first-year and transfer students for the upcoming lacrosse games. This is due to “significant limitations” on the number of student fans that can be accommodated as part of SU’s pilot agreement with New York state. Syracuse will not have fans for Thursday’s women’s lacrosse game against Notre Dame or Friday’s men’s lacrosse game against Stony Brook. Student fans will receive detailed instructions on how to claim their ticket via email on Thursday, and they’ll be required to follow the same testing protocols as students who attended Saturday’s Vermont game: a COVID-19 test prior to game day, an additional rapid test on the day of the game and a PCR test within 72 hours after the game. Students will also sit in pods of no more than four people, spaced 9 feet apart, in the lower level of the Dome. SU will assess its future attendance policy for upcoming games after these two games with inperson fans. The university is also working with New York state to refine and enhance its COVID-19 procedures for in-person fans. The student-only events “continue to serve as important steps in our continued effort to ultimately welcome members of the general public back in a safe (manner),” SU Athletics said in the release. rferna04@syr.edu @Roshan_f16