Rapper's final album hardly grade Z
Fans have witnessed Jay-Z giving them his "Life" and "Times," introducing them to the "Dynasty" and giving listeners the "Blueprint" for rap success. Now, he leaves the game with The Black Album.
Fans have witnessed Jay-Z giving them his "Life" and "Times," introducing them to the "Dynasty" and giving listeners the "Blueprint" for rap success. Now, he leaves the game with The Black Album.
With a glass door that's stood open for 76 years now, Nick's English Hut (423 E. Kirkwood Ave.) is practically as much a part of Bloomington as IU.
Starbucks wins again. But, we've decided to localize our results and detail the best local coffee house, as voted by you, the readers.
As far as chains are concerned, Bob Evans got gyped. For all of you whose parents have been divorced since you were wee ones, the standard PB&J offered on the weekends at dad's was bi-weekly replaced in my world with a trip to Bob's.
Mad Mushroom didn't make it this year. I would claim to be disappointed, but I simply can't be, since their cheesesticks are the very reason I gained 30 pounds my freshman year.
Three years running, Opie Taylor's is crowned with best burger honors.
Finally, the Best of Bloomington edition of the Weekend has returned. Someone must have heard those silent prayers you've been whispering under your breath at night. I mean, it's not every day you're given advice from an Internet survey.
Expectations. A college band that stays together for an entire year supersedes most. The primary objectives of this endeavor are limited to abusing some accessible substance(s), hard rockin' with friends and the improbable chance of booking live shows. The latter requires ambition and persistence of a band that sees a future beyond the bounds of basements and buddies' backyards.
Although Bangor, Maine might not be the most conducive spot to launch a music career, Howie Day sufficed with playing at clubs, tourist ski spots and bars near the University of Maine.
From afar, she looks like any other college woman, well proportioned with shoulder-length blonde hair. But when you stand next to her, it all becomes clear. This woman was built to be a NCAA Division I basketball center. Standing at a legitimate 6 feet 7 inches, freshman center Sarah McKay is set to make a splash on the IU women's basketball team.
With only two active players on the latter half of their college careers, IU coach Kathi Bennett has a corral full of young guns to holster. One sharp shooter Bennett won't have to worry about is sophomore Cyndi Valentin. Valentin, at a mere 19 years old, is actually one of the most battle-tested Hoosiers, logging impressive minutes in all 28 of IU's games. However, minutes aren't the only statistic Valentin feasted upon last season.
For the first time in the IU women's basketball program's history, the Hoosier coaching staff was able to recruit a nationally-ranked freshman class.
The power of tradition within IU basketball extends far beyond the realm of the men's program. IU women's associate head coach Trish Betthauser is proof enough of that. Betthauser has forgone high-paying jobs -- a teaching career and several Division I coaching opportunities -- to remain a part of women's basketball at IU.
The central theme of the 2003-2004 women's basketball team is youth. Senior Jamie Gathing is out of the lineup due to a season-ending ACL injury, leaving juniors LeeAnn Stephenson and Jenny DeMuth as the only players on the roster who were at IU the last time the Hoosiers made it into the NCAA Tournament just two years ago.
Earlier this fall at Big Ten media day, IU coach Kathi Bennett proclaimed the Big Ten as the number one or two conference in the nation. Some coaches, namely Penn State's Rene Portland, didn't exactly agree with her statement.
It seems as if every year the predicted finish for the Big Ten season comes out, the Michigan State Spartans are near the top. This year is no different as the Spartans were picked by the coaches and the media to be champions this year.
Something is missing from the IU bench. Down the line of cream-and-crimson uniforms last season usually sat colorfully dressed, redshirted guard Roderick Wilmont.
For the first time in Mike Davis' coaching tenure, he will have someone other than Tom Coverdale at point guard. That leaves sophomore guard Marshall Strickland running the point full time this year, which is something he said he is ready for.
IU has something that most other big time men's basketball programs can't boast about -- a coach who is returning this season.
They were the stars of their high school teams, leading them to conference titles and state championships. One of them even grew up as the son of one of the NBA's most notable players in history.