News

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Have you seen Yassin?

Yassin Idbihi believes that the University at Buffalo men's basketball team is going to the NCAA tournament."We're the most talented team, we just have to play together," Idbihi said.Those are some pretty strong words, but nobody is going to argue with the 6-foot-10-inch 275-pound gentle giant of a starting center.At the age of 21, Idbihi has already lived an adventurous life that spans three continents.

Second-half run powers Bulls past Marshall

Just two nights after struggling to hold on to a big lead against Northern Illinois, the UB men's basketball team had to come from behind to defeat the Marshall Thundering Herd.The Bulls (12-5, 5-4 MAC) used a career-high 25 points from center Yassin Idbihi and a stingy second-half defense that held Marshall (3-14, 0-8 MAC) without a point for over nine minutes to pull away with a 78-65 win in front of 3,114 at Alumni Arena.Trailing by four at the half, and by as many as seven in the second session, UB head coach Reggie Witherspoon did something very unusual, switching to a zone defense.

Students drawn to Sweethome complex

For the first time since UB's on-campus apartments were built, all five complexes are seeing competition from a new neighbor, University Village at Sweethome.The $30 million complex on Sweet Home Road near North Campus - which has been promoting its swimming pool, spa, tanning beds, movie theater, indoor basketball court and fitness center - is nearing its August 2005 completion date.And as the deadline for on-campus apartments arrives Monday, the state-of-the-art Sweethome complex has sparked the interest of many UB students from freshmen to seniors, in addition to Buffalo residents."Applications are 40 percent, and gaining every day," said Michael Cipriano, the director of marketing of the Texas-based housing company, American Campus Communities.The company has already built between 35 and 40 housing complexes in the United States, and recently sent four UB students to their most recent site in Irvine, Calif.

Super Mario poses double threat for Bulls' opponents

One would never compare him to his namesake, but Mario Jordan's actions certainly reflect Michael Jordan's famous words: "Some people want it to happen.

"At porn class, novelty hasn't worn off"

It is rare to find a lecture hall in Knox more than three quarters filled on a non-exam day. To have every seat occupied and even have a need for extra benches in the back of the classroom is almost unheard of.This was the scene in Knox 20 on Wednesday afternoon, as Professor Alex Halavais stood patiently in front of his Cyber Porn and Society class and waited for the majority of students to get settled.However, due to the number of students and the nature of his class, there is never really a sense of students being settled in Com 497 - especially not this early in the semester."Every class so far, I've been surprised because the course is online," said Halavais of his unusual class size.

Esthero enchants on eclectic EP

Though she never really left, electronica chanteuse Esthero has come back with an EP as eclectic as her collaborators, but might be too radical for the Pop Music Nation.In her 1998 release, Breath from Another, Esthero aimed to become the hip-hop generation's Sade, and she certainly has the instrument - her rich voice flows through your head like Willie Wonka's chocolaty-smooth river.

Bulls lose to Rockets despite bench player's big night

Wednesday night in Toledo the UB women's basketball team suffered a tough loss, despite a breakout performance from freshman Flynn Pyykkonen.The Bulls fell to the Toledo Rockets (9-9 overall, 5-2 MAC) by a final score of 81-60, despite Pyykkonen's 22 points.

Student musicians poised for greatness

All famous musicians started somewhere. A small town open mic, a high school concert, or in the middle of the living room floor, taking it a few chords at a time every step of the way.Big dreams, big talent, a spark of inspiration here, a bit of hard work there, and love of the game is only half the battle towards fame, fortune and big record deals.For some student musicians in Buffalo, the swanky limos and estates and lavish parties and clothes are quite a few big dreams away.At the core of these students' dreams are making music and finding that special connection.

Bush's tepid tsunami response

Relatively speaking, the U.S. government has been put to shame by UB's tsunami relief efforts. From librarians establishing a one-stop website to collect donations, to the table in the Union raising over $1,000, to the aid the UB community has raised outside of school, those in academic departments, administration, and the students are great examples of the tremendous outpouring of aid to areas devastated by the tsunami.In contrast, the United States government has pledged so little money that it has further damaged its already disgraced image.

Sidelines

Riding on topThe UB Bulls' wrestling team grappled its way to a second place finish last weekend at the New York State Collegiates, held in Oneonta.

Pistachio's changes menu

Long considered by students as the mysterious eatery on the second floor of the Student Union, Pistachio's has changed its menu this semester in an attempt to become as familiar to students as Putnam's and draw more hungry customers.Pistachio's has recently updated its look to accommodate the needs of students, said Jeff Brady, assistant food director for campus dining.

Spoon's nodding noggin

UB has just hired Gene Corrigan to serve as a consultant to the University on intercollegiate athletic excellence.

"Half Irish wake, half anguish"

With striking personal style, Bright Eyes' "Digital Ash in a Digital Urn" reveals what project mastermind Conor Oberst thinks about when he's not thinking about alcohol, misery, drugs and sex, and it's the earthly end-all be-all - death."Digital Ash in a Digital Urn" is one of two albums Bright Eyes released Tuesday, and is dedicated to Stella Marie Mogis and RoseMarie Gentile, two of Oberst's friends who passed away.

Bulls turn the page with convincing win

With 13:34 left in Tuesday night's men's basketball game between UB and Northern Illinois at Alumni Arena, Bulls senior Danny Gilbert committed one of his four steals and was immediately fouled.

Bulls will strive to play 40 minutes against Marshall

With another conference victory under their belts, the UB Bulls have faced the top teams in the Mid-American Conference, and now they are set to face the worst.The Bulls (11-5 overall, 4-4 MAC) match up well against the Marshall Thundering Herd (3-13 overall, 0-7 MAC), a team that has yet to pick up a conference victory this year.Marshall gets the majority of its points from a player coming off the bench in Joe Miles.

"Students dodge, dive, duck, dip, dodge"

After movie stars Ben Stiller and Vince Vaughn splashed the big screen this summer as dodge ball warriors, the ball-chucking sport has seen a surge in nationwide popularity.Now UB has joined in on the gym class fun, offering dodge ball for the first time as an intramural sport.Because dodge ball is a standard sport in many elementary, middle and high schools, Edward Michael, director of recreation and intramurals, said he believes recent popularity along with nostalgia for the childhood game will generate plenty of interest."Students love the sport.

Martin captured Bush's hypocrisy

I would like to commend Dena-kay Martin for a well-written, much needed opinion piece ("A showy, selfish nation," Jan.

Ben Sargent Cartoon 1.26.05

Red and blue fallacy

The Red Barn in Demopolis, Alabama doesn't lie. The crimson clapboard structure hasn't changed much since its barn days, though it's now a restaurant; and it sits right at the heart of the South, deep in Red America.Two friends and I set out over winter break in search of Red America, defined for us as the mysterious land between the coasts, full of guns, rebel flags, Wal-Marts and Bush voters.Talking about a cultural divide between "Red America" and "Blue America" became common a few years ago.

"Wide awake, he's moaning"

Bright Eyes' founder Conor Oberst is known for two things: his writing and his over-the-top tender delivery.