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(09/18/03 4:00am)
The words "white rapper" bring one of two people to mind: Eminem or Vanilla Ice. Left in the dust is Georgia native Bubba Sparxxx. But his recent album Deliverance, with production help from Timbaland, just might have enough "spark" to make him a white rapper to remember. \nA former high school football star, Bubba Sparxxx busted onto the music scene with his first hit single "Ugly" in 2001. No one has really heard from him since, but the time off has given him time to produce a quality album.\nDeliverance is all about the beats. Any album with songs produced by Timbaland will make even the most prudent of people tap a foot. \nSongs like "Comin' Round" and "Jimmy Mathis" have a unique blend of old Southern-style harmonicas and banjos topped off with Bubba Sparxxx's dirty South rapping. His Georgia accent, comparable to the sound of Outkast's, fits perfect with the fiddle and cowbell background music.\nNot all songs on the album sound like a redneck convention of Southern rappers, though. "Like It or Not" sounds jazzy while "My Tone" has a rock feel to it. Each song on the alum has its own unique sound. \nThe resemblance to Outkast is strong. So if you're a fan of the ATL duo, Deliverance is an album that will surely stay at the front of your CD case.
(09/17/03 10:27pm)
The words "white rapper" bring one of two people to mind: Eminem or Vanilla Ice. Left in the dust is Georgia native Bubba Sparxxx. But his recent album Deliverance, with production help from Timbaland, just might have enough "spark" to make him a white rapper to remember. \nA former high school football star, Bubba Sparxxx busted onto the music scene with his first hit single "Ugly" in 2001. No one has really heard from him since, but the time off has given him time to produce a quality album.\nDeliverance is all about the beats. Any album with songs produced by Timbaland will make even the most prudent of people tap a foot. \nSongs like "Comin' Round" and "Jimmy Mathis" have a unique blend of old Southern-style harmonicas and banjos topped off with Bubba Sparxxx's dirty South rapping. His Georgia accent, comparable to the sound of Outkast's, fits perfect with the fiddle and cowbell background music.\nNot all songs on the album sound like a redneck convention of Southern rappers, though. "Like It or Not" sounds jazzy while "My Tone" has a rock feel to it. Each song on the alum has its own unique sound. \nThe resemblance to Outkast is strong. So if you're a fan of the ATL duo, Deliverance is an album that will surely stay at the front of your CD case.
(09/04/03 4:00am)
Every 23rd spring, for 23 days, it gets to eat." The Creeper (Jonathan Breck) is back, and it's only been a few days since the first movie left off. \nJeepers Creepers 2 is the tale of a school bus full of egotistical basketball players and cigarette-smoking cheerleaders that spend a day and night in a broken-down bus watching teammate after teammate get consumed by the gruesome Creeper. \nOne scene involves a chase through a cornfield where a wounded Creeper repeatedly tries to fly but gets only a few feet off the ground before dramatically falling to the soil below. It's hysterical, and each attempt the Creeper makes the viewers laugh even more. Too bad the intentions were clearly not to leave the viewers chuckling at the ridiculously non-scary movie.\nIt's sad to say Jeepers Creepers 2 could put a four-year-old to sleep and keep everyone else laughing at scenes that aren't even intended to be funny.\nMany said the first in the Jeepers Creepers series wasn't a good horror movie. But if you look at the horror classics like Halloween, Children of the Corn and IT, they are just as unbelievable and crazy as Jeepers Creepers. \nWhen the world first got a glimpse of the Creeper in the first movie, it was pretty scary. No one knew what to expect, and in the tradition of real horror movies, it had suspense, climatic scenes and disgusting, gory deaths of even the main characters. Unlike the cliché '90s horror flicks -- think Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer -- Jeepers Creepers kept itself in a category of true horror movies.\nJeepers Creepers 2 had potential because of it's original movie Stephen King-type feel. For one, it's set in the middle of a cornfield on an abandoned highway. (Someday I'd like to know why all the really good horror movies look like they were filmed in Indiana.) But Jeepers Creepers 2 didn't reach it's full potential. The acting is average and the viewer isn't even sitting in suspense wondering what the Creeper looks like now. We know in the first scene. \nYou might jump once. You might jump twice. But any "horror" movie that allows you to go home and sleep by yourself with the lights off and leaves you not even the slightest bit nervous of what's scratching at the window is a serious cinematic flop.
(09/03/03 11:53pm)
Every 23rd spring, for 23 days, it gets to eat." The Creeper (Jonathan Breck) is back, and it's only been a few days since the first movie left off. \nJeepers Creepers 2 is the tale of a school bus full of egotistical basketball players and cigarette-smoking cheerleaders that spend a day and night in a broken-down bus watching teammate after teammate get consumed by the gruesome Creeper. \nOne scene involves a chase through a cornfield where a wounded Creeper repeatedly tries to fly but gets only a few feet off the ground before dramatically falling to the soil below. It's hysterical, and each attempt the Creeper makes the viewers laugh even more. Too bad the intentions were clearly not to leave the viewers chuckling at the ridiculously non-scary movie.\nIt's sad to say Jeepers Creepers 2 could put a four-year-old to sleep and keep everyone else laughing at scenes that aren't even intended to be funny.\nMany said the first in the Jeepers Creepers series wasn't a good horror movie. But if you look at the horror classics like Halloween, Children of the Corn and IT, they are just as unbelievable and crazy as Jeepers Creepers. \nWhen the world first got a glimpse of the Creeper in the first movie, it was pretty scary. No one knew what to expect, and in the tradition of real horror movies, it had suspense, climatic scenes and disgusting, gory deaths of even the main characters. Unlike the cliché '90s horror flicks -- think Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer -- Jeepers Creepers kept itself in a category of true horror movies.\nJeepers Creepers 2 had potential because of it's original movie Stephen King-type feel. For one, it's set in the middle of a cornfield on an abandoned highway. (Someday I'd like to know why all the really good horror movies look like they were filmed in Indiana.) But Jeepers Creepers 2 didn't reach it's full potential. The acting is average and the viewer isn't even sitting in suspense wondering what the Creeper looks like now. We know in the first scene. \nYou might jump once. You might jump twice. But any "horror" movie that allows you to go home and sleep by yourself with the lights off and leaves you not even the slightest bit nervous of what's scratching at the window is a serious cinematic flop.
(08/28/03 4:14pm)
He can't lie. He loves B-O-O-T-Y. \nBut are we disturbed by the fact that the once rapping child prodigy used to want puppy love and was the flyest thing walking through junior high school? \nFrom "Beware of Dog" and "Doggy Bag" to "Unleashed," Bow Wow displays lyrics in his newest album that show he's growing up and can only make fans and worried mothers wonder when the dirty language and sexually explicit lyrics will really begin.\nThe 16-year-old rapper (if you ever forget how old he is, he'll remind you in nearly every song) is attempting to be as badass as ever with songs like "The Don, The Dutch" and "I Got Ya'll." In the first track, he says he's "a dope MC" and that he's got "sold out shows to so many chicks all over the globe." \nBesides the popular summer track "Let's Get Down" featuring Baby, the only other really danceable song on the album is the bonus track, "I'm Back." Songs with Jagged Edge and Mario make the album sound too R&B, thus confusing the listener. Are we listening to a badass rapper or a confused teenager that wants to be a pop star?\nPerhaps what's missing on the album is production help from Bow Wow's long time mentor, Jermaine Dupri.\nBow Wow's albums were much better when he had the "Lil" in front of his name. Growing up is hard to do, no doubt, especially in the entertainment industry. But this teenage rapper is far from ready to be "unleashed" as a serious rapper.
(08/28/03 6:07am)
A young, good-looking businessman meets the girl of his dreams and it turns out to be his boss's daughter. In a hysterical attempt to date her, she thinks he's gay. He discovers her assumption and is embarrassed but ends up dating the beautiful daughter behind his boss's back. Laugh out loud scenes about the couple's hidden romance from the ass-hole father make for a fun, romantic comedy.\nToo bad that's not what "My Boss's Daughter" is about. While the previews make it look exactly like that, the dry and humorless movie takes place in one day and actually has more to do with the boss's owl than the boss's daughter.\nAshton Kutcher's character, Tom, thinks his boss's daughter Lisa (Tara Reid) is the hottest thing ever. When she invites him over for the evening, he sees the perfect opportunity to make his move on the bronze and blonde daughter. To his surprise, he's actually arriving to housesit and watch the family owl. \nThe owl, O.J., has more scenes than Reid. (Which is actually good considering the bird was a better actor.) Surprise surprise, the owl gets lose and the night is spent trying to catch the boss's beloved bird. \nThe night is also full of robbers, drug dealers, a teenage girl bleeding from the head, an attempted suicide, a live burial, restraining orders on family members and urine soaked living rooms and pants. If you're into those sorts of things and want to see them all in one movie, this is your best shot.\nSomeone ought to have a talk with Kutcher and Reid. Kutcher has wasted his talents before in "Dude, Where's My Car?," but most agree the guy's got talent -- it's just being wasted.\nReid, on the other hand, gives a performance in "My Boss's Daughter" that is worse than Mariah Carey's in "Glitter." The girl hasn't showed any believable emotion in her acting career, with the exception of the MTV New Years party a few years ago when she was totally blitzed.\nDon't be fooled by the previews that make "My Boss's Daughter" look funny. A movie starring Ashton Kutcher, "SNL's" Molly Shannon and was directed by David Zucker, the director of "Airplane!" would normally bring tears to an audience so consumed with laughter. But "My Boss's Dautgher" leaves viewers silent, and disgusted at the fact they wasted even $5.50 on a matinee.
(08/28/03 4:00am)
He can't lie. He loves B-O-O-T-Y. \nBut are we disturbed by the fact that the once rapping child prodigy used to want puppy love and was the flyest thing walking through junior high school? \nFrom "Beware of Dog" and "Doggy Bag" to "Unleashed," Bow Wow displays lyrics in his newest album that show he's growing up and can only make fans and worried mothers wonder when the dirty language and sexually explicit lyrics will really begin.\nThe 16-year-old rapper (if you ever forget how old he is, he'll remind you in nearly every song) is attempting to be as badass as ever with songs like "The Don, The Dutch" and "I Got Ya'll." In the first track, he says he's "a dope MC" and that he's got "sold out shows to so many chicks all over the globe." \nBesides the popular summer track "Let's Get Down" featuring Baby, the only other really danceable song on the album is the bonus track, "I'm Back." Songs with Jagged Edge and Mario make the album sound too R&B, thus confusing the listener. Are we listening to a badass rapper or a confused teenager that wants to be a pop star?\nPerhaps what's missing on the album is production help from Bow Wow's long time mentor, Jermaine Dupri.\nBow Wow's albums were much better when he had the "Lil" in front of his name. Growing up is hard to do, no doubt, especially in the entertainment industry. But this teenage rapper is far from ready to be "unleashed" as a serious rapper.
(08/28/03 4:00am)
A young, good-looking businessman meets the girl of his dreams and it turns out to be his boss's daughter. In a hysterical attempt to date her, she thinks he's gay. He discovers her assumption and is embarrassed but ends up dating the beautiful daughter behind his boss's back. Laugh out loud scenes about the couple's hidden romance from the ass-hole father make for a fun, romantic comedy.\nToo bad that's not what "My Boss's Daughter" is about. While the previews make it look exactly like that, the dry and humorless movie takes place in one day and actually has more to do with the boss's owl than the boss's daughter.\nAshton Kutcher's character, Tom, thinks his boss's daughter Lisa (Tara Reid) is the hottest thing ever. When she invites him over for the evening, he sees the perfect opportunity to make his move on the bronze and blonde daughter. To his surprise, he's actually arriving to housesit and watch the family owl. \nThe owl, O.J., has more scenes than Reid. (Which is actually good considering the bird was a better actor.) Surprise surprise, the owl gets lose and the night is spent trying to catch the boss's beloved bird. \nThe night is also full of robbers, drug dealers, a teenage girl bleeding from the head, an attempted suicide, a live burial, restraining orders on family members and urine soaked living rooms and pants. If you're into those sorts of things and want to see them all in one movie, this is your best shot.\nSomeone ought to have a talk with Kutcher and Reid. Kutcher has wasted his talents before in "Dude, Where's My Car?," but most agree the guy's got talent -- it's just being wasted.\nReid, on the other hand, gives a performance in "My Boss's Daughter" that is worse than Mariah Carey's in "Glitter." The girl hasn't showed any believable emotion in her acting career, with the exception of the MTV New Years party a few years ago when she was totally blitzed.\nDon't be fooled by the previews that make "My Boss's Daughter" look funny. A movie starring Ashton Kutcher, "SNL's" Molly Shannon and was directed by David Zucker, the director of "Airplane!" would normally bring tears to an audience so consumed with laughter. But "My Boss's Dautgher" leaves viewers silent, and disgusted at the fact they wasted even $5.50 on a matinee.
(05/01/03 4:00am)
After viewing 50 Cent's "The New Breed," one can come to the conclusion that rappers are just as egotistical, sexual and violent as they've always been. While the DVD does offer two of 50's hottest videos, "In Da Club" and "Wanksta," the rest of the DVD is just an open forum for 50 and his crew, the G-Unit, to say whatever they want. Has 50 even reached the star status of having his own DVD yet? Some would say yes, with 50's style drawing frequent comparisons to the late 2Pac. But "The New Breed" shows he's really no different than any other rapper. \nThe DVD plays his biggest hit "In Da Club" almost repeatedly. We see the video, the making of the video, the song performed live and once again the song performed in the studio. There is certainly a taste of the G-Unit offered up. G-Unit member Lloyd Banks is kind enough to share how many "hoes he's banged" and the rest of the crew constantly talks about the number of "bitches" they've been with. We see rappers living in their alternate realms they call lifestyles every day on MTV and BET. No need to pay for this DVD unless you seriously think 50's the next 2Pac.
(04/30/03 2:48pm)
After viewing 50 Cent's "The New Breed," one can come to the conclusion that rappers are just as egotistical, sexual and violent as they've always been. While the DVD does offer two of 50's hottest videos, "In Da Club" and "Wanksta," the rest of the DVD is just an open forum for 50 and his crew, the G-Unit, to say whatever they want. Has 50 even reached the star status of having his own DVD yet? Some would say yes, with 50's style drawing frequent comparisons to the late 2Pac. But "The New Breed" shows he's really no different than any other rapper. \nThe DVD plays his biggest hit "In Da Club" almost repeatedly. We see the video, the making of the video, the song performed live and once again the song performed in the studio. There is certainly a taste of the G-Unit offered up. G-Unit member Lloyd Banks is kind enough to share how many "hoes he's banged" and the rest of the crew constantly talks about the number of "bitches" they've been with. We see rappers living in their alternate realms they call lifestyles every day on MTV and BET. No need to pay for this DVD unless you seriously think 50's the next 2Pac.
(04/25/03 5:49am)
While a good chunk of the student body sees Little 500 week as an excuse to party every night, the IU football team spent the week preparing for the Cream and Crimson game, which begins at 7 p.m. tonight. Not only is the event free for students, but it will also give fans a glimpse of Notre Dame transfer and junior Matt LoVecchio who will most likely be this fall's quarterback. \nLoVecchio said spring practice is an exciting time for the team so they can improve and work on fundamentals. \n"I'm trying to progress each day upon the mistakes that I've made," LoVecchio said. "I think it's just a matter of all the guys on offense getting in sync with each other."\nLoVecchio led the Irish to the Fiesta Bowl his freshman year and said his move to IU was because of a gut feeling and he's happy with the decision he made.\nHe said he likes the opportunity presented in spring ball and the 15 practices they are allowed.\n"I think anytime you can get out there on the field and get better as a team, you take that opportunity," LoVecchio said. "Friday is just another chance for us to practice, execute and perform."\nSophomore wide receiver Courtney Roby said he's anxious for the spring game and that it is the biggest part of spring ball. He said it's a drastic step to adjust to a new quarterback, but that the team has been taking some major steps forward.\nDefensive coordinator Tim Kish said he hopes to see the defense and offense shine in Friday night's game. He said what he hopes for, and what's expected most, is that everyone plays hard.\n"I'm going to tell these guys that no matter what side of the ball they're on, or what team they're on, that I'm going to look at who's playing the hardest at the beginning of the game and playing the same way at the end of the game," Kish said.\nEverybody has stepped up their level of play this spring, Kish said, and it's been a good growing experience for the team. He said he would like to see students come out to the game and show their support for a team that's been working so hard.\n"We're trying to establish a tradition here a little bit with football," Kish said. "I think it really means a lot to the players, it certainly does to the coaches, to see people support the team."\nLoVecchio said he hopes to see a good crowd too and said the team wants to be efficient in Friday's game and eliminate as many mistakes as possible.\n"They'll see a team that's been working hard throughout this entire spring and winter," LoVecchio said. "We're just looking to get better as each day goes by."\nRoby said the main reason for students to come to the game is to show their support.\n"It's the spring game and it's going to be a lot of fun," Roby said. "It's a big deal for us, they should come on out"
(04/08/03 5:41am)
IU safety senior Joe Gonzalez spent his first Halloween dressed as a San Francisco 49ers football player. His father played at Michigan in the 1970s, and his cousin later played at Ohio State. Football has always been a big part of Gonzalez's life, but he won't be the last in the family to continue the football tradition.\n"My brother Tony just signed a national letter of intent for Ohio State," Gonzalez said. "We've all stayed within the Big Ten."\nWith Gonzalez's brother playing for Ohio State as wide receiver, Gonzalez might have to cover his brother at the Buckeye game at IU's Memorial Stadium next fall. \n"I'm going to try to stick him pretty good, but that's just brotherly love," Gonzalez said with a smile. "My mom already said she's going to sit in the car and listen to the game on the radio. She can't watch her two sons bang heads."\nGonzalez remembers going through what his brother recently did -- deciding where to play for his college career. He also visited Michigan, Boston College, Northwestern and Michigan State before deciding that IU was the place for him. \nIn the four years that Gonzalez has been here, he said his favorite memory was defeating Purdue his junior year here at home. \n"It was amazing to go across the field and take the (Oaken) Bucket," Gonzalez said. "That was probably the most exciting football moment I've ever had in my life, even better than winning the state championship in high school."\nThe year after beating Purdue was supposed to be Gonzalez's final year for football, but a hernia left him sitting out. He was able to redshirt last season and return as a fifth-year senior this coming fall.\nDefensive coordinator Tim Kish said fifth-year seniors like Gonzalez are important in the experience factor of the team. \n"What we're trying to do here as a coaching staff is come in and roll up our sleeves every day and bring our lunch pails to work," Kish said. "Joe will do that with us, and we can count on him to do that."\nSenior runningback Brian Lewis said Gonzalez knows the game and can bring the younger guys on the team along with him.\n"A lot of players look up to Joe and see him working hard," Lewis said. "They are going to try and match Joe's intensity on the field."\nLewis also said Gonzalez is a very dependable teammate and friend. Gonzalez works just as hard or harder than anyone on the team, Lewis said.\nKish said Gonzalez's attitude and passion for the game help make him an asset to the team and its success come fall.\n"He's got a passion for the game, and he's excited to be out here," Kish said. "We've got a lot of younger players, and he's got to bring their level of play up by being one of our few guys with experience."\nGonzalez said his role on the team is as a leader and that is something he will have to take care of day in and day out. \nBefore sitting out last season, Gonzalez was honorable mention All-Big Ten his junior year, played in all 11 games that year and recorded 65 tackles. But Gonzalez doesn't appear to be concerned with being the star of the team this coming fall. He said he just wants to see the team improve and for them to feel how great it is to be part of a winning team.\n"I could ride the bench the entire year. I could not play a single play," Gonzalez said, "but if we win and go to a Bowl game, I'll be the happiest guy in the world"
(04/03/03 5:00am)
In 1996, Lil' Kim showed the world that the Queen Bee was not a female to underestimate or mess with when she released her first album, Hard Core. The Brooklyn babe dropped lyrics that would make even some males blush at the thought of what could result from a run-in with Lil' Kim.\nThroughout the following years Lil' Kim's outfits got a little more revealing and her lyrics a little more dirty. Just when the world thought there couldn't be a more vulgar female on the music scene, Lil' Kim came back a few plastic surgeries later with her second album Notorious K.I.M. that showcased popular tracks like "How Many Licks," featuring Sisqo, and "No Matter What They Say."\nThe album was certified platinum, but at the time Missy Elliot and Eve were making names for themselves in less provocative ways than Lil' Kim. Consequently, she ended up having to fight for room on the airwaves and fight with words in the media against fellow female rapper Foxy Brown.\nNow with her third album in seven years, Lil' Kim recorded La Bella Mafia minus executive producer P. Diddy. Instead, some of the tight beats on the album were created with Timbaland, DJ Twinz and Mobb Deep. \nNot only has Lil' Kim been busy recording her album, but recruiting other female rappers for her "La Bella Mafia." She told MTV that she wants women who are strong and independent and won't take any mess from anyone, but who really shows those characteristics as much as Lil' Kim herself?\n"The Jump Off" is the first single released from her latest album. It features Mr. Cheeks and has a typical Lil' Kim sound, a dance beat for the clubs and a lyrical focus about all her favorite things: sex, drugs and cash. It's strange, though, that she uses some lines from former songs in this track, and as always, just raps about where in the world she has different men and how they all drive nice cars. Lil' Kim has yet to come up with something new to rap about.\nIt's ironic that Lil' Kim and Missy E were once seen as a threat to each other and now on La Bella Mafia they collaborate on a track, "(When Kim Say) Can You Hear Me Now?" Like a lot of rappers right now, Lil' Kim chose to use middle-eastern sounding music in the background and also in "Get In Touch With Us." It sounds good with the beat but isn't anything we haven't heard from N.O.R.E. or Truth Hurts.\nNot much seperates this album from Lil Kim's last two. Same beats, same derogatory and dirty lyrics, just some new names to the list. Maybe where Lil' Kim went right was having current rap superstar 50 Cent do a track with her on the album, "Magic Stick," which shows the two can rap well together. The song creates some pretty disturbing mental pictures, but at least the two patched their differences after MTV reports claimed that 50 dissed Lil' Kim's nose job.\nIn other words, pop in a Lil' Kim CD from seven years ago and pop in one from today and it'd be hard to tell the difference between the two. Maybe she's actually realized that she can't be any more provocative or slutty and has pretty much hit a brick wall. Hitting this wall could be fine for the Queen Bee because I'm not sure America is ready for anything dirtier. La Bella Mafia is the same sound and same lyrics with a few new faces.
(04/02/03 3:03pm)
In 1996, Lil' Kim showed the world that the Queen Bee was not a female to underestimate or mess with when she released her first album, Hard Core. The Brooklyn babe dropped lyrics that would make even some males blush at the thought of what could result from a run-in with Lil' Kim.\nThroughout the following years Lil' Kim's outfits got a little more revealing and her lyrics a little more dirty. Just when the world thought there couldn't be a more vulgar female on the music scene, Lil' Kim came back a few plastic surgeries later with her second album Notorious K.I.M. that showcased popular tracks like "How Many Licks," featuring Sisqo, and "No Matter What They Say."\nThe album was certified platinum, but at the time Missy Elliot and Eve were making names for themselves in less provocative ways than Lil' Kim. Consequently, she ended up having to fight for room on the airwaves and fight with words in the media against fellow female rapper Foxy Brown.\nNow with her third album in seven years, Lil' Kim recorded La Bella Mafia minus executive producer P. Diddy. Instead, some of the tight beats on the album were created with Timbaland, DJ Twinz and Mobb Deep. \nNot only has Lil' Kim been busy recording her album, but recruiting other female rappers for her "La Bella Mafia." She told MTV that she wants women who are strong and independent and won't take any mess from anyone, but who really shows those characteristics as much as Lil' Kim herself?\n"The Jump Off" is the first single released from her latest album. It features Mr. Cheeks and has a typical Lil' Kim sound, a dance beat for the clubs and a lyrical focus about all her favorite things: sex, drugs and cash. It's strange, though, that she uses some lines from former songs in this track, and as always, just raps about where in the world she has different men and how they all drive nice cars. Lil' Kim has yet to come up with something new to rap about.\nIt's ironic that Lil' Kim and Missy E were once seen as a threat to each other and now on La Bella Mafia they collaborate on a track, "(When Kim Say) Can You Hear Me Now?" Like a lot of rappers right now, Lil' Kim chose to use middle-eastern sounding music in the background and also in "Get In Touch With Us." It sounds good with the beat but isn't anything we haven't heard from N.O.R.E. or Truth Hurts.\nNot much seperates this album from Lil Kim's last two. Same beats, same derogatory and dirty lyrics, just some new names to the list. Maybe where Lil' Kim went right was having current rap superstar 50 Cent do a track with her on the album, "Magic Stick," which shows the two can rap well together. The song creates some pretty disturbing mental pictures, but at least the two patched their differences after MTV reports claimed that 50 dissed Lil' Kim's nose job.\nIn other words, pop in a Lil' Kim CD from seven years ago and pop in one from today and it'd be hard to tell the difference between the two. Maybe she's actually realized that she can't be any more provocative or slutty and has pretty much hit a brick wall. Hitting this wall could be fine for the Queen Bee because I'm not sure America is ready for anything dirtier. La Bella Mafia is the same sound and same lyrics with a few new faces.
(03/28/03 5:46am)
Spring football practice opens Saturday with 69 healthy players to work with. After last year's record of 3-9, 1-7 in the Big Ten, the team is looking to make some serious changes this spring that will effect their play in the fall.\nOne of the changes that occurred already is the move of junior Herana-Daze Jones from linebacker to strong safety. Jones is the team's top returning tackler and had 108 tackles last season.\n"I think this is a good move for me," Jones said. "I'll accept any move for me on the team as long as I can help the team out. I've got a new position to play, and it gives me a new excitement to start up practice."\nThe team will only have eight seniors in the fall. Senior safety Joe Gonzalez returns to the lineup as the most experienced senior with 36 games played. He sat out most of last season because of a hernia.\nWhile last year's record doesn't show anything outstanding, the Hoosiers did manage to break the school record for passing yards in a season with 3,020 yards through the air.\nJunior defensive lineman Jodie Clemons said he has been thinking in the off-season about how he can improve and become a better player for the team.\n"I thought a lot about how bad of a season we had last year," Clemons said. \nClemons started all of last season's 12 games at right end and said in order for the team to be successful in the fall, they have got to work on their stop and run.\nJones also said their stopping the run was important to their success.\n"We actually have a lot to work on," Jones said. "We need to also be faster and get the team more committed on some level."\nJones said he's ready for spring football and ready to get back into the swing of things. He also said spring football is good chance for him to improve. \nClemons is excited about getting into the swing of things as well but said it's also a tiring job.\n"The school year is just starting to wind down when we start to really work," Clemons said. "But it's nice to drill and get in some practicing. I look forward to playing against my teammates."\nSophomore fullback John Pannozzo said he's been doing his best in the off-season to work out and improve. Pannozzo said his teammates have all been doing the same and are currently in great shape.\nPannozzo played last season as a blocker and receiver. The then freshman also had three touchdowns and caught 26 balls for 258 yards.\nWith 69 healthy players, junior defensive lineman Chris Beaty and junior defensive end John Lumpkin are likely to miss spring practice. The Hoosiers plan to make some serious changes this season that won't leave them with the same losing record as last year. Pannozzo said the team looks forward to starting spring football.\n"We also look forward to having a better season than last year," Pannozzo said. "This is definitely the first step"
(03/10/03 5:56am)
INDIANAPOLIS -- Maybe it would have been easier if the women's basketball team had lost by 20 points. But the IU women's basketball season is over, and it ended with a three-point loss.\nWatching the game, it would be hard to guess that the Hoosiers had a 13-15 record and that No. 14 Penn State had a 24-7 mark. The two teams played with equal intensity and skill. But IU couldn't pull it out and lost 67-64 in a battle that ended in heartbreak.\n"I felt we played incredibly well," IU coach Kathi Bennett said after the loss. "I'm very proud of my team and we played well enough to win."\nIt was a team effort Friday when the Hoosiers met the Lady Lions. Senior forward Lisa Eckart had a team-high 15 points and freshman guard Cyndi Valentin had 10. Both freshman center Angela Hawkins and senior guard Kristen Bodine chipped in with nine points apiece. \nBaskets came from seniors and freshmen. Eckart said there was no doubt that all members of the team wanted this game more than anything.\n"We are an incredibly good offensive team," Eckart said. "I think that to compete in this game we had to have five people playing together at the same time with good defense."\nWith the Hoosier effort coming from everyone on the team, the game was an emotional one as seniors saw their last playing time as a Hoosier and underclassman began to think about the year to come.\nUnlike Penn State, who doesn't have any seniors, IU said goodbye to six. Eckart said her time spent as an IU basketball player has given her the time of her life. Junior Jamie Gathing agreed.\n"Everyone loves you at IU," Gathing said. "Whether you're a cheerleader or a basketball player, it's a great feeling. I love playing basketball here."\nWith the underclassmen, Bennett said she hopes the Penn State game leaves them with a hunger to be a better team.\n"Maybe a little bit of a bad taste so that they want to be Big Ten Champs and really hungry to win a title," Bennett said. "We are hungry to have a better record and do better in the regular season and get to the NCAA tournament."\nOne of Bennett's biggest obstacles right now is saying goodbye to the seniors on her team. It's Eckart in particular that brought a tear to her eye.\n"She's a very special kid," Bennett said. "She's going to be very successful with whatever she does and more than anything I respect her loyalty. She gave everything she had."\nEckart said she was thankful for having the opportunity to play for Bennett at both Evansville and IU. She also said she believes in the younger players on the team and added they are a great group who will succeed.\n"You're soon going to see more girls around the state wanting to be a Hoosier," Eckart said. "You're going to see more fans coming and more records being broken in attendance."\nIt's the end of a season for the underclassmen, but it's the end of a chapter in the lives of the seniors. Although it was a game they could have won, Bennett said the Hoosiers definitely didn't lose because they lacked the heart.\n"This season we had a lot of ups and downs," Bennett said. "But we ended very much together and very strong and playing good basketball"
(03/07/03 7:04pm)
It's a team that beat IU (12-14, 5-11 Big Ten) on its home court in front of a record-breaking crowd. It's also a team that squashed the Hoosier's 17-1 run in a road game back in February when IU barely pulled off a 49-48 win. Not only that, but it was on their court that freshman forward Brigett Branson sprained her ankle. The tension is high as the women's basketball team plays its first Big Ten Tournament game tonight against Wisconsin. \n"I feel like they're going to be a team that will play with a great deal of passion," coach Kathi Bennett said of the Wisconsin Badgers (7-19, 5-10 Big Ten). "There's the situation with their head coach. And I know they really like her, but we've got to combat their intensity."\nWisconsin Coach Jane Albright recently announced that she would be resigning as head coach at the end of the season. While that may give Wisconsin the extra shove to win the game, IU is as prepared as ever to dominate on the court, even against great size.\n"They out size us," Branson said. "They have some really tall girls, but I think our quickness will be our advantage."\nBranson is still recovering from the sprained ankle she suffered on Wisconsin's court. Bennett said Branson is ready to come back and play even though her ankle remains tender and sore. \nPerhaps the biggest recovery from an injury is freshman guard Kali Kullberg. Kullberg tore her anterior cruciate ligament after the Dec. 14 game against Purdue. She had played in too many games to redshirt the season. Kullberg dressed for the last two games and is a possible player for the Hoosiers in the Big Ten Tournament.\n"She has battled and ought to get back," Bennett said. "She's done an incredible job of recovering, and if we need her for a minute in the game, that's a big possibility."\nKullberg said she's excited to get back and play with the team again and contribute as much as she can. If anything Kullberg said she brings energy to the team. She also said she has seen the excitement in her teammates going into the tournament.\n"We're ready. We're really really ready," Kullberg said. "We've felt hungry all year, and it's just been a little step short, and right now we're feeling this is the time, right now in the tournament."\nThere's not a doubt in Kullberg's mind that the team will beat Wisconsin and have to face a first seeded Penn State. \n"The Penn State game was a really tough game to sit out and watch from the sidelines," Kullberg said. "But who else would you rather play than the top seeded team? To win it all you have to play the best, and we might as well do it early."\nBranson said if they do beat the massive-sized Wisconsin that Penn State would be quite the challenge for the team.\n"We got beat pretty bad there," Branson said. "But it's a whole new game in the tournament."\nThe Hoosiers look forward to the return of Branson and Kullberg but also have their fingers crossed as far as senior guard Kristen Bodine goes. She sat out of Wednesday's practice because of strep throat.\nThe women's basketball team has seen it's share of struggles this year with injured players and games slipping away, but the Big Ten Tournament is an entire different ballgame. Bennett said she looks forward to having the tournament at Conseco Fieldhouse again, and that it gives them a bit of an advantage.\n"We're closer, we'll have more fans," Bennett said. "It's such a classy place, and they treat you like you're a pro. I wouldn't want it anywhere else."\nIt will be the third time this season that IU and Wisconsin have met, but it could be the first time Wisconsin gets a taste of Kullberg's abilities on the court. Bennett said the team is ready and has learned from their mistakes in the past. \nTo defend their Big Ten Championship from last year is what Kullberg said she wants to do.\n"They (Wisconsin) have their strengths," Kullberg said. "But they are really vulnerable. I feel we will be playing Penn State on Friday"
(03/07/03 3:47pm)
INDIANAPOLIS -- The Hoosiers were ready for Wisconsin. They wanted to win for the seniors. They wanted to win to defend last year's Big Ten Tournament Championship status. It looked like IU's ballgame from early on, but the 18-1 run from Wisconsin in the second half had the Hoosiers looking hopeless. \nAlmost an exact replica of the last time these two teams met, IU was able to pull it off and win 52-51 in yet another one point ballgame against the Badgers.\n"I am just happy we won," was all IU coach Kathi Bennett had to say for her opening statement after the game.\nIU improved to 13-14 on the season while Wisconsin finished its 7-21. The Hoosiers are 5-1 in the Big Ten Tournament under Bennett.\nWisconsin never saw the lead in the first half and the closest they came to IU was five points. The Hoosier defense held the Wisconsin Badgers to only 18 points in the first half, 10 of which were from junior center Lello Gebisa. Gebisa ended the game with a career high 23 points.\nSophomore guard Jenny DeMuth was IU's top scorer with 14 points, 11 of which were in the first half. \nAlso having a huge impact on the Hoosiers' game was freshman center Angela Hawkins. Hawkins was 4-4 in the first half from the charity stripe, had three blocks and 17 rebounds. Not only did Hawkins had 18 rebounds against North Texas in December, which was the highest for any Big Ten player this season, but her 17 rebounds in this game sets a new Big Ten Tournament record.\nAt halftime IU was leading 28-18. The second half was disastrous for the Hoosiers; they didn't score their first field goal until almost 10 minutes had passed. During those 10 minutes, Wisconsin went on their 18-1 run.\nBennett said IU's inability to score in the beginning of the second half had a lot to do with their ball handling. \n"It was the way we were passing and our laziness with the ball," Bennett said. "There was no crispness to anything we did."\nThe IU players weren't anywhere near giving up even after Wisconsin's run put the Badgers ahead of the Hoosiers.\n"With five minutes to go I was feeling really frustrated," senior guard Kristen Bodine said. "It did cross my mind that it could be my last game, and I wasn't ready to give up."\nPlaying the game with strep throat, Bodine's shot with 11 seconds to go in the game is what put the Hoosiers up by one point and was the last basket scored. \nAlso helping the Hoosiers at the end of the game was the fact that with just 15 seconds to go they had four team fouls and Wisconsin carried nine. \nUsing the fouls to their advantage, the Hoosiers were able to stop Wisconsin from scoring a winning basket. \n"I remember last year when everyone wanted to win for the seniors," Bodine said. "And I know the underclassman wanted this win for us."\n Seeing playing time for the first time since December due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament was freshman guard Kali Kullberg. She first came in to play the remaining 30 seconds of the first half and played a total of four minutes in the ballgame, scoring two points.\nWith the sweet taste of victory still in their mouths, the Hoosiers will next take on Big Ten Player of the Year Kelly Mazzante and the Penn State Lady Lions (23-7, 13-3) Friday at noon. Penn State is the top seed in this year's tournament and is ranked No. 15 in the nation. \n"I mean, it will be a challenge," Bennett said. "But I'm excited about it"
(03/04/03 6:29am)
The seniors on the IU women's basketball team just wouldn't give up Sunday in their final home game at Assembly Hall. Their persistence and enthusiasm on the court helped them gain their final victory at home in an overtime win against Illinois that ended 85-82. The Hoosiers now go into the Big Ten Tournament 12-14, 5-11 in the Big Ten, while Illinois fell to 17-10, 9-7 in the Big Ten. \nThe game started with a salute to the seniors as IU head coach Kathi Bennett started the five seniors: Kristen Bodine, Jill Hartman, Allison Skapin, Khisha Asubuhi and Lisa Eckart. \nTwo seniors in particular stood out in Sunday's game. Bodine, a guard from Martinsville, Ind., recorded 19 points and six assists while forward transfer from Evansville, Eckart, scored 26 points and had five assists. \n"I thought those two played really well," Bennett said. "They played smart; they played hard and they held their intensity the whole game."\nBennett also said she felt that the ball pressure that Bodine put on defensively was a big part of their comeback in the second half. \n"They (Illinois) scored 45 in the first half and 27 in the second half," Bennett said. "That was a big change."\nFreshman forward April Williams may have only scored two points in Sunday's contest but the basket came with less than a minute left in overtime and put the Hoosiers up by two.\n"I just wanted to help them out and get the seniors a win on senior night," Williams said. \nThe departing seniors were presented with gifts and bright orange basketball balloons as they walked onto the court with family members after the game. \nThis senior class was notable both on the court and off. While seniors like Eckart and Bodine led the Hoosiers on the court, Asubuhi led the team with the highest GPA.\nHartman was announced as the most accurate three point shooter in IU women's basketball history. She recorded two points in Sunday's game against Illinois.\nEach senior had her turn at the microphone to say what she wanted and thank everyone who has been a part of her time at Assembly Hall.\n"I couldn't ask for a better coach," Bodine said at the mic in front of the crowd. "More than anything, she supported me when I wasn't at my best."\nAs far as the seniors' last game being as exciting and nail-biting as it was, Eckart, who will finish her college career with over 1200 points, said she didn't think it could have ended with a better game.\n"We played extremely well, I thought," Eckart said. "It was like everything came together in the end."\nWith IU's victory over Illinois, the Hoosiers will be playing as the eighth seed against Wisconsin in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament this Thursday. The seniors and their teammates aren't anywhere near ready for the season to be at an end.\n"We had a lot of emotions today from younger players and especially older players because it was our last game here," Bodine said. "I think we have pretty high hopes for going into the tournament"
(03/03/03 5:59am)
The seniors on the IU women's basketball team just wouldn't give up Sunday in their final home game at Assembly Hall. Their persistence and enthusiasm on the court helped them gain their final victory at home in an overtime win against Illinois that ended 85-82. The Hoosiers now go into the Big Ten Tournament 12-14, 5-11 in the Big Ten, while Illinois fell to 17-10, 9-7 in the Big Ten. \nThe game started with a salute to the seniors as IU head coach Kathi Bennett started the five seniors: Kristen Bodine, Jill Hartman, Allison Skapin, Khisha Asubuhi and Lisa Eckart. \nTwo seniors in particular stood out in Sunday's game. Bodine, a guard from Martinsville, Ind., recorded 19 points and six assists while forward transfer from Evansville, Eckart, scored 26 points and had five assists. \n"I thought those two played really well," Bennett said. "They played smart; they played hard and they held their intensity the whole game."\nBennett also said she felt that the ball pressure that Bodine put on defensively was a big part of their comeback in the second half. \n"They (Illinois) scored 45 in the first half and 27 in the second half," Bennett said. "That was a big change."\nFreshman forward April Williams may have only scored two points in Sunday's contest but the basket came with less than a minute left in overtime and put the Hoosiers up by two.\n"I just wanted to help them out and get the seniors a win on senior night," Williams said. \nThe departing seniors were presented with gifts and bright orange basketball balloons as they walked onto the court with family members after the game. \nThis senior class was notable both on the court and off. While seniors like Eckart and Bodine led the Hoosiers on the court, Asubuhi led the team with the highest GPA.\nHartman was announced as the most accurate three point shooter in IU women's basketball history. She recorded two points in Sunday's game against Illinois.\nEach senior had her turn at the microphone to say what she wanted and thank everyone who has been a part of her time at Assembly Hall.\n"I couldn't ask for a better coach," Bodine said at the mic in front of the crowd. "More than anything, she supported me when I wasn't at my best."\nAs far as the seniors' last game being as exciting and nail-biting as it was, Eckart, who will finish her college career with over 1200 points, said she didn't think it could have ended with a better game.\n"We played extremely well, I thought," Eckart said. "It was like everything came together in the end."\nWith IU's victory over Illinois, the Hoosiers will be playing as the eighth seed against Wisconsin in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament this Thursday. The seniors and their teammates aren't anywhere near ready for the season to be at an end.\n"We had a lot of emotions today from younger players and especially older players because it was our last game here," Bodine said. "I think we have pretty high hopes for going into the tournament"