N • Student survey
SU’s AAUP released a report last week detailing students’ feelings about the university’s COVID-19 response. The survey was conducted in October. Page 3
C • A holiday treat
Get into the holiday festivities with this simple dish: a gingerbread house-inspired cake topped with pomegranate seeds. Page 8
S • Next level ties
Madison Primeau’s dad and her uncle both played in the NHL. Now, she’s carrying on the family legacy as a freshman forward at Syracuse. Page 16
2 winter guide 2021
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OPINION “Because of the existing and upcoming travel bans, it is highly encouraged to stay home this break and postpone travel plans to prevent further domestic and international spread of the new COVID-19 variant.” - Charlotte Kho, columnist Page 5
CULTURE “It was the last day of class before winter break, and my teacher handed us a Ziploc bag with all the necessary foundations and decorative items for a gingerbread house. Mine didn’t turn out too well.” - Alex Cirino, asst. sports editor and food columnist Page
SPORTS
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“You see someone who’s able to do that and you think, ‘I wouldn’t be able to do that. How does she do it?’” - Abby Moloughney on Madison Primeau, SU hockey player Page 1
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COMING UP
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Noteworthy events this week.
The D.O. strives to be as accurate in our reporting as possible. Please email editor@dailyorange.com to report a correction.
WHAT: Matilda the Musical WHEN: Nov. 19, 2021-Jan. 2, 2022 WHERE: Syracuse Stage
letter to the editor policy The D.O. prides itself as an outlet for community discussion. To learn more about our submission guidelines, please email opinion@dailyorange. com with your full name and affiliation within the Syracuse community. Please note letters should not include any personal information pertaining to other people unless it is relevant to the topic at hand. All letters will be edited for style and grammar.
“I really started to reflect and realize through all of the chaos and chaffe of this year, we actually have done a lot.” - David Bruen, SA president Page 3
The D.O. is published weekdays during the Syracuse University academic year by The Daily Orange Corp., 230 Euclid Ave., Syracuse, NY 13210. All contents Copyright 2021 by The Daily Orange Corp. and may not be reprinted without the expressed written permission of the editor-in-chief. The Daily Orange is in no way a subsidy or associated with Syracuse University. All contents © 2021 The Daily Orange Corporation
WHAT: Horns and Harmonies Concert WHEN: Dec. 19, 4-5:30 p.m. WHERE: Hendricks Chapel WHAT: Pan Am Flight 103 Memorial Service WHEN: Dec. 21, 2-3 p.m. WHERE: Hendricks Chapel Noble Room and virtual
NEWS
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winter guide 2021 3
on campus
SA focused on health, community during fall semester
Breakdown of spring COVID-19 protocols By Grace Katz
asst. copy editor
Syracuse University’s Student Association allocated funds to make menstrual products readily available and published a review of the university’s DEIA plan this semester. lucy messineo-witt senior staff photographer
As Syracuse University concludes its fall 2021 semester, questions remain about the future of the university’s COVID-19 policies, including masking and vaccine mandates. Here is a rundown of all procedures that will be in place when students return from winter break. Gov. Kathy Hochul reinstated the statewide mask mandate in New York’s indoor public places Friday following an increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations and overall average weekly infection rate. This mandate is set to end by Jan. 15, 2022, when it will go into a period of review before the spring semester. If the order is extended, SU has pledged to follow any government guidelines including any new mask mandates. SU is under “RED” level masking, which requires all students to wear masks indoors at all times and outdoors when other people are present. The university has been under this level since Aug. 28 and has not wavered despite fluctuations in COVID-19 cases on campus. see protocols page 4
on campus
SA President David Bruen and SA Vice President Darnelle Stinfort achieved some of their campaign promises this semester, but they still have work to do in the spring By Danis Cammett staff writer
D
avid Bruen and Darnelle Stinfort, president and vice president of Syracuse University’s Student Association, created a number of campaign promises which they pursued this fall semester. This semester, the SA has passed measures that include free menstrual products, expansion of student representation in the assembly, commitments to becoming carbon neutral, addressing student homelessness and food insecurity and a focus on reforming the university’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility plan. Bruen and Stinfort did not accomplish some of their other promises, including increasing student turnout in SA elections, free printing for students and third party reviews of DPS, among other campaign promises. Although the pair has not achieved all they promised, they affirmed in their “state of the student body” address that there is still a lot of work to be done.
Community and inclusivity
Bruen and Stinfort promised to fight for SU to become carbon neutral by 2026 and for SA to be carbon neutral by May 2022 as part of their “Green New Deal for Syracuse Universee campaign
sity”. Becoming carbon neutral essentially means making the university’s net-output of carbon dioxide negligible. During the final SA meeting on Monday, Bruen announced a $500 investment to offset the SA carbon footprint to make the association carbon negative. The SA is currently working on reaching out to organizations for the $500 to be invested in planting trees, Bruen said. Although SA failed to reach the 15% turnout target among students in an election held in the fall semester, it had the highest freshman members in a long time, Bruen said during the state of the student body meeting. Cuse Otto Vote is an SA initiative that aims to increase civic engagement and participation among SU and SUNYESF students. Bruen and Stinfort said they are hopeful that the unique populations bill will help with representation and increase student engagement in elections. In September, SA passed a bill to encourage SU’s administration to implement training and prevention services across campus. In October, the association passed another bill which officially acknowledged Indigenous Peoples’ Day for the first time in SA history. The association also heavily debated and criticized the university’s DEIA plan. These efforts led SA to set up an ad-hoc committee to review the plan and hold a meeting at 119 Euclid Ave. for students to voice their frustrations with
promises page 4
No idea was too small and no idea David Bruen sa president
Professors release COVID-19 report By Danny Amron asst. news editor
The Syracuse University chapter of the American Association of University Professors released a report last week regarding students’ feelings about how the university has handled COVID-19 during the fall semester. The report detailed AAUP’s first student survey, which asked students for their thoughts on different aspects of SU’s COVID-19 response, including masking policies and testing and quarantine protocols. SU’s chapter of AAUP conducted the survey in October. The SU chapter of AAUP works to uphold the professional values, standards and economic security of higher education. The survey received 395 responses, 305 from undergraduate students and 90 from graduate students. Professors shared the survey among each other to gather responses from students. Jackie Orr, a sociology professor and a member at large of SU’s AAUP chapter, said the chapter decided to conduct the survey because no one else was trying to get student experiences see report page 4
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4 winter guide 2021
from page 3
campaign promises the plan. SA member Adia Santos said the largest project SA worked on this semester was its feedback of the DEIA plan. “SA dedicated a really commendable amount of time getting as much student feedback as possible while also completing a comprehensive, detailed and thorough document to send back to (the administration),” Santos said.
Financial accessibility
One of the main campaign promises was advocating for a fixed tuition program in which students will pay a consistent amount of tuition every semester during their years at SU. This policy was pursued after the university’s continued increase of the cost of tuition in recent years. This semester was the first to implement from page 3
protocols SU’s masking policy is determined by not just on-campus data, but also through active cases in Onondaga County, which has been criticized by students. New York has detected 19 omicron variant cases as of Thursday. CDC guidance recommends from page 3
report and concerns about COVID-19 safety. Nearly 45% of surveyed students agreed or strongly agreed that SU was doing a good job protecting students from contracting COVID19, and just over 50% of students agreed or strongly agreed with the statement that they were worried about contracting COVID-19 during the fall 2021 semester. Students expressed concerns about the lack of mask-wearing enforcement on campus, confusion about class attendance and missed instruction when isolating or quarantining and a desire for regular mandatory testing for vaccinated people on campus and clearer communication from SU regarding current COVID-19 policies and announcements. The comments included in the published report were representative samples of the most common student concerns, the report reads. “The protocols are a joke,” a student said in the report. “They have us wearing masks in class but pay for a huge student concert where no one was wearing masks.” The student also brought up multiple occasions, such as alumni weekend and football games in the Carrier Dome, when many outside visitors were not wearing masks on campus. “It really seems like the protocols are performative,” the student said. Chris Johnson, SU’s associate provost for academic affairs, sent out a letter to the faculty on Sept. 13. The letter discussed students missing classes while awaiting test results, exhibiting symptoms or testing positive for the virus. It asked faculty to do their best to work with students who are absent for such reasons and required faculty to provide students a chance to keep up with the coursework if they are out for an extended period of time. “I think that the lack of offering for students to take online classes if they come into contact is crazy,” one student responded in the survey. “The dichotomy of don’t come if you are sick but if you are sick you miss class is pretty crazy.” Orr said 10 people in her 50 person class tested positive for COVID-19 at the beginning of the semester, which led her to increase the amount of alternative access to course information and materials. “Hybrid classes are enormous labor for faculty, and nobody’s asking faculty to do that,” Orr said. “Faculty are voluntarily asked to respond to that request. Some faculty are doing that and doing increased labor every week so that students who for health reasons are not in our class can access class material.” Survey responses informed AAUP’s recommendations for the university’s COVID-19 protocols for the spring 2022 semester, which include: • Clearer guidance for faculty and students
free laundry in all SU dorms, which was another one of Bruen and Stinfort’s campaign promises. Free printing is still a campaign promise SA has yet to address. Other important issues for SA are student housing and food insecurity. SA has worked to include questions about housing and food insecurity on the Orange Pulse Survey, a campus-wide survey with a range of questions to give the university a better understanding of how their students are affected by such issues. Bruen also said in the final meeting that the SA is planning to offer support to the Hendricks Chapel and South Campus food pantries by covering operating costs of the pantries so they can get more food and other toiletries.
Health and safety
This semester, SA passed a bill allocating $56,925 to make menstrual hygiene products free for all students, which will be implemented in the spring semester. Bruen and Stinfort camall eligible people receive a COVID-19 booster shot, and SU is requiring all eligible students, faculty and staff to get their COVID-19 booster shot before returning to campus for the spring semester. The only exemption from the booster shot requirement is an approved medical or religious waiver on file at the Barnes Center at The Arch, according to a campus-wide email on Friday. Students who already have the waiver when missing classes due to potential exposure or quarantine; • Stronger enforcement of masking requirements; • Considering mandatory masking instead of the current tiered system; • Improved communication regarding pro tocols for when a student is contact traced or quarantined; • Considering mandatory testing for vaccinated students, faculty, and staff every seven to 14 days. Roughly 73% of students either agreed or strongly agreed with the statement that SU should have mandatory masking for all students and faculty in university buildings regardless of their vaccination status. “SU-AAUP urges realistic planning that will not unnecessarily risk students’ wellbeing for the performance of ‘normalcy’ during an ongoing, unpredictable pandemic,” the report reads. “The health and well-being of SU students demands competent, well-resourced, and effectively communicated procedures for running a residential institution of higher education whose primary goal is to nurture student learning and students’ lives.” Despite the report’s critiques of the current state of COVID-19 policies on campus, it found that 57.62% of students agreed or strongly agreed that SU is doing a good job of communicating about COVID-19 safety issues and 54.85% agreed or strongly agreed that faculty have been helpful and supportive when communicating procedures for missing classes and accessing content due to virus exposure. Sarah Scalese, senior associate vice president for university communications, said in an email statement that the survey was completed by a small percentage of the student body in a non-random sample, and therefore cannot be used to represent the sentiments of the entire student body. Orr responded to Scalese’s statement, saying the AAUP would welcome a larger survey of students. Additionally, Scalese cited the university’s less than 1% test-positivity rate from the random surveillance testing program, as well as continued aggressive public health measures such as the maintaining red-level masking policies, wastewater testing, contact tracing and requiring both vaccines and booster shot as evidence of SU’s effective strategy to handle the pandemic. Orr said she does not see a correlation between the current test-positivity rate and the number of cases on campus according to SU’s COVID-19 dashboard, which she believes is indicative of cases – especially asymptomatic ones – potentially getting through testing protocols and spreading the virus on campus. ddamron@syr.edu @dannyamron_
paigned for this policy, and both have stated they were proud to pass this bill this year. “The thing that really changed this semester for me was when we made some real progress on the menstrual products. It became clear that we could do it,” Bruen said. “It was something I wasn’t sure that we could get done this year, not to the level we are doing it, but that happened and I really started to reflect and realize through all of the chaos and chaffe of this year, we actually have done a lot.” Other promises made relating to health and safety are yet to be achieved. Bruen and Stinfort said in their final meeting that there’s a lot to work on when it comes to health and safety, such as publishing the status of bias training completed by Department of Public Safety officers, hiring a new DPS chief and more third party reviews of the department.
Academic advancements
Bruen and Stinfort weren’t able to achieve on file for the COVID-19 vaccination do not need to take any further action, the email says. SU faculty will be required to submit proof of their vaccine status to the university. The Office of Human Resources at SU has partnered with other university offices to formulate a process to validate the faculty documents submitted, including any religious and medical exemptions. Students should submit their booster
many of their campaign promises for academic advancements this semester, but they said SA is making plans to allocate $4,000 to create a textbook voucher program, which would help students cover textbook costs. It’s also planning to work with the SU Campus Store to make textbooks cheaper for low-income students. Bruen and Stinfort also passed a bill advocating for a permanent test-optional policy to make SU more inclusive. “When Darnelle and I were campaigning one of our campaign values, which we felt very adamant about, was the big ideas and the little ideas. This was to essentially say that, no idea was too small and no idea wasn’t worth fighting for,” Bruen said. “Regardless of how big and popular some things may be, we will still fight for those, but that should cloud any other important priorities for students that sorely need attention. That has been a guiding value as we’ve led this semester and will continue to be.” dwcammet@syr.edu
documents, along with other immunization records, to their patient portal. Flu vaccines are also required for the spring 2022 semester. SU held on-campus flu shot clinics for students and faculty in the fall. As of Dec. 10, there are 69 active COVID-19 cases on campus, with a surveillance positivity rate of 0.4%. Five students are in quarantine. gdkatz@syr.edu
OPINION
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winter guide 2021 5
column
Students should avoid unnecessary travel during winter break By Charlotte Kho columnist
O
n Nov. 26, a new strain of COVID-19 was designated as a variant of concern by the World Health Organization. The new variant is called the omicron variant and it was discovered in South Africa. While there is not enough research to establish specific details on transmission rates, symptoms or vaccine efficiency, some countries have blocked travel from parts of Africa. Countries such as France, Italy and Germany have banned flights solely from some African countries, while countries such as Japan and Morocco have closed their borders to non-citizens and suspended all international flights, according to CNN. As for the U.S., President Joe Biden announced restrictions against noncitizens from many countries in southern Africa. As of Dec. 10, it has been confirmed that at least 25 U.S. states have detected the omicron variant. As Syracuse University students are approaching finals, the end of the fall 2021 semester and winter break, many are getting ready to have a break from school and travel. Unfortunately, due to the vast unknowns of this specific strain and the increase of COVID-19 transmission while traveling, it may be best to stay home this break. The CDC recommends that you delay travel until you are fully vaccinated. With booster shots becoming more widely available, it is safest to get your booster before travel-
ing, especially with the new omicron strain. It is also often impossible to maintain six feet of distance while traveling, especially on public transportation, so safety and prevention of transmission relies on everyone being fully vaccinated, wearing a mask properly and taking proper precautions if exposed to COVID-19. Every traveler must be cautious to keep everyone safe, but since it’s unlikely everyone will, the chances of a zero transmission rate while traveling are very slim. Additionally, fully vaccinated passengers are still at a risk for getting and spreading COVID19. Therefore SU students must still remain vigilant if they decide to travel. Claire Ceccoli, a freshman in the public relations program at SU, said her only travel plans this winter are her trips from school back home to Ohio and then back to Syracuse again. “I honestly don’t know much about the new variant other than rumors that it is infecting even vaccinated people easily. It feels endless,” Ceccoli said. “When and if omicron gets under control, there’s the inevitable question of how long before another variant forms, then another, and it’s just an endless cycle.” Adam Klinger, a junior chemical engineering major, said that although there isn’t much information about the new variant, he is still taking precautions. “I really don’t know nearly as much about this specific variant as I did the delta variant and I’ve looked into it. But as far as I can tell, there isn’t much information on it yet since
Syracuse University students should avoid excess travel during winter break to avoid contracting the new omicron variant. emily steinberger editor-in-chief
it’s fairly new and still in the process of being researched,” Klinger said. “Personally, I’m not traveling this break but I’m fully vaccinated and am planning on getting my booster before going home for the holidays just as a preventative measure.” Klinger said that although he knows that there has not been a lot of research provided on the omicron strain, it is definitely something that has to be taken seriously. “We’ve
been experiencing the detrimental effects of COVID-19 and its different variants for a very long time now, and with the new strain it just further exemplifies the urgency to get vaccinated to maintain the safety and health of yourself and those around you,” he said. As more research and information about the omicron strain is being released within the upcoming weeks, it is crucial now more than
ever to get your booster shot. Because of the existing and upcoming travel bans, it is highly encouraged to stay home this break and postpone travel plans to prevent further domestic and international spread of the new COVID-19 variant. Charlotte Kho is a junior magazine, news and digital journalism major. Her column appears biweekly. She can be reached at ckho01@syr.edu.
column
Mental health should be a priority over the winter break By Jean Aiello columnist
A
s winter break approaches in just a few days, Syracuse University students are consumed with studying for finals and submitting their final papers and projects. The beginning of the semester, filled with football games and warm weather, juxtaposes the drastic temperature drop and increase in workload at the end of the semester, poorly affecting the mental health of many students. Although there are wellness resources — including free counseling and fitness classes at the Barnes Center at The Arch — the winter season has made it difficult for many students to find motivation to even go outside if it’s not necessary. Thanksgiving break allowed for
News Editor Richard Perrins Editorial Editor Micaela Warren Culture Editor Nathan Fenningdorf Sports Editor Connor Smith Presentation Director Shannon Kirkpatrick Photo Editor Meghan Hendricks Video Editor Maya Pow Video Editor Maddy Kramer Podcast Editor Marnie Muñoz Illustration Editor Yiwei He Enterprise Editor Michael Sessa Asst. News Editor Kyle Chouinard
students to take a much-needed pause on the stress that the semester had recently sprung with midterms. But the break was also the official start of the finals grind for most students. Right as midterms were over, students were bombarded with materials for final exams and projects from professors. Personally, I took the word “break” quite literally and barely opened my computer while at home. This resulted in the accumulation of work awaiting me as I returned to campus, and my peers can attest to this. As the semester comes to an end, students are tackling the worst of it, but the finish line is so close. When they reach that finish line, winter break is a crucial time for college students to focus on their mental health. Once December break begins, it will be the first time since August that many college students won’t be
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consumed with the combined stressors of classes, work, studying and social life. COVID-19 has brought an even higher level of stress to students these past couple years of the pandemic. “This year, the stress has increased as they attempted to do their work in masked and distanced classrooms … Students don’t want this break, they need this break,” Vicki Nelson wrote in a College Parent Central article titled “Your Student Needs This Time Over Winter Break” last December. After another year during the pandemic, this statement holds true. Receiving random emails that a student in close proximity has tested positive for COVID-19 has become a regular occurrence for many. Random weekly testing emails flood students’ inboxes. Remaining safe from COVID-19 in college is a challenge
and new stress of its own. Going home will be a welldeserved time for students to not have these worries. Living on a college campus, going to dining halls and using shared bathrooms and other campus facilities make students more prone to contracting COVID-19. Being at home will relieve this stress. Stress can cause major mental and physical health issues if disregarded. Almost all college students report experiencing stress, especially during finals week, but mental health often does not receive enough attention, possibly because everyone is going through intense academic pressure. Long-term stress interferes with the body’s immune, digestive and cardiovascular systems, and it can contribute to mental health issues like depression and anxiety, according to the National
Institute of Mental Health. Coming back from winter break with a fresh start will allow students to be prepared for new professors and a new workload. Having already adjusted to their living situation and friends this year, students can return to campus in January with a sense of drive and readiness to take on the second semester. This time over break is essential for students after the mental toll that finals week takes on them. Relaxation, quality time with family and friends from home and a complete mental reset will rejuvenate students before they return to campus.
Emily Steinberger
Mandy Kraynak
Anthony Alandt
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Jean Aiello is a freshman magazine, news and digital journalism major. Her column appears biweekly. She can be reached at jdaiello@syr.edu.
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CULTURE
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winter guide 2021 7
Local businesses to check out for your last-minute holiday shopping
Mixed Methods, a Hanover Square shop offering one-of-a-kind art and gifts, will provide complimentary Christmas and Hanukkah themed gift wrapping for holiday shoppers. max mimaroglu asst. photo editor By Rachel Raposas asst. copy editor
E
very year, holiday shopping presents a distinct struggle for last-minute shoppers. Larger stores are often packed with more people than merchandise, making it even more difficult to choose gifts for relatives and friends. Instead of turning to Amazon or Walmart, explore these local businesses to add a special touch to your gifts.
Mixed Methods
“Each artist has their own method and process for their work,” Mixed Methods owner Amy Wilson said, explaining the meaning behind the shop’s name. Located in Hanover Square, Mixed Methods carries a variety of products created by over 60 different artists and small businesses throughout the United States, including pottery, jewelry, candles, cards, lotions, soaps and textiles. Wilson called it a “onestop shop” because the store showcases gifts and products for all kinds of people.
Here are some Syracuse shops that will help last-minute holiday shoppers find unique gifts without having to deal with large crowds or low stock For each artist featured, Mixed Methods also provides general information and a fun fact about the creator with each purchase. Wilson said an added benefit of buying or gifting artwork is that each piece has its own character and style.
“When you buy something from the shop, it’s someone’s original designs and completely unique,” Wilson said. The store has recently added a few seasonal products to their inventory, including holiday cards, ornaments, candles and “some really fun Christmas socks,” Wilson said. Mixed Methods also provides complimentary holiday gift packaging specifically for Christmas and Hanukkah.
Chillin: Sunday Snowmies Holiday Market
On Sunday, Dec. 12, the Black Artist Collective hosted “Chillin: Sunday Snowmies Holiday Market.” The event, which was free to attend, took place at Salt City Market from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and featured around 27 vendors. Sunday’s event showcased visual artists, illustrators, craftspeople and digital artists, all local to Onondaga County. Customers could find handdyed yarns, jewelry, soaps and clothing for both people and pets. “Chillin: Sunday Snowmies Holiday Market” also hosted food vendors, contributing to a holistic holiday shopping experience. see shopping page 11
slice of life
How SU students are planning to celebrate New Year’s By Sophia Moore
asst. copy editor
Last New Year’s was the celebration that never was: a moment marred by the novelty of the pandemic, dimming the usual splendor of crowded, confetti-filled parties that accompany ringing in the new year. For many Syracuse University students, last year’s celebration was nonexistent or not memorable. A year later, students are feeling more hopeful about their plans for New Year’s Eve. Among news of the omicron variant and ever-changing travel restrictions, some students
feel more comfortable celebrating close to home, though. First-year student Jasmine Rodriguez is cautiously optimistic about her family’s plan to ring in 2022. She plans to celebrate with her family and family-friends in Miami. “We all gather at someone’s house, you know, do all the food and stuff,” Rodriguez said. “(We) watch the ball drop. We just dance. And it’s fun!” While Rodriguez is anticipating a return to her family’s usual celebratory affairs, other students are looking forward to something smaller. Senior Alex Middleton emphasized their hope for a more subdued celebra-
tion, similar to how they rang in 2021. “I do know that I will be spending (New Year’s) with the people that I want to spend it with,” Middleton said. “Last year, my roommate here at Syracuse … hung out at my house and did a little bonfire.” Whether throwing a classic New Year’s Eve bash or keeping plans on the intimate end, students have COVID-19 on their minds when considering their options. Although there is a desire to return to plans that involve going out and socializing, many students are wary of exposure due to large crowds, especially considering the news of the omicron variant.
Lainey Scanlan, a first-year student from south of Buffalo, said that the pandemic impacts her decision making in regards to how she celebrates the New Year. “(COVID-19 weighs) heavily because it’s really bad back at home. So it’s like, there’s not much to do other than just chill at home with friends,” Scanlan said. Similarly, graduate student Anton Lohner’s plans for New Year’s Eve have been disrupted by the pandemic. They are unsure of where they will end up spending the holiday, but international travel might be in the cards. “Now I’m not 100% sure because
things are a bit in chaos … we’re winging it, which is unusual for us.” Lohner said. “I will probably stay in the States for a bit. Because it’s such a large break, I might end up going back to Panama.” A common theme regarding students’ plans for New Year’s is their uncertainty, given the rising cases of COVID-19 across the country. One front where there was less uncertainty, though, was with regard to New Year’s resolutions. Some students, like Scanlan, have set academic goals as they approach the new year. Other students opt for resolutions that focus on self-bettersee new
year’s page 11
8 winter guide 2021
Gingerbread cake INGREDIENTS
2 cups all purpose flour 1 tsp taking soda ¼ tsp salt 1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon 1 tsp ground ginger ⅛ tsp ground cloves 1 stick unsalted butter ½ cup light brown sugar
2 large eggs Zest of 1 lemon ½ cup molasses 1 cup milk 1 pint whipping cream 1 pomegranate Powdered sugar (optional)
winter guide 2021 9
While our food columnist’s past experience making a gingerbread house didn’t turn out as planned, it inspired him to make a winter-themed gingerbread cake Story by Alex Cirino asst. sports editor
Art direction by Shannon Kirkpatrick presentation director
I
Photo by Anya Wijeweera senior staff photographer
was 7 years old when I attempted to build my first (and only) gingerbread house. It was the last day of class before winter break, and my teacher handed us a Ziploc bag with all the necessary foundations and decorative items for a gingerbread house. Mine didn’t turn out too well — it was over-frosted, the walls caved in and the roof collapsed. I’m pretty sure more of the candied toppings made it into my mouth than as a garnish for my abysmal creation. But whenever I think of the holidays, this moment comes to mind. The bold, bright colors along with the sweetness of the gingerbread and its complementary assortment of toppings stand out to me. That experience is what inspires this holiday dish: a gingerbread cake topped with pomegranate seeds, encapsulating the warmth, sweetness and aesthetic of any holiday meal. The gingerbread’s zesty flavor is almost more apparent as it takes on a fluffier consistency, and the spice level is elevated. There is a lot more forgiveness when it comes to the amount of spices you can add to the cake batter, so if you’re a stickler for cinnamon, this recipe is for you. The cinnamon won’t overpower other spices in the batter if you go a little overboard. A gingerbread house is incomplete without its frosting, as it is the structural component that enables you to call it a house in the first place. It’s another element of the cake where you’re given a ton of flexibility, as the airiness is completely up to you. The pomegranate seeds, a more earthy topping than M&M’s or gumdrops, add a perfect visual and flavor contrast to round out your dessert. Here’s how you can transform the classic gingerbread house into an elegant, sophisticated baked good: It’s never a holiday feast without cranking on your oven, which you should preheat to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Prep time only takes 5 minutes (not counting your mise en place), so by the time your batter is formed, placed and set in the cake pan of your choice, the oven should be fully heated. Your cake pan should be buttered or greased and dusted with flour before making the batter. To make the batter, you’ll first want to whisk your dry ingredients together. In a medium-sized bowl, add 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 tea-
spoon of baking soda and ¼ teaspoon of salt along with 1 ½ teaspoons of cinnamon, 1 teaspoon of ginger and a pinch of cloves, each of them ground. For the spices and herbs, there’s no need to buy these in their preground form — buying them as prepacked pantry items will work fine. For the wet ingredients, you’ll want to grab a similarly sized bowl, add ½ cup of light brown sugar and your softened stick of butter, and mix them together using an electric hand mixer (or a stand mixer, if you have one) on medium speed for about 3 minutes or until it is light and fluffy. While it’s mixing, add 2 eggs to the bowl, one at a time, thoroughly beating each egg once adding. Then, add the zest of 1 lemon and ½ cup of molasses, followed by your initial dry ingredients, which you’ll add in two separate batches, one half at a time. Mix the newly added ingredients until slightly incorporated to avoid over-mixing, and don’t forget to scrape down the sides of your bowl during the process. Add the mixture to your cake pan, smoothing the top with a frosting spatula. By now, the oven should be preheated. Place the pan in the oven and set a timer for 35 minutes, in order to check the doneness of the cake. In the meantime, you can prepare the frosting which consists of freshly whipped cream. All you need is 1 pint of whipping cream and the mixer of your choice. Put the cream in your mixer and whip away at high speed until soft peaks form, making sure not to over-mix your frosting, which takes about 1-2 minutes. Set aside at room temperature or in the fridge if you’re storing it for later. Once the 35 minutes have passed, it’s time to see if the cake is cooked. It’s important not to overbake or it’ll end up as dry as stale gingerbread cookies. The best way to check for doneness is to perform the toothpick test: insert a toothpick into the center of the cake, and if it comes out clean — looking the same way it did before inserting — the cake is ready. If there is a little residue on the toothpick, let it cook for another 5 minutes before checking again. Once it’s ready, set the cake pan on a wire rack to cool for at least 10 minutes before removing to avoid having the cake fall apart. Then you’re all set to place the cake on the serving platter of your choice and get ready to garnish. Generously coat the cake with frosting, allowing plenty of space for the pomegranate seeds to stick to. An easy way to deseed a pomegranate is by using a paring knife to carefully remove its stemmed end, then after slicing it into 1/5ths and using a wooden spatula or a large knife, tap the face-down pomegranate until all the seeds are released into a bowl. Sprinkle the pomegranate seeds onto the frosting and dust with some optional confectioner’s sugar. Your cake is now ready to serve, with the ultimate blend of flavors and colors to round out a perfectly executed holiday meal. cirinoalex19@gmail.com @alexcirino19
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beyond the hill
5 local restaurants that will get you in the holiday spirit By Sophie Cohen asst. digital editor
When it comes to restaurants around Syracuse University’s campus, it can be difficult to find a place with a cozy, sit-down meal. If the Syracuse tundra is where you’ll be spending your winter break, it might be a good idea to take yourself out for a warm, holiday inspired meal at one of these Syracuse spots that curate a menu for the winter.
Phoebe’s Restaurant & Coffee Lounge
Phoebe’s Restaurant and Coffee Lounge, located on East Genesee Street directly across from the Syracuse Stage, is a cozy place to enjoy the holidays in Syracuse. The exposed brick, deep forest green upholstery and comforting coffee lounge can be the perfect place to indulge in one of their winter-inspired items. “We enjoy refreshing our menus several times throughout the year and try to incorporate seasonal products as much as possible,” Phoebe’s general manager Angie Knox said. Phoebe’s features three festive mocktails, including a sugar cookie latte, toasted marshmallow hot cocoa and the gingerbread iced coffee, which is both refreshing and filled with sweet spices that taste just like a classic gingerbread cookie. Knox recommends the shrimp and grits or pork ossobuco is her favorite winter dish.
“The meat is so tender, it melts in your mouth. The pork is topped with spiced plum chutney and served smashed potatoes and makes the perfect comfort food for this time of year,” Knox said.
Francesca’s Cucina
Another must-hit spot this winter is Francesca’s Cucina, located on North Salina Street. Their cocktail menu, for those 21 and older, constantly changes to reflect the season. Holiday cocktails include the Nutcracker martini with screwball whiskey, irish creme, chocolate swirls and a shot of espresso. Olivia Davis, who has been working as a hostess for two years at Francesca’s, raved about their “A Christmas Carol”-themed cocktail, the Skrewged. She recommended it for those old enough to drink. “The Skrewged is literally so good. It has screwball whiskey, vanilla eggnog, warm holiday spices, and a cinnamon stick,” Davis said. “The screwball whiskey is like peanut butter. Very much tastes like dessert, but gets you drunk.”
Mello Velo
Mello Velo, a half-bike-shop, half-cafe located on Canal Street, is perfect for brunch. From the indie rock playlist to its cluttercore interior, Mello Velo is a true comfort place that foodies will find themselves returning to any-
time they need a change of scenery. Mello Velo offers seven seasonal non-alcoholic drink specials, such as the eggnog chai, candy cane cocoa and evergreen matcha latte with matcha, pine syrup and milk. They also feature eight holiday cocktails for people 21 and older such as the Nor’easter with vodka, orange liqueur, cranberry juice and lime; The Grinch with tequila, wahaka mezcal, matcha and cayenne and the Krampus with spiced rum, maple and eggnog. Specials include the grilled broccoli salad and the “Flatbread of the Moment,” made with cranberry chutney, roasted curry turkey, apple, cheddar and arugula. These entrees will prepare you for one of their creative dessert specials. The French apple cake with maple ginger custard drizzle, cheesecake with pomegranate glaze and the baked pear with fresh cranberries, pecans and honey are both a perfect twist on classic holiday sweets.
Strong Hearts
If holiday cocktails aren’t your thing or you’re not yet of age, Strong Hearts, an all-vegan restaurant located on East Fayette Street, offers holiday-inspired milkshakes and espresso drinks. Flavors include the holiday nog shake, earl gray shake, gingerbread shake, butter pecan latte, brown sugar cinnamon latte and the candy cane shake, which Meghan Wilson called a crowd favorite.
Wilson, who recently started working at Strong Hearts, shared her love for the candy cane shake. “For this season, the candy cane shake has to be my favorite. It tastes very special,” she said.
Pastabilities
Pastabilities is an incredibly beloved and popular restaurant to visit in snowy Syracuse. With the comforting smell of fresh baguettes baking and the warm ambiance, Pastabilities can be a perfect place to go to with family or friends to celebrate the end of 2021. Olivia Moen, a Syracuse native and SU sophomore studying marketing and advertising, shared how special going to Pastabilities is during the holidays. “My family and I always happily wait in the cold for at least an hour just to be seated,” Moen said. “There is something so comforting and homey about the atmosphere inside.” Holiday cocktails at the restaurant include the pomegranate-pear sangria, smokey pines, and Pasta’s rumchata with aged rum, créme de banane and house horchata. Specials such as the roasted butternut squash and sausage lasagna, green chili alfredo gnocchi with blackened shrimp and the creamy mac and cheese bake will get you in the holiday spirit. sophiecohen8@gmail.com @sopcoh
screentime column
5 movies, TV shows to snuggle up to this winter break By Christopher Reilly screentime columnist
Winter break is a great time to spend with family, meet up with friends from home and enjoy the holidays. But, it is also a great time to catch up on all the movies and TV shows you couldn’t watch while you were busy studying at school. Here are five movie and TV show recommendations to watch while you are home during winter break, all of which can be found on Kanopy, which you can access for free with your Syracuse University NetID and password.
“Hereditary” (2018)
A modern horror classic, this film is sure to scare even the most avid of scary movie watchers. Directed by Ari Aster, the movie is a haunting and thrilling ride that displays the strange lives of a grief-stricken family and the supernatural issues they experience. The movie has fantastic performances from Toni from page 7
shopping If you missed Sunday’s market, the Instagram pages of Black Citizens Brigade, Jaleel Campbell, Horton Daniel Furnishings, Cocoas Candles, Crave Dessert Studio and other vendors are listed under the BAC’s most recent Instagram post at @bac_cny. “Offering the opportunity for people to gather, have some holiday cheer, spend dollars with local vendors and local people in the community — I think that’s really important and powerful,” said Cjala Surratt, a co-founding member of BAC. BAC was founded in 2020 during the pandemic as a way of bringing together people who seek to support Black artists and other artists of color in Syracuse. The organizafrom page 7
new year’s ment. Eden Stratton, a sophomore, wants to apply their 2022 resolutions while studying abroad in Sweden next semester. “I really want to explore and get out of my
Collette and Alex Wolff that will leave you hanging on the edge of your seat. Not all horror movies pull you in and make you feel truly scared, but this movie will. “Hereditary” is the perfect watch on a cold, snowy day over break.
“Moonlight” (2016)
One of the most popular and talked about movies of the past decade, “Moonlight” is a perfect movie that shines a light on those who don’t always feel like they have a voice. From A24 — the same production company as “Hereditary” — the movie follows a young Black man as he experiences difficult circumstances regarding race, family, childhood and sexuality. It is a true masterpiece, directed by the critically-acclaimed Barry Jenkins. The movie beautifully and gut-wrenchingly shows how difficult it is when you feel like you don’t belong or that you’re not welcomed. This Academy Award-winner is always an amazing watch that will make an impact on your winter break. tion supports its members through programs like Sunday’s market and community events, and it assists in professional development by allowing members to network and showcase their work to the public. Surratt recognizes the power in shopping locally from Black artists and businesses. “There are many ways to fight systemic racial inequalities,” Surratt said. “One of which is committing to support Black-owned businesses in your area. By focusing your purchasing power, you’re helping strengthen local Black economies and celebrate Black culture.”
“The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart” (2020)
HBO consistently puts out amazing documentaries about famous politicians, musicians and celebrities, and this documentary is no different. The documentary follows the ups and downs of one of the most famous bands of all time: the Bee Gees. Everyone knows their most famous songs, including “Stayin’ Alive” and “More Than a Woman,” but not everyone knows how these songs came to be and what happened behind the scenes. The documentary shows how the band grieves with the loss of family members, how they handle stardom, the pressures of being one of the most popular bands in the world and the importance of family. If you are a fan of the band or music in general, this is a perfect watch for any day during winter break.
“Art21” (Seasons 1-6)
“Art21” is a show that highlights some of the best artists of today. Each episode follows a different artist and takes you through their processes and
the pieces they create. This show is not just for those who like art because it shows the working process and how ideas come to life, which is a process that many people have gone through and can relate to. In addition, the show features modern artists, which means their art sometimes ties in with current events and relevant topics. “Art21” is something to put on for a couple episodes or to watch all in one day. You can’t go wrong with this amazing look into the art of our world.
“The Cost of Winning” (2020)
This four-part documentary series follows the 2019 St. Frances Academy Panthers high school football team, located in a low-income neighborhood in Baltimore. The series shows the journey the team embarks upon to succeed as a great team and uplift their community. This series is perfect for everyone, as it can apply to those who love football and sports, as well as those who love seeing people beat the odds. This series is full of hope and character and you will be sure to have a full heart after watching. cdreilly@g.syr.edu
Founded by Syracuse native Linda O’Boyle in 2006, Metro Home Style is a local gift shop on North Clinton Street that features accessories, bath and body products, candles, gourmet items
and an extensive selection of greeting cards and paper-related products from its stationery room. The shop showcased brands such as Syracuse Salt Company, Salt City Coffee, In My Father’s Kitchen and Stacy Kate, which are local to the Syracuse area. “Depending on the occasion, it could be as simple as a box with a bow, or more elaborate, with a custom-made fabric bag in a cellophane outer bag and a bow,” O’Boyle said. Metro Home Style hosts “Gift Week,” a nineday event that personalizes the holiday shopping experience. The store allows customers to register for a one-hour window to shop in person, which minimizes crowds. Metro Home Style also provides customers with a shopping tote and thank you swag. This event occurred from Nov. 6 to 14 this year. “The concept is the opposite of the mobbed,
chaotic open house that a lot of stores do,” O’Boyle said. “Some customers book a group of friends and family. Others come solo so they can focus on their list, or to get an hour of ‘me time.’” Metro Home Style regularly participates in events that give back to the Syracuse community. Each February, the store hosts a food drive for the pantry at Francis House, and in August, it collects and delivers school supplies to Delaware Primary School. Additionally, for the upcoming holiday, Metro Home Style has introduced a wide variety of seasonal gift baskets and boxes of gourmet items. Each package follows a theme and is neatly wrapped, ready to be gifted. “We love Syracuse and are very community-oriented,” O’Boyle said.
comfort zone while I’m abroad,” Stratton said. “Otherwise, I just like growing and changing as a person. And I feel like if next year, I can just be better in some aspects of my life or evolve in some way, that will be a year well served.” Middleton acknowledged the importance of setting goals at the beginning of the year
as a way to check in with themself and their progress. They see setting a resolution as a way to hold themself accountable with where they want to be in life. When reflecting on what they hope 2022 has in store, Stratton likes to think of the big picture. “I guess I’m hoping for, I don’t like saying nor-
malcy, because I think normalcy is something that we’re not going to get back, which is super sad to say out loud. But, I hope that the world can become more empathetic and more understanding of our situation,” Stratton said. “We’re all really different, but we’re still on the same rock.”
Metro Home Style
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from page 16
primeau ful shot, to become an offensive threat for the Orange this season. On a team full of veteran forwards, Primeau is tied with Abby Moloughney for the team lead in goals with seven. The only other time in SU history that a freshman led the team in goals was in 2008-09 when Megan Skelly recorded 11. Primeau’s success on offense has keyed Syracuse to a 5-3-1 start to conference play. “She’s gifted where she’s got good, quick release and she’s big and strong,” head coach Paul Flanagan said. “So she’s hard to defend against, but obviously, she’s got things he got to work on.” Having a quick release has always been important to Primeau, Wayne said. It’s something that Primeau and her teammates work on in skill sessions with assistant coach Claudia Kepler. Darcy Breakey, head coach of the Mississauga Jr. Hurricanes, one of Primeau’s junior teams, remembered seeing her quick release after she joined the team in 2019-20. What made Primeau’s release so good, Breakey said, is that the young forward was always willing to change the point of release. “If she’s got a defenseman in her lane, she changes that point of release to ensure that (the puck) gets through,” Breakey said. In 2019, Mississauga went to Yokohama, Japan, for a series of friendly games. Primeau scored multiple goals, displaying her strong release, using her size and long reach to protect the puck, allowing her to get powerful shots off, Breakey said. from page 16
carr
Read initially designed Syracuse’s offensive scheme around the team’s speed, but SU’s increased success rate from the field has led the first-year head coach to change his strategy to a 5-out look emphasizing shooting. Before the Orange’s tilt with then-No. 23 South Florida, Read implemented the motion offense that relies on moving the ball toward the arc’s perimeter to generate more shots. Syracuse’s starting five features four guards, allowing for more flexibility and free-form movement inside the paint. “We don’t really have a player that we can just throw the ball inside (to),” Read said. “What we’ve been working on is spreading teams out and attacking and driving and opening up lanes. We do have players that can break people down 1-on-1, and we do have shooters.” Syracuse attempted 27 3-pointers against South Florida but made just seven for one of its worst conversion rates thus far. It turned out to be a similar conversion rate for Chrislyn, who shot just 3-for-11 from the field without hitting a single 3. Chrislyn has recorded double-digit points in each game since. She has found her niche by positioning herself in the left corner of the offensive zone — the “4” spot of the 5-out offense. Chrislyn has still managed to be a key factor in the paint, from page 16
data
ranking is adjusted for the running back’s ability to make “highlight plays” by getting past the first level, meaning that if Tucker got 4 or more yards on a carry, the offensive line was only awarded for 50% of the play’s distance. Still, the issues for the Orange in the run game came at the initial point of the snap, where they were outmatched against teams like Pittsburgh and Rutgers, who held Tucker to 29 and 54 rushing yards, respectively. SU was stuffed on 19.3% of run plays, meaning that those carries were stopped at or before the line of scrimmage. That rate was ranked 90th in the country. But more alarming statistics proving Syracuse’s inability to stop pressure led to more struggles in the passing game. According to the standard downs sack rate metric by Football Outsiders, which measures the sack rate for standard downs on pass attempts, Syracuse was sixth-worst nationally in 2021 — it allowed sacks
“A lot of us kind of look up to her honestly,” Moloughney said. “You see someone who’s able to do that and you think, ‘I wouldn’t be able to do that. How does she do it?’” Wayne said that Primeau could shoot more, and Primeau said she could drive the net more, too. The freshman is just tenth on the team in total shots, but Flanagan said he finds the freshman to be very opportunistic. Over his time at Syracuse, he has seen many freshmen become passive and take a while to score their first goal. But he says Primeau is a player who isn’t afraid to shoot. “I’ve seen a lot of freshmen come in here and haven’t scored a goal, and after the first semester, come back and score 10,” Flanagan said. “Some of it is just recognizing that shootfirst mentality and (Primeau) she has that.” Primeau also is certain that her skating — specifically her first few steps in a skating stride — could improve, especially as she continues to get stronger. Wayne said he sees Primeau as a very deceptive skater, far different from when she struggled to stand up on the rink in Calgary. She can now use her long strides to gain possession of the puck, he said. Associate head coach Brendon Knight said Primeau’s skating ability makes her a very sneaky player. Primeau uses her skating abilities to be in the right place at the right time for goals, he said. Additionally, most of Primeau’s goals come from the below hash mark, Knight said, and that comes with good skating. Primeau scored her first goal at Syracuse against Union from below the hash mark. Victoria Klimek drove toward the net with the puck, but Union goaltender Sophie Matsoukas becoming a prime layup target, especially on the fast break or in quick transition plays. But the Baylor transfer has also been consistent from 3 and has become the favorable target for Syracuse’s kick-out passing plays, particularly from Teisha Hyman. Chrislyn and Hyman have connected on 10 field goals within the last four games, including four in the Orange’s blowout win over Central Connecticut State. “(Chrislyn’s) been great,” Hyman said. “We’re just trusting each other more and more every game, and I know she’s going to play hard.” Against then-No.18 Ohio State, Chrislyn was one of three SU players to score at least 20 points, leading the Orange to a 97-91 upset win. She equaled her season-high of 23 points, and did so shooting just 1-for-6 from deep, her second-lowest 3-point percentage of the season. But Syracuse drew 19 personal fouls, and Chrislyn took 14 of the Orange’s 26 free-throw attempts, missing just two. Chrislyn’s ability to shoot under pressure has been an underlying strength since her freshman season at Texas Tech, when she was named Big 12 Freshman of the Year. Over a 32-day span, she recorded 26 straight free throws, shooting a perfect 6-for-6 from the line in two games. Syracuse is in the midst of a five-game win streak, and Chrislyn has stepped up when needed, like in the Buffalo game where she
MADISON PRIMEAU’S dad, Wayne, never thought Madison would play hockey, but now she’s a freshman forward for Syracuse. courtesy of wayne and leanne primeau
was able to poke-check the puck out of the crease and let it slide away. Primeau quickly skated below the hash marks and gained control of the puck in the center of Union’s zone. With a wide-open net, Primeau sent a short, but hard, shot into the net to give the Orange a 1-0 lead. It was the first of five goals the Orange would score that
night, and the first of seven that Primeau has recorded so far this season. “There’s proof right there for the rest of the team: if you want to score, then go to the net,” Knight said. “The puck seems to find her, and she’s got a really good release on her shot.” henrywobrien1123@gmail.com @realhenryobrien
CHRISLYN CARR hit three of Syracuse’s 13 3-pointers in its 86-46 win over Clemson, giving the Orange their first ACC win of the season. elizabeth billman senior staff photographer
converted seven turnovers into field goals. While she made her impact early on against the Bulls, she took over against Ohio State in the fourth quarter, scoring 22 points. At the start of the fourth quarter, the Orange led by seven points, and Chrislyn had only registered one point before she added 22 points, a program record for points in one quarter. With seven and a half minutes left,
as Hyman missed a 3-pointer, Najé Murray dove to secure the rebound, falling backwards to keep the ball in play. She dished it off to Chrislyn, who sank a layup, giving the Orange a 71-61 lead, their biggest of the game. “This is her game. You get her in space, and she’s tough for anybody to guard,” Read said.
on 9.7% of these plays. This is where the Orange will need to invest most of their time next season with a new offensive system so that Shrader has enough time to throw the ball.
this shows that SU needs to work on gaining yardage on every down, which will lead to fewer third-and-longs.
Third down struggles
Syracuse defensive coordinator Tony White will be back next season with two years of leading the 3-3-5 defense under his belt. The Orange’s defense should be even better next year, but they made a lot of defensive strides this season, specifically after the 2020 season where they spent most of the year trying to learn the new scheme. SU ended 2021 tied for the 28th-best rushing defense nationally, allowing an average of 126.1 rushing yards per game. This likely resulted from having to practice against one of the best running backs in the country in Tucker. Still, linebacker Mikel Jones was the biggest difference maker in the middle of the defense. Jones — who said he was “50/50” about whether he’d enter the NFL draft or return to SU — finished with a team-leading 60 solo
tackles and 50 assisted tackles while also recording four sacks on the year. White also found two sidekicks for Jones in Marlowe Wax and Stefon Thompson, who were vital at the second level. Thompson and Wax finished with 79 and 60 tackles, respectively, which were second- and third-best on the Orange. At one point in the season, Syracuse ranked seventh nationally in defensive explosive rate, allowing only 8.49% splash plays. This means the Orange were able to stop 10-20 yard gains on more than 90% of downs. SU’s success in this statistic came in part from strong play by defensive backs Duce Chestnut and Garrett Williams. But Williams struggled with injuries throughout the year, and by November, the secondary allowed 303 passing yards against NC State, and Pittsburgh’s Kenny Pickett threw for four touchdowns a week later. The secondary is good, but the Orange need them to be better next year to stop their opposition’s explosive plays.
Without a steady passing game, Syracuse routinely struggled during third-and-long situations. The Orange ranked 119th nationally in third-down conversion rate, only succeeding on 32.7% of third-down plays. In 12 games, they only converted on 51 third downs. Fixing Shrader’s passing ability, or at least giving him more intermediate options to pass to on third down should fix this problem. Still, a deeper look shows that the Orange have had issues at gaining any yardage on first and second downs, putting them at a disadvantage on third down. SU ranked 109th in OBD, according to Football Outsiders, a statistic which shows the percentage of offensive drives that gain zero or negative yards. On 15% of its drives, Syracuse gained no yards. While third down is an issue,
3-3-5 Part two
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men’s basketball
Beat writers examine where SU stands after 10 games By The Daily Orange Sports Staff
Syracuse’s 79-75 loss to Georgetown on Saturday was its fifth nonconference loss of the season, just the second time in program history the Orange have hit that mark. The last time came in 2016-17, when SU missed out on the NCAA Tournament and lost in the second round of the National Invitation Tournament. With Syracuse now sitting at 5-5 a third into the regular season, our beat writers reflect on where SU stands heading into the heat of Atlantic Coast Conference play.
Have your expectations changed since the start of the season?
Andrew Crane: Yes. They absolutely have, and not in a good way. I think the ceiling of this Syracuse team remains the same — an NCAA Tournament team that could win a game, or two, but the potential floor of this SU season has lowered after losses to Colgate and Georgetown. I wasn’t overly concerned after the Orange left the Battle 4 Atlantis, especially because of how difficult VCU’s defense made it to attack, but the four games since have painted a different picture. According to ShotQuality data, Florida State wins that Dec. 4 game 90% of the time based on the shots taken by each team (a projected 81-67 SU loss). The Orange’s offense relies on a lot of midrange jumpers when the 3-pointers don’t fall, while on defense, SU’s ShotQuality points per possession for catch-and-shoot 3-pointers sits at 1.12 and ranks 349th in the country. Those problems stem further than outliers, unfortunate bounces on shots and one-time issues. Roshan Fernandez: I think Syracuse has underperformed through the first 10 games of the season. I knew there’d be growing pains for a team with three new starters, but I didn’t think they’d be this significant. True, Syracuse had a challenging nonconference schedule, but it shouldn’t have lost to Colgate, Georgetown and probably VCU. The Orange were very lucky to beat Florida State. The offense hasn’t found a consistent rhythm or played a complete game, and the defense is really strug-
gling. Syracuse needs to find an answer to the plethora of open 3-pointers that opponents are going to put up. Gaurav Shetty: I think my expectations have definitely changed. In the preseason I expected Syracuse to finish anywhere between fourth and seventh in the ACC. That’s probably still going to be true, but likely toward the latter half of the range around sixth or seventh. Likewise, I’d say the ceiling of this team has lowered. It might’ve been wishful thinking to predict a ceiling of the Elite Eight in preseason, whereas now it might be the Sweet 16 instead.
What are the major things Syracuse needs to address before conference play gets into full swing in January?
Crane: The most glaring issue for Syracuse this year has been its defense, and nothing has been able to solve it. Not the 2-3 zone. Not the 1-1-3. That ranks the highest on the list of fixes before January, but beyond that, the Orange need to figure out how to create opportunities for Buddy Boeheim. Defenses have started playing him tighter, but he missed multiple open 3-pointers against Villanova and Georgetown, and driving toward the elbows has started to become more of a primary instinct this year — he ranks in the 93rd percentile, per ShotQuality, for his short midrange offense and ShotQuality points per possession. Fernandez: The defense is the obvious answer, so I’ll go with streaky shooting instead. This offense has the potential to be a serious perimeter threat, and a threat inside via Jesse Edwards and Jimmy Boeheim. But SU hasn’t put all that together for an entire game. Instead, it has seemed to click for short spurts and then collapse moments later. Its strong offense might be able to conceal defensive issues and get Syracuse through the regular season, but it’ll need to find a rhythm — and fast — if it wants to get into full swing. Shetty: Without a doubt, it has to be the defense. It’s halfway through December, and Jim Boeheim is still unhappy with his defense
and has said it hasn’t been good all season. At some point, something has to click for this team or else NCAA Tournament hopes might go from a deep run to serious question marks over whether this team even qualifies.
Who is Syracuse’s X-factor moving forward?
Crane: It’s definitely Jimmy. If Syracuse doesn’t figure out a way to help Buddy find his rhythm from 3, Jimmy’s become the team’s second-best offensive option — especially with Edwards’ recurring foul trouble. He’s scored 21 or more points in two of the Orange’s last four games, with most of those makes coming within the same radius by the basket. The forwards Jimmy lines up with will get tougher to score against, but if he can, that’ll either force defenses off of Buddy a bit up top or become a formidable scoring option if they don’t budge. Fernandez: Edwards could be the Orange’s unsung hero. If he can improve on the boards by boxing out and getting to rebounds on the offensive and defensive boards, he could be just what Syracuse needs to get going. Edwards has made tremendous strides since last season, and he’s been an impressive scoring threat for SU inside. That opens up Buddy, Joe Girard III and Cole Swider to loft wide-open 3-pointers. Edwards will need to stay out of foul trouble, and he has room to grow as a defender. But if he can put it all together, he could be the answer to turning this struggling defense around. Shetty: Benny Williams. The five-star freshman has underwhelmed to say the least. In the past three games combined, Williams has played less than 10 minutes total. The growing pains were apparent throughout the season, but ever since dropping a critical rebound and giving up a late foul against Indiana, Williams appears to be falling down the rotation. If he can work his way to at least a quality bench producer, that would help give Syracuse at least one solid option off the bench instead of playing all five starters for almost the entire game.
Which key games does Syracuse need to win to help its NCAA Tournament prospects?
Crane: The pair of Duke games are obvious ones, and splitting those games against the Blue Devils will give the Orange one ranked win in conference play. But it’s turning out to be a down year for the ACC again, at least based on the trajectory that its performance in nonconference games has it on, so it’ll also be important to make a run in the ACC Tournament come March. They’ll hover around the middle of the standings like always, but a ranked win or two paired with a deep run serves as the route for the Orange to make it into the NCAA Tournament. Otherwise, it could be a return to the NIT for the first time since 2016-17. Fernandez: The Colgate loss could haunt SU. Right now, it’s a Quadrant III loss, but that could easily turn into Quadrant IV. Syracuse has a stretch of should-win games against Lehigh, Cornell, Georgia Tech and a struggling Virginia team. It should beat Miami and Pitt too, and keep the Wake Forest game very competitive. This upcoming stretch is going to be crucial for this SU team that desperately needs to find its mojo and its rhythm. They’re not highly touted matchups like SyracuseDuke will be on Jan. 22 and Feb. 26, or like UNC or Virginia Tech. But these upcoming games are critical for the Orange to build momentum, to build confidence and to figure out how to fix this defense. Shetty: Virginia on New Year’s Day is a big game for SU. KenPom projects both teams to finish 10-10 in the conference, so getting that win over a close rival in the standings would help. Ditto for Wake Forest and Clemson, which both should be winnable games. However, the three-game stretch near the end of the season with Notre Dame away, Duke at home, and UNC away could make or break Syracuse’s NCAA Tournament chances. As for losses, the Colgate loss looked bad on paper the night of, and looks even worse now after the Raiders followed that win with a three-game losing streak to Harvard, Niagara and Northeastern. sports@dailyorange.com
su athletics
10 Syracuse sporting events to watch over winter break By Connor Pignatello asst. digital editor
Students leave for winter break this week, but between the men’s and women’s basketball teams, there are ten games in the Carrier Dome until school resumes in January. The Orange will also be traveling for games, including a trip for the women’s ice hockey team to Pittsburgh for the Battle at the ‘Burgh tournament. Here’s a list of 10 can’t-miss games to catch over winter break before students return to SU:
Syracuse men’s Florida State
basketball
vs.
Jan. 15, 2022 Syracuse broke Florida State’s 25-game conference home win streak with a 63-60 win in Tallahassee on Dec. 4 and will try to beat the Seminoles twice in one season for the first time in program history. Last season, Florida State and Syracuse were the only two teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference to advance to the Sweet 16. The Seminoles have a very balanced attack with a strong underclassman presence – seven players average five or more points per game.
Syracuse women’s ice hockey at Battle at the ‘Burgh
Jan. 1-2, 2022 Syracuse is participating in the Battle at the ‘Burgh on New Year’s weekend against three nonconference opponents at the Pittsburgh Penguins training complex. The Orange play Boston University on New Year’s Day and
will play either Penn State or St. Cloud State on Jan. 2. The Terriers beat national title runner-up Northeastern early in the season and hold a 9-6-3 record. The Orange have stumbled to a 6-9-4 record this year after a loss in the College Hockey America tournament final last season.
Syracuse men’s Georgia Tech
basketball
vs.
Dec. 29, 2021 After a stretch against some nonconference opponents and old rivals, Syracuse commences a streak of 19 straight ACC games with a matchup against Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets are led by senior guard Michael Devoe, who ranks third in the nation with 22.1 points per game. After an unexpected ACC tournament championship last year, the Yellow Jackets have started the season with a 5-4 record. Devoe has scored in double digits every game this season and has hit multiple threes in all but two.
Syracuse women’s basketball vs. Louisville
Jan. 13, 2022 Louisville — the ACC regular season champion last season — is off to a strong 7-1 start. The Cardinals ended Syracuse’s ACC tournament run last year with a 72-59 win in the semifinals. Emily Engstler had 21 points and 10 rebounds in that game, but she will now be a visitor at the Dome after transferring to Louisville last spring. Engstler currently leads the Cardinals in rebounds, steals and blocks and ranks second in scoring.
Syracuse women’s basketball vs. Florida State
Jan. 2, 2022 In last year’s ACC tournament quarterfinals, Syracuse’s Kamilla Cardoso — now at South Carolina — scored a layup with one second remaining to beat Florida State 68-67 and send the Orange to the semifinals. And on Jan. 2, 2020, the Orange stunned the then-No. 8 Seminoles on an Engstler buzzer beater to win 90-89 in overtime. Two years to the day later, the Orange will look for a similar result against the 6-3 Seminoles.
Syracuse men’s basketball vs. Virginia
Jan. 1, 2022 Syracuse seeks to avenge its buzzer-beating loss to Virginia in the quarterfinals of the ACC tournament last season, hosting the Cavaliers on New Year’s Day. After being ranked No. 25 in the preseason AP Poll, the Cavaliers have been upset several times in nonconference play. They opened the season with losses to Navy and James Madison. Although the Orange lost to Virginia twice last year, they upset the then-No. 18 Cavaliers in overtime in 2020 thanks to five 3-pointers from Joe Girard III.
Syracuse men’s basketball @ Miami
Jan. 5, 2022 Syracuse has beaten Miami in three out of the past four years, including an 83-57 blowout win last January. In that contest, Buddy Boeheim and Girard both scored 23 points and combined for nine 3s. Although Miami finished just 13th in the ACC last season, it has started this campaign 8-3. Hurricane guards Isaiah Wong and Kameron McGusty both
score over 15 points per game and will be a challenge for the Orange’s defense.
Syracuse men’s basketball @ Wake Forest
Jan. 8, 2022 Despite a second-to-last finish in the ACC last year, the 9-1 Demon Deacons have started the season better than any other team in the conference. Wake Forest boasts three players who average more than 14 points per game, including senior guard Alondes Williams, who ranks third in the ACC with 18.2 points per game.
Syracuse women’s basketball @ North Carolina
Dec. 30, 2021 North Carolina has started the season a perfect 9-0 but the Orange hope to spoil its dream start. SU is 1-1 in ACC play, but beat Clemson by 40 points on Dec. 11. Since joining the ACC, the Orange hold an 8-2 record against the Tar Heels.
Syracuse women’s basketball vs. Duke
Jan. 9, 2022 Despite cancelling its season just four games into 2020, Duke has started the 2021 season at 8-0, much like the Blue Devils’ rivals from Chapel Hill. Texas transfer Celeste Taylor was selected to the preseason ACC Newcomer Watch List and leads the team in scoring, rebounds and steals per game. The Orange will try to avoid a similar result from the last time the two teams played in January 2020, when Duke won 88-58. connorpignatello@gmail.com @c_pignatello
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winter guide 2021 15
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SPORTS
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winter guide 2021 16
women’s basketball
Chrislyn emerges as SU’s top shooter By Alex Cirino
asst. sports editor
MADISON PRIMEAU’S seven goals are tied with Abby Moloughney for the team lead, and she is on pace to be the first freshman to lead the team in goals since 2008-09. trent kaplan contributing photographer
Madison Primeau has used her skating and shooting abilities to become one of Syracuse’s leading scorers as a freshman By Henry O’Brien asst. digital editor
I
n December 2008, then-Calgary Flames forward Wayne Primeau brought his family to his team’s home arena. The Flames were hosting a “Christmas skate” where all the players could bring their families down to the ice and skate on the Pengrowth Saddledome’s rink. Wayne remembered seeing teammate Adrian Aucoin’s daughter, Alyssa, skate around the ice with ease, almost as if she was flying on the rink. He then saw his own daughter, Madison Primeau, struggling to skate and hanging onto the boards for dear life. Both Wayne and his wife, Leanne Primeau, could see the frustration in their daughter. Primeau’s parents never thought
she would play hockey. Despite having a father and uncle who played in the National Hockey League, Primeau didn’t initially fall in love with the sport. Instead, she mainly focused on ballet and tap dancing growing up. “I tried everything,” Primeau said. “At that moment, I think hockey kind of just passed my mind.” But that changed shortly after the Christmas skate. In July 2009, the Flames traded Wayne to the Toronto Maple Leafs. In Toronto, Primeau met one of her best friends, Rachel McTontuy, who played hockey at the time. This friendship encouraged Primeau to play hockey. Wayne watched his daughter play forward for Syracuse against Mercyhurst 12 years later. Behind her quick release and strong skating
ability, Primeau has become one of the Orange’s leaders in goals as a freshman and was named the College Hockey America’s Rookie of the Week in October. Wayne thought his daughter played well in the 3-0 loss to the Lakers on Dec. 3, despite only taking four shots on goal. But he did find one specific area of Primeau’s game that she could improve on. “Her faceoffs weren’t her strong part today,” Wayne said. “She could’ve done a better job with that.” Improvement is something that Primeau and Wayne talk about constantly. It reassures her that she deserves to be playing at the collegiate level, Primeau said. Primeau has used her skating ability, specifically her long skating strides and her powersee primeau page 13
Buffalo missed just four field goal attempts in the second quarter against Syracuse on Nov. 22. The Bulls went a perfect 6-for-6 on 3-pointers, and three came within a 74-second span. But Syracuse was still in the game. The Orange shot 9-for-14 from 3 in the first half, with Chrislyn Carr accounting for four of those makes. She was perfect from deep that half, helping counter Dyaisha Fair’s seven 3-pointers for Buffalo. With Syracuse trailing early in the second quarter, Fair’s overhead pass was intercepted by Alaysia Styles, who immediately sent the ball forward to Christianna Carr on the fast break. At the center of the court, Christianna sent a long pass to a surging Chrislyn who was stopped on the perimeter by the Bulls’ press but found a window to sink a 3, pulling the Orange within a point. It sparked an 8-0 run that gave SU its first lead just over two minutes later. Chrislyn’s success against Buffalo was the start of four games where she scored at least 20 points. She’s been Syracuse’s (76-4, 11-1 Atlantic Coast) most effective shooter from deep with a 40.7% 3-point field goal percentage, ranking 350th nationally among players with at least 25 3-point attempts, per Her Hoop Stats. Chrislyn leads the team in total made field goals with 65. “Chrislyn is really evolving into this system here,” acting head coach Vonn Read said. “She feels comfortable playing off the ball. She’s getting a lot of passes that are coming to her now. She’s driving close-outs instead of just having the ball all the time in her hand.” At 5-foot-5, Chrislyn is Syracuse’s shortest player, but she makes up for her size with her speed. The Orange average 17.9 fast break points per game, and Chrislyn’s role in their transition game has been essential for their recent offensive success. see carr page 13
football
Data dive: The numbers that defined Syracuse’s season By Anish Vasudevan asst. sports editor
Syracuse football failed to earn bowl eligibility on each of its three chances after its bye week. The Orange’s offense and defense — which had shown drastic improvements from the 2020 season — returned to their prior form, and faltered against Louisville, NC State and Pittsburgh. Still, Syracuse finished with four more wins than last year. Head coach Dino Babers will be back next season, though offensive coordinator and play
caller Sterlin Gilbert will not be. The Orange also established two offensive weapons for the future in Garrett Shrader and Sean Tucker while the 3-3-5 defense finished as the country’s 22nd-best overall defensive unit in its second year at SU. With another year in the books, here are the stats breaking down Syracuse’s 5-7 finish:
How important was Sean Tucker? Answer: Extremely
Syracuse’s offensive scheme was simple this season: Tucker, Tucker
and more Tucker. For most of the year it worked. Tucker led the nation in all-purpose yards (1,505) and all-purpose yards per game (167.22) heading into the bye week. But Pittsburgh and Louisville’s defenses showed they could stop Tucker, holding him to 29 and 95 rushing yards, respectively. He was also a nonfactor in the receiving game, finishing with -2 yards against NC State and only 1 yard against Louisville. By the end of the season, he lost his bid to be the best running back in college football.
Tucker still finished as the nation’s fourth-best rusher, 4 yards shy of the 1,500-yard mark. He was responsible for 36% of the Orange’s offensive plays, according to College Football Data, and 55% of their rushing plays. With that offensive load, Tucker breezed past Joe Morris’ 1,372-yard all-time single-season rushing record, launching himself into the pantheon of Syracuse greats. But completely relying on Tucker’s abilities won’t help the Orange offensively in the future. They need to be able to create a steady passing
game with Shrader instead of solely depending on running back screens to gain yardage.
Offensive line improvements
Syracuse’s offensive line paved the way for Tucker’s record-breaking season, but how much of that success was just from his ability, rather than the offensive line making space for him? According to Football Outsiders, Syracuse’s offensive line ranked 25th in average line yards. This see data page 13