The Battalion — February 3, 2023

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3 | SERVING TEXAS A&M SINCE 1893 | © 2023 STUDENT MEDIA

Silver Taps

Nicholas James Brueckner

Arjun M. Kumar

A. Drake Rowlands

July 9, 2001 — June 17, 2022

Mar. 23, 2000 — Dec. 5, 2022

Aug. 6, 2001 — Dec. 18, 2022

Free speech at A&M named ‘worst-of-the-worst’

By Michaela Rush @Michaela4Batt On Thursday, Feb. 2, the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, or FIRE, published its annual “10 Worst Colleges for Free Speech,” highlighting “the worstof-the-worst in campus censorship.” Texas A&M was among this year’s selections.

In the article, the FIRE staff references three active cases at A&M, related to Draggieland, The Battalion and Fish Camp. Anne Marie Tamburro, a FIRE program officer for student press and campus rights advocacy, staff chose A&M to appear on the list because of a

pattern within the three cases.

“The reason why we ended up having A&M on this list is pretty clear, ” Tamburro said. “There was a pattern over the past year of the school turning a blind eye to student’s rights, particularly the rights of student organizations. All three of these cases reflected a pattern of behavior that showed a serious disregard for the expressive and associational rights of student groups on A&M’s campus.”

To determine which schools make the list, Tamburro said FIRE staff creates the list annually.

“We take a collaborative approach, in terms

of meeting as a team and discussing all the different schools and cases that we’ve handled and decide which ones stand out to us, whether that’s individual schools or individual cases, or in Texas A&M’s case, several cases at one school,” Tamburro said.

When asked about the new ranking, A&M gave the following statement to The Battalion: “In FIRE’s overall 2023 rankings for free speech, Texas A&M was given a green light rating, which is the best a university can earn (other designations are yellow and red). The university ranked second out of all public universities in Texas and 40th across the country

among other public universities. While we are grateful for the recognition of our commitment to promote free speech on our campus, we are perplexed by a different list released by the organization this week. FIRE backs up its overall rankings with data and methodology explained on its website. Its more recent list does not appear to rely on its own data. Rather, it appears to be based on a sliver of information that lacks context for all this university does to ensure free speech.”

It is not yet clear if A&M’s appearance on the list will affect its overall green-light free speech rating by FIRE.

Winter weather freezes classes

By Ana Renfroe @aeonia1

Robert O’Brien — THE BATTALION

Evans Library houses a majority of the 6 million books within the University Libraries’ extensive collection.

SGA to lobby for equal access Student Senate joins push for free textbooks, increased academic resources

By Jack Lee @JackTheBatt On Nov. 2, 2022, the Texas A&M Student Senate passed a bill advocating for A&M to provide more free textbooks to students, especially in large introductory courses. Now, as the Texas Legislature

kicks into session, the student government is taking the next step and lobbying state legislators to support Open Educational Resources, or OER. Legislative Relations Commission member Allen Zhang, one of the initial authors of the bill, said he introduced the bill because he feels textbooks are unaffordable.

“As a student who has many classes that require me to purchase textbooks, some of them [over $100], I think it’s an enormous cost,” Zhang said. “I believe there are lots of free resources we could be using instead.”

The bill was intended to lessen the

financial burden of textbooks for students, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences senator Dalton Flatt, another one of the bill’s authors, said.

“As college students, we know that books and textbooks are super expensive,” Flatt said. “With the OER bill, our hope is to make textbooks more accessible for students that cannot afford them.”

Patrick Englehart, chairman of the Legislative Relations Committee and the chief sponsor of the bill, said he wants OER to be significantly expanded into a statewide TEXTBOOKS ON PG. 2

Earlier this week, Aggies had a surprise following Texas A&M announcing a campus-wide cancellation for Wednesday’s classes.

On Tuesday, Jan. 31, a CODE Maroon alert was issued, stating that A&M canceled classes and all non-essential operations would be closed at the College Station campus for Wednesday, Feb. 1.

Prior to A&M announcing its closure, students waited in anticipation for the CODE Maroon alert to be issued. Many surrounding schools and college campuses, such as all Blinn campuses and A&M campuses in Dallas, Round Rock and Temple had already canceled operations.

“Today it’s just been really cold, windy, a little bit rainy [and] not very nice to walk around in,” psychology senior Mercy Jackson said, describing the Tuesday afternoon weather.

Although she wished A&M had canceled classes earlier, Jackson said she understood since it did not reach freezing temperatures but felt excited that classes were canceled for Wednesday.

“I’m excited about that because I just found out that we’re not going to have classes,” Jackson said. “That was a nice mid-week surprise.”

General engineering sophomore Nick Sabitov said he felt unprepared for Texas’ winter season, adding that he didn’t pack any winter clothes when he came to college. Like other students, Sabitov welcomed the news of classes being canceled.

“I think it’s awesome because I had a quiz [on Wednesday] that I wasn’t prepared for,” Sabitov said.

However, Sabitov said he thought A&M should have canceled classes earlier, stating the weather created risks for those who had to drive to campus or who now lack a reliable source of WEATHER ON PG. 2

Say Howdy to Rowdy Merch Co. A&M senior brings local style at affordable prices

By Anna Deardorff @annardeardorff Rowdy Merch Co. is an Aggie owned and operated online boutique created with the college girl in mind. From sorority merchandise to game day attire, Rowdy has a wide selection of apparel and accessories to choose from.

Business marketing senior Chloe McWilliams opened up shop in September 2021. Since then, the company has gained over 2,000 followers on Instagram and status within the community through pop-up events where select items are displayed for customers to browse in person.

McWilliams was urged to start her own business by her parents, two successful owners of their own retail store.

The idea of Rowdy came to her after noticing Aggieland lacked affordable and trendy fashion outlets. Her website sells clothes, purses, jewelry, home decor and greek life accessories.

“There’s not a store in College Station that perfectly fits the vibe college girls are going for,” McWilliams said.

“It’s funky, fun, on-trend fashion that’s attainable for people our age, and I could reach the most amount of people quickly online. The whole mission was to be what everyone wants here and now, but not super overpriced or out of reach for college students because I am one.”

March 2022 marked Rowdy’s first ever pop-up at Zeta Tau Alpha’s philanthropy event, and seven more followed that spring alone. Political science senior Madeline Cooksey, McWilliams’ best friend, said she has seen Rowdy evolve first-hand.

“I saw the business take off,” Cooksey said. “I go to football games or walk around campus and I always see people wearing her stuff. Not only has the store expanded across A&M campus, but it’s also all over the U.S.” Rowdy has reached 30 states in the U.S. and parts of Canada, with a large portion of orders going to southern states, McWilliams said. Her most popular items in the store include the game day beaded strap and the SEC retro mascot sweatshirt.

McWilliam’s sorority little sister, university studies senior Karis Christian, said she frequently models for the store.

“The first time I modeled for her was one of her first big shoots at the Theta house,” Christian said. “When girls join a sorority, they’re really excited and want to buy things for it. Now, all the sorority girls know about her. I think those are probably her biggest sellers.”

Aside from shipments, McWilliams said she handles all aspects of the business herself. Her father, Scott, class of 1985, ships online orders from their home in Austin, Texas. With over 350 items on the website and multiples of each item, inventory cannot be housed in her current residency in College Station.

“Every single sale on my website in the beginning [was by] people I knew,” McWilliams said. “Now, the vast majority of people shopping are not people I know. That’s a good feeling.”

McWilliams intends to stay in College Station next year for graduate school and bring Rowdy to College Station, she said.

“I’m working with a realtor right ROWDY ON PG. 2

With 8-Week Courses * Available online

Classes begin March 20 www.blinn.edu/spring blinnbound@blinn.edu

Photo courtesy of Chloe McWilliams

ESSENCE

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The Battalion | 2.3.23

By Sameeksha Sharma @sharma_248 Passion is but a prerequisite for a career in the creative arts, yet is not enough of a force to transform a hobby into a career. So, I set out to learn what it takes to become a professional artist from scratch in an interview with Aggie artist Benjamin Knox, a well-known local celebrity.

Coming from humble roots in Lubbock, Knox arrived at Texas A&M University in 1986 as part of Squadron 3 in the Corps of Cadets. Art was not on the forefront of his mind when he was busy creating a successful landscaping business to support his tuition. There was no definite path for his entry into professional art, but he capitalized on a small opportunity to sell emblem designs to his fellow cadets. At the time, Knox said he was, “excited to sell designs for $10 to $100 a piece,” which is far from his current average of $1,000 per painting. Even now, he has no intention of slowing down until he becomes a nationally renowned artist. However, transforming his art hobby into a career was no accident as Knox said.

Here’s how he recognized the opportunities and confronted the risks that presented themselves over his thirty-five-year career.

In art, Knox learned that timing and demand are everything. Art is a sentimental business and he needed to paint when emotions were high, which meant that he could not run a landscaping business on the side. If he tried to do both, then he wouldn’t be great at either. Ungrudgingly, he sold his business to a competitor who was surprised and glad to have less competition. I was intrigued by his willingness to risk a profitable business, so I asked him, “What made you so sure that your artistic efforts would pay off?” He chuckled at my question and admitted that he didn’t know how everything would work out but he knew if he didn’t focus on his craft now, then the moment would pass. He understands the paralyzing nervousness of new paths and suggests doing what you can passionately talk about with anyone, what you can be the best at, and what will generate the most profit. He chose

art because he found it at the intersection of these three conditions.

While Knox moved away from College Station to travel, learn and hone his painting skills, he ended up returning a decade later led by the same three conditions. He realized that A&M was the unique niche that he was trying to find and he could be the best at capturing the Aggie spirit in his paintings. Soon after, he opened his gallery in the heart of Aggieland and began making paintings inspired by the community, traditions, sports and sceneries at A&M. He boldly stated during the interview that he “doesn’t want to be a local artist” but rather wanted to “become a trusted art advisor to all Aggies.” You can still find him sporting his Twelfth Man spirit at football games, celebrating with thousands of families on ring days and being a part of every major milestone of A&M. He also loves being a guest lecturer because it allows him to share his distilled wisdom

while learning from his audience. I wanted to know what students could possibly teach him in return, and he simply said that “artists need to stay as close to their patrons as possible because it allows them to know the sentiments of the moment for free.” He was true to his word, because when I sat in on a guest lecture for Edward Rister’s Agricultural Economics class, he asked the students to rate some catchphrases to rebrand his gallery. He got the results effortlessly and he seamlessly moved onto demonstrating the importance of strategic branding. He held up a blank sheet of paper in front of seventy students and asked, “How much would you pay for this sheet of paper?” One amused voice said “ten dollars,” but when Knox went to make that exchange, the student conveniently changed their mind.

Next, he asked a volunteer with art experience to sketch a quick portrait while he made a sketch simultaneously. After three minutes, without showing the class the final product, he asked “Which sketch are you willing to pay more for?” An overwhelming number of hands went up for his impromptu sketch.

Within minutes, he taught every student in the class that recognition is key to generating

Photo courtesy of Benjamin Knox

Benjamin Knox paints a portrait of Reveille in Jan. 2023.

value in art.

Sometimes artists are stereotypically considered temperamental people. However, the lesson is that professional artists are masters of both sense and sensibility. Knox revealed that the secret to pioneering an art career lies more in math than art. Knox showed me an astonishing number of graphs and charts based on his hourly time expenditure. He has kept a detailed catalog of his productivity over the years, and just a collage of his graphs could be considered an artwork by itself. As parting words, he encourages budding professionals

to choose their teams wisely and fill it with people that support them and counterbalance their weaknesses. He shares his life and work with his wife, Renee Knox, who helps manage the business aspect of his endeavors and is his biggest advocate. She lovingly quips that, “[She] often keeps Knox on task even when all he wants to do is paint in his studio,” because she is equally invested in making him a national artist. This powerful duo knows that timing, demand and teamwork are foremost in art as they continue to forge a national legacy.

ESSENCE ON PG. 3

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Look elsewhere. These handcrafted boots weren’t made for walking so much as they were for marching. But for the cadets who wear them around campus, they represent years spent working hard, learning to lead and building friendships that last a lifetime.

It’s always possible to tell when an Aggie just got their senior boots—no one stands taller.

Through impactful scholarships, Texas A&M Foundation donors support thousands of Texas A&M University students as they march into their careers. Learn how you can help build a brighter future for Aggies today and tomorrow at txamfoundation.com.

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NEWS

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The Battalion | 2.3.23

TEXTBOOKS CONTINUED utility, with A&M collaborating with different universities across the state to produce the maximum quantity and quality of free educational materials.

“Schools working collaboratively on OER is the best way to expand its access to as many courses as possible,” Englehart said.

“Some schools have professors that are super well known in their field … So if you have [a professor] writing their OER, and then other schools with other specialized professors writing their own OERs [and sharing

them], we’re able to get the best OER for as many people as possible. ” Englehart said the Legislative Relations Commission, the lobbying arm of the student government, is working to implement OER within larger educational bills in the legislature.

“For OER, [the Legislative Relations Commission is] in the stages of targeted advocacy,” Englehart said. “This means that they’re not [advocating for] the OER idea that the [student senate] had to be intro-

duced as its own bill, but rather they’re trying to communicate with legislators to get the text inserted into other educational bills.”

The commission is looking to work with legislators with a track record of promoting educational causes, Legislative Relations Commission member Cade Conrad said.

“We’ve reached out to legislators who have already introduced bills relating to higher education and specifically open educational resources,” Conrad said. “Once we hear back from their offices, then we’ll

be able to schedule meetings with them or actually travel to [their offices in] Austin.”

While a bill for expanding OER has not yet been introduced in the 88th and current session of the Texas legislature, which will run from Jan. 10 to May 29, a bill has been introduced that proposes exempting textbooks from sales tax during the beginning of college semesters.

WEATHER CONTINUED transportation, such as walking or biking.

“I think that the second the weather service announced that there [was] a chance we could be having a winter storm, the responsible thing should have been to cancel classes [for Tuesday] morning,” Sabitov said.

General engineering freshman Julius Stockton said he was ecstatic when he found out classes were canceled. He immediately texted his friends to celebrate but said he planned to stay inside and stay warm.

“I know it’s going to be worse [on Wednesday], but it’s not worth going to classes in this type of weather,” Stockton said. “Most of my classes were pretty empty anyways, so I didn’t

really feel like there was a need to keep the school open today.”

While the weather might have dampened students’ brief celebration, in a statement issued on Tuesday, Jan. 31, A&M urged all students, staff and faculty to proceed with caution when they return to campus.

“We understand that some of our surrounding areas remain impacted by icy roads,” the statement read. “As you return to campus, please use extreme caution, especially on bridges and overpasses.”

Campus returned to normal operations on Thursday, Feb. 2.

Jonathan Taffet — THE BATTALION

Icicles form in College Station after a night of freezing weather on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023.

ROWDY CONTINUED now,” McWilliams said. “I’m going to rent a house with enough space to keep everything with me.”

“Since the day I met Chloe I’ve always thought she’d be the CEO of a company one day,” Cooksey said. “She has that drive and passion for whatever she does, and I don’t really think you see that in people a lot nowa-

days. It amazes me how she’s able to balance being in a sorority, other orgs, school and run the store.”

Rowdy’s next pop-ups will be at The Junction on Feb. 1 from 1-5 p.m. and The George Hotel Feb. 12 from 11-1 p.m. with Kendra Scott. To stay updated with the latest events, visit the website.

Photo courtesy of Chloe McWilliams

ESSENCE CONTINUED Artist’s Statement “I love the act of painting, feeling the paint on the brush as it is applied to the canvas or paper, and seeing the results of what is envisioned being manifested with my emotions and thoughts. It means so much to me that what I create inspires others too, brightens their day and brings comfort in a world often filled with hardships.

I have an innate longing to be immersed in beautiful natural or historical settings. I grew up on a horse ranch in an isolated and somewhat desolate atmosphere on the plains of Texas, devoid of nature- just flat dirt, sky, and a little bit of grass and trees if they could survive. The weather on the dusty plains can also be harsh and unrelenting, with continual

windstorms and tornadoes. I remember the chores necessary for maintaining the ranch and working with the horses as simply a lot of hard work. I did find beauty and inspiration in the horses, cloud formations and beautiful sunsets while growing up there.Inspiration was overwhelmingly abundant on my trips to New Mexico and Colorado, a dramatic contrast from where I lived. All of these factors created a longing in my very core to experience and paint the beauty of our world.

Many artists have emphasized the importance of travel, learning, and gaining experiences to help with your artistic development. It is true.

All of that fueled my passion to live a life of exploration and learning.”

Artist Benjamin Knox stands in front his painting.

Photo courtesy of Benjamin Knox

Michaela Rush, Editor-in-Chief Kyle McClenagan, Managing Editor Caroline Wilburn, News Editor Kenzie Finch, News Editor Ana Renfroe, Asst. News Editor Ishika Samant, Photo Chief Jonathan Taffet, Asst. Photo Chief Ruben Hernandez, Life & Arts Editor Emma Lawson, Asst. L&A Editor Megan Williams, Page Designer

Emma Moser, Business Manager Dan Hung, Business Manager Caleb Elizondo, Opinion Editor Ryan Lindner, Asst. Opinion Editor Zoe May, Sports Editor Grant Gaspard, Sports Editor Luke White, Asst. Sports Editor Skylar Cheek, Social Media Editor Evelyn Peterson, Page Designer

THE BATTALION is published on Thursdays during the 2023 spring semester (except university holidays and exam periods) at Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843. Offices are in Suite L400 of the Memorial Student Center.

Distribution: The Battalion is distributed on campus and in the Bryan-College Station area. A full list of stand locations can be found at tx.ag/battstands.

News: The Battalion news department is managed by students at Texas A&M University in Student Media, a unit of the Division of Student Affairs. Newsroom phone: 979-845-3315; E-mail: editor@thebatt. com; website: http://www.thebatt.com.

Advertising: Publication of advertising does not imply sponsorship or endorsement by The Battalion.

For campus, local, and national display advertising call 979-845-2697. For classified advertising, call 979845-2697. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Email: battads@thebatt.com.

Subscriptions: A part of the University Advancement Fee entitles each Texas A&M student to pick up a single copy of The Battalion. First copy free, additional copies $1.

SILVER TAPS

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The Battalion | 2.3.23

Silver Taps July 9, 2001 — June 17, 2022

NICHOLAS JAMES BRUECKNER A fearless, hardworking, kind friend who always gave 110%

N

By Kyle McClenagan

icholas was a talented, determined individual who never gave up.

Since a young age, Nicholas had always been outgoing and willing to challenge himself, Laura Zulim, Nicholas’s grandmother, said.

“He never met a stranger,” Zulim said. “His thought process was to do your best every day … He was a huge giver.

He always did random acts of kindness, always did things for other people.”

One story in particular, from when Nicholas was only four years old, exemplified his enduring eagerness, Zulim said.

“He wanted to participate in a cattle sale speech,” Zulim said. “They were having a sell speech contest where you talk to judges about your animal, and you convince them as to why they should buy your heifer or steer.”

The contest was only meant for kids 12 and older, but Nicholas was able to convince his family to let him compete anyways, Zulim said.

“I said, ‘Well, I think it’s for older kids,’” Zulim said. “And he said, ‘I can do it. I’m going to write my speech … don’t tell me what to say. If I need any help with spelling, I’ll ask.”

Out of 15 participants, the closest in age being 12, Nicholas ended up coming in fourth place, Zulim said. A few years later, at age eight, he would discover his true passion in life, kart racing.

“What set him apart was he was never afraid to take chances,” Zulim said. “He would make passes where they always said, ‘nobody can pass in this corner’ … He was fearless.”

As he got older and his talent for the sport continued to grow, he gained recognition earning the 2016 Challenge of Americas Junior Max Championship and got the opportunity to represent Team USA in Sarno, Italy, according to ekartingnews.com.

PROVIDED

Finance senior Nicholas Brueckner will be honored at Tuesday’s Silver Taps Ceremony in Academic Plaza at 10:30 p.m.

“[Nicholas] Brueckner was such an outgoing personality at the racetrack,” an Ekarting News article, reflecting on his career, remarked. “There was no quit in this amazing young man. And, as always, Nick did all of this with his infectious smile, engaging personality and limitless charisma.”

He was eventually able to compete around the world, Zulim said.

“He won multiple national championships,” Zulim said.

“He raced internationally, nationally and twice on Team USA, once in Italy and once in Brazil … His all-time love and passion was kart racing.”

Nicholas, who transferred to Texas A&M’s College Station campus after attending the Galveston campus, had always wanted to attend the university because of its close proximity to his home and for its reputation for engineering as well as for its racing team, Zulim said.

“He had several friends that went to A&M too and several that were on the race team,” Zulim said. “He never wanted to do things mediocre, and he always said ‘110%,’ 100% was just getting by to him.”

Nicholas worked hard all the time, not only in pursuit of his own goals and ambitions, but also for his friends and family, Zulim said. “[He] always did things for people,” Zulim said. “He had two daily reminders on his phone, one was ‘Work hard every day and do your very best,’ and the other was ‘Dwon’t be a bitch.’ And I just thought that was amazing and what a lesson for all of us … That’s what kept him going and kept him always having a positive outlook on life.”

Aug. 6, 2001 — Dec. 18, 2022

Mar. 23, 2000 — Dec. 5, 2022

A. DRAKE ROWLANDS

ARJUN M. KUMAR

PROVIDED

PROVIDED

Economics sophomore Drake Rowlands will be honored at Tuesday’s Silver Taps Ceremony in Academic Plaza at 10:30 p.m. Per the family’s request, The Battalion will not publish a tribute for Rowlands.

University studies senior Arjun Kumar will be honored at Tuesday’s Silver Taps Ceremony in Academic Plaza at 10:30 p.m. A tribute article will not be published at this time. If you are a friend or family member of Kumar and are interested in speaking with The Battalion, email editor@thebatt.com.

T R E N DY, D E S I G N E R & V I N TA G E

EARN CASH FOR CLOTHES Welcome Aggies!!

2022 2410 Texas Ave S, College Station, TX

OPINION

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The Battalion | 2.3.23

Opinion: Embrace the future, embrace AI Opinion writer Valerie Muñoz says it’s time to harness the potential of AI

Valerie Muñoz @Val4Batt The day ChatGPT, a novel artificial intelligence, or AI, program, started trending on Twitter, I asked it to write a sonnet about Texas A&M. It was fit with all the right references and perfect rhyme scheme. I was hooked on learning what else it could do.

I’m not the only one who’s captivated. Electrical engineering sophomore Jennifer Romero said she heard about ChatGPT through a friend and has been using it ever since.

“We tried it one day and I was like, ‘Wow.’ AI is difficult to believe,” Romero said. “I’ve definitely used it for practice.You can ask it to help you solve math problems with different methods.”

Conversations on Twitter have ranged from excitement to terror as ChatGPT is able to write movie scripts, business columns and lines of code. While some are eager to adopt programs like ChatGPT, others are worried about its usage, particularly in education.

Once ChatGPT dropped, public school districts, like New York City’s, anticipated ac-

ademic dishonesty issues and banned the program.

“While the tool may be able to provide quick and easy answers to questions, it does not build critical-thinking and problem-solving skills, which are essential for academic and lifelong success,” New York City Department of Education spokesperson Jenna Lyle said in a statement.

However, other educators like computer science instructional associate professor Philip Ritchey said instructors are excited to use ChatGPT in the classroom to elevate instruction and explains how students can think about AI as a learning tool.

“If you’re in college to learn, using tools for cheating is antithetical to your goals,” Ritchey said.“The way we’re thinking about approaching it is encouraging and teaching [students] how to use these AI aids in a constructive manner and lead them into higher orders of thinking. They still have to learn about them.

You can’t skip out.”

While messing with the program, my eyes were opened to the endless opportunity: an AI buddy who was interested in learning what I asked of it, intelligent enough to provide insight and intent on helping me practice a con-

cept. Using AI can help explore other realms of thinking and act as an outsider, almost as if one is bouncing ideas off a group.

I copied and pasted a cover letter and asked for editing advice from ChatGPT.When I disagreed with the program’s advice, I was able to challenge it and work through my ideas with it. Its software uses feedback and adjusts accordingly.

Computer science sophomore Carlos Vazquez said that while some will attempt to copy off of the AI’s output, others will use this as an opportunity to level-up their skills.

“It’s been really interesting to see how people are using it as an extension of their own faculties instead of causing them to get lazy,” Vazquez said.

Using ChatGPT is worth exploring because it can provide constructive dialogue and constant feedback. Characteristics like these are what makes AI aids popular and relevant.

Days of worrying about whether students will be using AI as learning aids are long gone.

Harnessing programs like ChatGPT for learning productivity are set to become standard going forward.

The private sector will inevitably embrace the applications of AI, expecting employees to

be familiar with its use. Preparing for the future of careers, media and academia means taking the tools of the future and allowing them to shape us into sharp hatchets capable of cutting through the painful, slow, unproductive parts of the human learning process.

What we must learn now is how to use these programs productively to strengthen learning processes rather than letting AI stump us.

To do this, students shouldn’t be copying ChatGPT’s work, rather, using the program responsibly — asking it to provide practice questions or to help clarify ideas.

Instead of the warnings and gripes about AI being dangerous territory for plagiarism, we should focus on how it’s able to polish learning processes intensely. We should have conversations about how we can use AI in ethical, practical ways for the sake of academia because AI isn’t going away anytime soon.

How are we going to polish AI? By using it.

Ask AI questions. Challenge it. Prove it wrong. Ask it for inspiration or ask it to write you a poem.

Valerie Muñoz is a journalism junior and opinion writer for The Battalion.

Opinion: Michelangelo wishes he were an Aggie Opinion columnist Ana Sofia Sloane says A&M’s architecture should garner more respect and appreciation

Ana Sofia Sloane @anasofiasloane Delve into any architecture or art history book and you’ll observe the works of the greats: Bernini’s St. Peter’s Basilica, Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel, Brunelleschi’s Duomo of Florence … Revolutionary creations, characterized by breathtaking detail, intricate filigree and golden opulence. Angels garbed in white cloth watch from vaulted ceilings, warm light filters through stained glass windows and pillars of stone reach for the heavens — truly beautiful testaments to man’s craftsmanship on this Earth.

However, there is one fundamental aspect that Bernini and the rest seem to have overlooked in the design of their masterpieces: functionality.

See, these chapels and basilicas are simply too exquisite.Why spend years stacking blocks of marble or painting microscopic hairs on a floating deity if people are simply going to stare and take pictures? Wouldn’t it have been more worthwhile to invest in sturdier masonry or reliable construction?

So much detail, yet such little payoff. Indeed, construction on the Sistine Chapel was so miserable for Michelangelo, he compared it to “torture” and immediately returned to

sculpture upon the project’s completion. It’s clear Renaissance and Baroque artists devoted far too much time and effort in the pursuit of aesthetics.

What’s the superior alternative, you ask? To that I say, look no further than Texas A&M. Our campus is the epitome of functionality and practicality. Some may argue the sea of beige is unassuming or even bland, but this very feature — among many more — is what distinguishes Aggieland as a pioneer in architectural and artistic ingenuity.

Simplicity A signature characteristic of our university is the sand-colored concrete and stone which comprise every structure from buildings to sidewalks. No East-coast style red brick, no paint, no fancy construction. Just the bare basics — plain walls and the occasional tinted window.

Though some may yearn for a classic American picturesque campus, steering clear of any luxuries is a financially savvy choice and greatly streamlines construction. Bernini could take some notes — St. Peter’s Basilica cost over $48 billion and took 176 years to build. Why let the colors of creativity overpower the ease of simplicity? After all, A&M has better venues in which to invest expenditures, such as paying $250,000 in fines for trampled turf or buying new stop signs for Bizzell Street.

Versatile and Durable A&M’s Brutalist-inspired fortresses of con-

crete are certain to keep all students safe in the face of natural disasters. In the event of a tornado warning, there’s no doubt in my mind that students attending class in Kleberg, Heldenfels or Blocker would be insulated from any potential peril.

In fact, if the Eastern Hemisphere’s brewing threat of nuclear war ever comes to realization, I’d undoubtedly seek refuge in campus buildings. Blocker Room 102, where five of my political science classes have been taught, is my lecture hall of choice — the windowless walls and sub-ground placement would provide optimal shelter from any fallout.

Can revered architectural feats of the past brag the same multifaceted role? Unfortunately not. Theatrical Baroque styles and majestic Renaissance structures require constant maintenance and restoration, chiefly serving as eye-candy to tourists and locals. If only Brunelleschi had modeled his cathedrals in the same sturdy fashion as the Harrington Education Center or Cain Building, perhaps the iconic domes wouldn’t be plagued by cracks.

The Zachry Engineering Education Complex seems to be the rare exception to A&M’s stark construction theme — a uniqueness that is simultaneously a great flaw. Though the modern style and rooftop garden make for a pleasant studying environment, these frivolous features hold no essential value or robustness.

What’s next, oil frescos and marble statues? In my humble opinion, it is in the university’s

best interest that Zachry’s individuality be reconstructed to match the rest of campus’s utilitarianism.

Engagement Lastly, if Aggieland were home to stereotypically attractive structures, I fear it would only detriment student life: endless photos, listless wandering and increased foot traffic would detract from the environment of academia.

It is best that the university’s neutral grounds encourage students to get to class, study and leave. Same for visitors on tour: maybe pose in front of Kyle Field or the Academic Plaza, then leave. The chaos of home football weekends provides a peek into what could be if the opposite were true.

Thus, we students greatly benefit from A&M’s prioritization of efficiency over appearance. Iconic buildings throughout Europe cannot claim the same privilege, as mass hordes of tourists often lead to great property damage or infrastructural weakness.

All things considered, I implore experts and connoisseurs of the architectural world to shine a spotlight on A&M’s ingenuity.Though Renaissance, Baroque, Gothic and even modern styles steal all the admiration, it is the Aggie modesty that provides the most benefit and invaluable service — Michelangelo and Bernini, step aside.

Ana Sofia Sloane is a political science sophomore and opinion columnist for The Battalion.

SPORTS

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The Battalion | 2.3.23

The revival of handball: A Martin Mulkerrins story

By Grant Gaspard @grant_gaspard While Texas A&M is one of the most popular universities in the country for international students, most Aggies have roots buried in Texas dirt.

To unearth the story of “the Roger Federer of handball” and his connection to College Station, though, one must seek out new soil, crossing the Atlantic Ocean to a small village in Ireland.

“My father is from Moycullen, and he got a job back in Galway, so we moved back there in 1999,” Martin Mulkerrins said. “That is where a lot of my cousins and my father’s side of the family are from.” Mulkerrins’ hometown of Moycullen, a village no larger than Shiner, held less than 5,000 people.

Unlike the climate in the American south, Mulkerrins came from a place more cool than the sweltering Texas summers, yet warm enough to sustain his livestock.

“I think when you’re used to the Irish weather and come off that plane for the first time, [Texas heat] was something I wasn’t used to,” Mulkerrins said. “In Texas, it’s in the high 90s, 100 degrees and back home it ranges from 50 to 70 degrees all year.”

Mulkerrins and his family moved into his great uncle’s farm at the age of 11 and said he learned how to make use of the green pastures that surrounded him.

“Because we don’t depend on the farm, we like to see how the new science works in practice,” Mulkerrins said. “We were interested in agriculture, we look at it as sort of an experimentation in terms of all the newest ideas there are to make farming more sustainable … it’s almost like a pastime for me.”

Mulkerrins enjoyed it so much that he decided to attend the University College Dublin to study agriculture and reminisced about the many memories he made while growing up on that farm.

However, Mulkerrins’ deepest passion isn’t nourished on Irish pastures but was constructed by man — a passion that isn’t fenced in but is rather bound between four walls.

Ag an tús Mulkerrins didn’t start playing handball until he was 11 years old.

Before then, he was participating in one of the fastest field games in the world and one of Ireland’s national sports.

“Just growing up, I played hurling and Gaelic football,” Mulkerrins said. “It was my father who played [handball] and that is how I was aware of the game.”

Aware, but not yet involved.

It wasn’t until a new handball

Robert O’Brien — THE BATTALION

Martin Mulkerrins tosses the ball up in the air at the Student Recreation Center.

court was built in his home village of Moycullen that Mulkerrins played for the first time.

“I remember when that court opened initially, DJ Carey was a top hurling player in Ireland and that was kind of my main game at the time,” Mulkerrins said.

“My father had said [handball] will help you with hurling. Since you need to be ambidextrous in both sports.”

In the winter months when there was little hurling going on, Mulkerrins started training on the handball courts.

“I started to improve my hurling and football skills over time from playing handball and then, over time, because of how much I enjoyed playing and competing in handball; it became my number one sport,” Mulkerrins said.

Handball became a passageway to new friendships and a part of the community.

Mulkerrins spent the majority of his childhood playing hurling, football and handball with his schoolmates and teammates.

However, these adolescent times would become much bigger than a game.

Every kid growing up in Ireland had one goal: To play in the Irish Senior Championship.

“For us in Ireland, the GAA, from when you’re born into that culture in Ireland and you’re involved in that community, it is about the national championship, the Irish Senior Championship as we call it,” Mulkerrins said. “Representing your country or even your club, winning an All-Ireland is really the pinnacle of the sport for us.”

This event brings together the entire community. Not thousands of spectators

akin to a college football game, but rather a handball court packed to the brim, Mulkerrins said.

Dúshláin In sports where there is more money, like tennis, individuals can afford to pay people to help coach and train them to compete at the highest level. However, for handball, athletes must make sacrifices in order to reach their goals.

With the financial grip that being a professional handball player had on Mulkerrins, he wasn’t able to put forth all of his time and effort into the sport.

“For me, I don’t play handball for a living; I can’t afford to play it for a living,” Mulkerrins said. “When you’re not a full-blown professional, and you’re not 100% of the time dedicated to it, there are only so many hours in the day and you’ve got to prioritize things.”

One of these priorities is having a manager.

“The big difference for me is I am an individual … so I don’t have a manager,” Mulkerrins said. “Different people do help me along the way but more often than not I have to hire those coaches … if I get advice, ‘Maybe you should try this out’ then I do it if it makes sense but a lot of that comes back to me to manage my own time because it’s an individual sport.”

These roadblocks began to pile up and there came a time in his life when he began to question if the path he took was even worth it.

“I had times in 2014 to 2015 where I was kind of wondering, is doing these things and traveling what I want to do or maybe I am not as motivated as I need to be to perform at that top level,”

Mulkerrins said.

With a little help and guidance, he was able to overcome these obstacles and his life took a turn for the better.

Grá In the same place where he fell in love with the sport, he caught feelings for something with more human characteristics.

“She is from Ireland as well. She was born and raised in Northern Ireland,” Mulkerrins said.

Eilish Owens and Mulkerrins met in 2016 at a handball tournament. Despite only playing the sport occasionally, she was no stranger to the game.

“Her family and her cousins are fantastic handballers and very wellknown in Ireland and world handball circles,” Mulkerrins said.

Inevitably, the two bonded and formed a relationship that is flourishing to this day. A year later, the young couple took a trip someplace that left an indelible mark on their lives.

Mulkerrins and Owens initially traveled to volunteer in Africa for reasons unrelated to handball.

Inevitably, they set up a 1-wall court and taught the game of handball to the children of Uganda and the many South Sudanese refugees. A cheaper alternative to building a 4-wall court, which is three extra walls players can use to their advantage in order to score points.

“All those people were local people, living in mud huts with no electricity, no running water and included South Sudanese refugees for the most part,” Mulkerrins said. “To just see people enjoying the game, that was something special.”

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SPORTS

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The Battalion | 2.3.23

Robert O’Brien — THE BATTALION

Handball coach Martin Mulkerrins slams the ball at the Student Recreation Center.

HANDBALL CONTINUED What was more special wasn’t the fact they helped bring a smile to hundreds of children, but that all it took was a single game to begin closing the gap between young boys and girls.

“It was really a unique experience because the boys and girls in Uganda typically don’t play the same games as the opposing sex,” Owens said. “Both genders tagged along with each other to play handball.”

Yet, just like the rest of the world, the pair’s plans to return to Africa had been put on hold for some time, Mulkerrins said.

“Because of the pandemic, we haven’t gotten back there to give them a bit more coaching,” Mulkerrins said. “I’ve been really encouraged to see, and it has nothing to do with us, but that another court has just been opened in Uganda this year. It looks like the game is spreading a bit in Africa.”

Comhthuiscint While a student at University College Dublin, Mulkerrins had an opportunity to venture off from his native land and embark on a journey to Aggieland.

“I was a student at Texas A&M on a study abroad program for the fall semester of 2013 through the University College Dublin, so it is not totally new to me,” Mulkerrins said.

Mulkerrins was studying animal and crop production at his university and took a chance on an opportunity to learn and study the agronomy of Texas soil.

During his time here, he witnessed more than an A&M student normally would in their four years as an undergraduate. Mulkerrins said he was in attendance when Johnny Manziel played Alabama at Kyle Field.

More importantly, he educated himself

on the history of a program that he would be directing just nine years later.

“Huge program and huge success at the team and individual level,” Mulkerrins said about A&M’s handball program. “A&M has won many, many national championships including women’s open national championships and one of those players, Priscilla Kojin, went on to win the national championship in 1-wall, 3-wall and even 4-wall. That is something that is unheard of even at current times.”

Since then, A&M has seen a decline in the number of attendants in the A&M handball program. This is where Mulkerrins comes into the equation.

Príomhchóitseálaí Since moving back to the U.S. in the fall of 2022, Mulkerrins has made it his main priority to return A&M back to its handball glory days. Any doubt of whether or not he can mentor as well as he can play should be thrown out the nearest window, David Fink, Development Director for the World Players of handball, said in an email to The Battalion.

“Having Mulkerrins on campus heading the handball program at the university would be the equivalent to having Roger Federer heading the tennis department at the university,” Fink wrote.

However, he can’t do it alone. From the time of his arrival, Mulkerrins said the program has been very fortunate in receiving donations from fellow Aggies.

“There has been great work here all over the years in raising money from former and current people involved in our handball club,” Mulkerrins said.

“Former students that have graduated are really generous and other people, other handball enthusiasts, have been really supportive of the club and given

money.”

One of these donors, in particular, contributed $1 million to the program.

“It’s a sport [Doug Randolph] started in university and just loves the game and wants to see more people get the opportunities that he had,” Mulkerrins said. “To just travel around the country and around the states as well to play and enjoy the sport of handball.”

Despite the current size of the program, Mulkerrins said he is very encouraged by what he has seen of the team during his first semester at A&M. “Some of our guys and girls are already doing well with the tournaments they’ve been at, even in a short period, they’ve been actually winning their divisions and moving up the ranks,” Mulkerrins said.

One of these athletes had no plans of playing handball until he ran into Mulkerrins at the A&M Recreation Center one afternoon.

“I was a racquetball player first. I’ve played racquetball since 2014,” Trevor Austin said. “I was coming in here to the recreation center looking to find some people to play racquetball with.”

It was during that time at the Rec Center, Mulkerrins soon approached him and said, “I see you are playing racquetball, have you ever played handball?”

“No,” Austin replied.

“We’re here Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Come play,” Mulkerrins said.

From this point on, Austin has been competing with the handball team and has grown to admire and respect the leadership that Mulkerrins has brought to the team.

“Martin is an overall great guy,” Austin said. “Really modest and gives praise where it’s deserved. Keeps a

good eye on all of us, helps us pinpoint where we need some help and really lets us figure it out. I’ve noticed recently.

He’ll help us but he’ll also help us help ourselves.”

Austin played his first tournament at the Bob Davidson Tournament, a tournament in honor of a lifelong handball supporter in College Station.

He then participated in the 38th annual Bear Bash at Missouri State where he got his first win in the C Division bracket.

Craobh Sinsir In 2018, Mulkerrins finally reached his pinnacle.

“I won the All-Ireland Senior Singles that year,” Mulkerrins said. “It’s just what everyone dreams of in Ireland.”

Since then, the accolades began to pour in.

The 29-year-old just came off his third WPH Race 48, Pro Handball Tour, championship win in 13 starts at the 2022 R48LTE Portland Classic. This win marked his second consecutive R48 win after winning the 2022 Aces R48 Player’s Championship and his eighth consecutive R48 match win, which is the most current wins on the R48 Men’s Pro. “Winning four pro handball tournaments, winning any professional handball tournament, is something that not that many Irish players have ever done,” Mulkerrins said. “A lot of those successes for Ireland have come in the last 20 years.”

Mulkerrins, now ranked second on the WPH R48 Pro Handball Tour, said he plans on continuing in the U.S. Pro Tour while he teaches the game in College Station. Mulkerrins and the A&M Handball Club are looking forward to going to Tucson next month to compete in the United States Handball Association Collegiate Nationals.

Commentary: Fork in the road for men’s basketball

Jonathan Taffet — THE BATTALION

Graduate G Dexter Dennis (0) drives through Vanderbilt F Quentin Millora-Brown (42) during Texas A&M’s game against Vanderbilt at Reed Arena on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023.

Sports writer says men’s basketball needs to bring effort, defense to find SEC success

By Hunter Mitchell @HunterM1001 Going on the road to play in the SEC is one of the most difficult tasks in any sport. “It Just Means More” is not simply a catchy slogan, it is fact. The fans are louder, the teams are tougher and the stakes are higher. So, when the Aggies traveled to play the Razorbacks at Bud Walton Arena, one of the toughest places to play in all of college basketball, they needed all the focus and energy they could muster.

Mother nature had other plans.

After leaving late Monday evening en route to Fayetteville, Ark., inclement weather forced the Aggies to divert to graduate guard Dexter Dennis’ old stomping ground, Wichita, Kan. The

Aggies would then take a two and a half hour bus ride to Tulsa, Okla., where they would stay the night before hopping on another bus to drive to Fayetteville in the morning. This is all after a shorter week than A&M is used to, with this being its first Tuesday night conference game all season.

The Aggies already had barriers to winning at Bud Walton. A&M is 1-9 in its last 10 matchups in the arena, 11-39 all time.

This ended up being the perfect storm for A&M, as all of these elements combined to give Aggie fans a defensive performance they haven’t seen since nonconference play.

For a team whose primary weapon is energy, A&M looked powerless. This foreshadows disaster for the Aggies.

34 points was the most A&M had surrendered in a single half of SEC play before this matchup, which was almost entirely fueled by the Commodores’ junior guard Myles Stute’s 4-5 shooting

from 3.

It was not a one-man show for Arkansas, however. In the first half, the Razorbacks scored a conference-high 42 first half points on the Aggies on a scorching 57.7% field goal percentage, as six of their seven players scored 5 or more points.

Arkansas’ efficient scoring was not fueled by its speed of play, but by A&M’s lack of defensive integrity, which is uncharacteristic of the Aggies at this point in the season. Continually, the Razorback’s ball movement caught A&M sleeping and put them in rotation.

Subsequently, Arkansas would just pass around to find the open man for an easy look.

To add salt to the wound, the Aggies sent the Razorbacks to the line to shoot 28 free throws, their most free throws allowed since Memphis. Additionally, this was the first time that A&M has lost the defensive rebound battle since the Wofford upset.

Simply put, the Aggies were outefforted and out-executed. However, you can’t blame them. Circumstances like the one they were put in were more than strenuous.

Nevertheless, for a team on the outside looking to punch its ticket into March Madness, A&M cannot afford to drop many more resume-building wins.

Luckily for the Aggies, they get a daylonger rest before their matchup with Georgia on Saturday. Unfortunately, the final stretch of the SEC season does not get any easier, with matchups against Auburn, Arkansas, Tennessee and Alabama still looming.

For the Aggies to keep winning in the SEC, they need to bring their energy and defense back. They will have to if they want to sneak into March. For their sake, they should hope to not be forced to take the road less traveled like they did on Monday and Tuesday, because as you can see from the result of the game, it made all the difference in the end.

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Swiss Army Knife of the 12th Man set to return for fall 2023

By Luke White @lukewhite03 Early in the afternoon on Thursday, Feb. 2, senior wide receiver Ainias Smith announced on Twitter that he will return to play for the Texas A&M football team in the 2023 season.

“I will be returning to school for one more year,” Smith tweeted. “Aggie nation, let’s run it back!”

The Missouri City native had his 2022 season cut short after fracturing his leg in the Aggies’ 23-21 win over Arkansas on Sept. 24, 2022. Up to that point, Smith had caught 15 passes for 291 yards and two touchdowns on the year. He has been a fixture on the Aggies’ offense since joining the team in 2019, amassing 22 total scores, 1,612 receiving yards, 384 rushing yards and 551 punt return yards.

Smith was utilized at the running back position during A&M’s 9-1 2020 season, where he averaged 6 yards a carry and scored four touchdowns. After returning kickoffs and punts his freshman year, the Swiss Army Knife transitioned to a punt return specialist the next three seasons.

Smith will join a 2023 A&M offense that will presumably be led by freshman quarterback Conner Weigman, along with freshman wide receiver Evan Stewart, sophomore wide receiver Moose Muhammad III and freshman

tight end Donovan Green. The unit, looking to make up for the departure of junior running back Devon Achane, will be led by first-year offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino.

Smith accompanied his announcement with a video of him completing football drills before tossing a football to coach Jimbo Fisher, saying, “Let’s run it back.”

“I have made many prayers and have had a plethora of thoughts, but after everything, I had to make an important decision that will set up my future,” Smith said.

Men’s golf stomps Wildcats’ win streak A&M men’s golf wins third straight tournament this season

By Collin Miller @C_Mills2002 This 7072-yard course is considered one of the most competitive courses to courses in the State of Arizona. However, it seemed like a practice course to the Texas A&M men’s golf team.

On Monday, Jan. 30, the Aggies traveled to Tucson, Ariz., to compete in the Arizona Thunderbirds Intercollegiate. Due to the inclement weather, delays haunted the Aggies early in the invitational.

Unfortunately for the 14 other teams, the weather wasn’t enough to halt the maroon and white.

Day 1 After an hour delay due to frost, A&M did not tee off until 10 a.m. Monday morning and this resulted in a slow start right off the tee box.

5th year Sam Bennett fought hard to reach even through the front-nine, however coming up short, he finished the 2-under-par at the end of the day. Fortunately for the Aggies, junior Daniel Rodrigues and freshman Jaime Montogo finished Day 1 6-under-par.

Due to not enough light, several players had to end the day early with six holes left to play.

As a team, they returned to the hotel in third place with a whole day of golf left to go.

Day 2 The Aggies train left the station Tuesday morning and didn’t stop for anyone.

Sophomore Phichaksn Maichon played an impressive 6-under-par through the second

round and helped keep the Aggies afloat to eventually tie them with Arizona.

Bennett struggled sinking birdie putts in the middle third of the second round being only 1-under-par going into the 11th hole. Noticeably frustrated during the second round of play, Bennett said staying patient helped him on his short game.

“It was a pretty frustrating round for me at first,” Bennett said to 12thMan.com. “I wasn’t getting many putts to fall, but I was able to stay patient.”

A&M coaches Brian Kortan and Matt Fast told Bennett that they were tied with the Wildcats with just four holes remaining. With a chance to put Arizona’s five year win streak to an end, Bennett knew exactly what he had to do.

“I knew I needed to make a few birdies coming down the stretch,” Bennett said to

12thMan.com.

And Bennett did exactly that.

Bennett was able to make three out of his last four birdies to close off the tournament and secure the hardware for the plane ride home.

As a team, A&M finished in first place with a 36-under-par performance that gave them a comfy three shot advantage over the Wildcats and a 10 shot advantage over California.

Maichon and Bennett tied in sixth place for the tournament with a 9-under-par performance. Montojo followed the two with an 8-under-par performance to place him eighth.

This marked the Aggies’ third tournament win of the season with three months left to go until the SEC Championships on April 19.

A&M will travel to Lihue, Hawai’i to compete at the John A. Burns Intercollegiate for a three day tournament on Feb. 16.

Commentary: All jelly, no jam Asst. sports editor says women’s basketball needs offense improvement

By Luke White @lukewhite03 The Texas A&M women’s basketball team was toast when it lost its bread and butter in an 88-79 loss to Vanderbilt on Sunday, Jan. 29.

While battling through a slew of injuries, the theme of the season for the Aggies has been solid, hard-nosed defense coupled with an oftentimes ineffective, low-scoring offense. At 6-13, A&M remained competitive in games thanks to its efforts on the defensive side of the ball, albeit while the team has played catch up on the offensive end.

Despite being National Corn Chip Day, Sunday’s matchup with the Commodores felt like opposite day. While the maroon and white far surpassed its scoring average of 52.5 points, the defense wasn’t its usual self, as they allowed Vanderbilt to score 21 more than its average of 66.8 points per game.

“We just didn’t defend the way we needed to, and that’s what’s most disappointing,” coach Joni Taylor said. “That’s not who we have been. We’ve got to get that figured out.”

The key to such an offensive explosion for the Commodores was the work of graduate guard Ciaja Harbison, who tied a program record with 41 points in 38 minutes of action.

The St. Louis transfer connected on 14 of 19 field goals, including two of four from 3-point range and 11 of 13 free throws.

The home team took advantage of sloppy

ball-handling by the Aggies, tallying 20 points off of turnovers. A&M also gifted Vanderbilt with 27 fouls, which led to 27 free throws, 21 of which the Commodores sank.

“What we needed to do today was take away threes, not let them get to the free throw line and not let them turn us over,” Taylor said. “And they did all three of those things.”

Sunday’s contest marked just the second time this season that Taylor’s crew has allowed its opponent to score beyond its offensive average. The first time coming in last week’s 75-73 win over a Georgia team that scored 66.6 points per game to enter the matchup.

Much like Sunday’s game, the Aggies’ offense stepped up in the victory, due in large part to the return of freshman forward Janiah Barker to the lineup, who suffered a wrist injury on Nov. 30.

After having just seven players available for the first seven games of conference play, the additions of Barker, sophomore guard Tineya Hylton and junior guard Sahara Jones have been welcome additions for a team looking to establish itself halfway through the conference slate. Barker and Hylton, both Georgia transfers, combined for 34 points against their native team. Jones returned to action against the Commodores and the trio scored 22 points.

While Barker had a productive defensive outing on Sunday with three blocks, a steal and a team-high nine rebounds, two of which came on the offensive glass, the rest of the squad failed to contain Vanderbilt’s sharpshooting, allowing a 53.7% field goal clip and a 45% rate from beyond the arc.

“They made nine 3s, they got to the free throw line,” Taylor said. “We let one of their players have a career night offensively, and we

Jonathan Taffet— THE BATTALION

Junior G Kay Kay Green (4) pulls up to shoot during A&M’s game against Georgia at Reed Arena on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023.

just didn’t look excited to play defense and defend like our backs were against the wall, like we’ve played lately.”

It’s not all doom and gloom, though.

A&M’s 79 points were a season-high, upping the previous high of 75 points that it tallied against Georgia in its last time out. Graduate forward Aaliyah Patty’s 21 points led the way versus Vanderbilt, while junior guard Kay Kay Green added 17 as the duo combined to sink 16 of its 19 shots, including all three of its 3-point attempts.

The Aggies themselves shot at a successful 51.8% clip while connecting on six of 19 3-pointers and 15 of 17 free throws. A&M was dominant in the paint as well, with 38 points coming in the lane, but, as has been a trend

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throughout this campaign, the team saved its best basketball for the second half, where it added 47 of its total points.

The Aggies will now aim to sustain their offensive momentum while getting more players involved on defense to slow down the opposition. If they can do so, then A&M may be in position to make a run in the second half of conference play.

“While we are scoring more, we’re also giving up more and we’ve got to get that fixed,” Taylor said.

Since the loss to Vanderbilt, A&M lost its next matchup on the road against Florida 6154. The Aggies shot a rough 34% from the field and lost the rebound margin by nine.