Richland Chronicle March 30th, 2021

CHRONICLE Richland

Vol. XLVII Issue 15 March 30, 2021

A student publication

Storm season returns

• Federal voting rights debated

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• Spring holidays awaken the spirit

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• T-Duck sports back in action

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Richland Student Media Media

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2 NATIONAL

March 30, 2021

Voting rights act still faces uncertain future Hannah Spohn Staff Writer

The November general election may be over, but the issue of voting rights is back in the news. House Resolution 1, the For the People Act, is designed to make ballot boxes more accessible, vanish the influence of money in politics and curb corruption in elections.

The act, as posted on the website (www. congress.gov), has three main aspects: voting, finances and ethics. Together they play a significant role in getting elected officials into office honestly and can change the game when it comes to future elections. The measure has been approved by the House and is now in the Senate.

If approved, HR 1 would get rid of partisan gerrymandering, the act of redrawing district lines for a majority vote. It will make the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico states.

The act will also abolish state voter ID laws and only require a signature to vote. Other aspects of the package include same-day voter registration, limiting the rights of states to purge voters from their roles, restoring voting rights to former prisoners and extending early

voting and expanding opportunities to voteby-mail, according to The Associated Press.

HR 1 was initially passed by the House in 2019 when then Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), refused to allow a Senate vote on the bill. Now, the bill is being tried again by the 117th Congress in hopes of making voting more accessible and better for all constituents.

HR 1 was reconsidered after the 2020 election; Democrats are the prominent supporters calling for a reformation and reconstruction in how elections are overseen and supervised.

Republicans, led by Texas Senator Ted Cruz, are against this bill.

“This bill is not designed to protect the right to vote. Instead, it’s a dangerous and brazenly partisan power grab designed by the Democrats to corruptly turn their current razor-thin majority into a much larger and permanent majority so they can enact the Green New Deal and other items on their deeply unpopular progressive wish list. And allowing millions of illegal voters to cast votes robs you of your constitutional right to vote,” Cruz said in a press release on his website.

However, not all Texans feel this way.

“As a voting rights attorney, I’ve seen firsthand the damage barriers to voting does,

Photo The Associated Press

In this Oct. 12, 2020, file photo, people wait in line for early voting at the Bell Auditorium in Augusta, Ga. The rewrite of Georgia’s election rules, signed into law by Republican Gov. Brian Kemp March 25, makes numerous changes to how elections will be administered.

which is why I was proud to vote for and co-sponsor the For the People Act to affirmatively expand access to voting. I’m glad it passed the House with two bills I introduced, the Know Your Polling Place Act and the Shell Company Abuse Act, included. This bill would make our democracy more accessible, more secure, and more focused on serving the

American people,” Rep. Colin Allred (D-TX) said in a press release on his website.

According to AP, the 791-page document has the Republicans in the Senate planning a filibuster to block the measure and Democrats aiming to change the filibuster rules to keep that from happening. At present, a vote in the Senate would require 60 votes to pass.

Filibuster myth busters Angela Ly

RichlandStudentMedia.com

Managing editor Those who have no idea what filibustering entails may consider the classic movie “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,” in which Jimmy Stewart plays a U.S. senator standing up to corruption by talking until he physically can’t anymore.

According to Richland Government Professor Patrick Moore, times have changed.

He joined Richland Student Media’s “Friday Conversation” podcast March 26 to discuss the filibuster, its history and how it affects our current political climate.

“Filibustering now is just a matter of a member of the Senate who’s opposed to a piece of legislation, goes to the majority leader and signs a little piece of paper and says, ‘I’m going to filibuster this,’” Moore said. “And everybody just throws up their hands and says, ‘OK, we’ll give up on that because we know we won’t get 60 [votes].’”

Despite being practiced and re-adopted for decades, the filibuster is a parliamentary procedure not outlined in the Constitution.

However, the Constitution does allow the Senate to establish operational rules at the start of each term.

“People started to use the filibuster and it was exclusively used for the purpose of blocking

civil rights legislation, voting rights for former slaves, [or] civil rights for any,” Moore said.

“And you can see here how the filibuster has gone from a tool that was adopted accidentally and then rarely used except to obstruct the ability of African-Americans to vote today,” he said in reference to Georgia’s new voter suppression law.

“The Georgia legislation passed empowered, for the first time, the state to come in and abolish the local election board and put their own people in-place,” he said. It will also shorten the early voting window from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., cut back on Sunday early voting and ban mailing unsolicited ballot applications.

The filibuster is being considered by Senate Republicans in an effort to overturn the For the People Act that would expand voting rights on a national level. Senate Democrats will need 60 votes to overcome the filibuster rule and bring the vote to the floor, a process known as cloture.

The filibuster was intended to give the minority party an opportunity to have their voice heard.

“But right now, we don’t have a situation where the minority has a voice. We have a situation where the minority has absolute veto,” Moore said.

Listen to the “Friday Conversation” at www.

RichlandStudentMedia.com/podcast.

NATIONAL 3

March 30, 2021

Boulder, Atlanta shootings reload gun debate Cittlaly Cipriano/Janssy Sanchez Staff Writers

Two mass shootings in a week left 18 people dead and President Joe Biden renewing calls for stronger gun laws.

Robert Aaron Long is charged with the deaths of eight people, including six women of Asian heritage, following shootings at three spas in Atlanta on March 16.

“We stand in solidarity with our AsianAmerican students, faculty, staff and community to condemn these heinous acts. Hate and bigotry have absolutely no place on our campuses and in our communities,” said Dallas College Chancellor Joe May in a statement following the incident.

Then, on the afternoon of March 22, Ahman Al Aliwi Alissa was arrested for the killing of 10 people at a Boulder, Colorado supermarket, including Boulder police officer Eric Talley. It was the deadliest mass shooting in the U.S. since the El Paso Walmart shooting in August 2019. According to AP, the case is awaiting a mental health review to determine if Alissa is capable of standing trial.

Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty told AP that Officer Talley was “by all accounts one of the outstanding officers of the Boulder Police Department.”

“It’s very unfortunate,” said Dallas Police

Officer Brandon Porragas. “The officer that died in the Colorado shooting took up an inherent risk with this profession. As an officer, that’s part of the job, to go into dangerous situations and to defend people who can’t be helped.”

Georgia lawmakers passed hate crime legislation in 2020 that allowed additional penalties to be imposed for certain crimes when motivated by a victim’s race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender or disability, according to AP. The hate crime law can be added to a previous conviction, but is not a standalone crime. It is unclear yet whether Long will be charged with hate crimes in the Atlanta shootings.

Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris visited Atlanta March 19.

“Racism is real in America. And it has always been. Xenophobia is real in America, and always has been. Sexism too,” Harris said at a press conference. “The president and I will not be silent. We will not stand by. We will always speak out against violence, hate crimes and discrimination, wherever and whenever it occurs.”

These two mass shooting events have reignited debate about gun regulations in Congress.

“Every time there is a shooting, the Senate engages in ridiculous theater,” said Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX).. “We already know this pattern

Photo The Associated Press

A man plays his guitar for mourners as they walk the temporary fence line outside the parking lot of a King Soopers grocery store, the site of a mass shooting in which 10 people died, March 26 in Boulder, Colo.

is predictable, over and over and over again,” Cruz said.

Porragas said he had responded to incidents involving guns almost every day this year in Dallas but believes arming the citizenry can help deter crime and perhaps more serious occurrences like the Boulder shooting.

“They [gun shops] do background checks,” Porragas said, “But I mean ultimately, someone else could buy the gun for that person

and then give it to them. There’s always ways around that.”

The Colorado gunman was previously convicted of assaulting a high school classmate in 2018. Alissa was still able to obtain a 30-round Ruger AR-556 pistol without a waiting period. He purchased the semi-automatic weapon six days before his attack and just days after a judge blocked an ordinance that would ban assault weapons and large capacity magazines.

Like the Colorado gunman, Atlanta’s suspect also acquired his weapon with no waiting period. Long’s transaction occurred just hours before his attack. AP noted that lawyers for the gun shop employee who sold Long the weapon said they “complied with federal background check laws.”

The Atlanta shooter reportedly received treatment for sex addiction in 2020 and declared sex addiction his reason for the killings. Federal law bans the sale of guns to citizens who unlawfully consume or are deemed addicted to controlled substances but does not specifically mention sex addiction.

Democrats in the House passed two bills that would strengthen background checks on March 11, before the shootings. However, Senate Republicans have already made their opposition clear. Congress will take up background checks and other issues when lawmakers return from spring break in April.

INCREASE your OPPORTUNITIES

Complete your bachelor’s degree Gain the advantage of TWU’s legacy and Take classes online or in person.

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leadership in health-related professions.

4 ENTERTAINMENT

March 30, 2021

Ricky’s picks for the Oscars Ricky Miller

Entertaiment Editor

RichlandStudentMedia.com

The 93rd Academy Awards are coming up once again. The big event takes place April 25 from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. At press time, it’s unsure whether the event will take place live and in person, virtually or some combination.

Best Supporting Actress is a tight race again with eight-time-nominee. Glenn Close as the elderly matriarch of Ron Howard’s “Hillbilly Elegy” among the Academy’s top picks. Close has been in this boat before, dating back to director George Roy Hill’s “The World According to Garp” in 1982. Also nominated are Olivia Colman in “The Father,” Amanda Seyfried in David Fincher’s “Mank,” Yuh-Jung Youn in “Minari” and Maria Bakalova in “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm.”

I think as much as I want to see Close win, I think Youn will win for “Minari.”

This year, gritty true-life tales and factious stories about gritty events make up the Best Original Screenplay category. This includes “The Trial of the Chicago 7,” the South Korean drama “Minari,” the story of a musician losing his hearing with “Sound of Metal,” the true-life tale of an FBI undercover operation into the Black Panther Party with “Judas and the Black Messiah” and the

revenge tale “Promising Young Woman.”

Best Screenplay will undoubtedly go to Emerald Fennell for “Promising Young Woman.”

The Best Supporting Actor nominees are a strong, varied lot with a mixture of both fictional and true-life tales in the mix. The nominees include Sacha Baron Cohen for his portrayal of anti-war activist Abbie Hoffman in “The Trial of the Chicago 7,” Paul Raci as the drummer who is going deaf in “Sound of Metal,” Leslie Odom Jr., who plays soul singer Sam Cooke in “One Night in Miami...,” LaKeith Stanfield as Bill O’Neal who infiltrates the Black Panther Party in “Judas and the Black Messiah” and Daniel Kaluuya as political organizer Fred Hampton, also in “Judas and the Black Messiah.”

I think Odom wins here since the two stars of “Judas and the Black Messiah” cancel each other out and the other actors will have their own particular films acknowledged elsewhere in the night.

The Best-Adapted Screenplay category is also a strong mixture of true-life and fictional stories, including “The White Tiger,” “One Night in Miami...,” “Nomadland,” “The Father” and “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm.”

I think “Nomadland” has this category locked up. This will be another year in which a Frances McDormand-led film will do it all, sweeping a plethora of categories.

Photo Courtesy IMDb

Frances McDormand, left, and Linda May in the Oscar-nominated film “Nomadland.”

“Hidden Figures” (2016) –Octavia Spencer was Oscar nominated for her supporting role as a NASA mathematician along with writer-director Theodore Melfi and co-writer Allison Schroeder who got the Best Picture nod. With Taraji P. Henson, Janelle Monáe and Kevin Costner.

Women’s history month edition

B+

Photo The Associated Press

Author Larry McMurtry poses at his book store in Archer City, Texas, on April 13, 2014.

Author Larry McMurtry dies at 84 Larry McMurtry, the prolific and popular author who took readers back to the American West in his Pulitzer Prize-winning “Lonesome Dove” and returned them to modern-day landscapes in works such as his emotional tale of a mother-daughter relationship in “Terms of Endearment,” has died. He was 84.

McMurtry died March 25 of heart failure, according to a family statement issued through a publicist. The statement did not say where he died but noted that he’ll be buried “in his cherished home state of Texas.”

McMurtry, who had in his later years split his time between his small Texas hometown of Archer City and Tucson, Arizona, wrote dozens of books, including novels, biographies and essay collections. He simultaneously worked as a bookseller and screenwriter, co-writing the Oscar-winning script for the movie “Brokeback Mountain.”

Several of McMurtry’s books became feature films, including the Oscar-winners “The Last Picture Show” and “Terms of Endearment.”

His epic 1986 Pulitzer winner “Lonesome Dove,” about a cattle drive from Texas across the Great Plains during the 1870s, was made into a popular television miniseries.

“The Last Picture Show,” his third novel, became a classic with its coming-of-age story set in a small Texas town. He and director Peter Bogdanovich were nominated for an Academy Award for their script for the movie,

“Joy” (2015) – Oscar winner Jennifer Lawrence (“Silver Linings Playbook,” 2012) re-teams with director David O. Russell for this story about a matriarch who comes up with a new way to clean the kitchen. With Robert De Niro, Bradley Cooper and Virginia Madsen.

A-

“Waiting to Exhale” (1995) – A quartet of friends (the late Whitney Houston, Angela Bassett, Lela Rochon and Loretta Devine) reminisce about the men in each of their lives. Directed by Oscarwinner Forest Whitaker (“The Last King of Scotland,” 2006).

C

filmed in Archer City, located about 140 miles northwest of Dallas. The film adaptation of “Terms of Endearment,” released in 1983, was written and directed by James L. Brooks and received Oscars for best picture, director and screenplay, with awards for star Shirley MacLaine and supporting actor Jack Nicholson.

McMurtry was born on June 3, 1936, into a family of ranchers. He graduated from what is now the University of North Texas in Denton in 1958 with a bachelor’s degree in English and from Rice University in Houston with a master’s degree in English in 1960. He was also a member of Stanford University’s Stegner writing fellowship.

McMurtry’s writing collaboration with Diana Ossana began after she helped him get out of a slump following quadruple bypass heart surgery in 1991. They won the Academy Award for their screenplay for the 2005 movie “Brokeback Mountain,” based on an Annie Proulx short story about two cowboys who fall in love.

The statement from McMurtry’s family said that he died surrounded by loved ones, including Ossana; his wife; his son; his grandson, Curtis; and his goddaughter, Sara Ossana. He also is survived by his sisters, Sue and Judy, and a brother, Charlie.

–The Associated Press

“The Fog” (1980) – Cowriter-director John Carpenter followed up “Halloween” (1978) with his take on pirate lore set in the fictional seaside resort of Antonio Bay. With a strong performance by lead Adrienne Barbeau as Stevie Wayne, the voice over the airwaves in the fictional town.

B+

“Captain Marvel” (2019) –Brie Larson is Carol Danvers (aka Captain Marvel), a fighter pilot from another world who cements her stamp on the Marvel universe. Directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck with Samuel L. Jackson, Jude Law and the late Stan Lee. -Ricky Miller

B+

March 30, 2021

National Weather Service tracks North Texas storms

WEATHER 5

– National Weather Service www.weather.gov/ama/severesafetytips

Photo Courtesy The National Weather Service

The graphic shows a county map of North Texas where a cold front is forecast for March 30.

Dara Jones

Editor-in-chief Spring is in the air, which occasionally means severe weather is in the air too. In the 21st century, Texas residents don’t need to look up into the sky and wonder what’s going on. They have an ally in local news outlets that partner with the National Weather Service (NWS). This federal agency keeps track of weather patterns, communicates with the media, county and municipal Emergency Management System (EMS) officials and event coordinators.

NWS Warning Coordination Meteorologist Jennifer Dunn joined Richland Student Media from her weather watching location at the Texas Motor Speedway for the Journalism Speaker Series on March 24. She gave the attendees a look behind the scenes at some of the services the agency provides. Dunn is based out of the Fort Worth office, one of 122 across the U.S. “We cover what’s considered North and Central Texas, and we have forecast responsibility for 46 counties, so our extent is larger than the local newspapers, or even the DFW broadcast media that you watch on TV,” she said. The NWS in Fort Worth has 28 employees, 19 of which are degreed meteorologists.

“We always have at least two meteorologists, two forecasters on shift, 24 hours a day,” she said. The center keeps at least an eight-day outlook on upcoming weather patterns, updating the forecast as a weather event draws nearer. They issue the appropriate watches and warnings to their outlet partners as the storm moves through the area.

Media outlets employ their own meteorologists but still benefit from a partnership with the NWS, according to Dunn.

“People turn to the broadcast media first and we recognize that. We’re not trying to compete with them. We’re trying to work with them. We want to have a consistent messaging during hazardous weather, so that if there’s a tornado warning in the area you’re hearing that from us, you’re hearing it from Channel 4, Channel 5, Channel 8, any of the Spanish stations and any of the other broadcasters that might be out there,” she said. In addition, the NWS utilizes their website, social media and community seminars to get out the weather word.

Dunn suggested that students check multiple sources such as news networks, social media and smart phone apps in order to stay updated on the latest severe weather this spring. You can follow the NWS on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter by looking up the office nearest you.

6 RELIGION

March 30, 2021

CHRONICLE Richland

STUDENT MEDIA LEADERS Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Design Editor Entertainment Editor

Dara Jones Angela Ly Barbara Gandica Martinez Ricky Miller

ON THE COVER Storm season approaches come springtime.

Photo courtesy: NOAA.gov

BACK COVER Interview with a Rubber Duck.

Illustration by: Barbara Gandica Martinez

COVER AND FONTS Certain cover fonts are provided by the following www.nymfont.com – www.bvfonts.com

STUDENT MEDIA STAFF

Holi took place on March 29 and celebrates the springtime where Earth returns to life from the “death” of winter.

Pexels Yogendra Singh

Spring religious holidays demystified George Dolak

RichlandStudentMedia.com

Staff Writer For those who have taken a good look at their calendars for something other than the next Zoom meeting, or taken a step outside on a sunny day, they will notice that spring is in the air. In addition to blooming trees and flowers, it’s also the season for several major religious holidays. There are at least four major religious holidays from the months of March through May. What is everyone celebrating?

The story behind the spring holidays taking place over the next few weeks is a massive subject. The first on the calendar is the Jewish holiday of Passover, which began March 27 and continues April 4.

“It’s usually associated with the meal that’s celebrated on the first evening, but it’s really a Passover week,” said John Ewing, a professor of World Religions at the Richland Campus.

He explained that the Passover celebrates the Jewish people’s deliverance from slavery in Egypt, which is recorded in the book of Exodus in the Bible. Ewing explained that the meaning of the Passover meal is that “God delivers the Israelites through Moses from the bondage in Egypt,” adding that God also helped them find a land of their own.

The Passover meal features an unblemished lamb, unleavened bread and bitter herbs.

“The unleavened bread is interpreted in various ways, but the idea is that they have to eat this meal in haste,” Ewing said.

The Hebrews had no time for the usual prep work that went into making bread since they had to leave before the Pharaoh changed his mind again about letting them go. The bitter herbs cause one to “remember the bitterness of slavery,” Ewing said. He also explained that today many Jews celebrate the Passover by bearing in mind those people around the world who are experiencing injustice, as their people once did. The Passover is both a reminder of

God’s deliverance and a challenge to improve the world.

Holy Week in the Christian tradition began on March 28. It’s a series of holidays clustered around Jesus’ life on Earth, his death and resurrection. Ewing said that during Holy Week, Christians “walk with Jesus and relive those last events” of Jesus’ life.

The two most important days of Holy Week are Holy Friday and Easter Sunday.

Holy Friday commemorates Jesus’ death by crucifixion, through which Christians believe Jesus accomplished the salvation of humanity.

Christians, Ewing explained, viewed Jesus as their “Passover lamb, without blemish, without sin and he’s the innocent sacrifice offered on behalf of the family, on behalf of the people.” Ewing went on to say “Holy Friday was usually a day of fasting because Jesus doesn’t eat anything from the point that he’s arrested.”

Easter Sunday commemorates Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. Ewing described the modern significance of Easter Sunday as a “celebration of the victory over death,” and that Jesus “is conquering death himself and therefore bestowing the resurrection on the rest of humanity.” Holy Week, then, is a reminder for Christians to reflect on the hope they have for the forgiveness of sins and the future promised by the resurrection.

Hindus, Sikhs and Hare Krishnas celebrate Holi. This year Holi took place on March 29.

Ewing characterized Holi as a celebration of the “triumph of good over evil.” He also noted that Holi symbolizes and celebrates the spring, where the Earth returns to life from the “death” of winter. Participants celebrate Holi by spreading colorful powders all over one another and their environment. Celebrants traditionally sourced Holi colors from natural sources such as turmeric, but Ewing noted that synthetic colors also find use today.

He described the holiday as “very jubilant,

with instruments, chanting and dancing” and called it “fitting for spring.”

Ewing said that “Hinduism” is a “catchall” term for diverse indigenous Indian religious experiences. In other words, different stories featuring different gods and their association with Holi vary from region to region. But certain commonalities, such as the theme of good triumphing over evil, transcend regional lines.

He added that there exist interesting commonalities among these spring holidays that transcend religious lines.

Ramadan takes place during the ninth month of the Arabian lunar calendar, beginning on April 13 this year. Ewing described Ramadan as “a month of strict fasting during daylight hours.” He explained that “It’s not just fasting from food but also drinking liquid and, strictly speaking, that would include water.”

Celebrants break their fast every evening after sundown with a meal called Iftar, accompanied by a time of prayer. During the fast, Ewing said, “Your focus is on God” and “your solidarity with the poor.”

He explained that many families today choose to set aside money that they would have otherwise spent on food or frivolities. Ramadan commemorates Mohammad’s reception of the first verses of the Quran when, as Ewing put it, “the revelation descends from heaven to Earth.” A major holiday called Eid al-Fitr marks the end of the month of fasting. It will take place on May 12 this year. He explained that Eid al-Fitr is “a feast of breaking the fast and enjoying a meal and celebration,” noting that “Some families will even give gifts to each other.” For Muslims, the month of Ramadan is a time for reflection, self-sacrifice and giving, but also for great celebration.

“People are very jubilant in the spring” Ewing said. However, each religious tradition bears inside itself its own unique story and its own reason for joy.

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SPORTS 7

March 30, 2021

T-Ducks overwhelm Cedar Valley Blazers in blowout at home

The Cedar Valley Blazers take a shot from behind the 3-point line during a 64-43 rout by the Thunderducks on March 27 at Richland.

Marley Malenfant Staff Writer The Richland Thunderducks men’s basketball team defeated the Cedar Valley Blazers March 27 with a 64-43 rout. A blowout win appears easy with a score like that, but there’s one thing Richland lacked early that doesn’t show in the stats — energy. Richland had a lethargic start, closing the first half with a 25-23 lead. Missing open looks, poor turnovers and no fans were the early burdens for both basketball teams.

“Defense had always been kind of our staple,” said Head Coach Jon Havens. “We gave up 43 points in a college game with a shot clock. But I thought we had really good shots in the first half.

We just didn’t hit. And we’re an upper 30s, 3-point shooting team. We just didn’t get anything to go

down. And then in the second half, we started trapping the ball. But we hit some shots.”

With people still not allowed to attend games, the players became creative in bringing some vigor to the games. Players could be heard chanting “D up!

D up!”

Richland sophomore Jordan Keys, who led the half with eight points, said the games felt like their practices.

“The only time it feels great is whenever our bench is going crazy and the referee tells us to settle down,” he said. “It’s awkward. You make a layup and nobody is even clapping for you.”

The Thunderducks found their spark in the second half. Defensive traps frustrated Cedar Valley guards, resulting in inefficient shots or turnovers.

The Blazers ran a lot of zone but Richland was able to dissect their defense. Sophomore Vince Taylor

hit a big 3-pointer to put Richland up 39-25. The team made eight 3-point field goals for the game.

The team was able to move the ball and get any look they wanted. Richland went on a 20-0 run before Cedar Valley hit a 3-pointer to stop the assault. Brad Millorn kept the attack up with a pair of 3s to put Richland up 48-32. Despite no one on Richland scoring in double figures, their defense led the way to a large victory. Their bigs were being able to clog the lane and the guards continued cutting off passing lanes.

Taylor, who finished with nine points said the team went into the second half refocused.

“We was [sic] playing harder. We was [sic] more into the game,” he said. “We was [sic] playing good in the first half but in the second half we had more energy. Everybody was together. When the team is together, that’s when we started producing. We

Photo Credit Marley Malenfant

had to lock in. We already knew coming in we had to turn it up.”

Havens mentioned the games are a sigh of relief because it’s so hard for any team to build camaraderie this season. Things that are second nature to teams were taken away because of COVID-19 precautions.

“It’s hard. We’re limited on time and we’re playing so many games. We’re playing three games a week so we don’t get a whole lot of practice time,” Havens said. “The best thing in my opinion are the van rides because we actually get to joke around with them. The bad thing is we’ve started and stopped, so any kind of continuity we start to build, you got to start over when you come back a week later, or two weeks later. We had the snowstorm and all that stuff so it’s been tough. But to their credit, they’ve been really good.”

The NCAA tournament moves to the Final Four with two Texas teams making it to the men’s Final Four round and two women’s teams eliminated in the Elite Eight round. While Houston and Baylor advanced to the Final Four round in the mens tournament, the women’s teams both lost, as the Baylor women ended their season on a questionable call.

DiJonai Carrington first got hit on her elbow, then again in the face before falling hard to the floor with Baylor down by one with one second to go in the River Walk final against top-seeded UConn.

The Lady Bears wanted a foul called, but UConn felt the no-call was the right decision.

Carrington’s shot came up well short after the contact with two defenders. But no free throws were forthcoming since no foul was called against the Huskies who advanced to their 13th consecutive women’s NCAA Final Four with a 69-67 win.

“I personally don’t see it as a controversial call,” Carrington said, when asked about the non-call.

“I’ve seen the replay, and one girl fouled me in my face and one girl fouled me in my arm. So, at that point you can’t do anything else.”

It was a very physical game with 30 combined fouls called and many more not called, including the one at the end.

Lady Bears coach Kim Mulkey said afterward that she had still shots and video from two different angles showing the multiple fouls against Carrington, who was defended by Aaliyah Edwards and Olivia Nelson-Ododa.

When asked for an explanation from the referees, the NCAA said the question was outside of the scope of what the officials talk about. While the refs weren’t talking others were.

Even NBA superstar LeBron James agreed with Carrington and Mulkey.

“Cmon man!!! That was a FOUL!!,” James tweeted, following that up with another post about what a great game it was.

The UT Longhorns were soundly trounced by the South Carolina Gamecocks 62-34 at press time followed by the Louisville and Stanford game as the women’s teams advance to their Final Four round.

In the men’s conference, the Baylor Bears ran the Arkansas Razorbacks into the ground early in their March 29 game, and then again when it got close, posting a comfortable 81-72 win that demonstrated they’re much, much better than good and in the mood for bigger game. They won’t have to wait long.

Baylor faces No. 2 Houston, which nearly blew a 17-point lead before shaking off 11th-seeded

Oregon State March 29, with a final score of 67-61 and a spot in the national championship game.

Cougar fans have until then to revel in the memories of Houston’s great “Phi Slamma Jamma” tournament teams of the early 80s, but they could be in for a rude awakening.

Because this is how Arkansas coach Eric Musselman began his postgame news conference: “Just want to give Baylor a ton of credit. I thought that they played phenomenal tonight, especially offensively.”

Baylor is fast, tenacious, long armed and when everything is clicking, brutally efficient, too. Just nine minutes in, the Bears built an 18-point cushion, playing harassing defense and shooting 68% without turning the ball over once. By half, that was trimmed to 46-38. Arkansas got within four around the 6-minute mark, then got counter-punched with an 8-1 run because that’s what great teams do. They get on top and then figure out how to stay there.

USC Trojans take on the Gonzaga University Bulldogs in the early game March 30, followed by UCLA and Michigan. The Final Four gets underway April 3 with the NCAA Tournament Championship slated for April 5.

– The Associated Press

Photo The Associated Press

Baylor players celebrate after their win against Arkansas in an Elite 8 game during the NCAA men’s tournament, March 30.

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Texas teams make Final Four, battle for NCAA Championship

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March 30, 2021

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