ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-SEVEN YEARS OF EDITORIAL FREEDOM
Monday, January 8, 2018
Ann Arbor, Michigan
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Illinois conquered The Michigan basketball team shook off a slow start to beat the Fighting Illini, 79-69, on Saturday afternoon
» Page 1B
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Go Blue Guarantee, to take effect this semester, represents a step in the right direction for students, applicants
University says in-state students with household income below $65,000 will receive free tuition starting Winter 2018 MAEVE O’BRIEN Daily Staff Reporter
Starting this winter semester, the Go Blue Guarantee will begin to cover full tuition for in-state University students whose families make $65,000 a year or less. The commitment will automatically
cover current qualifying students, as well as future students who apply and are admitted. The Go Blue Guarantee, announced last summer, aims to encourage students from socioeconomically underrepresented communities to apply to the University, with the comfort that if admitted,
they will be able to afford it. The University’s hope is to give high school students who otherwise wouldn’t have applied the confidence to do so. At his appearance at the Senate Assembly on Dec. 11, Schlissel heralded the program as his greatest achievement as university president.
“I think we should all be extremely proud of that commitment we are making to opportunity across the breadth of our state,” Schlissel said. He also mentioned how the early action applicant numbers for next year’s freshman class have risen from previous years, which he partly attributed to the Go Blue
Guarantee. “This year’s numbers, and I think it’s because of the Go Blue Guarantee in part, are even stronger (than previous years),” Schlissel said. “The December 1st year over year numbers are significantly up in applicant numbers.” While Schlissel suggested a rise
in applications, no information has been officially released about how many students who qualify for the Go Blue Guarantee have been admitted to the 2018 freshman class. The University is pursuing various advertising efforts to ensure Michigan high school See GUARANTEE, Page 1A
After deaths from E. Coli breakouts, Students, ‘U’ to host teens swap dining halls replace romaine lettuce events on
RESEARCH
CAMPUS LIFE
cigarettes for vapes
Canadian and United States agencies report 58 infections and 2 deaths
University researchers release findings from Monitoring the Future
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Public Health Agency of Canada are investigating the source of a recent E. coli outbreak that has infected 58 people and resulted in two deaths in the United States and Canada. This particular strain, called E. coli O157:H7, has been linked to leafy greens and romaine lettuce. Between Nov. 15 and Dec. 8, the disease spread to 13 states, including Michigan, and multiple provinces in Canada. Though the disease is reported to have spread a month ago, public health notices are now being published. Consumer Reports states E. coli symptoms typically surface one to three days after infection, but may take as long as 10 days. These symptoms include severe diarrhea and abdominal pain. This particular strain of E. coli can lead to serious illness, kidney failure and death if left untreated. Young children, the elderly and those with a weakened immune system are the most vulnerable to this illness.While the Public Health Agency of Canada has officially identified the source of the outbreak as romaine lettuce, the CDC is still investigating the possible origin. Preliminary results of CDC genome sequencing of the
JULIA FORD
Daily Staff Reporter
In the University 43rd annual Monitoring the Future study, researchers of the University’s Institute for Social Research surveyed about 45,000 secondary school students across the country on their use of marijuana, vapes, tobacco, alcohol, inhalants, heroin and opioids. The researchers released their findings in a summary titled “National Adolescent Drug Trends in 2017,” and a full volume of their work will be released by the end of January. The investigation, funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, surveyed students in grades 8, 10 and 12, and concluded marijuana use among all students increased significantly, from 22.7 percent in 2016 to 24 percent in 2017. Principal Investigator Richard Miech believes the substantial rise in marijuana use is related to the decrease in percieved risk.
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REMY FARKAS
Daily Staff Reporter
bacteria suggest the Canadian E. coli strain and the American E. coli strain are genetically closely related, indicating a common source of infection. The Public Health Agency of Canada advised those in its eastern provinces to avoid romaine lettuce and eat other salad greens until further notice. The CDC has yet to recommend a particular food Americans should avoid.
Consumer Reports, a consumer-oriented research magazine based in the United States, advised people to avoid eating romaine lettuce until the cause of the E. coli outbreak is identified and removed from stores. Consumer Reports added it could take time before any recall is secured and executed, a period during which consumers can potentially become infected.
Jean Halloran, director of Food Policy Initiatives at Consumers Union, which is the policy division of Consumer Reports, says the FDA must act fast to identify and recall the source of the outbreak. The outbreak has affected the University community as well.
Spencer, free speech
Series includes lectures, teach-ins, teach-outs on “tools for engagement” RACHEL LEUNG
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Daily Staff Reporter
Following campus outrage over the impending visit of white supremacist Richard Spencer, the University has released a list of events to discuss free speech throughout winter semester titled “Speech and Inclusion: Recognizing Conflict and Building Tools for Engagement.” At an emergency Board of Regents meeting in November, University President Mark Schlissel announced that the University would allow Spencer to speak on campus provided they find a safe time and environment in which to do so, much to the dismay of many opposing students, faculty and community members. #Stop Spencer, a group committed to preventing the Spencer event, plan to protest Spencer’s event, though a specific Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. for the event has yet to be determined. Spencer’s lawyer, Kyle Bristow, threatened the University with a lawsuit if a date isn’t decided upon by January 15. MATT VAILLIENCOURT/Daily
Dining halls received an official mandatory orer from the Dining management to replace romaine lettuce Friday morning.
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INDEX
Vol. CXXVII, No. 51 ©2018 The Michigan Daily
NEWS.........................2 OPINION.....................4 ARTS......................6
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SUDOKU.....................2 CLASSIFIEDS...............6 SPORTS....................1B
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2A — Monday, January 8, 2018
MONDAY: Looking at the Numbers
TUESDAY: By Design
WEDNESDAY: This Week in History
THURSDAY: Twitter Talk
FRIDAY: Behind the Story
BY THE NUMBERS 1
2
3
“6% of continuing-generation college students come from homes making $20,000 a year or less (according to 2017 report from the Institute of Education Sciences)”
“The University would need to spend a minimum of $4.7 million of capital to make the home usable and would need to fund approximately $550,000 on an annual basis to operate the property.”
“Since December, over 2,000 individuals from academic institutions in the United States and abroad have responded to the sexual harassment survey created by Karen Kelsky.”
6
4
5
“The University of Michigan has appeared in 12 alleged incidents of sexual harassment and assault taken from a crowd sourced database circulating in academic communities.”
“The CRLT also works with Liaisons for Teaching from each of the Universityʼs 19 schools to help them develop school-specific programs.”
“Washtenaw County has a median income of $66,040, 14.6 percent of the population is under the poverty line and 8.5 percent of the population receives food stamps/SNAP benefits.”
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ON THE DAILY: THROWING IN THE TOWEL The first 2,500 fans at Saturday’s men’s basketball game against the University of Illinois received “emoji towels,” featuring 16 members of the University of Michigan men’s basketball team in emoji form, as part of teams Social Media Day. The first 500 Maize Rage members also received emoji t-shirts and Big Heads, large
posters of the players’ emoji heads. Attendees were given other opportunities to win prizes, such as an autographed basketball from the University’s head basketball coach John Beilein and M Den gift cards. The giveaways were all part of the second annual Social Media Day for the basketball team. In the lead up to Saturday’s game,
the Michigan Men’s basketball Twitter and their other social media accounts boosted posts and live broadcasts of the players getting ready for the big day. Throughout the game, fans were encouraged to share photos from their social media accounts for the chance to appear on the Crisler Center video board. “RT if you want emoji heads
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on all of our photos today!” the team’s Twitter account posted in the lead-up to the game. Fans who received the emoji towels and other giveaways left the Crisler Center thrilled with their souvenirs and Michigan’s 79-69 win over Illinois. -RACHEL LEUNG
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GUARANTEE From Page 1A students are informed about the guarantee. The University has promoted the Go Blue Guarantee online through social media platforms and emails to prospective students in lower income communities. In addition, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions has incorporated the
FEELS LIKE -20.
information about the guarantee into tours for Michigan high school students. In an interview with the Daily in October, Kedra Ishop, the University’s Vice Provost for Enrollment Management, said reshaping public perception was one of the purposes of the guarantee. “One of the premises of the Go Blue Guarantee was to recast our message, in the sense that we
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have aid available for students at the University of Michigan and we wanted to make sure that the public understands we have that aid available for students at the University of Michigan,” she said. Andrew Xhelilaj, a sophomore at Michigan State University, found out about the Go Blue Guarantee when one of these advertising emails was sent to his sister. Since then, Xhelilaj has applied to transfer to the University in part because of the free tuition the Go Blue Guarantee would grant to him. Xhelilaj said he is a secondgeneration immigrant and firstgeneration college student, and wants to alleviate his family of some of the financial burdens of college. Xhelilaj’s sister received ample financial aid when she attended the University because his family was less financially stable than they are currently. Xhelilaj would not have gotten the same level of financial aid as his sister did had he attended the University freshman year. “My sister went to Michigan and she usually checks up on the school, and one day she had an email or had something sent to her (about the Go Blue Guarantee),” Xhelilaj said. “She showed me and I was like, ‘Oh, this is good,’ because my family makes just under 65 (thousand dollars a year) and it seemed viable to actually attend Michigan again.” Xhelilaj sees the Go Blue Guarantee as a step in the right direction for the University, and
has been spreading the word to his friends and fellow classmates. “I’ve told many people actually that Michigan’s financial aid package is very nice for underprivileged people,” Xhelilaj said. “That’s one of the reasons everyone wants to go there.” LSA freshman Trenton Cox is a student who should qualify for free tuition under the Go Blue Guarantee. Cox is from Jackson, Michigan, and is paying for college with scholarships and loans. He agrees the Go Blue Guarantee is an encouraging sign from the University, but is concerned about whether or not he would actually receive the free tuition. Cox said he hasn’t obtained any personal notification his tuition will be covered, and is confused about the details. “I’m happy about the Go Blue Guarantee being a thing, but I’m really worried that the University’s going to give me a hard time about it,” Cox said. “For having such a large endowment, Michigan is known to be like that sometimes.” Cox said his family income for 2016 was above $65,000, but this year it fell below that threshold. Even with a family income just about $65,000, Cox said he did not receive any need-based aid for last semester. “I would argue that me and a lot of other people really could’ve used financial aid from the University,” Cox said.
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Michigan in Color
Why I joined MiC: Efe Osagie
Why I joined MiC: Priya Judge PRIYA JUDGE
MiC Assistant Editor
EFE OSAGIE
MiC Assistant Editor
I’ve always loved storytelling and I’m always searching for new ways to tell stories. I love singing, performing, art, music and, most relevantly, writing. Since I’ve started college, I’ve added some new passions to my list. I’ve started to write poetry as a way to express my thoughts and feelings. I’ve also expanded the genres of stories I read to include plays, articles and magazines. When I discovered Michigan in Color, I was quickly able to add it to my list of passions. The concept of MiC was completely foreign to me, but I immediately fell in love with it — a section in a newspaper dedicated solely to people of color to share their experiences and identities. Though I’ve always enjoyed
writing, my identity as a person of color has never been the topic of my writing, or something I’ve even considered writing about. My identity has always been something with which I’ve struggled. Growing up in a mostly homogenous society, I’ve had trouble feeling like I fit in. In high school, because almost everyone around me was white, my main goal was to just blend in. I never brought up my Nigerian heritage, my identity as a black person, my Muslim and Christian religious backgrounds, because I was trying my hardest to make sure everyone forgot them (secretly with the hopes that I would too). But since I’ve come to college, I’ve begun to see my identity, especially as a person of color, as something of which to be proud. I’ve met so many people that have helped me realize my
different identities are things to uphold instead of hiding. What I love about Michigan in Color is its ability to elevate people of the identities they are typically shamed for. I love how it’s a space for people to be open and vulnerable, to share the hardships and triumphs they face as a person of color for people to resonate with and learn from. I still have a long way to go in embracing who I am, but I know Michigan in Color is definitely a step in the right direction. And not only is it an opportunity to help me accept my identities, it’s a privilege. I have been given the privilege to help others embrace their own identities while educating others about these identities at the same time. I’m so lucky to be given this privilege, and as an assistant editor, I will make sure it never goes to waste.
Why I joined MiC: Kareem Shunnar
KAREEM SHUNNAR MiC Assistant Editor
Growing up, Nick at Nite was somewhat of childhood pastime as shows like “George Lopez,” “The Nanny” and “Family Matters” were the focus of my attention. I found particular fondness in “Family Matters” because of Steve Urkel’s famous tagline, “Did I do that?” Though Steve Urkel was great, it was the sentimental moments that also caught my attention. In one of the episodes, Laura wanted to buy a VCR, so she sold her grandmother’s quilt. Later, she finds out the quilt was in the family for over 200 years.
Slowly I came to idolize minorities in the mainstream media. Shows like “Family Matters” proved there was a market for loving a non-white history. However, it never seemed like Arab history was profitable enough to make the cut. Though my family went to the Middle East for months every summer, I identified as American. Thus, I quickly heard terms like “whitewashed” as I joined the Boy Scouts and other typical “American” pastimes. Meanwhile, I was never white, so I still faced problems with being a person of color. Growing up, I felt that being Arab or American were two mutually exclusive concepts because we
act like they are. That is what lead me to Michigan in Color. The Arab culture that I have been surrounded by my entire life is important to me, and I wanted to express its significance while helping others do the same. This is my first step to creating my own quilt which I lost many years ago, or maybe it’s finding the blanket I never knew existed. For me, I may not be actively involved in the Arab community, but I am still Arab and American. Every day, I used to watch Nick at Nite and see people of varied skin tones, but none of those skin tones were mine. Even today, I don’t think I have any Arab-American idols that are represented in media. It’s easy to sell your culture in exchange for a job, to buy that fancy VCR or social acceptance. However, it starts with me to pick up the thread and create something that can last 200 years. Someday, I just hope to look back at my amazing work with Michigan in Color and think, “Did I do that?” It’s questions like those that keep me trying to prove my lineage does not cancel the program of my future. My activities shouldn’t disconnect me from my original storyline.
I have understood the power of words since a young age. I distinctly recall the first time I published a piece at age 13, and the apprehension with which I described my sentiments as a bi-ethnic second-generation Tibetan in exile. Since then, I have approached writing with extreme caution. As with many Tibetans in the diaspora, speaking publicly about my identity has significant ramifications. By writing these words, however, I recognize I have great privilege in being able to share my experiences — such a luxury is not an option for many Tibetans in exile. Despite this, I have hesitated on many occasions to approach platforms such as Michigan in Color. I did not have the confidence to express the acute sense of loss, generational trauma and injustice that is so familiar to those who hold identities that are viscerally under attack.
ANGELO MCCOY MiC Assistant Editor
The very first occupation I was interested in becoming was a police officer; whenever one was around, I could not take my eyes off of their gleaming badges. For an assignment in school during kindergarten, I was asked what I wanted to be when I grow up and why. I wrote: “A police officer so I can arrest people.” My family
found it humorous, but when I think back to the assignment now, all I feel is shame. This feeling began after the Trayvon Martin shooting of 2012. The Black community was furious; surely this was not the first time a white person had unfairly shot and killed a Black male. However, this was the final straw. I remember the climate so vividly, the utter disgust. The unrest was palpable. During the following years, there was a sharp increase in the number
Throughout the past year, engaging in activism on campus has been both encouraging and painful for me. Though I have found great support and inspiration in my peers, my resolve to approach MiC was strengthened by witnessing the active silencing of narratives such as mine within the Asian/Pacific Islander-American communities on campus. In these spaces — ones that claim to be inclusive of all A/PIAs — I have observed indifference, hesitation and outright hostility toward discussing histories and identities that are deemed too “divisive,” “political” and “inconvenient.” The greatest irony in this suppression is that these spaces were never meant to be comfortable. Histories of oppression are not easy to acknowledge, particularly by those who inflict structural violence. But comfort, as history tells it, preserves the status quo. Comfort reinforces the mechanisms of subjugation. And there is a pressing need to recognize this, particularly in spaces that claim to be proponents
of social justice. In my time on campus, MiC has been an outlet through which I have engaged with narratives that have made me deeply uncomfortable with systemic norms, institutional silencing and my own complicity. As a staff member, I hope to navigate this space with intention and conscience as a proud Tibetan/ Indian-American, even as forces beyond me invalidate my Tibetan identity and discount me on the basis of my bi-ethnicity. To some degree, I write these words knowing that I am subjecting myself to the scrutiny of institutions that are antagonized by my very existence and willingness to assert the validity of my experiences. Yet, everything that I write is from my lived experience. I encourage those — even individuals who do not have the privilege of a public platform — to speak their truths and stand behind their realities. That is why I mobilize myself and my words, and it is because of these hopes that I have joined MiC.
Why I joined MiC: Maya Mokh MAYA MOKH
MiC Assistant Editor
Growing up, I always loved to read. Some of my fondest childhood memories include going to the library with my mom to pick out books, and then reading them together. As I got older, I developed a passion for writing as well, finding my voice and feeling the true power the written word can hold. I enjoyed writing in my English classes, and I also wrote and continue to write in a journal as an outlet for my frustrations and emotions. I have never really considered sharing any of my writing, as I was never confident enough and never really
Why I joined MiC: Angelo McCoy of deaths in the Black community at the hands of white cops, all while on camera. Whether it was because I was paying more attention or because times had truly become much worse, the bloodshed seemed to multiply out of nowhere, and now as a young Black teenage male, I became more and more afraid with every newscast. Turning off the TV didn’t fix the problem; my life at home was beginning to fall apart as well. In 2011, my parents had filed for divorce, and since then my parents have both moved from our home in Detroit to Southfield (where they “consequently” found apartment buildings across the street from one another). As part of the move, I was also forced to start sixth grade in a new school. In an attempt to make friends I became swept up in staying up-to-date with the most current music. I dove headfirst into the pop music of 2010, and what I gravitated to most was hip-
Monday, January 8, 2018— 3A
hop. It allowed me to look at people who looked like me and hear them talking about things I too had experienced. I saw the beauty behind rap through Frank Ocean, as well as its anger and passion concerning issues of the Black man in America when listening to artists such as J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar. A few friends suggested I try writing myself, and ever since, I have been documenting my feelings in the form of raps, poems, essays and the occasional angrily scribbled rant. I joined Michigan in Color because I believe my voice speaks for not only myself but everyone who is able to share my thoughts, emotions and experiences. Being a person of color at a predominantly white institution in 2018 is a journey, one full of pleasant surprises as well as shocking disappointment. When I write for MiC, I want everyone reading to feel as if we are on this journey together.
felt like I had something very important or progressive to say. Stumbling upon this opportunity has opened my eyes to what could be, and I intend to make the most of it as I navigate my way through college as an Arab-American, Muslim woman. Coming to the University from my predominantly Arab/Muslim city of Dearborn has been an awakening experience. I have been challenged and changed in ways I would never have thought of before. Throughout my first semester, I have met so many amazing, passionate and inspiring people, and learned their stories. I have encountered issues that have instilled me with anger, moved me with passion
and inspired me to become an active part of the stories around me. Being a part of the Michigan Community Scholars Program and the Arab Student Association has helped me get to know people with different backgrounds while simultaneously connecting with those of similar social identities. The constant, everchanging climate of social issues and problems that need to be addressed compel me to try and find ways to make an impact, big or small. I enter MiC as an assistant editor with high hopes. Hopes of speaking my truths and becoming more confident in doing so. Hopes of learning the stories and struggles of other brave and bright students of color, all with unique experiences and stories waiting to be heard. Hopes of helping to create and maintain the fun, serious, loving space so fondly described by previous and current MiC members. Hopes of building meaningful friendships with the wonderful fellow editors. Words hold power, words have weight, words can teach and connect and inspire and heal. I hope to do my part in a space that allows the words of people of color to be heard because our stories arereal, valid and important.
Opinion
4A — Monday, January 8, 2018
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CARLI CONSENZA | COLUMN
T
Higher standards for male rappers
he average American consumer spends 24 hours per week listening to music. Among those consumers, the most popular genre to listen to is R&B and hip hop. In fact, Forbes reports R&B and hip hop are responsible for 25.1 percent of all music consumption in the United States. Earlier this fall, it was almost impossible to turn on the radio and not hear the song “Rockstar” by Post Malone and 21 Savage, which led the Billboard Hot 100 for eight consecutive weeks. So, it’s reasonable to say a significant portion of our population likes rap music. It’s even reasonable to say rap music, and rappers specifically, exert an influence on the values of their listeners and thus popular culture. Take a look at the anticipation surrounding the release of Kanye West’s new clothing collection, Yeezy Season 6, for example. This is why rappers, with such a massive platform and the ability to influence millions of fans, must also face responsibility for their words and actions. As an outcome of the #MeToo movement, which denounces sexual assault and harassment, several men in positions of power, from Sen. Al Franken of Minnesota to comedian Louis C.K., have finally been held accountable after decades of getting away with horrendous acts of sexism. As a dedicated fan of hip hop, I understand its significance as a cultural phenomenon with a deep-rooted history of art, words and movement. And as a cultural phenomenon, it must lead by example, particularly in the way it treats women. It is time for rappers to be held accountable. It’s no secret that misogyny and sexism have troubled the hip-hop world for quite some time. It’s also no secret that the issue has, for the most part, been dismissed in the industry. Remember when the makers of “Straight Outta Compton” left out the part about Dr. Dre’s abusive behavior toward women? Or how about the fact that rapper Rick Ross refuses to sign female artists to his record label in fear that his desire to have sexual relations with them would get in the way? In a recent interview
with The Breakfast Club, Ross openly explained his rationale: “I gotta be honest with you. She’s lookin’ good. I’m spending so much money on her photo shoots — I gotta f**k a couple times.” Not only is Ross unashamedly objectifying this hypothetical female artist, but his reasoning shows he believes he is entitled to the artist’s body because he spent “so much money” promoting her — he deserves sex. His ideology reflects a male-dominated field with little regard for women as professional equals, but instead as commodified sex objects. In a more direct sense, lyrics hold the most direct influence over fans. Lyrics are sung by fans, used as captions for pictures and
Rappers must also face responsibility for their words and actions.
can even become common slang (remember “thot”?). As a female listener with a president who dismisses jokes about grabbing women’s genitals as “locker room” talk, it is growing more and more frustrating to listen to rap lyrics. Take the beginning of 21 Savage’s verse from “Rockstar,” for example: “Drankin Henny, bad b*****s jumping in the pool/ And they ain’t got on no bra (bra)/ Hit her from the back, pulling on her tracks/And now she screaming out, ‘No Mas!’” 21 Savage paints the picture of a pool party filled with naked women who clearly have nothing better to do than drink and be sexy. Next, he jumps into a vulgar description of having rough, potentially unwanted intercourse with a woman who is begging him to stop. To me, the above exchange does not seem consensual. It doesn’t seem enjoyable for the woman; on the contrary, she wants it to end. To me, it seems like sexual assault. As a female listener, it is disgusting to hear lyrics like this.
I ask myself, “How on earth was this song, with those lyrics, #1 on the Billboard charts for nine straight weeks? How did listeners allow this to happen”? Another one of most popular songs of 2017 was “Bad and Boujee” by the new-money Atlanta rap trio Migos. The song spent 36 weeks on Billboard Charts and skyrocketed the group into popular “Culture” (pun intended); however, the song is a misogynistic anthem. First of all, the title “Bad and Boujee” is a shortened version of Offset’s line “My b***h is bad and boujee”; this implies Offset’s ownership of a woman who he does not respect enough to call a woman, but rather a deprecating “bitch.” Second of all, the line “F*****g on your b***h she a thot, thot, thot” reinforces the objectification of these women as sex objects that are essentially being passed around among the rappers. There is no evidence of any respect for women, period. As a longtime and dedicated fan of hip hop, I have always been the first to defend my favorite music genre; however, my identity as a female has finally taken precedent. I used to look to rap lyrics as a source of confidence, but the more aware I become of the inequalities and sexual harassment that women face every day in this society, the more discouraged it makes me feel. I am deeply disappointed by the misogyny that continues to permeate hip hop. With the influence that rappers hold over popular culture, this behavior must come to a stop. I now want to ask all music listeners: What do you think? Why are we still allowing this to happen? Do you feel okay rapping along to lyrics that degrade, insult, harass and objectify women? What kind of example are we setting by allowing this behavior to continue? We need more female leaders like Beyonce and Nicki Minaj. Women deserve to be treated equally in all industries, and hip hop has the ability to set the standard. We must hold these rappers to a higher moral standard in order for a society of consumers to do the Carli Cosenza can be reached at carlic@umich.edu.
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I
Missing the mark on mental health
belong to “The Broken Generation”, at least according to a story run by Maclean’s (think Canada’s The Atlantic) in 2012. Aggregate survey data from the Healthy Minds Network run out of the University of Michigan show 25 percent of college students report having depression. This statistic comes from no small study; Healthy Minds has had over 175,000 survey respondents to date. Mental health is just as important as physical health, and mental illness is a serious public health issue. Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide. Among young adults aged 15 to 24, suicide was the third leading killer in 2010. Alcohol use disorder, which is a form of mental illness, is also widespread among college students (20 percent) with about one in four of us reporting academic consequences from alcohol and more than 1,800 of us are dying each year due to an alcohol-related injury. Of course, you probably already knew that mental health was a concern on campus. Regardless of how you feel about the University’s handling of student mental health, their messaging has been anything but subtle. For what seems like a thousand times, I have been told about the existence of the Counseling and Psychological Services, also known as CAPS: by housing staff, by professors and by University administration in tritelyworded emails. CAPS is only the tip of the iceberg, though. Almost every unit or group on campus seems to want to do something surrounding mental health, be it the backpacks on the Diag commemorating those lost to suicide to Central Student Government’s myriad of destress events. Like I said, anything but subtle. As a University student with a mental illness, I appreciate the amount of positive discourse the subject gets; however, important points, ones that have been critical in my own journey, are too often lost or glossed over. I have had a mental health problem since at least middle school; however, I did not face my depression until the very end of my senior year of high school. It took the advice of a very good friend for me to realize what was going on and to seek help. Then began a journey
toward overcoming that mental illness, a journey that I am still on today. The first point that campus discourse on mental health, in my opinion, misses is the power of knowing your enemy. I believe that a diagnosis, be it for depression, general anxiety, social anxiety, etc., can be an important step toward improving mental health. For me, having something to expect from my mental health problem, i.e. racing negative thoughts, empowers me to put these thoughts in their context so they do not cause me distress. Incessant, percussive doubts like those that told me I had no true friends used to make me feel even worse. Now, however, I can recognize those thoughts as a symptom of depression and that there is no logical basis for those doubts. It’s not easy to do; after all, these are my thoughts. Nevertheless, learning to understand symptoms as symptoms has been enormously helpful to me. According to University research, only 34 to 36 percent of college students with mood disorders (e.g., depression, bipolar disorder) seek treatment. Why are so many students neglecting care? It’s not because they are not aware of treatment options on campus. Instead, the most common given reasons are “I prefer to deal with issues on my own,” “I question how serious my needs are,” “stress is a normal part of college” and “no time.” Many people I have talked to who do not seek treatment for mental illness espouse a similar idea: that they know what is causing them stress and therefore can act to relieve it and relieve their mental illness. While I often know the
source of my stress (e.g., an organic chemistry exam) and what I need to do (get the exam over with), that stress has a life of its own. This can most clearly be felt when I have done everything imaginable to ensure a satisfactory outcome but still the stress persists. Furthermore, just because the source of the stress is known does not mean that that stress is any less real or burdensome. The journey I have been on, with mental illness as my companion, has not been a linear progression. Sometimes, in fact, it seems that for every step forward I take, I must take three steps back. A second issue that mental health discourse on campus neglects is painting a realistic picture of treatment. There is no guarantee that any medication your doctor prescribes will help, and the same goes for psychotherapy. When promoting mental health, the University and other entities need to be candid about this nuance. Otherwise, I fear that those who do seek help will be turned off to the process far too early. These things take time. I have been on four different medications since I was diagnosed with clinical depression in 2015 and have just started going to CAPS in addition to the medication I am currently on. Mental illnesses are complex but treatable. The right treatment is out there, it just may take a while to find. I wish I had really known that when I started my journey. I acknowledge that everyone is different, and so is their mental health. I present the lessons I have learned in my own journey both to continue my healing and to hopefully inspire further nuanced dialog on this critical subject. Ali Safawi can be reached at asafawi@umich.edu.
KEVIN SWEITZER | COLUMN
A
New year, same bad policy
s 2017 turns to 2018, and the age of President Donald Trump continues into its second year, the emotional roller coaster that has taken place for progressive Americans has been nothing short of exhausting and difficult. From Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into the Trump campaign’s alleged collusion with Russian interests to sway the 2016 election, to the numerous attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act, Democrats have been left without a single topic with which to focus their opposition. This has led many progressives down a dangerous path of disorganized brinkmanship that will only serve to advance Republican policy proposals into the remainder of the Trump administration. Last year’s biggest policy debate was the Republican led effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act, commonly known as “Obamacare.” Democrats were steadfast in their opposition to the repeal of the ACA dramatically defeating a repeal bill on the floor of the US Senate in September. However, while we were celebrating the preservation of the ACA, progressives unknowingly walked Obamacare to its grave. December’s GOP-led tax overhaul bill - called the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017represented the culmination of a year’s worth of policy objectives built into one bill. In addition to cutting corporate taxes and reducing tax brackets, the bill - which was signed into law by President Trump on December 22nd - also repeals the “individual mandate” of
the ACA, which requires that all Americans purchase health insurance - or pay a tax penalty. The passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is a failure on all levels by progressives to come together to advocate for the best interests of their constituents. President Trump tweeted on December 26th “Based on the fact that the very unfair and unpopular Individual Mandate has been terminated as part of our Tax Cut Bill, which essentially Repeals (over time) ObamaCare, the Democrats & Republicans will eventually come together and develop a great new HealthCare plan! [sic]” correctly suggesting that the repeal of the Individual mandate will bring about the end of ACA health insurance markets. This means more expensive insurance for everyone in addition to tax cuts for wealthy Americans. At the least, a complete repeal of the ACA would have elevated discussion of replacement, but the repeal we see now leaves everyone worse off. As Congressional Democrats eye their next target for “resisting” the Trump Administration’s policy agenda which may be shutting down the government over the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, commonly known as DACA. No progressives can feel good about what has happened thus far during President Trump’s first term in office. Even as the focus of pundits shifts to the upcoming midterm elections, and the special elections in Alabama and elsewhere, many on the left have placed their hopes in the impending “wave” of Democratic wins that will reclaim control of the legislature.
With this shift of focus goes any hope of creating change, or ensuring the best representation of the people. While dreaming of 2018 wins and celebrating the symbolic preservation of Obamacare are good for public perception of Democrats, progressives are failing their constituents on all levels to protect the values that they believe in, and are failing to stop the Trump Administration’s objectives, which fly in the face of the demonstrated interests of progressive Americans. In order to serve their constituents best, progressive Congressional Democrats have to get real about stopping Trump’s policy proposals - even if this means giving in on other policy areas that are less important. If every Democratic call to action is a boilerplate “call your senator” and “elections have consequences” then the call to action isn’t action, but is rather kicking the can down the road, with the hopes of Democratic majority in the future. This isn’t an outcome we can accept, as progressives, students, or members of communities that will be affected by public policy changes in 2018. Doing nothing is a statement in and of itself, and while beneficial to the party, cannot benefit the people of the United States, and only those in Congress can avoid it. Democrats have already made their disdain for President Trump expressly clear, but the time for grandstanding is over, and the time for protecting American institutions is in order. Kevin Sweitzer can be reached at ksweitz@umich.edu
Arts
The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com
Monday, January 8, 2018 — 5A
Francis and the Lights brings beauty on ‘Just for Us’ NATALIE ZAK Daily Arts Writer
Most of my winter break played out to the tune of Phil Collins’s Face Value, his debut solo album released back in 1981. My dad put it on repeat every morning and in car rides where he made me turn
So it makes sense that Francis and the Lights is so frequently compared to the former drummer and later singer of Genesis. The sound Francis has championed since 2007 is reminiscent of great prog-rock bands like Genesis and innovative in its modern-day fusion of genres through production that
seems to be a continuation of the piano Francis used brief ly in the song “Thank You” on Farewell, Starlite!, piano that I only wanted more of as the album drew to a close. But that’s the thing, the piano is what makes the song so crushingly beautiful, brief and bittersweet. An album that wasn’t necessarily tragic
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off my “DIY crap” and put on something easier on the ears. I chose Face Value knowing it would be the happy medium. It’s a brilliant album. Delivering us the impenetrable “In the Air Tonight,” Collins places himself on the same playing field as his former Genesis bandmate Peter Gabriel with a record that encompasses the genres of progressive rock, pop and funk. From the slow build of “In the Air” to the rhythmic bassline of “Behind the Lines,” Collins places a punchy synth and gated reverb drums beside piano interludes like “The Roof is Leaking.” Horns raise you up on one song, while the pull of a sitar and African-styled drums bring you back down to earth on another. Collins can do no wrong on Face Value; it’s his untouchable work of art that explores unforeseen bounds in music while charting the demise of his marriage.
wasn’t accessible in the ’80s. Not to mention, Francis’s voice sounds so much like Phil’s, plain and simple. What Collins began, Francis has perfected, and while Francis has so far avoided horns and banjos, the punchy feel of songs like “See Her Out (That’s Just Life),” the opening track of 2016’s Farewell, Starlite!, has a similar effect as songs on Face Value. The opening notes bounce back and forth, rope you in and, if anything else, you want to see it out until the end. Just like “See Her Out,” the opening notes of “Morning,” the first song off of Just For Us, pull us in. But this time, there’s a difference. While Farewell, Starlite! throws us into a whirlwind of synth, “Morning” is gentler, its piano slowly delivering us into the drums rather than bursting into them. And this time the piano is here to stay. “Morning”
Classifieds
didn’t need the instrument that makes songs so. Just For Us is different in this regard; the 26-minute album is sorrowful as it traces the slow demise of a relationship. The piano that draws us in takes various forms as the album, and the relationship, unfolds. But even as Francis sends us from the frigid snaps of “Morning” into the blaring synths of “Just For Us” and then back into the cool piano of “Faithful,” there’s a cohesive whole to the album. Sometimes it’s difficult to tell where one song starts and another ends. The transition from “I Won’t Lie to You” into “Breaking Up” is perhaps the most beautiful on the album and best exemplifies its cohesiveness. The brevity of the former, a one minute and 12-second track, leads into the latter, and the two are inseparable in story and in song. Outside of this,
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uncertainty to paint a full picture of everything that led to the relationship’s ultimate end, draping us in despair with simple lines like, “You could try to be gracious … You could try to be nice to me.” That simple sentiment is absolutely destructive in Francis’s
Becoming a part of the story, a part of the album’s sadness and dwelling in its loss is what makes the listening experience. dynamic.
feather-light voice. “Scream So Loud” best displays Francis’s signature minimalism, both in its lyrics and sound. All of this sadness, this progression of emotion that becomes overbearing on
certain parts of the album, culminates in the album’s final song “Cruise” which acts as a release, a reckoning with the heavy emotion of the previous songs. Twenty-four minutes builds to this, and while we’re more emotionally wrecked than we were before starting the album, “Cruise” is what makes it all feel like catharsis rather than a funeral. In Francis’s own words, it’s “straight from the horse’s mouth,” entirely uncut and raw. The unity of Francis’s mournful Just For Us is what places him on a plane separate from Face Value. While the sound is similar, the invocation of minimalism that pervades the album is individual to Francis and Francis alone. It’s his expertise, after all. But like Collins he fuses many methods in doing this, genrebending not only on a musical scale but a branding one. His ability to breed sadness while simultaneously transcending categorization as a sad songwriter with sad songs is seen in his latest business venture: “Morning,” the new theme for “Keeping Up with the Kardashians.” And so we’re left asking the same question people asked of Phil Collins, Peter Gabriel and the entire brand Genesis built on doing the unexpected — Francis, who and what are you?
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RELEASE DATE– Monday, January 8, 2018
ACROSS 1 Green gem 5 Actress Greta 10 Ponzi scheme, for one 14 Boy in “The Kite Runner” 15 Toward the back 16 When tripled, a 1970 WWII film 17 Spanish “nothing” 18 Free, in France 19 Reddish-brown horse 20 Israeli submachine gun 21 Admit to wrongdoing in court 23 Embark from a dock 25 Spaniel’s welcome 26 Indian-born storekeeper on “The Simpsons” 27 Bening of “American Beauty” 31 Location-based smartphone game release of 2016 35 Half a bray 36 Radio knob 37 1998 biopic about model Carangi 38 Travelocity ad figure 40 Ctrl-__-Delete: PC reboot combo 41 Similar set of individuals 43 Reveal 46 Help 47 Negative connection 48 Climbing plant 52 Inland sea between Iran and Saudi Arabia 57 Dockworkers’ gp. 58 Soothing plant extract 59 Pageant headgear 60 Prefix with lateral 61 Arctic seabird 62 No __ sight 63 Bugs Bunny adversary Elmer 64 Smartphone message 65 Gave medicine to 66 Golf ball supports
the songs, whether blending together or not, repeatedly refer back to one another. “Never Back” is the ending to “Back in Time” as Francis continues to pour over the inaccessible nature of the past, how everything that led him to this point is untouchable. This inaccessibility, the unavoidable nature of demise — it’s another layer of tragedy on a narrative that builds itself out of loss. Inaccessibility is a theme that permeates the album, for while Farewell, Starlite! offered up more to the listener with its substantial tracks and features from Kanye West and remixes with Chance the Rapper, Just For Us is stripped down, barren almost, and untouchable for those who don’t participate in its story. Perhaps this is why on first listen the album seemed lessthan; where I wanted to hear the jauntiness of songs like “May I Have This Dance,” there was only stripped down synth on “Tear It Up.” This isn’t to the album’s detriment; it is simply different, jarring to a degree on first listen. But becoming a part of the story, a part of the album’s sadness and dwelling in its loss is what makes the listening experience dynamic. Ref lexive in its self-referentiality, he invokes the parallels of God and belief, self-doubt and
Losing myself in the art culture of Ann Arbor ISABELLE HASSLUND Daily Arts Writer
As with most college students, going back home for winter break after a long time away was a strange experience. I had been away from home for so long that I found it difficult to recall the fine details of my home without looking at pictures. More frightening was that the memories of the art culture of New York City that shaped who I was as a performer and a person ever since I was young started to blur, as I immersed myself in the new culture that Ann Arbor had to offer. I did not find myself longing for the art from New York City, but rather trying to find my place in the art of Ann Arbor. There seemed to be a hole in the culture that surrounded me — one that I could not pinpoint. Even though I had been told that college was about self-discovery, I felt I was losing myself as an artist and a person. When I finally did find myself, it was very unexpected. More importantly, I discovered the gap that I had been feeling and was unable to articulate until now. Over winter break, my sister performed in a comedy improv show in order to raise money to help the hurricane victims in Puerto Rico, and she invited me to go see the performance. I walked into a small, grunge underground theater in the East Village, a neighborhood of Manhattan in New York City. The small black box theater was filled with plush, cloth seats that looked as if they had a high
probability of being infested with bed bugs. The theater was packed with adults drinking coquito, a traditional Puerto Rican drink usually served around the holidays. The show
My culture was no longer represented in the art that surrounded me. was comprised of many short comedy skits that celebrated Puerto Rican traditions during the holidays. As salsa blasted from the speakers, it filled the room with a sound that I had been missing back in Ann Arbor. I had rediscovered my own sound and my own culture through this production — something I had no intention of doing when I walked through the doors of the theater. My mind went back to the first time my mother took me to see “In the Heights” on Broadway. It is a musical that tells the story of the Latino community in a neighborhood called Washington Heights (also in Manhattan). Seeing my culture and my people represented and celebrated in “In the Heights” was too much for my eight-year-old mind to handle. Before then, I had only ever been exposed to people of my culture as gangster characters, such as in “West Side Story,” and even then
they were not played by minority actors and actresses. Being a dancer, I was sure that my Latina curves would hinder my success. Being an actress and a singer, I was sure that the pigment of my skin would cause me to look too ethnic for most lead roles. When the beauty of my culture and its people unfolded before my eyes on a Broadway stage, all of those insecurities instantly vanished. This was the same feeling I had in the — perhaps bed bug infested — theater in the East village. What I had really missed was having my culture represented in art, whether it be in music blasting from a storefront, or a bunch of teenagers rapping on a street corner. Ann Arbor is a community that is vibrant in all kinds of art. To immerse yourself in the art is not hard to do; however, it is not a complete culture. I could not find myself in the culture of Ann Arbor because I am not there. My culture was no longer represented in the art that surrounded me. I had to come to terms with the fact that it would be difficult for me to find a concert performed by my favorite salsa or merengue artist, and that YouTube is my best friend for re-discovering my identity as an artist and a performer. As a community, Ann Arbor needs to strive to celebrate the minority artist — not just during Black History month or Hispanic Heritage month. It is more important than ever to foster a community where everyone can find themselves in every form of art.
Arts
6 —Monday, January 8, 2018
The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com
WORLD MUSIC COLUMN
FILM REVIEW
Sayan Ghosh: Portuguese pop fusion SAYAN GHOSH
Daily World Music Columnist
FOX SEARCHLIGHT
‘The Shape of Water’ is spellbinding in few words MEGHAN CHOU Daily Arts Writer
For a movie centered around a woman who does not speak, “The Shape of Water” has a strong voice. Elisa (Sally Hawkins, “Maudie”) is a mute cleaning lady at a research facility in the 1960s. She lives a lonely life, mostly limiting her interactions to her closeted neighbor Giles (Richard Jenkins, “Step Brothers”) and coworker Zelda (Octavia Spencer, “Hidden Figures”). One day a mysterious specimen arrives at the facility along with an uber-masculine security officer, Richard Strickland (Michael Shannon, “Nocturnal Animals”). Elisa offers the Amphibian Man (Doug Jones, “Hellboy”) — nicknamed the Asset — kindness and friendship and, in return, he provides the companionship she misses. When Cold War pressures threaten the Amphibian Man’s life, Elisa takes the matter into her own hands with people who feel a moral calling to help. “The Shape of Water” has breathtaking cinematography that sets the fantastical mood. Director Guillermo Del Toro (“Pan’s Labyrinth”) uses visual elements to give a voice to two characters who do not speak, Elisa and the Amphibian Man. The clever use of water to connect scenes creates a
flow to the film as it weaves among the many sides that want control
“The Shape of Water” Wide Release, Michigan Theater Fox Searchlight of the unknown specimen and its suspected powers. Del Toro also immerses the characters in oldtimey films, settings and music to add to the romantic atmosphere. The soundtrack draws from classics like “You’ll Never Know” from the 1943 movie “Hello, Frisco, Hello” and other nostalgic songs. At times, “The Shape of Water” plays like a musical, complete with tapdance numbers and a re-creation of the famous dance between Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire. Despite limited dialogue from its main character, the film is still able to capture the sentimental tone of a musical without the constrictions of needing to break into song and dance every other scene. Since Elisa and the Amphibian Man speak through sign language, the supporting cast provides the humor, fills the empty spaces with words and gives helpful interpretations of Elisa’s gestures. Zelda and Giles give insight into
Elisa’s quiet demeanor, shielding her innocent and good intentions from evil forces. Every heartfelt motion from Elisa is matched with a well-timed quip from her two friends. To balance out these kindhearted characters, Shannon’s Strickland brings all the bearings of toxic masculinity and abuse of power. Shannon exudes this toxicity with every calculating stare and bite of his ever-present green candies. The supporting cast does a tremendous job, but the majority of credit goes to Sally Hawkins and her spell-binding performance. Unlike previous actors who have played disabled characters, Hawkins turns Elisa’s muteness into a strength, not a pantomime — using her hand motions to emphasize the tenderness and courage of this woman. Purely through facial expressions and physical actions, Hawkins conveys the loneliness of an outcast and the joy of finding camaraderie in unexpected corners of the world. In fact, “The Shape of Water” should serve as a playbook for how to treat “others”: with love, kindness and an open mind. This message coupled with outstanding filmmaking is why the final scene will leave everyone breathless with its pureness and beauty — enough to believe for a second that nothing evil could ever touch this Earth again.
Any travel guide, book, any piece of media at all about Brazil will tell you that the country lives and breathes music and art. After all, it’s the country of samba, bossa nova, flamboyant soccer players who don’t just play the game, but elevate it into an art. Through this reputation, Brazilian musicians such as João Gilberto and Antônio Carlos Jobim have enticed people around the world with the rhythmic, easy-going nature of genres such as bossa nova and tropicália. Milton Nascimento’s Clube da Esquina is less appreciated outside of Brazil than many other similarly important Brazilian albums, but is one of the finest collections of pop songs I have ever heard. Clube da Esquina (“corner club”) titled after Nascimento’s musical collective formed in the 1970s in the mountainous, mineral-rich Brazilian state of Minas Gerais (which is featured in an episode of Anthony Bourdain’s excellent TV show “Parts Unknown”). It featured Milton Nascimento, a musician originally from Rio and Lô Borges, another iconic Brazilian musician, as well as some of the country’s most talented session musicians. Despite not coming from some of the country’s more glamourous regions, the collective’s first, self-titled double album eventually found its way into the forefront of Brazilian music. Clube da Esquina is referred to as an example of a genre known
as “Música popular brasileira” (Brazilian popular music), but in reality, it’s nearly impossible to pin down the album to a specific genre. While all the songs feature distinctly Brazilian rhythms and instrumentation, the influences present on the record are all over the map. “Tudo o Que Você Podia Ser” kicks off the record with excellent guitar work and a meandering vocal line from Nascimento, before breaking into a groovy ending from the entire band with Nascimento crying out on top. Two of the songs written by Borges, “O Trem Azul” and my personal favorite, “Um Girassol da Cor do Seu Cabelo” are rather Beatles-esque, with the latter featuring a memorable orchestral breakdown similar to “A Day in the Life.” “Nuvem Cigana” features dreamy guitars accompanied by violins and brass. Throughout the record, one can hear influences ranging from as far as progressive rock to jazz. Another album I was constantly reminded of while listening to this record for the first time was The Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds. Both are musically ornate and lush, eschewing the sole usage of guitars, pianos and drums for grand, orchestral flourishes, adding an entirely new dimension of richness. Borges’s fondness for Anglophone popular music is evident often, making Clube da Esquina a great example of popular fusion. Although the lyrics are notably poetic and a large part of what makes the album
legendary in Brazilian music, I found that not understanding Portuguese was not a major hindrance in enjoying the record (and speakers of any Romance language should be able to understand part of it). It helps that Portuguese itself, especially the Brazilian variety, is such an inherently musical language. As to be expected with a Romance language, it flows extremely well and lacks many of the guttural consonants that make some languages such as German “unattractive.” Even conversational Brazilian Portuguese seems to have a set of lovely shifts in tone and natural elongation of vowels. Even if you know zero Portuguese, simply listening to the vocals and the language is a rather pleasant experience, especially with Nascimento’s smooth-as-butter voice gliding over the instrumentation and rarely stagnating in one dynamic level or tone. Clube da Esquina sounds like the perfect soundtrack to a pleasant dream or to a lazy Sunday afternoon at the beach or park. The songs are pleasant yet tinged with melancholy, for those relaxing yet reflective moments where you are content with life, but perhaps indulging in nostalgia or remembering people from a past life. While not particularly revolutionary or exotic, it is a near-perfect collection of songs with topclass musical talent featured at every level. There are few better albums to embark on a journey with into the endless ocean of world music.
‘Lovesick’ excels, grows SAM ROSENBERG Senior Arts Editor
Before moving to Netflix from Britain’s Channel 4, “Lovesick” was originally named “Scrotal Recall,” a title so laughable and eye-rolling it suggested the worst qualities of a television romcom. Even the premise seemed slight: A young Englishman named Dylan (Johnny Flynn, “Genius”) must seek out all the women he slept with after discovering he has chlamydia. But don’t let the original title and premise downplay its potential: “Lovesick” is a remarkable gem of a show. With a neat balance between snappy humor and poignant drama, “Lovesick” comes into its own in its third season. Creator Tom Edge (“The Crown”) has crafted yet another array of episodes that will make you cringe, laugh and contemplate your own perception of love in the 21st century. After reconciling with his girlfriend Abigail (Hannah Britland, “Rush”), Dylan struggles to conceal his feelings for his best friend Evie (Antonia Thomas, “The Good Doctor”), a will-they-won’t-they romance that’s as intensely complicated as Ross and Rachel’s. Meanwhile, Dylan’s other friends — the extroverted, philandering Luke (Daniel Ings, “Instinct”) and the neurotic, sprightly Angus (Joshua McGuire, “Cinderella”) — find themselves in their own
romantic entanglements. And unlike the previous two seasons, which depicted Dylan’s doomed affairs with women that led to his STD, season three of “Lovesick” focuses more on the roots of Dylan and Evie’s relationship, and how it has blossomed over time.
“Lovesick” Season 3 Premiere Netflix The most refreshing aspect of “Lovesick,” and especially with this season, is that the subject matter is so utterly real and unapologetically honest. Underneath all of its whipsmart dialogue and zany cringe comedy, there is such heart within each character and their relationships to one another. The tricky conflict that stirs between Dylan and Evie — they love each other, but don’t want to ruin a good friendship — never feels flat. Thomas and Flynn’s performances and magnetic chemistry help capture the muddiness and awkwardness of their characters’ conundrum. Luke and Angus also get wonderful subplots this season: Luke learns that he wants more in a relationship than just a onenight fling, while Angus worries about starting his future with his pregnant fiancée Holly (Klariza Clayton, “Fox Trap”). The show isn’t afraid to get
into the nitty-gritty of how our desire for connection informs our desperation for love, or how our past experiences shape our present anxieties. Everyone, even the supporting characters, gets a nuanced personal journey. What’s even more alluring about “Lovesick” is that it adds a rare layer of depth that other similar romantic sitcoms have mostly failed to consistently uphold. “Lovesick” mirrors the extended flashback format of “How I Met Your Mother,” but devotes more time to fleshing out character arcs than maintaining running gags. It shares the dysfunction of “You’re the Worst” but without any of the misanthropy. The young cast of “Lovesick” channels the charismatic, hyper-specific appeal of “Friends,” and, while they haven’t reached icon status yet, Dylan, Luke, Angus and Evie are certainly on their way. Had “Lovesick” been made by the wrong hands — or even maintained its original title — it could’ve easily ended up yet another formulaic, cheesy and grating show about young 20-somethings figuring their shit out. It could’ve kept the cookiecutter qualities of its archetypal characters — the insecure protagonist, the womanizing best friend, the nebbish acquaintance and the manic pixie dream girl love interest. Lucky for us, “Lovesick” is not that kind of show, as its third (and hopefully not final) season is a testament to streaming sitcoms.
TV REVIEW
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MONDAY The Michigan Daily | michigandaily.com | January 8, 2018
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C S A MAX MARCOVITCH
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Daily Sports Editor
ifth-year senior guard Jaaron Simmons maneuvered out of a crowded paint area, looked up and saw freshman guard Jordan Poole sprinting down the court. Simmons fired a laser to Poole, who casually lofted the ball in the direction of the hoop. “I got the pass and I kinda peeped (Isaiah Livers) at half court,” Poole said. “We made eye contact, so I’m looking like ‘I’m gonna throw it to the rim, big boy, you gotta go get it.’ ” With an emphatic alley-oop flush, Livers — Poole’s roommate — erased Michigan’s early doldrums to give the Wolverines the boost it needed, en route to a 79-69 win over Illinois. A multitude of mistakes — turnovers, fouls, missed shots — dug Michigan an early hole, though. Redshirt sophomore wing Charles Matthews picked up a foul away from the ball just 16
seconds into the game. Junior center Moritz Wagner made a threepoint bucket, then turned the ball over and committed an unnecessary foul on the other end immediately after. Both fouls relegated Michigan’s two stars to the bench before the first timeout. And just seconds after checking back in, Matthews picked up an offensive foul, forcing an uncharacteristically angry John Beilein to bring Poole back in. Matthews, Michigan’s leading scorer on the year, played only one first-half minute. But led by a storm of energy from the freshman duo of Poole and Livers, Michigan crawled back to eventually grab the lead late in the half. The two combined for 14 of the team’s 31 points in the half, despite neither starting
the game. Robinson also pitched in with nine points in the first half. “I was really pleased,” Beilein said when asked about his message at halftime. “That was my message to the team. I didn’t go in there ranting and raving. I just said, ‘Look, I feel in a really good place that we’re down three right now.’ We got used to it a little bit. You know, we tried to simulate it for the last two days, and our scout team just doesn’t have that length and that quickness. So it hit us right in the face, and then we had to react to it. Don’t blame our guys, credit Illinois. They did a great job.” The Wolverines shook off the
“(In the) second half, I’m so proud of the way we played.” — John Beilein
first half woes quickly, starting the second half with a game-altering 9-2 spurt to give Michigan a lead it would keep for good. Wagner and Matthews struggled with foul trouble throughout — each picking up a third foul less than five minutes into the second half. But Poole and Livers were able to shoulder much of the load, combining for 23 points on just 10 shots. Senior guard MuhammadAli Abdur-Rahkman added 13 points of his own, all coming in the second half. Six Wolverines finished in double figures. “I don’t think there’s anything pretty about how we’re playing,” Beilein said. “At the same time we’re just finding ways still to get out in front of people and win games.” Though he only played 22 minutes due to foul trouble, Wagner showed signs of shaking the rust that has led to struggles since returning from an ankle injury a week ago. He scored 14 points on an efficient 6-of-7 from the field. Though they struggled at times — setting a new season-high with 14 turnovers — the strong second half proved to be too
much, earning Michigan its third conference win of the season. “(In the) second half, I’m so proud of the way we played,” Beilein said. “We had 12 turnovers in the first half, three in the second half. There’s the difference in the game.”
ISAIAH LIVERS -45 points in first 15 games -25 points in past two games
JORDAN POOLE -Shooting 41 percent on 3s -Has scored double digits in six games
EVAN AARON / Daily DESIGN BY JACK SILBERMAN
Big week ahead The Michigan basketball team has a chance to convince naysayers this week, writes Kevin Santo.
» Page 2B
Alone at the top It took two tries, but Kim Barnes Arico is now the winningest coach in program history.
» Page 3B
SportsMonday
2B — Monday, January 8, 2018
The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com
A week to make believers
J
ohn Beilein has a theory. He’s just not entirely sold on it yet. It came to light after his Michigan basketball team notched a 79-69 win over Illinois on Saturday afternoon. The victory, by Beilein’s KEVIN own self SANTO admission, wasn’t pretty. Redshirt sophomore wing Charles Matthews played 67 seconds in the first half due to foul trouble. Junior center Moritz Wagner didn’t fare much better, picking up two fouls of his own. The duo combined for three firsthalf points, and the Wolverines turned the ball over 12 times in the frame against an Illinois team that ranks sixth nationally in forced turnovers. And yet, Michigan managed to right the ship anyway. Freshmen Jordan Poole and Isaiah Livers found themselves on the court with just under nine minutes left, turning in the game of their dreams. A 3-pointer, two dunks, an alleyoop and five free throws later, the Wolverines found themselves up by two — lucky to eventually exit the half trailing by three. After the early foul trouble, Wagner and Matthews finally found sound footing, and the Wolverines outlasted a vaunted defensive unit to shoot 64 percent from the f loor in the second half. Michigan finished with six players scoring in double digits, two of whom —Poole and
EVAN AARON/Daily
Michigan coach John Beilein believes that he will learn a lot about his Michigan basketball team in its next two games against Purdue and Michigan State.
Livers — came off the bench. Quite simply, the Wolverines found a way to make a ramshackle unit survive long enough to win. The production, as it has all season, came from different characters in no logical order. But with matchups against No. 13 Purdue and No. 1 Michigan State in the coming week, Beilein was asked if he wants to see one of his players become ‘the guy.’ His answer was illuminating. “I think it’s important that those guys continue to establish a rhythm when everyone’s in a new role,” he said. “I don’t
“I think there’s enough guys out there that can make shots.”
think it’s essential that they have to be stars for us to win, as you can see today. I think there’s enough guys out there that can make shots.” Still, there was some doubt. “That’s our hope,” he continued. “Now we’ll find out, and I’ll be a believer when I know that we’re rebounding and we’re better in the post defense. If we can beat the Purdues and the Michigan States, alright, then I’m gonna probably be a believer that we’re okay.” Hope is the operative word, and therein lies the crux of this entire week. On paper, the Wolverines are okay, boasting 14 wins in 17 games. Michigan, of course, has star power in Wagner and Matthews. Both can take over a game, though neither has on
a consistent basis. The same f luctuations apply to Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman and Duncan Robinson. Poole and Livers, for their part, have shown an ability to fill in when those f luctuations cause trouble. In other cases, they’ve shown the opposite, though there has been more of the former as of late. And Zavier Simpson, who started for the first time in 12 games Saturday, seems to be rounding out the bunch at point guard — though Beilein wouldn’t go as far to say his starting nod was a definitive
answer. This all goes to say that their collective identity, it appears, just may work out. But now it’s time to find out for good. Purdue will visit Crisler Center on Tuesday, providing the Wolverines with their first opportunity to notch a win over a top-25 team. Four days later, Michigan will seek its first road win over its in-state rivals since 2014 when it heads to East Lansing. The Boilermakers’ Isaac Haas and Vincent Edwards await, while Miles Bridges is
The Wolverines have a chance to make some believers.
only the tip of the iceberg on a loaded Spartans roster. The only team that Michigan has faced that can evenly remotely compare to the challenge ahead is North Carolina, which ran the Wolverines out of the g ym. The Wolverines have come a long way since that Nov. 29 matchup in Chapel Hill — winning eight of their last nine. And after the most recent win, Illinois coach Brad Underwood seemed to confirm as much. “That’s a really good Michigan basketball team,” he said. “They’ve proven that with who they’ve beat and who they played.” Underwood, more than most, can offer a sound outsider’s perspective on where this team stands. The Wolverines beat his Oklahoma State team in the NCAA Tournament last year. Asked about how this iteration of Michigan compares to last year’s, Underwood pointed to the seemingly obvious. “Well it starts at the point,” he said. “And I’m not downplaying Zavier or any of their other guys, but when we played them in the tournament, Walton was playing as well as any point guard in America. … But they’re a lot of the same characters, do the same things.” “Characters,” it would seem, is an accurate noun for a Michigan team that has yet to see a star emerge. Beilein thinks those “characters” may just be enough, but isn’t sold just yet. Which brings us back to this week. The Wolverines have a chance to make some believers. Their coach included. Santo can be reached at kmsanto@umich.edu or on Twitter at @Kevin_M_Santo.
Livers and Poole have the game of their dreams
FOOTBALL
The two freshmen combined for 23 points in Michigan’s 79-69 win over Illinois
former Arkansas OC
MIKE PERSAK
Managing Sports Editor
Isaiah Livers said that he and Jordan Poole have dreamed about games like Saturday. Each of the roommates has had their own breakout games — Poole dropped 19 points on Indiana and Livers had 13 against Iowa — but the pair had yet to go off in the same game. Against Illinois, in a 79-69 win, that changed. And not only did the freshmen do it in the same game, but in the same portion of the game, to keep Michigan in it. Livers checked in for the first time at the 8:52 mark in the first half. The Wolverines trailed by eight. Two minutes later, they were still down eight. That’s when Livers and Poole got going. First, Livers hit a corner three to cut it to five. Then, when the Fighting Illini tried to trap senior guard Muhammad-Ali AbdurRahkman, Livers snuck toward the basket, where AbdurRahkman found him for an open dunk. Another Livers dunk moments
later came from similar action, and the freshman had put together a personal 7-0 run. It’s a far cry from where Livers was even a few games ago. “I was thinking way too much a month ago,” Livers said. “Just, ‘should I shoot this, or should I pass it.’ Now I feel like Coach (Beilein) trusts that I have the green light to shoot the ball or go to the basket any time I want to.” After Livers’ run, Illinois made a basket, and it was time for Poole to get in on the action. He was fouled on a three of his own, and he promptly drilled his three free throws to tie the game. Moments later, Michigan took the lead on the best example of Livers and Poole’s chemistry. Fifth-year senior guard Jaaron Simmons tossed an outlet pass to Poole, who was already in the frontcourt. A defender stood between Poole and the basket, and he took a step toward Poole. What the defender didn’t see was Livers running the floor on the opposite side. Poole didn’t hesitate. He slowed down at the 3-point line and lobbed the ball toward the hoop. Livers went and got it,
threw it down, and sent Crisler Center into hysterics. “We made eye contact,” Livers said. “That’s my roommate, we made eye contact. I knew at half court, he was gonna slow down and throw it up.” Added Poole: “I remember last time I threw an alley-oop to him, he wanted me to throw it higher. So at that point, it’s like, ‘I’m gonna throw it up, you’ve got to go get it.’ It was a huge energybringer to Crisler that got us going a little bit.” Poole would add two free throws at the 3:22 mark, giving the duo a combined 14-4 runt that propelled the Wolverines to a 27-25 lead. It was a crucial run for a Michigan team whose leading scorer — redshirt sophomore guard Charles Matthews — had picked up two quick fouls to start the game. It could also be crucial for the Wolverines in the future. Poole and Livers seem to be getting more comfortable with every game, and their combined 23 points against Illinois was another data point that hints at their development.
They’ve shown that they can pick up the slack when Matthews and junior forward Moritz Wagner have off nights or get in foul trouble. Saturday was just the latest example of that. The game also served as an example of just how good the pair can be together. “I mean, I wake up and I see him all the time,” Poole said. “So, when I go out there, and I just see a big human being like that running to the rim, I just throw it up. So I feel like, definitely, spending as much time as we do together is a huge connection on the court.” After the game, in the media room, Poole finished answering questions before Livers. He walked over to his roommate, took a microphone, and asked Livers what he thought about the alleyoop pass. Livers smiled and said he thought he might owe the passer some food. Then, the pair left and took pictures with fans outside the room. It was all smiles for them after the day they had. After all, it’s a game Livers and Poole have been dreaming about.
Report: ‘M’ set to hire ORION SANG
Managing Sports Editor
Michigan officially announced the hiring of one assistant coach, Al Washington, this past weekend. And it may not be too long before the Wolverines officially hire another assistant as the college football coaching carousel continues to turn. According to a report from Bruce Feldman of Sports Illustrated on Friday afternoon, Michigan is set to hire Dan Enos, previously Arkansas’ offensive coordinator. Enos has been connected to the Wolverines in recent weeks. A Dec. 7 report from Football Scoop stated that Jim Harbaugh had been in contact with Enos about a position on his staff. Enos, a native of Dearborn, has spent much of his career working within the state — especially at Michigan State, where he played four years at as a quarterback. After his playing career, Enos began coaching as a graduate assistant with the Spartans for three seasons. He made stops at Lakeland, Northern Michigan, Southern Illinois and Missouri State before returning to his home state as Western Michigan’s quarterbacks coach. Following stops at North Dakota State and Cincinnati, Enos then joined his alma mater’s staff. He was Michigan State’s quarterbacks coach in
2006 and the running backs coach from 2007-2009. Enos then began his first and only stint as a head coach at Central Michigan, where he compiled a 26-36 record over five seasons. He made waves in the offseason of 2014 when he decided to leave the Chippewas to become the offensive coordinator at Arkansas, where he spent the past three seasons coaching before being let go along with the rest of Bret Bielema’s staff this offseason. While in East Lansing, Enos cultivated a reputation as a talented recruiter. He was responsible for many of Michigan State’s in-state recruiting victories, signing players such as Edwin Baker, Chris Norman, Fred Smith, Dion Sims, Tyler Hoover, Bennie Fowler and Keshawn Martin. It remains unknown what Enos’s official role on Michigan’s staff will be. Offensive tackles and tight ends coach Greg Frey appears to be taking a similar role with Florida State; meanwhile, the Wolverines still have offensive coordinator Tim Drevno, running backs coach Jay Harbaugh and quarterbacks coach Pep Hamilton on staff as of now. While Enos has experience with calling plays, there would need to be some shuffling along Michigan’s staff for him to do so in Ann Arbor. This season, the Wolverines split play-calling duties amongst Harbaugh, Drevno and Hamilton.
Enos has been connected to the Wolverines in recent weeks.
Enos compiled a 26-36 record at Central Michigan.
EVAN AARON/Daily
Freshman forward Isaiah Livers scored 12 points aand his roommate, freshman guard Jordan Poole, had 11 in a game Livers says they’ve dreamed about.
The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com
SportsMonday
Monday, January 8, 2018 — 3B
GYMNASTICS Wolverines fall short to Ohio State in overtime WOMEN’S In season-opening win, ‘M’ passes difficult test ROHAN KUMAR Daily Sports Writer
With her team in the lead just six minutes into the game, Ohio State guard Kelsey Mitchell dribbled the ball calmly at the top of the key. Junior guard Nicole Munger and junior center Hallie Thome closed in on her, catching her by surprise and forcing a loose ball. As the ball bounced past the half-court line, the three players chased it. Mitchell was the frontrunner of the pack, and it seemed as if she would regain possession. But then, out of nowhere, Munger and Thome dove across the floor just as Mitchell reached down towards the ball. Thome grabbed the ball, and Munger instantly called a timeout — winning possession back for her team. Some may have wondered why two starters would sacrifice themselves so early on. But in Sunday afternoon’s overtime thriller, every possession mattered. The No. 22 Michigan women’s basketball team (2-2 Big Ten, 13-4 overall) fell to the tenthranked Buckeyes (4-0, 15-2), 78-71, at Crisler Center. The game started out intense, with both teams showing off their energy and physicality. Munger
drained a corner 3, getting the Wolverines on the scoreboard early on. But Mitchell responded immediately for the Buckeyes, sinking a 3-pointer of her own. The rest of the quarter — and game for that matter — would follow this back-and-forth trend. Both teams created a considerable amount of scoring chances. Ohio State played very tight defense overall, especially on Katelynn Flaherty, but the senior guard still managed to find the rim from the get-go. Thome was also a major contributor for Michigan. The Wolverines consistently fed her the ball down low, letting her spin around defenders to find the basket with ease. Michigan figured out how to capitalize on her height advantage from the beginning, and she put it in effect at the end of the first quarter. Following a missed 3-pointer from Munger, a Buckeye defender waited under the rim for the rebound. But Thome suddenly reached over the opponent, grabbed the ball and scored. Despite their offensive success, the Wolverines couldn’t limit Ohio State’s offense. They also had numerous traveling violations, and
due to these mistakes Michigan trailed, 24-18, at the end of the opening stanza. The second quarter was a defensive battle in which the Wolverines came out on top, limiting the Buckeyes to just six points. Senior forward Jillian Dunston set the tone for Michigan in this period, offering leadership through her confident style of play. The Wolverines followed suit and began cutting into Ohio State’s lead. Having just hit a free throw to get her team within one, freshman guard Deja Church received the ball once more, following a missed jumper by Mitchell. Church’s floater — the last shot of the half — spun out of the hoop, though, and Michigan trailed, 30-29. Flaherty made a jumper at the start of the second half, giving the Wolverines their first lead in a while. This lead flipped between the two sides seven more times in what was an even-sided third quarter. With 19 seconds remaining in the quarter, Flaherty came up clutch for Michigan. She showed off her ball-handling skills, dribbling through the defense to convert a layup and tie the game at 47 at the
RUCHITA IYER/Daily
The Michigan women’s basketball team came close to beating Ohio State, but ultimately fell short in overtime.
Barnes Arico breaks all-time win record ETHAN SEARS
Daily Sports Writer
When the seconds ticked off and the game ended last Thursday for the 190th time in Kim Barnes Arico’s time as head coach of the Michigan women’s basketball team, the first face she saw was a familiar one: Danielle Williams. Williams has been under Barnes Arico’s tutelage since the 2013-14 season, as both a player and — starting this season — a graduate assistant. Instead of saying a familiar axiom or giving a high-five after the team’s 80-57 dismantling of Wisconsin, Williams offered up a hug. Barnes Arico had won her 124th game, making her the program’s all-time winningest coach. Congratulations were in order. The team gifted Barnes Arico a jersey, numbered ‘124,’ with her name on the back of it — an idea birthed by Mulligan and Sarah VanMetre, the team’s communications director. Prior to Michigan’s game against Ohio State on Saturday, the jersey was presented to her at midcourt. From there, the congratulatory messages poured in. Nearly 18 hours after the game ended, she had yet to
sift through her text messages because there were too many. When Barnes Arico took over at Michigan in 2012, the Wolverines were a veteran program, led by thenseniors Jenny Ryan and Kate Thompson. After they left, however, it was Barnes Arico’s job to facilitate a rebuild while keeping Michigan in the postseason — something that hadn’t been done successfully in the program’s recent history. She did it. For four straight seasons, she kept the Wolverines above .500 and got to the Women’s National Invitational Tournament, winning it in 2017 and raising the team’s first ever banner. “I was fortunate to inherit a group of seniors that was experienced and was a tremendous group,” Barnes Arico said. “But after that, and they graduated, we had a lot of young, inexperienced kids. So we figured, we were gonna work harder than everybody else. And we might not have the talent of other teams, but we were gonna be the hardest workers and that would prove to be successful.” That ultimately became her theme, taken into every practice and every game. At the end of the intro video the team plays at the start of every contest, senior
guard Katelynn Flaherty stares into the camera and says, “We are the hardest working team in America.” “I just think sometimes, especially when you’re starting as an underdog and maybe your tradition has not been established already, to control the things that you can control, and one is your work ethic,” Barnes Arico said. “And the intensity and passion that you bring to your profession every day, whether that’s a player on the court or a coach on our staff.” Now — in Barnes Arico’s fifth year in Ann Arbor — she’s no longer coaching a band of underdogs. The Wolverines have been nationally ranked since the season began and look poised to make a return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since Barnes Arico’s inaugural season. When asked if she thinks this is the best team she’s had at Michigan, Barnes Arico replied: “I guess the rest of the world does.” As for herself, well, she didn’t give a concrete answer. Better to keep working than start wondering.
Read the full story online at MichiganDaily.com
end of the third frame. Neither team pulled away in the fourth quarter. Thome found success in the low post, leading the Wolverines’ offense with a quarter-high nine points, while Mitchell continued to lead the Buckeyes. With a little over a minute in regulation remaining, Michigan — trailing 62-61 — called a timeout. It proved helpful. Flaherty drained a 3-pointer shortly after to give the Wolverines a two-point lead. After a missed jumper by Ohio State, Michigan regained possession and had a chance to make it a two-possession game. But Flaherty missed a 3-pointer and Mitchell capitalized, going coastto-coast to tie the game at 64. The Wolverines called a timeout with twelve seconds left, and had one final chance to put the game away. But Flaherty couldn’t convert, missing another 3-pointer, sending the game to overtime. With Thome and Flaherty well-guarded, Michigan’s offense struggled in overtime. Deadlier, however, was its defense’s continued inability to stop Mitchell, who scored nine of her game-high 37 points in the extra period. Though the Wolverines had strong individual efforts — which included 27 and 22 points from Thome and Flaherty, respectively — they were not enough for a victory. Michigan put together four strong quarters, but the end result left the fans feeling bitter once again. The Wolverines have yet to close out a game against a highcaliber team. “In general, we just need to realize we are right there,” Thome said. “We all need to go back, watch the game, figure out what we need to improve upon and then we play them next week, so we are in a good condition right now. We just need to keep improving and take it day by day. It’s a loss, but a loss is time for learning.”
Read the full story online at MichiganDaily.com
JACOB KOPNICK Daily Sports Writer
For the No. 7 Michigan women’s gymnastics team, facing the best competition has become the norm. The prestige of the program has invited in competition from top talent across the nation. This season alone, the Wolverines will face three of the top five teams ranked in the NACGC/W Preseason Coaches Poll. Friday, Michigan began its difficult schedule against fourth-ranked Alabama at the Crisler Center. In a meet filled with a bevy of highs and lows, the Wolverines escaped with a narrow win, topping the Crimson Tide, 196.200 to 195.675. Highlighting Michigan’s victory were individual performances from junior Olivia Karas on her floor routine and senior Briana Brown on the uneven bars, scoring 9.925 and 9.900, respectively. “We knew it was a really tough team,” Brown said. “But we’ve been working really hard and we’ve beaten Alabama before so we knew if we just trusted our training, if we just came out here and did what we knew how to do, it was gonna be just fine, and we had a lot of fun.” The importance of competing against top-ranked opponents early and often is not lost on Michigan coach Bev Plocki, who places a special emphasis on scheduling the best of the best. “I have always been of the belief that you are only as good as the teams you compete against,” Plocki said. “And the last couple years — this is not out of the norm for us. I really feel like you have to put yourself up against the best as a measuring stick.” Now that Plocki has successfully lined up a laundry list of difficult opponents, the
Thome flourishes in Michigan loss Junior center tallies 27 points against rival Ohio State
RUCHITA IYER/Daily
Junior center Hallie Thome was the bright spot for Michigan, scoring 27 points in the Wolverines’ loss to Ohio State.
SARAH HURST
Daily Sports Writer
With 4:45 remaining in the first quarter, Ohio State had possession of the ball near half court. As the Buckeyes passed back and forth, they lost control of the ball and it rolled over to the other side of the court. Several players broke into an all-out sprint in an attempt to gain possession, but it was junior center Hallie Thome who slid her sixfoot-five body across the floor to secure the ball. The crowd of 8,313 erupted. Though Ohio State would ultimately prevail in overtime, Thome proved to be a key player for the Michigan women’s basketball team in Sunday’s game, totaling a team-high 27 points. “I think we need to realize that we’re right there,” said Thome. “Now we need to keep improving and take it day by day ... it’s a loss but a loss is time
for learning.” Despite Buckeye ball pressure that forced Thome and the Wolverines into numerous traveling violations, Thome used footwork to create clean shots around the hoop. “She’s got outstanding footwork, she’s a really skilled post,” said Michigan coach Kim Barnes Arico. “I think that they were bumping her a little bit and they were calling a ton of travels against us, really more in the first half than we had all year long. And I think part of that was their physicality and we had to adjust to that. “I thought we settled down as a team and did a better job in the second half of not traveling with the basketball. And she specifically really settled down and just used her quickness and her footwork to be aggressive.” Senior point guard Katelyn Flaherty had several assists to Thome during the game, making them a notable and highly-guarded duo. “It’s better when she’s on my
“I think we need to realize that we’re right there.”
RUCHITA IYER/Daily
Michigan coach Kim Barnes Arico broke the all-time wins record on Thursday by beating Wisconsin.
team’s preparation and energy must rise to that same elite level. For these gymnasts, they will take that energy wherever they can get it, whether it comes from the crowd or their teammates. “I feed off energy,” Karas said, “I always tell my teammates, ‘you’ve gotta be loud for me!’ But I love energy, I love the excitement of the crowd, I love looking at, like making eye contact with people in the crowd and getting excited, it gets me excited, and — I thought the crowd brought so much energy that just helped us in the end there.” That was evident Friday. Karas’ floor routine — complete with a double Arabian — was met with a thunderous cheer from a 3,000-strong Crisler crowd. From her first pass, Karas drew a standing ovation from the rambunxious crowd and rode the high energy to an event-best score of 9.925. While the camaraderie was a high point in Michigan’s performance, some aspects still need improvement as Brown mentioned the team’s landings and ability to compete what they’ve practiced could get better. Plocki will be the first one to say there is no magic fix to help a gymnast stick a perfect landing every time. But even against No. 4 Alabama, Michigan displayed a patience and poise that carried it to victory. “We’ve got a lot of stuff to work on here with people,” Plocki said. “But I’m really proud of the fact that, when things were not going our way, and you know, we were under so much pressure, we could have easily caved — but sometimes you just have to keep fighting and believe that it’s worth the continued fight and you can come out with the win.”
side because they can’t help down so it’s easier to get into the post,” Thome said. “They kind of have to pick and choose, do they want a three or do they want a two? So being able to play with a player like this, who everyone in the country respects, is definitely so nice.” Ohio State’s one-on-one defense provided Thome an advantage not afforded by some other teams, who tend to focus more attention on Thome. “She’s coming off of a real good game and we talked about trying to establish her early and get her the ball early and we were able to do that,” Barnes Arico said. “I think one of her advantages was that they left in her in a one-on-one and a lot of times teams try to double her.” But Thome was good for more than just scoring, proving herself as a defensive standout Sunday. Early in the second quarter, Thome blocked a shot that put the fans on their feet. And in a matchup with Stephanie Mavunga, one of the Buckeyes’ best players, she stood her ground. “She really attacked her,” Barnes Arico said. “She definitely won the battle tonight.”
SportsMonday
4B — Monday, January 8, 2018
The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com
ICE HOCKEY
Content with retirement, former coach Berenson honored Friday night BEN KATZ
Daily Sports Writer
Surrounded by a sea of maize in Yost Ice Arena Friday night, the Michigan hockey team made its way out for pregame skate, all donning white sweaters. It was a strange sight before an advertised “Maize Out Yost” night. Upon further inspection, each warmup jersey was the same, each boldly displaying No. 9. “Berenson” embroidered on the back with the captain’s “C” sewn on the heart. On the night dedicated to his legacy, this part of the commemoration was a surprise for Red Berenson. Through he showed a wide grin, Berenson was quick to explain that when he played, there were no names on jerseys, which were wool to combat cold rink temperatures in the old Coliseum. “The first guy I noticed was (senior defenseman) Cutler Martin,” Berenson said. “I thought, ‘Geez, Cutler’s wearing the ‘C’ tonight.’ Then I realized they were all wearing the ‘C.’ ” This was just one of many tributes to Berenson before Friday night’s matchup against Notre Dame. The legendary Michigan hockey coach of 33 years, who retired at the end of last season, was officially honored with the formal dedication of the “Red Berenson Rink.” The new ice design — unanimously approved by the University’s Board of Regents in October — features Berenson’s signature near both blue lines. Next season, “Red Berenson Rink” will replace “Yost Ice Arena” in the center ice circle. “That was a good likeness (of my signature),” Berenson said. “I wasn’t expecting anything, but this is pretty neat.” A video package chronicling Berenson’s career was shown before the opening faceoff. Additionally, a banner sporting his face was sprawled over the
Children of Yost student section. During the national anthem, the sold-out crowd of 5,800 fans screamed “Red” when the appropriate lyric arrived. Capping off the pre-game festivities, a ceremonial puck drop celebrated one of the Michigan greats. As he made his way from the bench to center ice — a walk that started at a quick pace and ended as a slower, more reflective saunter — Berenson stopped at the end of the black carpet to pose for a photo with senior forward and captain Tony Calderone and Fighting Irish captain Jake Evans. But it took a couple promptings from photographers and a “drop the puck” chant from the Wolverine faithful before Berenson did so. The once ever-serious coach was too busy taking it all in. “I really appreciate the gesture from the athletic department,” Berenson said. “I’m thankful for all the good teams and good players we’ve had at Michigan over my time, and good coaches. You don’t do this by yourself. You teach a lot of good people. I was lucky I was at a school like Michigan. Good things happen at Michigan and this was one of them.” *** Berenson originally arrived in Ann Arbor from Regina, Saskatchewan as a studentathlete in 1959. He played four years of hockey and was named All-American twice, the 1962 WCHA Most Valuable Player and a team captain his senior season. After graduation, Berenson spent 17 years in the NHL as a center for the New York Rangers, St. Louis Blues, Detroit Red Wings and Montreal Canadiens. While hoisting the Stanley Cups in 1965 and 1966 with Montreal, he never strayed too far from Michigan, simultaneously earning a Master of Business Administration at the university he has always called home. After coaching in the NHL
until 1984, Berenson returned to his alma mater as head coach. His unwavering pursuit of excellence immediately transformed the hockey program into one of the nation’s most storied. This mindset, which led to a complete turnaround for Michigan hockey, is one he continues to live by to this day. And with the Wolverines heading into the first intermission, down 2-1 Friday, Berenson would want this same “pursuit of excellence” message shared with the team if he were in the locker room. “I would just remind them of the great opportunity that they have to play at Michigan and to bring what they can bring to Michigan,” Berenson said. “It’s not what Michigan is going to do for you. What are you going to do for Michigan? We brought you here because of this, this and this — and are you doing that? Are you living up to that, and are you getting better? And are you making the team better? Are you making the people around you proud? “They need to be reminded every so often. It becomes a job, you’re going to school and then coming down here. But you’ve got to love it or you wouldn’t do it. And if you’re going to do it, do it well.” Under Berenson’s tutelage, Michigan players consistently did their jobs well. The Wolverines captured 21 conference championships and qualified for the NCAA Tournament in 23 of his last 27 seasons. From 1991 to 2012, Michigan received 22 straight tournament bids, an NCAA record that still stands. Berenson led the Wolverines to 11 Frozen Fours and national championships in 1996 and 1998. Berenson retired with the fourth-most wins in NCAA ice hockey history with an 848426-92 career record. He also mentored two Hobey Baker Memorial Award winners, 73
NHL players and 140 Academic All-Big Ten selections. Berenson has nothing but gratitude for others when looking back at his illustrious career. “I couldn’t have imagined this,” Berenson said. “I’ve been really lucky to have been around good people and somehow, I made some sort of contribution one way or another. And here we are today. … When you get the right group together, great things can happen. I was lucky to be a part of a few good groups and I’ve been lucky to be at Michigan.” The man who will forever consider himself fortunate for every opportunity he received passed the same attitude onto this year’s team prior to Friday’s matchup. “The thing I mentioned before the game is that it’s something bigger than yourself,” Berenson said. “You become bigger than yourself. It’s not just about you, it’s about all the things that are going on around you that you’re a part of. Just going to the football games, reading about Michigan graduates maybe going to the moon or whatever they do. You’re a part of that and they’re a part of you. It’s amazing and it goes on and on. It never stops.” Many in the dressing room skated for Berenson during parts of their college careers, so listening to their former coach address the team once again and seeing him recognized are unforgettable. “We had a great three years together,” Calderone said. “I learned a lot from him and he really progressed me as a player. It was awesome seeing him out there tonight and getting what he deserves.” Added senior defenseman Sam Piazza: “It’s really just a phenomenal honor for him and well-deserved. It was an awesome experience before the game today.” Current Michigan coach Mel Pearson — who spent 23
years under Berenson as both an assistant and associate head coach — praised his predecessor and applauded the recognition Berenson received. “It was a great night for Red,” Pearson said. “He’s been a great ambassador for the University of Michigan, the athletic department, our hockey program and for college hockey. We can’t honor or thank a man like him enough. “But it was a nice way to do that. A very classy man and a very classy move by (athletic director) Warde Manuel and our athletic department, naming that rink after him. It’s going to be a pleasure coming here every day and knowing that name is on that rink.” *** After 33 years filled with the daily grind of practices, film studies and game preparations, Berenson is now content watching from the stands. “It’s been good, really good,” Berenson said. “I don’t lose any sleep if our power play is not working or if our goalie isn’t playing well or whatever. I’ve let it go and like I told Mel, ‘You’ve got the keys to the car. Go for it. I’ll be here when you need me.’ But I’m happy with my decision and I’m happy with the decision to bring Mel Pearson back.” Since announcing his retirement last April, Berenson has kept busy. Over the summer, he went fishing in Florida and hunting in Manitoba. Nowadays, Berenson spends time at his Ann Arbor home with his wife, children and grandchildren. He traveled to Moscow in September to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the famed Summit Series between the Soviet National Team and Berenson’s own Team Canada. In the 1972 international competition, Canada swept the final three games in Moscow to win the series, 4-3-1. During the recent trip, Berenson and his old teammates were invited to speak
and dine with Russian president Vladimir Putin. Instead of agonizing over film of the Wolverines’ biggest plays, Berenson chooses to sit back at home with his NHL television package. However, he still makes sure to either attend or watch every Michigan game, determined to support Pearson and the hockey program that defined his career. He has also become a special advisor to Manuel, while continuing to work on endowing all the hockey program’s scholarships. Not to be outdone, the 78-yearold sets aside time to lace up his skates Tuesday nights in the alumni league — on the Yost ice that will bear his name. “I was playing three times a week until I dinged my elbow,” Berenson said. “But I’ll be back. I’m enjoying it. I’m playing with guys my age, not these young guys.” *** Before the game, Berenson signed a young girl’s St. Louis Blues jersey and threw it back to her over the glass. He waved and smiled at fans as he made his way to the exits following Friday’s game. During the first intermission, he joked with reporters about his age and the fact that he is 40 years older than the next-oldest player in the alumni league. He discussed his views on hockey in the upcoming Winter Olympics and the Children of Yost’s nightly rendition of “O Canada.” The relaxed and jovial nature of Berenson showed a new side of the straight-shooter, who used to expect nothing short of perfection from his players. It showed a Berenson who has come to terms with retirement and the decision to close the chapter on his coaching legacy. “You’re totally invested in your team and the game, and now I’m not,” Berenson said with a smile. “I’ve had my time.”
Michigan swept by Notre Dame over weekend No. 7 Michigan pulls off WOMEN’S GYMNASTICS
ANNA MARCUS Daily Sports Writer
SOUTH BEND — The Michigan hockey team entered its third period with nothing to show for its impressive offensive showing against the nation’s second-ranked team. Notre Dame on the other hand — which played in a largely similar fashion as the Wolverines — had already found the net twice. Forward Josh Norris then provided Michigan with a glimpse of hope. The freshman scored off a rebound to cut the deficit to one with eleven minutes to spare in the game. However, though the Wolverines have seen many successful late-game rallies throughout the season, this time, it wouldn’t be enough. Despite demonstrating an ability to keep up with the Fighting Irish, Michigan suffered the same fate as it did in its game Friday. The Wolverines (3-7-2-1 Big Ten, 8-102 overall) fell, 2-1, and were swept in their home-and-home series against the third-best defensive team in the nation. “I thought we saw a lot of really good things this weekend,” said Michigan coach Mel Pearson. “I didn’t like the results, I’m not happy with the results, but you can’t complain about the effort.” Right out of the gate, high energy and forceful offenses were on display at Compton Family Ice Arena — a noticeably amplified performance from both sides of
the puck in comparison to Friday’s showing. Just over two minutes into play, Notre Dame created the first dangerous scoring opportunity of the game, forcing sophomore goaltender Hayden Lavigne to extend himself to make five saves over a minute and a half. Lavigne continued to play a crucial role for Michigan throughout the game, making 34 saves, and appears to have tentatively earned the starting spot in goal. “He made some big time saves, and I thought he’s established himself this weekend as our guy,” Pearson said. “It’s just two games but we haven’t had a guy put back to back games like that, and good for him. We’re going to need that going forward … so I thought he was excellent, and that’s all we need.” The Fighting Irish pressed again a minute later, finding the net this time. However, after further review, the goal became nullified due to a hand pass. Notre Dame received the first man-advantage at 6:44 in the game, when senior forward Tony Calderone was given a penalty for hooking. Though the Fighting Irish again saw many close attempts, they could not get the puck past Lavigne. The remainder of the period was characterized by back-andforth, gritty play from both Michigan and Notre Dame. The
Wolverines saw their most viable scoring opportunity with five minutes remaining in the period, when they fired five shots at Fighting Irish goaltender Cale Morris. However, their efforts remained fruitless, and both teams entered the first intermission with the scoreboard still blank. Though Notre Dame’s potent offense was not fully visible in Friday’s game, this was not the case in Sunday’s first period. While the Wolverines outshot the Fighting Irish in every period Friday, Notre Dame nearly doubled Michigan’s shot count in the first period of the game on Sunday. This highlighted Lavigne’s standout showing over the period, as he stopped all fifteen of the Fighting Irish’s on-target shots. The Wolverines came out hot to begin the second period, keeping the puck mostly within Notre Dame’s defensive zone for the first four minutes of play. Over this period, Michigan blasted seven shots at Morris, and the netminder was able to keep the puck from passing him. Despite unevenly dominating the start of the period, the Wolverines were unable to get on the scoreboard first. 6:10 into the period, Michigan turned the puck over in the neutral zone, creating an odd-man rush for the Fighting Irish. Notre Dame forward Andrew Oglevie capitalized on the change in possession, sending the puck into the upper right corner of
KATELYN MULCAHY/Daily
Sophomore goaltender Hayden Lavigne finished with 34 saves in Michigan’s loss Sunday afternoon.
Michigan’s net to give the Fighting Irish the first lead of the game. The Wolverines did not let up on pressure, firing numerous on-target shots at Morris over the next few minutes. Halfway through the period, Notre Dame received a penalty for slashing, giving Michigan a power play. The Fighting Irish were able to kill the penalty and drew a manadvantage of their own right after their penalty ended. A minute into the power play, Notre Dame defenseman Matt Hellickson — who also scored with a man-advantage in Friday’s game — beat Lavigne, increasing his team’s lead to two. With just over two minutes remaining in the period, Notre Dame had the opportunity to capitalize on another manadvantage, but this time the Wolverines stood their ground. Michigan killed the penalty, keeping its deficit at two goals heading into the final period of regulation. Both teams entered the third period showing no signs of energy loss, with the Fighting Irish coming full force and continuously challenging Lavigne in the first half of the period. Though Michigan was able to get on the board 8:44 into the period with Norris’ goal, Notre Dame’s sturdy defense was able to limit the Wolverines’ offensive opportunities for a majority of the period, while the Fighting Irish kept up offensive intensity. With a minute to spare, Michigan took out Lavigne in exchange for an extra man, but was unable to come up with a goal before time ran out. Despite walking away from the weekend with two losses, which could be taken negatively, the Wolverines understood that their hard work and intensity did not necessarily line up with the outcomes they received. “We just played the whole weekend, I thought, these were two of our best games all year,” Lavigne said. “We worked hard, we blocked shots, we were physical, we were fast. I think against any other team those are probably two different games … a lot of good things were happening.”
upset over No. 4 Alabama ARIA GERSON
Daily Sports Writer
Olivia Karas opened her floor exercise, the penultimate of the meet, with a double Arabian. The difficult tumbling pass consists of a half-twist into two front flips. Karas nailed it. The junior finished her routine with as much spirit as she began. The crowd began chanting her name. A few minutes later, the score was official. The No. 7 Michigan women’s gymnastics team didn’t even need the final floor score from junior Emma McLean to pull off the upset against No. 4 Alabama, 196.2 to 195.675. The meet wasn’t always pretty. Both teams suffered their fair share of mistakes, but what set the Wolverines apart was their ability to recover. In the first rotation, freshman Syd Townsend put her hands down on her Yurchenko one-and-a-half vault, but in the second rotation, she bounced back with a 9.85 on bars, complete with a stuck dismount. “I talked to her and I said, ‘One of the biggest things we’ve gotta be able to do is let the past be in the past,’ and she went out there and rocked a bar routine,” Plocki said. “That’s an incredible thing for her to learn as a young freshman.” Even for the older gymnasts, facing a top-ranked team was an exercise in controlling their nerves. “It’s good practice for meets later on and dealing with pressure and pressure situations,” Karas said. “Sometimes, if you have a lot of adrenaline and energy … you have to minimize it to the best of your abilities.” On the balance beam — often the most harrowing event — Michigan was unfazed. Senior Lauren Marinez earned a 9.875 with her steady acrobatics, difficult jump connections
and stuck double-twisting dismount. Entering the final rotation, the floor exercise, the Wolverines held the slightest of leads over Alabama, which had yet to go on beam. Michigan knew it needed big performances. The Wolverines got off to a shaky start. Although nobody fell, the first three competitors had several landing deductions, and none earned above a 9.7. But the true character of the team showed not in its mistakes on floor, but how it reacted. “We were under so much pressure, we could have easily caved,” Plocki said. “Those last three floor routines could have had mistakes, and it could have been different.” Indeed, in the end, the meet came down to performance under pressure. After a fall on the beam early in the rotation, the Crimson Tide were unable to recover as their final performer put her hands down on a skill. Only able to drop one score on the event, Alabama was forced to count a fall. That’s not what happened for Michigan. Its last three routines were nearly flawless. Senior Brianna Brown earned a 9.8 with her energetic routine. Karas earned a 9.925. And though the Wolverines would have won without her score, McLean didn’t let up, garnering a 9.9. “It was a little not what we wanted in the beginning,” Karas said. “I’m pretty proud of the last three of us who went on floor.” After Karas finished her triumphant routine, she saluted the judges. The crowd went wild. The final scores flashed on the screen. Then, it was clear. Michigan may have lacked some of the big names and flashy skills of the Crimson Tide, but it showcased something better — the ability to hit when it counted.