SPORTS BRIEFS
MEN’S BASKETBALL Jamal Shuler (Jacksonville, N.C./ Jacksonville) was named CAA Co- Player of the Week for his sharp shooting against Hampton and Maryland. The senior guard averaged 22.5 points and six rebounds per game in those contests and shot 55 percent (11 of 20) from 3-point range.
Meeting of the Minds
Issue 1: BCS/bowl or playoff system? Howard: I’ve enjoyed watching the college football post-season for years now, but I think it’s time for all of Division I to move to a playoff system. No offense to all the teams that worked hard to finish above .500, but I could care less about a post-season bowl game between Ball State and Rutgers that takes place in Canada.
Rams upend Spiders, stay perfect
Improved defense has been a source of pride and a key to success for the Rams this season, as well as something to hang their hat on. Wednesday evening, defense propelled VCU despite the team totaling its second-lowest point output of the season. The Rams walked away with a 60-51 win over Richmond in the first game of a men’s and women’s basketball doubleheader at the Stuart C.
LOOKING AHEAD
Men’s Basketball Sat., Dec. 8, vs. Richmond, Siegel Center, 7:30 p.m. Sat., Dec. 15, vs. Longwood, Siegel Center, 7:30 p.m. Sat., Dec. 22, @ Bradley, Peoria, Ill., 8:05 p.m. Wed., Jan. 2, @ James Madison, Harrisonburg, TBA Sat., Jan. 5, @ UNC Wilmington, Wilmington, N.
Rams win conference opener
After a big win over Maryland in the BB&T Classic last Sunday, it would have been easy for VCU to have a let-down effort against William and Mary. This was not the case, however, as the Rams used great defense and a late scoring spurt to beat the Tribe 71-57 at the Stuart C.
Weekend Calendar
Thursday 12/6 Smells-Like-The-Holidays Ornaments: VCU Commons. All are welcome to come and create cinnamon ornaments in a variety of shapes and sizes for the holiday season. All supplies and cookie cutters will be provided but feel free to bring your own shapes.
Holiday Movie Guide
Following a rather disappointing twomonth period at the box office, major studios are banking on a big December with more than 30 wide releases hitting theaters in that month alone. Films starring big-hitters, such as Will Smith, Johnny Depp, Jack Nicholson, and Tom Hanks, are set not only to entertain moviegoers, but to take a shot at getting Academy Award attention too.
Theatre VCU expands its cast
The theatre department has hired award-winning costume designer Toni-Leslie James as director of costume. James began designing costumes on Broadway in 1992. Her first major production, “Jelly’s Last Jam,” earned her a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Costume Design and a nomination for a Tony Award, the most recognized and distinguished theater award in the country.
Music students put to the test
Written final exams might be nerve-racking for any student, but imagine taking your exams out loud. “Juries” are what students of the music department face at the end of each semester. The students in the school have to perform in front of their teachers for their final grades.
My last two cents: op/ed commentary
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, it’s the day we’ve all been waiting for: This is the last time you will ever have to read anything with my name on it – unless, of course, I get lucky in Hollywood and, by some freakish twist of nature, the Writers Guild of America strike is resolved.