The Cavalier Daily Vol. 131, Issue 14 Thursday, March 18, 2021

MARTHA WILDING | THE CAVALIER DAILY

2019 CHAMPS





Virginia returns to March Madness  almost two years after NCAA title Pages 9-13 2 | www.cavalierdaily.com The Cavalier Daily NEWS

Jewish students denounce Student This week in-brief Council candidate comments CD News Staff Jewish student leaders denounced recently-surfaced antisemitic comments made by Gavin Oxley, Student Council presidential candidate and third-year College student, in a letter Wednesday. In the comments, which were made in response to a pro-life Instagram Inter-Sorority Council announces plans to post, Oxley compared abortion to the Holocaust, calling abortion “the greatest genocide of all time.” resume in-person activities The letter was written by Jewish student leaders and has garnered 50 signatures from individuals representing organizations including the Jewish Leadership Council, the Jewish The Inter-Sorority Council announced in a statement Friday that they will resume in-per- Law Students Association, J Street U, CavPAC, Challah for Hunger and Hoos for Israel. son activities in strict compliance with University and state health guidelines. The statement “Antisemitism is on a stark and terrifying rise throughout the United States,” the letter was circulated internally by Clare Scully, ISC president and third-year Commerce student, and said. “In the face of such hate, it is our shared responsibility — both Jewish and non-Jewish comes after both the Inter-Fraternity Council and ISC banned in-person gatherings Feb. 26 — to call out antisemitism wherever it exists. Speech such as Mr. Oxley’s is dangerous and after both organizations faced criticism on social media for permitting in-person recruitment serves to perpetuate antisemitism in our community. Antisemitism, in all of its forms, has events. no place at the University of Virginia.” “Your due diligence over the past two weeks played an important role in overcoming the pre- In a statement to The Cavalier Daily, Oxley said that he stands by his comments. vious surge and seeing numbers subside,” the statement read. “Taking such measures are difficult, “When read in full context, it is clear that the comparison used was not to diminish the but the numerous downward trends are optimistic indications that we are on the right track.” tragedy that was the Holocaust, taking the lives of 6 million innocent children of God,” Ox- The IFC continues to maintain a ban on all in-person gatherings through the end of March. ley said. “This comment was instead clearly meant to promote the seriousness of abortion, In the statement, the ISC told members not to “support or attend” these events as any in-person which claims 125,000 innocent lives of the children of God every day. A life is a life. Simply fraternity events are in violation of IFC policy. put, there have been more deaths counted from abortion than the Holocaust.”

U.Va. increases outdoor gathering limit to U.Va. reports 1,680 total spring cases, of 10, indoor gathering limit will remain at six which 1,447 are students The University increased its outdoor gathering limit to 10 individuals following declining case Since Jan. 1, the University’s COVID-19 tracker has reported 1,680 positive cases of coro- counts and positivity rates in the last several weeks, according to a Spring 2021 Update email sent navirus in the University community, which includes faculty, staff, students and contracted March 11. The gathering limit for indoor events will remain at six and beginning Friday, U.Va. employees. University students make up 1,447 of these positive cases. Feb. 16 marked the Dining facilities will also begin to operate at 30 percent capacity and students may sit together in highest number of daily reported cases since Jan. 1, recording 230 positive cases in the Uni- groups of four, an increase from the previous limit of two. versity community. Provided that organizations have a COVID-19 mitigation plan in place, students, faculty and Since the spike in cases the week of Feb. 15 — when the University reached a record-high staff are also permitted to volunteer with groups operating within the Blue Ridge Health Dis- percent positivity rate of 4.12 percent and a seven-day average of 112.3 cases per day — cases trict. Previously, the University limited volunteer activity to vaccinated individuals volunteering have steadily declined. As of Wednesday, 40 cases are active. There is currently a 0.18 percent as emergency medical technicians or firefighters. seven-day average positivity rate, which refers to the percentage of people who obtained Despite the relaxed restrictions, University leadership warned that it is still just as important positive test results out of all people tested, and a seven-day average of 3.7 new cases per day. for University community members to continue following masking requirements, social distanc- These numbers are only reflective of students who have tested positive through the Stu- ing guidelines, gathering limitations and travel restrictions — even if one has been vaccinated dent Health & Wellness or the U.Va. Health Clinic. for the virus. The dashboard also reports that 2 percent of the student quarantine rooms are currently “These changes are good news and a direct response to the much-improved conditions at occupied while 1 percent of the student isolation rooms are occupied. U.Va.,” the email said. “They are not a sign, however, that we are completely out of the woods. The threat of another spike in cases remains real, and if trends worsen, we will have to impose more strict public health measures again.” 3.11 3.12 3.15 3.17

Liu, Oxley discuss campaign visions at Student Council presidential candidate forum Third-year College students Abel Liu and Gavin Oxley fielded leadership being the most pressing issue at the University. The final question of the debate asked the candidates to differ- questions from The Cavalier Daily and community members at the When asked about freedom of speech on Grounds and in Stu- entiate themselves from their opponent. Liu pointed to his knowl- fifth annual Student Council presidential candidate forum Mon- dent Council, Liu brought up the new Lawn room policies that edge about the tactics and mechanics behind making policies, day night, which was co-hosted by The Cavalier Daily, University were implemented after some alumni and community members having served as Student Council representative prior to running Board of Elections and the U.Va. Democracy Initiative’s Student last fall called for the removal of Lawn room signs that contained for president and successfully lobbied and passed legislation in the Advisory Council. profanity and criticized the University’s history of enslavement. past. Liu also emphasized his platform that aims to involve mar- Throughout the forum, Liu and Oxley addressed their leader- Liu expressed his desire to meet with the Vice President and Chief ginalized student groups in Student Council and claimed he is “the ship priorities, dynamics within Student Council and the role of Student Affairs Officer and Dean of Students to reevaluate the only candidate in recent student council history” well trusted by student self-governance in promoting diversity and inclusion and new policies and placed particular emphasis on freedom of politi- these groups. supporting students during the pandemic. cal speech, referencing his goal of creating a new Arts and Political Oxley pushed back against Liu’s point by defending his own The two agreed that mental health is one of the top three issues Education Fund. qualifications. He claimed that he had never interacted with Liu facing students today. Liu stated that mental health is his top prior- Oxley stressed his desire for Student Council to be a “center before this debate and that Liu was in no position to speak on his ity followed by college affordability and the inability of students to for free speech,” which he claimed it hasn’t been for the past year qualifications. He urged voters to message him if they had concerns influence policy decisions. Oxley, on the other hand, believes that because “people who are involved in [Student Council] place them- about his qualifications and ended by stating that he was “coming disjunction of the social environment and a lack of qualified lead- selves on a higher standard and are trying to tell people what is in to fix our school without tearing it apart.” ership are two other important issues, with the lack of qualified protected speech and what isn’t protected speech.” NEWS Thursday, March 18, 2021 | 3

The following candidates did not respond to their respective surveys: STUDENT COUNCIL — Tristan Williams, Gabriela Hernandez, Bela Bhatnagar, Nina Santana, Jakob Martinez, Tyler Busch, Booker Johnson, Christian Ephriam, Akshitha Kalavakonda, Robert Brown, Jay Moody, Cooper Scher | UJC — Ania Szantruczek, Nabeel Raza, Noa Kipnis, Allegra Stewart, Samy Dahman, Nijat Khanbabayev, Donna Reynolds, Austin Amacher, Adam Younger, Max Nardi | HONOR — Savannah Holmes, Lucian Mirra, Kunal Chauhan, Joshua Fogel, Caitlin Kreinheder, Meghan Wingert, Christopher Benos, Deepa Patel, Robert Brown, Christina Rodriguez 4 | www.cavalierdaily.com NEWS Student Council presidential candidates share platforms The voting period began Wednesday at 10 a.m. and will close Friday at 4 p.m.

Jee-Ho Kim | Staff Writer

Two Student Council presidential versity was, Oxley focused on lack of candidates — third-year College stu- mental health resources and in-fight- dents Abel Liu Gavin Oxley — began ing within Student Council. campaigning Friday. Oxley is cam- At a meeting March 2, Nickolaus paigning as a solo candidate while Liu Cabrera, first-year College student is on the same ticket as uncontested and Student Council representative, candidates third-year College Cecilia abstained from a vote on a resolution Cain, who is running for vice president that denounced violence against the for administrations and second-year Asian Pacific Islander Desi American College student Ryan Cieslukowski, community and announced his inten- who is running for vice president for tion to propose legislation protecting organizations. University monuments, resolving to A presidential debate hosted by end “cancel culture” and beginning The Cavalier Daily, the University Student Council meetings with the Election’s Board and the University’s Pledge of Allegiance. These actions Democracy Initiative took place Mon- prompted a Twitter dispute between day. Voting for all student elections — Cabrera and Ellen Yates — current which includes candidates for Student Student Council president and fourth- Council, Honor Council, University year College student — as well as other Judiciary Committee and Class Coun- executive members. cil — opened Wednesday at 10 a.m. Oxley said moments like these and will close Friday at 4 p.m. have hindered Student Council’s abili- ty to serve effectively. “The People’s Needs” — Gavin In regards to recent Zoom bomb- Oxley ings of Student Council meetings and the organization’s newly enforced se- curity measures, Oxley said that the Oxley has leadership experience enforced Netbadge login is a great idea as the current president of the Asso- and noted he would want to expand COURTESY GAVIN OXLEY ciation Council for Bond House, a on the implementation by working self-governing body that consists of with IT services to ensure a balance Oxley is the current president of Association Council for Bond House. representatives from each residence is found between keeping meetings hall tasked with building commu- transparent and private to harassers. nity among residents. He also serves Oxley said that he aims to be a as a board member of the Society of profit,” he said. “Imagine what could Post-pandemic life help them adapt to life at the Universi- leader who handles issues according Culturally Competent Pre-Health be accomplished if some of that profit University President Jim Ryan has ty. He would also implement a student to the wishes of the student body and Students, a contracted independent was put towards expanding CAPS for said that he expects more, if not all, search system for study buddies, al- wants to steer Student Council away organization that discusses healthcare us.” classes to be in person this fall, and lowing students to connect with class- from administering through its own issues and volunteers locally at the In response to calls from students Oxley wants to ensure students have mates in the same courses. This search political lens. This is another concern Charlottesville Free Clinic. to improve CAPS, Oxley said he a smooth transition back to in-person system would be privy to University Oxley has with the current adminis- As ASCO president for Bond, would implement a feedback form to learning in a post-pandemic world. students only with Duo authentica- tration generally. Oxley has dedicated himself to cre- tion, such as the University’s Internal ating dorm-wide social events that People Search service, which serves as are accessible to everyone, such as They have done very little for the student body as a whole, and what has been a directory for University students, faculty and staff. a Braille-friendly scavenger hunt to done were band-aid solutions to much more serious problems. support Bond’s population of stu- Oxley also hopes to implement dents with disabilities, according to a program in the fall that gradually Oxley. works students towards getting back “Being a Student Council presi- Oxley said that he is running for incorporate student suggestions on Currently, only 27 percent of classes into the rhythm of closed book ex- dent would be putting the people’s president because he has been disap- how services are run. offer an in-person component. ams and normal exam conditions. needs before the political ideologies pointed with Student Council this In particular, Oxley plans to fo- He hopes to work with professors on of the members of Student Council,” year, specifically in how it did not do Tuition cus on alleviating social anxieties that being more “intentional” and “compas- Oxley said. enough to support tuition cost, mental Oxley also said he would pursue would accompany a return to a fully sionate” in planning tests. health issues and academic resources reimbursements for students this in-person semester in addition to the Oxley resolves to support CIOs in Mental health like tutoring. academic year. Last March, Student stress that would arise with moving becoming more active, a component As president, Oxley said he would “They have done very little for the Financial Services refunded students away from open-note tests, which of student life that he feels Student look to support mental health re- student body as a whole, and what has living on Grounds for dining and some professors have chosen to imple- Council has failed to fully fund. sources — which he characterized as a been done were band-aid solutions to housing costs when instruction moved ment this year. Oxley singled out first- “[CIOs] have certainly suffered “time-sensitive” issue due to a general much more serious problems,” Oxley online and students were asked not to and second-year students in particular from the pandemic and not being able increase in mental health problems said. return to Charlottesville. as those who may face these issues in to serve their members,” he said. during the pandemic — primarily Although Oxley has not held a po- “The school has taken away so upcoming semesters, as they have had Despite the restrictions on gath- through expanding Counseling and sition in Student Council, he said he many amenities, but is still charging the least amount of experience with a erings, many CIOs have adapted to Psychological Services by increasing finds that to be a benefit because if the tuition costs of a pre-pandemic non-pandemic University life. public health guidelines by continuing the number of CAPS counselors and elected, he would hold office without experience, which is not fair to the “Speaking from personal experi- activities virtually and in socially-dis- lowering the cost for CAPS services. feeling “bogged down” by past legacies student body,” Oxley said. ence, school online is a totally differ- tanced settings. CAPS currently employs less than 30 and biases about the organization. Oxley said he would also push for ent challenge than being in person,” Oxley welcomes student feedback mental health professionals, and its “I can come in and really focus on a tuition freeze for the upcoming 2021- Oxley said. and questions on his social media cam- service charges are covered together the priorities of people who aren’t a 22 and 2022-23 academic years. The If elected, Oxley said he would paign profiles. with all Student Health service costs part of Student Council while people Board of Visitors will meet to discuss incentivize students to take part in by an $842 comprehensive tuition fee. who are a part of it and are seeking to a proposed tuition increase April 13. group social meetings during the fall If elected, Oxley said he anticipates stay a part of it want to further their At a public comment meeting Feb. 17, through programs similar to HOOS payments for his proposed changes to own agenda,” Oxley said. students spoke out against a tuition Connected — a University program come from the University and donors. When asked about what he hike, which would be anywhere from that connects first year and transfer “The school, currently, is run for thought the biggest issue at the Uni- 0 to 3.1 percent. students each week to socialize and NEWS Thursday, March 17, 2021 | 5 “A New Era of Student Gov- national conversation because they ernance” — Abel Liu might be divisive,” Liu said. “I think that it’s necessary for us to talk about reparations for the descendants of en- Liu, together with Cain and Cies- slaved laborers at U.Va., and it’s neces- lukowski, runs his platform on three sary for us to talk about discrimina- pillars — equity, empowerment and tion against LGBTQ students.” renewal. Liu began his career in stu- Regarding polarizing Student dent governance as a first-year repre- Council meetings this year, Liu noted sentative and has since held positions his duty to remain impartial in his role in various Student Council and Uni- as chair during meetings — which is versity Board committees, including not the same obligation for Student the Financial Accessibility Committee Council president — but added that and the Ad-Hoc Committee to Sup- division within Student Council is not port Student Workers. Liu is currently just an issue of differences in opinion. serving his second term as chair of the “First and foremost, there’s a dif- Student Council representative body, ference between diversity in opinion meaning that he oversees representa- and protecting free speech and racial tives from all undergraduate and grad- dog whistling, gaslighting or doxxing uate schools. Black and brown students online,” Liu “In that role, I try to teach my said. representatives how to negotiate and One recent topic of debate was bargain with the legislation that we’re over Cabrera’s failed legislative pro- able to pass,” Liu said. posal addressing harassment of Young Liu cited three recent achieve- America’s Foundation members. Fol- ments he spearheaded as most signifi- lowing YAF’s release of selectively-ed- cant to the student body. Last spring, ited videos of a November Student Liu co-founded the U.Va. Mutual Aid Council meeting that criticized legis- COURTESY ABEL LIU network, which has since distributed lation recommending a strike system nearly $60,000 to support students for professors accused of acts of bias Liu is currently serving in his second term as chair of the Student Council representative body. during the COVID-19 pandemic. He and discrimination, threats of physical also successfully lobbied for the cred- violence were made against Student it/general credit/ no credit option for Council members. Liu hopes to intro- this academic year — the University off-Grounds housing. Liu looks to its ties to Aramark and investments in Liu plans on creating or reintro- duce standards of conduct for repre- announced the grading change for last create a grant program incentivizing fossil fuel industries. Aramark manag- ducing other initiatives in the branch sentatives during meetings to ensure fall semester Oct. 9 and the continua- professors to reduce course material es the University’s dining services and as well, including financial support for they act respectfully. tion of the grading system for January costs by employing free textbook al- employee contracts and has been criti- students applying for Student Disabil- “I don’t think very many students term and the spring semester Nov. 9. ternatives in class, for example. He has cized for its poor employee treatment. ity Access Center accomodations and would have an issue with the idea that Lastly, Liu said his work as creator of worked with an on-Grounds nonprof- During the shift to online learning last a textbook loan system for first-gener- an equity-oriented COVID-19 reo- ation and low-income students. The pening working group helped secure Next Steps Fund — which was created pay for student workers at the begin- I’m proud that I’ve cracked the code on how to use Student Council effectively to with the goal of paying for two ses- ning of the pandemic and ensure well- actually get things done for people that make a difference in their lives. sions with a therapist outside of CAPS ness days this semester. — would be revived with $50,000 used In place of spring break — which to cover up to three outpatient coun- was canceled to limit student travel to seling sessions for students under the if your actions are leading to death and from Charlottesville this semester it called The College Scoop to secure year, some University dining workers Aetna Student Health Plan. Liu has threats for your colleagues, you should — the University implemented four a $10,000 grant to set up a textbook were laid off without severance. The been working on Next Steps since he not be allowed to represent the stu- break days, during which all classes are loan system. University of Virginia Investment became a representative in fall 2019. dent body,” he said. canceled. “My motivation is to make attend- Management Company — which “I’m confident that I’ll be able to Liu emphasized his belief that Stu- ing U.Va. more affordable,” he said. manages the University’s endowment reinvigorate the portfolio and reinsti- Equity dent Council is a “collective bargain- “I focused on textbooks because the — invests University funds with the tutionalize it in Student Council be- Liu plans on launching a Crisis As- ing agency,” not an entity with “direct problem is indicative of the steep in- goal of generating long-term financial cause, frankly, I’m three quarters of the sistance: Helping Out on the Streets jurisdiction” over University policy. flation [costs] associated with attend- benefits. UVIMCO has faced student way there thanks to the work I’ve done program this fall in partnership with “We’re not governing, we’re bar- ing college in the U.S.” scrutiny for its divestments in fossil over the last two years,” he said. the Equity Center, Housing and Res- gaining,” he said. Another goal of Liu’s is to make the fuel and Liu also expressed concern More information on Liu, Cain idence Life and fellow students. The Although Liu said he is passionate Aetna Student Health Plan more af- over the company’s lack of transpar- and Cielukowski’s platform can be CAHOOTS program would divert about his work as chair of the repre- fordable with a grant program and an ency. found on their website. funds from the University Police De- sentative body, he believes that hold- extension of the payment from three “The fact that we have no idea partment to CAPS, with the goal ing office as president would allow to six months. All students attending what’s in our nearly $10 billion endow- UBE investigating Oxley for of moving towards employing cri- him to expand his vision of a “reformed the University are required to have ment is a problem,” he said. sis workers and emergency medical potential campaign violations institution” to help students. From his health insurance, and the Universi- In regards to student life, Liu technicians in non-violent situations, ty-offered Aetna insurance is one way wants to create an Arts and Political experience in student self-governance, UBE is currently investigating Ox- rather than police officers. During cri- to meet this requirement. Education Fund for students empow- Liu said he has built relationships with ley’s campaign for potential violations, sis situations in dorms, RAs often are Additionally, Liu plans to advocate ered to create politically expressive CIOs and administrative officials that including spreading misinformation required to call the University Police for affordable off-Grounds housing art. His platform notes that the Stu- would help in implementing policies. about Liu’s campaign and beginning Department. with his proposal to create a fair rent dent Council’s Arts Fund is often not “I’m proud that I’ve cracked the campaigning before the period be- “The purpose of the CAHOOTS pledge with Charlottesville and Albe- enough to support every student who code on how to use Student Council gan. The alleged campaign efforts in program is to actually keep students marle County landlords, which would requests funding for art projects. Liu effectively to actually get things done question were largely catered to In- more safe by making sure that stu- express support for price ceilings and hopes to start with distributing a total for people that make a difference in ter-Fraternity Council and Inter-So- dents who need immediate help don’t reduced rent increases. Over half of all of $5,000 per semester. He also plans their lives,” Liu said. rority Council chapters and made have to worry about being taken into undergraduates live off Grounds. to lobby for the translation of Univer- Liu said that the biggest issue at false claims that Liu’s platform favored police custody or put in handcuffs, Other initiatives include incorpo- sity financial and legal documents into the University is the lack of student punishing or disbanding Greek life on which might be a deterrent from them rating a prayer space in Observatory Mandarin and Spanish and expand voices in the University’s decision Grounds. Liu has since clarified that receiving the help they need in a men- Hill, pushing for state legislative ac- access to menstrual products in bath- making progress, citing poor support he does not support abolishing Greek tal health crisis,” Liu said. tion against queer discrimination in rooms. for resident advisors this year as one life. If evidence is brought forward Liu also wants to ensure that men- religious organizations and financially example. that reaches “the threshold of signifi- tal health care is affordable for all by supporting transgender health care at Renewal Student self-governance, Liu said, cance and specificity” found in UBE’s increasing funding for CAPS through the University. If elected, Liu would move existing should ensure that administration lis- investigation procedure and rules, endowments and donations with no Student Council services — such as the tens to students — especially margin- then the organization will begin its additional cost to students. Empowerment Community Food Pantry and Student alized students. disciplinary process. To increase affordability, Liu has “I will not back down from tak- Liu said he envisions a more ethical Legal Services — to a new Support proposed plans to lower prices for future in University management. He and Access Services Branch, allowing ing on issues that are also part of our . course materials, health insurance and calls for pushing the University to end for greater support and effectiveness. 6 | www.cavalierdaily.com The Cavalier Daily LIFE Pico Wrap is a student-athlete favorite for burritos This hidden gem on Ivy Road is one of the Bennetts’ favorite spots — enough said

Maddie McNamee | Food Columnist

Most weekend mornings I wake up with Bodo’s Bagels on my mind. There is just nothing like bacon, egg and cheese on an everything bagel when the stress of class and excitement of the weekend has caught up to you — or at least, that’s what I used to think. Now there is a new front-runner for my heart and stomach, and it’s Pico Wrap. Even though it opened in De- cember 2018, I had never heard of this burrito spot until I read an ar- ticle in which Tony Bennett’s wife cited it as one of her top dining spots in Charlottesville. Then, af- ter we won the National Champi- onship for men’s basketball, I read another story saying it is the exact spot where Tony Bennett met up with Ty Jerome after the 2018 first- round loss in the NCAA Tourna- ment. I now firmly believe it is the power of Pico Wrap that gave the men’s basketball team the encour- agement and fuel they needed to win it all the next year.

Accessibility I trust any food review from the Bennetts, especially since Tony Bennett is actually from my mom’s hometown in Wiscon- sin, and we all happen to share the same favorite local soft serve spot — according to the people MADDIE MCNAMEE | THE CAVALIER DAILY who serve the ice cream there, at least. I knew I just had to try Pico Pico Wrap burritos capture the stomachs of athletes and coaches alike. Wrap, but still, two years later, I had been unable to make the time, and this goal of mine was pushed to the back burner. That is, until While I was there, the setup dition for myself now. They serve Atmosphere drinks was only about $15, which last weekend. felt COVID-19-safe, as the line a variety of build-your-own wraps, The setup is similar to Chipot- is a steal to me. Not only are the Part of the reason I had never was spaced out appropriately for bowls and salads — but you really le, where you choose your base, burritos cheap, but they are also been is because its location is not distance, and everyone inside was have to go there for their breakfast then choose toppings down the huge and beyond tasty. I was ab- exactly near Central Grounds — wearing masks. There was indoor burritos. line. The interior and overall vibe solutely stuffed as I finished mine, it’s a 22-minute walk, tucked far- seating available, as well as a table They are served until 1 p.m., so is fast-casual, so no worries if you but every bite was worth it. I don’t ther down Ivy Road past the Al- outside too, but I chose to take my even if it has been an extra rough want to show up in your pajamas think I can go back to a bagel or derman Road intersection. From meal home. In my opinion, eating a morning, you can probably make or finest sweatpants — no one is toast ever again when there are the intersection, it is easy to spot burrito can be a messy experience it down Ivy Road for this cure to judging here. I ended up adding breakfast burritos as flavorful as after you reach the Townside best saved for the privacy of your your ailment. After 1 p.m., they potatoes, fajita veggies, pico de Pico Wraps available. Shopping Center on your left, and own home, but I also still try to solely offer wraps with ingredi- gallo, a tiny bit of sour cream, gua- the restaurant is wheelchair acces- avoid eating inside when possible ents that would more commonly camole — for an additional cost of Instead of whining for the Bo- sible since there are no steps to the because of COVID-19. Pico Wrap be in sandwiches, like cold cuts, $1.25 that was ever so worth it — do’s on Preston every weekend, store front. made me feel safe with their guide- cheese varieties and chicken salad, and a final flourish of Texas Pete my roommates may now be forced The only other people I had lines and accessibility in ordering in addition to other salads, bowls hot sauce. to hear cries for Pico Wrap each heard rave about Pico Wrap were to-go. They offer delivery on Grub- and soups. I ordered the simple morning. There’s no need to feel my student-athlete friends. It Hub, so if you still do not feel like egg and cheese, while my friend Affordability guilty about the amount of calories clicked that their frequent visits driving in the Ivy direction, then ordered the chorizo option, which Most of the toppings — save and grease in one of their breakfast were likely due to its convenient this would be a suitable solution. comes with scrambled eggs, pota- for a select few, such as guacamo- burritos because it’s what the ath- vicinity to JPJ. Pico Wrap is hard to and cheese. I was also tempted le — are at no extra charge, so it letes eat. If they’re eating it, then it to miss if you are visiting JPJ on Appeal by the “Eli’s special,” which comes is feasible to craft a loaded, filling must be healthy, right? If you want the regular, but for any other stu- One of my student-athlete with scrambled eggs, spicy chick- burrito at a relatively slim price. to eat like a student-athlete, your dent it’s more of a hike. Weekday friends would not stop boasting en, tortilla chips, cheese and sour The burritos are only around $4 first stop is Pico Wrap. If Tony hours are 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., but about Pico Wrap, so I finally -de cream. I decided to go simple with anyway, so splurging on guacamo- Bennett loves it, then I guarantee on Saturdays it is only open from cided to tag along with him this my base since it was my first time le is no big fright to your wallet you’ll love it too. 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., so make sure you past weekend. I now must admit there, and I chose to load up on here. The total for two burritos, get your brunch in while you can. this might have to be a weekly tra- toppings instead. both with guacamole, and two LIFE Thursday, March 18, 2021 | 7 Top 10 excuses for not having U.Va. win your bracket I mean, there’s money on the line here

Ben Rosenthal | Top 10 Writer

“Dude, have you watched a “I don’t like to mix business with 4. “I’m going deep undercover as 7. 1. a Duke fan.” game this semester?” pleasure.” The cold, hard reality is that the Cavaliers have seen “In order to beat the enemy, you must become the better days. And don’t get me wrong — we have This is just about the cleanest excuse you can put on the enemy.” Winston Churchill said that — as far as an- certainly seen worse. 18-6, first in the ACC and table. Say you will root for U.Va., but that you want to yone would know. Nobody would call you out on it Jay Huff’s amazing, jealousy-inducing facial hair all hedge your bets a bit in the event of an early knockout. if you attributed that quote to him. And he might point to a successful season. But March Madness is Clarify that if U.Va. and your money team go head-to- have said it. But I digress. In order to understand ri- tough, and we have had a few games where, quite head, you will pull for U.Va. with utter devotion. Pleas- val teams such as Duke, Virginia Tech and the other frankly, we haven’t looked quite up to snuff. So, if ure comes first, and business comes second. Most people miscreants of the earth, we must send a few agents you’re brave enough to possibly get slapped, just go will accept this justification, and while they may make undercover — such as I did in 2019 — to document with some honesty. fun of you behind your back for lacking a spine, you and process their evil ways. Fun fact — I put Duke as deserve to live with the fact that they’re right. the winning team back in 2019 — the year we actual- ly won. I lost my bracket and got deservingly bullied. 8. “Look, I’m broke and want $5.” If the above line wasn’t quite low enough for you, 5.“One of the team managers cut add in the fact that you’re motivated by capitalist me in line at the Arby’s greed. Admit that you are a dirty, disloyal coward who — when push comes to shove — will sell their drive-thru.” soul to chase the money, regardless of the source. Maybe it is a personal vendetta. Perhaps one player Even if it means looking the Cavalier in their big, or affiliate of the U.Va men’s basketball program is beady, beautiful eyes and telling them you just don’t your sworn enemy. Because I do not want to get ac- believe. cused of stirring the pot, I have never actually been cut by a team manager while in the Arby’s line. But if I had been, it would be a valid excuse not to root for the entire team, right? You just can’t get between a man and his Arby’s. We all know that.

ANISHA HOSSAIN | THE CAVALIER DAILY

2. “My financial advisor told me to back Illinois.” If sarcasm is your love language and realism isn’t an ANISHA HOSSAIN | THE CAVALIER DAILY issue, toss out this little quip. If you feel obligated to follow the honor code, you can take the extra step of ac- tually hiring a financial advisor and getting their advice on the college basketball landscape. The caveat to that is, unless you’re gambling in some high-stakes league, Throw out any sort of basket- however much you’d be paying said advisor is proba- 9. bly more than the $50 pot you’ve set up with your high ball statistic school friends. If you’ve made it this far through the article without ANISHA HOSSAIN | THE CAVALIER DAILY realizing that I don’t know anything about U.Va. bas- ketball, here’s me letting you down easy. I’m the epit- ome of a casual fan — I know the names of seven or eight of the players, I know my dad thinks we suck this year, and that’s about it. But if you have any sort of concrete, statistical evidence, be my guest. Nerd. 3. “Oops, must’ve clicked the wrong While you will never impress me personally with your 6. “I don’t want to put that kind knowledge of Kody Stattmann’s free-throw percent- button. Can’t change it, darn!” of pressure on the boys.” age, you are welcome to try. Another safe option is blaming a combination of tech- A wholesome excuse. “I just don’t want Sam out nology and chunky fingers. When somebody points out there on the free-throw line, worrying about my lit- to you that you have U.Va. losing in the third round, tle old bank account. I don’t want to put that evil on pretend that this is the first you’ve heard of that. Pull him.” There’s already so much pressure on student up your bracket and — brace yourself — put on the best “Gambling is illegal. You’ve got athletes, after all. Why add more? In fact, maybe it 10. acting performance of your lifetime. “What? I did? But would be selfish to place a bet on U.Va. I know that if the wrong guy.” how! Did I misclick? I must have. Because there’s no way somebody put a bet on me, I would almost certainly — I’m the biggest fan. Oh, it’s locked? I can’t edit it? No! If all else fails, just feign ignorance. “Sports? Betting? let them down. Noooooooooooo!” Nope, can’t do that. Not trying to get behind bars. No, I’m not @BenRosenthal44.” If you commit hard enough to this obvious lie, your friends will probably stop talking to you about March Madness, and you can put your money on Kansas in peace. The only downside? I’ll be right here to call Honor on you. 8 | www.cavalierdaily.com The Cavalier Daily ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Different March Madness, different hype playlist There aren’t going to be watch parties this year, but that doesn’t mean the feeling of excitement has to disappear

Kyndal Harrison | Magazine Editor

The beginning of March Madness game-day meal and snacks. This song “Invitation” by Ashnikko featuring .“Money” by Leikeli47 “Big Fish” by Vince Staples is just around the corner. Usually, celebrates the big payoffs that come Kodie Shane there would be a sense of growing with patience. After being deprived To keep the boss vibes around — The penultimate song on the excitement around Grounds. Stu- of the basketball season last year, Have you ever had that annoy- enter “Money” next. This song, also playlist is about getting what you dents would host or attend viewing students and athletes finally have ing person that just won’t leave you from the wildly underrated Leike- want. The 2017 hit by Vince Staples parties and foster intense conversa- the opportunity to enjoy the colle- alone? They just ruin the vibes you li47, is about working hard to earn is an unfazed ode to being the big- tions about the likelihood of the bas- giate season’s grand end. are trying to put out. Well, Ashnikko and keep prizes you deserve. A par- gest fish in the pond. If you want ketball team winning the National has created the perfect anthem for ticularly good line is “I had to work a song to tap your foot to, “Big Fish” Championship again. A lot has “DICTATOR” by REI AMI you. When people try to come into like Kobe just to shine like Russell.” might have you moving more than changed, and Virginia’s chances of your court and tell you how things Sometimes, the rewards come a you expected. even being in the tournament were Hitting harder than the previous are going to be played out, this song while after the work is done. recently in jeopardy. With clearance tune, “DICTATOR” is a confidence will remind you they aren’t supposed “Sway With Me” by Saweetie featur- to play, here are some songs to listen booster for everyone. Yes, REI AMI to be in your space in the first place! “BOZOS” by Tobe Nwigwe featur- ing GALXARA to as Virginia prepares to enter the raps that she’s better than a queen ing Big K.R.I.T. NCAA Tournament. because she is a dictator — but polit- “Zoom” by Leikeli47 Now, this last entry is pure par- ical power-correctness aside — this This tune is a slower entry for the ty material. The electronic bass and “Ready Set” by Kash Doll featuring song is for those who need a little The big beats in this song can get playlist, but it’s about embracing the the amazing vocals by GALXARA Big Sean self-inspiration. It definitely won’t even the meekest fan hype for the weirdness within. Typically, people make you wanna get loose. “Sway be the theme of the NCAA Tourna- tournament. “Zoom” exudes quieter discourage being a clown, but Tobe With Me” is from what should be a Whether you are watching the ment, but it oozes a certain kind of boss energy, but that is okay because Nwigwe and Big K.R.I.T. encourage cult classic film, “Birds of Prey,” but tournament alone or with your confidence other songs don’t quite people flex power in different ways. you to truly be yourself. Their mes- that discussion is for another article. roommates — a mood setter is ab- exude. The lyrics of Virginia native Leike- sage is that life is too short to try to It is the perfect song to end with as solutely necessary. Listen to “Ready li47 add punch to what would oth- assimilate. The greatest people don’t the tournament begins! Set” as you prepare your favorite erwise be just a popular TikTok song blend in with the crowd.

‘We can stop there’ — Jos Charles’ poetics of vulnerability The award-winning poet virtually visited with the Creative Writing program

Joanna Clark | Senior Writer

The University’s creative writing Kyle Marbut, an MFA candidate She spoke on gender and societal ex- a currently unpublished sonnet cycle, ary between herself, the work and department hosted Pulitzer-nomi- at the University, introduced Charles, pectations for women in the 47th which is an addendum to another the audience. Her last reading of the nated poet Jos Charles for a reading lauding her ability to create “a space poem from “feeld,” “this is wut makes sonnet cycle of hers, as well as “a kind night was of an in-progress poem that and panel discussion. During Charles’ for queerness and transness and pos- us grls / thining bye the houre.” of echo, meridian version” of a poem has not quite reached its final form. week-long virtual residence — made sibility,” and the unique qualities of It is a magical thing to hear she wrote in 2016 called “A Year.” She finished with a deeply power- possible by Elizabeth Rea and The her writing that allow for “humor Charles read while holding her book Charles drew similarities between ful repetition of the line, “I love you, Dungannon Foundation — she con- and devastation, irony and sincerity in your hands — to see the old made 2016 and 2020 — both alienating years I love you, I love you,” and then said, ducted individual manuscript consul- and vulnerability and distance.” new again. Perhaps one of the most with loss, death and isolation. “We can stop there.” tations with students in the Master Following Marbut’s introduction haunting lines from the reading — Throughout the question and an- Although Charles ended her poet- of Fine Arts program in poetry and — which ended with an amusing mis- and from “feeld” as a whole — comes swer and panel discussion, Charles ry reading with the simple statement spoke via Zoom with creative writing quote of Oprah, stating, “She is the from the 57th poem, where Charles had a tendency to speak around ques- of “We can stop there,” the power of faculty, Brian Teare and Kiki Petrosi- friend that everybody deserves. I do says, “did u kno not a monthe goes tions — starting with what she could her poetry does not. It dives into the no. not know a better poet” — Charles bye / a tran i kno doesnt dye / just say, without actually saying it, and past and muses on the future, ensur- Charles is the author of the collec- began her reading. shye off 27 / its such a plesure to be then going in another direction. The ing it will always hold its space. Her tions “Safe Space” and Pulitzer-nom- In the spirit of “givingness,” as alive.” redirections in conversation brought poems in “feeld” and “A Night Cycle” inated “feeld,” which was selected by Charles called it, after working with As with every Zoom experience, references to trips to the Los Angeles rework and reclaim the language and Fady Joudah as a winner in the 2017 the University’s MFA students and the webinar came with the vulnera- County Museum of Art as a 12-year- expectations of the past, but they also National Poetry Series. The celebrat- workshopping new pieces Charles bility and sincerity of seeing someone old and childhood Sunday school nestle inside of the reader, providing ed transgender poet and editor has offered the audience readings from speak from their home, with all of the memories — somehow avoiding the those echoes of our personal and so- a wealth of accolades tagged to her an unpublished cycle of sonnets ti- background noise that comes with direct vulnerability of an answered cietal histories. name — including, but not limited to, tled “A Night Cycle” and a piece she it. For Charles, this meant the sound question with the equally vulnerable Professor and fellow poet Teare the 2016 Ruth Lilly and Dorothy Sar- is currently working on. Charles also of a piano playing somewhere in the recollection of a childhood memory. said it perfectly when opening up the gent Rosenberg Fellowship through offered up several of her hailed poems distance and the constant murmur of Charles’ insights certainly spoke to question and answer section of the the Poetry Foundation and the 2015 from “feeld” — a revolutionary book neighbors through the walls. Howev- Marbut’s point from earlier in the webinar, “I am always very aware of Monique Wittig Writer’s Scholarship. of poetry that uses Chaucerian style er, the background noise did not take night, as she has mastered the ability my physical self when I’m with your She is currently a doctoral candidate Middle English to examine gender, away from the reading. If anything, to be both vulnerable and distant at work.” To listen to Charles read, or to at the University of California, Ir- society, the self and the pastoral. it added a bit of comfort to the in- once. read her work yourself, is not just to vine and is working on yet another Charles read quite a few of her credible intimacy of Charles’ poetry Charles has a unique ability to experience poetry, but to let it hold manuscript. Throughout the reading serial poems in “feeld,” beginning — to hear reminders of the rest of speak and to read in an incredibly ar- you and slip inside of you. When you Charles was open about her writing with the first in the book, which ends the world as she recited an echo of a resting way — her voice is soft, and are with Charles’ poetry, you are ex- process, highlighting the experience with the powerful lines, “alarum is world of loss, sadness and the haunt- she takes her time with her words, isting in a continuum of history and of fatigue and the beauty of a work in my nayme / unkempt & handeld i am ing nature of isolation. ensuring that each and every word is possibility — of form, of originality progress. hors / i am sadeld / i am a brokn hors.” Charles’ first reading came from held, while still maintaining a bound- and the self. The Cavalier Daily Thursday, March 18, 2021 | 9 SPORTS LOTHROP: What makes Virginia basketball so successful An examination of the Pack Line defense and the Blocker-Mover offense

Connor Lothrop | Sports Columnist

Virginia’s men’s basketball team two men. This puts them in position has had an unprecedented decade of to help instantly if another defender success. In the last 10 years, the Cava- loses his assignment. liers have appeared in all but one pos- When one of those men gets the sible NCAA Tournament, won five ball, the on-ball defender applies pres- ACC regular-season championships, a sure, and an off-ball defender pulls a pair of ACC Tournaments and a Na- move called a stunt — a maneuver tional Championship. Those 10 years that allows the defender to appear as if were more successful than the rest of they’re in two places at once. When the the program’s history combined. offensive player receives the ball, the This elite span has coincided with help defender takes a jab step towards the arrival of Coach Tony Bennett. him to give the player the illusion that Under Bennett, the Cavaliers have he is about to be double-teamed. This adopted deliberate and efficient - ap forces the offensive man to make a proaches on both ends of the floor — quick decision about how to get rid of the Pack Line defense and the Block- the ball. The defender, though, drops er-Mover offense. back into a passing lane instead of ful- The basics of these systems are well ly committing to the double team. known to those who watch Virginia The Pack Line is very strong against basketball. However, it’s worth diving almost every type of offense. Its - de into the nitty gritty of these systems pendency on team cohesion means the to understand how the Cavaliers play whole team needs to have a bad night and how they will look when their for the system to break down — some- tournament starts Saturday. one is always in a position to help. It doesn’t require players to have elite The Pack Line Defense physical gifts either, just a high basket- ball IQ. Most importantly, though, the HANNAH KETT | THE CAVALIER DAILY Long before data science invaded Pack Line gets its strength from forc- NBA front offices and locker rooms, ing teams to work especially hard to the court constantly, taking screens Pack Line and Blocker-Mover slow ers. This change in strategy may have Tony’s father, Dick Bennett, realized get efficient shots like three-pointers from blockers and attempting to cre- down games to a glacial pace where been why the Cavaliers found them- the value of choking off the easiest and and layups. ate open looks for themselves and for possessions frequently use almost the selves down as many as 11 points early, most efficient shot in basketball — The Pack Line has weaknesses, teammates. For a good example of a whole shot clock. Despite its low-scor- but it also worked perfectly to set up shots close to the basket. At its core, though. It is vulnerable to players mover, think Ty Jerome and Kyle Guy ing games, Virginia consistently rates freshman guard Reece Beekman for the Pack Line’s job is to make sure who can get hot shooting from deep in 2019, flying around screens -whip as a top-50 in efficiency via KenPom, his buzzer-beating three-pointer. those shots never occur. — think Syracuse junior guard Buddy ping the ball around the horn. clocking in at 11th this year. This is Virginia will face the 13th-seeded The elder Bennett’s solution to this Boeheim, who went 5-8 from three Blockers are generally bigger play- because the ball movement of the Ohio Bobcats (16-7, 9-5 MAC) in the problem was to use one defender to and nearly burned the Cavaliers in ers who are more defensive-mind- Blocker-Mover opens up late-clock tournament’s first round Saturday in hound the ball handler while the other their last matchup, or Purdue junior ed — the Jay Huffs and Jack Salts of layups and three-pointers like, well, Indiana. Ohio entered the MAC tour- four defenders hover in a tight arc on guard Carsen Edwards’ 10-19 night the world. On offense, blockers are clockwork. nament as a fifth-seed, but easily upset an imaginary line about six feet from that nearly bounced Virginia from the responsible for setting picks to open The time-stretching nature of the Kent State, Toledo and Buffalo to win the three-point line. This creates a wall 2019 Elite Eight. Skilled playmakers space for movers. If blockers are left Blocker-Mover is great for protecting the MAC’s automatic bid. which prevents offensive players from like those two can also pass and drib- open or someone shoots, the big boys leads, but it makes comebacks hard, Ohio is no pushover. The Bobcats driving or cutting into the paint while ble out of help and find open shoot- have full license to crash the boards especially if the other team is switch- are led by junior guard Jason Preston, still allowing the defenders to quickly ers with good skip passes that bypass and grab easy points. If a smaller de- ing screens and playing cohesive team a top-scorer and legit NBA prospect transition to guarding a man or con- off-ball defenders. Overall, though, fender switches onto a bigger blocker, defense. That can lead to an endless who dropped 31 points the night that testing a jumper. If an opponent gets the Pack Line is a very strong college then the ballhandler can pinpoint that series of screens and rescreens for 25 Ohio took No. 2 Illinois to the brink. the ball in the middle, then the four defense that Virginia runs at an elite mismatch and find the big man down seconds, followed by a forced shot. Preston and co. play a solidly efficient off-ball players all have license to crash level. low for a post-up. offensive game, and their heliocentric the paint and wreak havoc. At the Blocker-Mover’s peak, the How Virginia will play in March style is exactly the type of system that The Pack Line has two main types The Blocker-Mover Offense blockers and movers work in harmo- can push the Pack Line to its limit. of defenders — on-ball and off-ball. ny on the Wheel play, a staple of the Virginia has only played one post- Ohio is a tough first-round matchup The on-ball defenders are often small- Like the Pack Line, the Block- scheme. As a guard brings the ball up, season game, winning a 72-69 thriller for the Cavaliers. er, quicker players like junior guard er-Mover offense was developed by the two blockers set their first picks over Syracuse in the quarterfinals of After the first round, Virginia Kihei Clark. The on-ball defender’s job Dick Bennett in Wisconsin. Also like — one flare screen at the top of the the ACC Tournament. Unfortunately, faces a potential gauntlet — a tough is to funnel the ball into the teeth of its defensive brother, it is very rarely key and one pindown screen on the that game seems to be a poor predictor Creighton team may await in the Sec- the four defenders in the wall. When used in the NBA — with only teams block. One mover cuts across the flare of how Virginia will play other teams ond Round, and a Sweet 16 rematch done well, this forces the attacker to based around heavy ball movement screen and moves from the wing to in the postseason. seems imminent with the Gonzaga either pass, throw up a bad shot or daring to emulate it. the corner vacated by the other mov- Syracuse employed a 2-3 zone de- team that embarrassed the Cavaliers commit a turnover. The basis of the Blocker-Mover is er, who motions across the baseline to fense which also attempts to limit in December. The off-ball defender’s job is a lit- motion. Almost every single player is the opposite corner. If either of those shots in the paint through team de- This bracket is a tough draw for tle more complex, but takes a lot less in constant motion, cutting, screening motions frees a player, the ball moves fense. The 2-3 zone is a great tactic to Tony Bennett and his men. The team energy than hounding enemy guards. and passing in a circular motion in an to them. If not, the blockers recycle defend the Blocker-Mover offense be- being quarantined until almost the Their job is to wall off any attempt by attempt to create an open layup of their screens and the movers continue cause of the way it congests the areas night of their first game won’t make the offense to move a person or the three. in a circle until someone finds an open where Virginia defenders like to cut things easier. But we at least know ball into the lane. They are also, how- There are two types of players in shot. and drive. how Virginia will attack its opponents ever, secondarily responsible for help- the Blocker-Mover — blockers and The Cavalier offense doesn’t seem To counter this, Virginia used its when the time comes — with patience ing one pass ahead — that means that movers. Movers are usually guards elite — they frequently grind out wins base offense very little, opting instead and ball movement on offense and a the off-ball defenders are never really who are more focused on scoring with fewer than 70 points scored. This to attempt to let a guard drive into the brick wall on defense. guarding a man, but the gaps between and playmaking. They move around is because the deliberate nature of lane and then pass out to open shoot- 10 | www.cavalierdaily.com SPORTS March Madness, explained If you’re not sure what all the commotion is about, read this

Sarah Pettycord | Sports Editor

Every time March rolls around, How do they pick who plays? Division I conference tournament, tournament at 7:15 p.m. on Saturday, Are we good enough to win the there’s always going to be talk — es- and the remaining bids are given March 20. The exact dates and times Championship again? pecially around college campuses — Every Division I team plays in at the selection committee’s discre- of the remaining games beyond that about this elusive thing called March one of 32 different conferences, and tion. This year, however, only 31 bids are still to be determined, but each If we can manage to beat Gon- Madness. If you’re not a big hoops Virginia plays in the ACC. Right were automatically awarded because game after the first will be played zaga, the sky’s the limit. As Cavalier fan, you might not be too familiar before March Madness begins, every teams in the Ivy League conference between March 21, the start of the fans, we can only hope that the Bull- with the tournament, so we’re here to conference plays its own tournament did not have a season. second round, and April 5, the date dogs get eliminated before we would help you out. Here’s everything you to determine a winner. The ACC of the NCAA Championship game. face each other. need to know about March Madness Tournament was last weekend and What is a seed? just in time for the 2021 tournament. Georgia Tech was crowned the win- Are we good? How do I watch the games? ner after defeating Florida State. The When teams are given bids to What even is March Madness? Cavaliers’ opportunity to win the the NCAA Tournament, they are all We are good, but we are also If you have cable TV, you’ll be able tournament was squashed when an given a numerical ranking, called a playing in a very competitive region. to watch all of the games on CBS, March Madness is the brand- unnamed player on the team tested seed, which determines which teams Our first game against Ohio will be TBS, TNT or truTV. Virginia’s first ed name for the NCAA Division I positive for COVID-19 right after will play each other. So when some- a tough test, but one we can over- game against Ohio will be broadcast- Men’s Basketball Tournament. This is the first round, forcing Virginia to body says that the Cavaliers are the come with the right combination of ed on truTV. All of the games can a single-elimination tournament in bow out early. No. 4 seed, it just means that they offensive and defensive magic. If we also be streamed on NCAA March which 68 teams compete to win the Although the Cavaliers were un- are ranked No. 4 in their region — win that, we’ll play either Creighton Madness Live if you log in using your National Championship in the sport able to participate in further rounds which, this season, is the West. or UC Santa Barbara, and beyond cable provider — so be sure to text over a period of just a few weeks. All of the conference tournament, they that — barring a big upset — we’ll your parents ahead of time to ask for 68 teams are situated within four still received a spot — or “bid” — in When will Virginia play this year? likely face No. 1 Gonzaga. We played the email and password. regions for the tournament — the the NCAA Tournament. Teams can Gonzaga earlier this year and were North, South, East and West — and receive bids in one of two ways. In As the No. 4 seed in the West, practically buried by them, so it’s this year, each team will play their re- a normal year, 32 bids are automat- the Cavaliers will play the No. 10 hard to see us advancing beyond that spective games in Indianapolis, Ind. ically awarded to the winner of each seeded Ohio in the first round of the competition.

CD Sports Staff’s March Madness Predictions Sports writers Ben Anderson, Will Smythe and Jacob Tisdale answer key questions before the NCAA competition

EMMA HITCHCOCK | THE CAVALIER DAILY SPORTS Thursday, March 18, 2021 | 11 Ranking the top five Virginia tournament teams The Cavaliers have had a plethora of successful tournament teams, but only one can take the cake

Akhil Rekulapelli | Sports Editor

From the glory days highlighted Grounds. Close wins against No. 8 Philadelphia with the bronze. by former center Ralph Sampson, a Washington State and No. 4 Boston three-time College Player of the Year, College led the Cavaliers to the Elite 1. 2018-19 (National Champions) to the recent successes under Coach Eight, where they faced No. 6 NC Tony Bennett, Virginia men’s basket- State for the fourth time in just over Rounding out the top five is the ball has had its fair share of impressive three months. In what became one of squad that will forever be etched in tournament teams. Here’s a look at the the most notable feel-good stories in history as the team that brought Vir- five best teams to don the orange and college basketball history, Coach Jim ginia its first-ever National Champi- blue in the Big Dance. Valvano and the Wolfpack defeated onship and, in doing so, rebounded the Cavaliers and eventually won the from the first-ever 16-over-1 upset the 5. 1994-95 (Elite Eight) National Championship. year prior. The Cavaliers were headed by an electric trio consisting of junior The 1994-95 Virginia men’s basket- 3. 1983-84 (Final Four) guards Ty Jerome and Kyle Guy and ball team — coached by former Cava- sophomore forward De’Andre Hunt- lier Jeff Jones — came into the season Following the departure of Samp- er en route to an ACC-leading 16-2 with high hopes, having reached the son to the NBA, Virginia leaned on a record. 1994 ACC Tournament finals, upset- mature core of senior guards Othell In the tournament, the Cava- ting No. 5 Duke in the semifinals. The Wilson and Rick Carlisle and junior liers faced a scare against No. 16 seed team, highlighted by the likes of sen- forward Jim Miller to continue its Gardner-Webb, going into halftime ior forward Junior Burrough, break- ACC dominance. Nonetheless, the down six, but exorcised their demons out junior guard Cory Alexander and trio couldn’t fill the large shoes left by in the second half to run away with a steady senior forward Jason Williford Sampson and sputtered to a 6-8 ACC 15-point victory. From there, Virginia — who now serves as the Cavaliers’ record and a first-round exit in the downed No. 9 Oklahoma and No. 12 RICHARD DIZON | THE CAVALIER DAILY associate head coach — returned over ACC Tournament, as North Carolina Oregon to reach the Elite Eight, where After multiple missed opportunities during the Sampson years, Coach Tony Bennett led the 77 percent of the minutes played from ran away with both the regular season it faced No. 3 Purdue and needed a Cavaliers to the promised land in 2019. the year before. This maturity carried and tournament titles. prayer from junior forward Mamadi the Cavaliers to an ACC-best 12-4 re- However, in the NCAA Tourna- Diakite to send the game into over- cord and No. 13 ranking in the season’s ment, the Cavaliers would outdo the time. In the Final Four and National pressure of Virginia fans, needing burn and mustering clutch overtime final AP Poll. Tar Heels and their performance from Championship games, the “Cardiac three free throws by Guy with 0.6 play against No. 3 Texas Tech to bring While the 2015-16 Virginia team the past year, going on a Cinderella Cavs” continued to spike the blood seconds left to dispatch No. - 5Au home the championship. challenges the 1994-95 squad with a run for the ages as a No. 7 seed. Vir- similarly strong regular season, the ginia defeated No. 10 Iona and No. 2 1994-95 team arguably had a more Arkansas in two nail-biters that were ADVERTISEMENT impressive tournament run. After decided by a combined three points to dispatching minnows No. 13 seed reach the Sweet 16. The Cavaliers then Nicholls State in the first round and downed No. 3 Syracuse and No. 4 In- No. 12 seed Miami University in the diana — led by Hall of Fame Coaches second round, the Cavaliers downed Jim Boeheim and Bob Knight, respec- No. 1 seed Kansas in a wire-to-wire tively — to reach the Final Four for the 67-58 victory to reach the Elite Eight. second time in school history. While Although the Cavaliers would lose to Virginia eventually fell to No. 2 Hou- the defending champion and eventual ston in a 49-47 heartbreaker, the 1983- runner-up No. 2 Arkansas 68-61, they 84 squad will forever be remembered will forever be solidified in Virginia for a run no one could have imagined lore as the only non-Terry Holland or in their wildest dreams. Tony Bennett coached team to reach the Elite Eight. 2. 1980-81 (Final Four)

4. 1982-83 (Elite Eight) The 1980-81 Cavalier team was one of the greatest ACC teams of the ear- The 1982-83 Cavalier squad, led by ly 1980s, featuring a dynamic duo of the legendary Coach Terry Holland on senior guard Jeff Lamp and Sampson. the bench and college basketball leg- The Cavaliers went 13-1 in the ACC end Ralph Sampson at the five-spot, and spent four weeks atop the AP Top had one of the most polarizing sea- 25, notably sweeping North Carolina sons in Virginia history. The Cavaliers in the regular season. Despite falling to kicked-off their 1982-83 campaign Maryland in an 85-62 drubbing in the with back-to-back wins over a Patrick ACC semifinals, Virginia went into Ewing-anchored Georgetown squad the tournament looking for its first and a “Phi Slama Jama”-led Houston Final Four appearance. team, but lost to NAIA school Cham- The Cavaliers did just that, defeat- inade in what remains one of the larg- ing No. 9 Villanova, No. 4 Tennessee est upsets of all time. and No. 6 Brigham Young en route to Nonetheless, Virginia entered the Final Four and riding the strong the tournament as a No. 1 seed as it play of Lamp, who was named to the looked to secure a National Cham- All-Tournament Team at the tourna- pionship for the departing Sampson. ment’s conclusion. In the Final Four, The Cavaliers were especially - ener Virginia would face the Tar Heels for gized following a loss to NC State in the third time, but couldn’t replicate A thoughtful provocative penetrating analysis of the the ACC Tournament finals, looking its past successes, losing 78-65. How- to send Sampson off with an NCAA ever, in what would be the last third- medical profession and its role today. title after he had been shut out of an place game in NCAA history, the Pick up at the U.Va. Bookstore for $18 ACC title for all four of his years on Cavaliers downed LSU 78-74 to leave https://bit.ly/2GCopLi 12 | www.cavalierdaily.com SPORTS Meet Sam Hauser: The Wisconsinite leading Virginia After three years at Marquette, Hauser leads Virginia in scoring and minutes in his first season playing in Charlottesville

Vignesh Mulay | Sports Writer

Admittedly, the 2020-21 season has had its fair share of ups and downs for Hauser and Virginia. The worst stretch was the Cavaliers’ three-game losing streak in mid to late February — the only time the team has lost more than one game in a row this year. Fortunately for Virginia, when the team needed him the most, Haus- er stepped up and took charge. In Virginia’s last five games, Haus- er has scored 20.6 points per game — including a season-high 24 points in the regular season finale. Hauser’s recent string of strong performances helped Virginia secure its 10th ACC regular season title and advance to the semifinals of the ACC Tournament before COVID-19 issues disqualified the team. Hauser is playing the best basketball of his season right now, just in time for the NCAA Tournament. “[The losing streak] taught us a lot about our team and ourself and where we need to get better,” Hauser said in a press conference March 8. “We locked in [during] practice more. We came with a better mindset and re- COURTESY VIRGINIA ATHLETICS ally focused on attention to details ... We’ve tightened up on defense, we’ve Senior forward Sam Hauser will look to improve off of his last appearance in the Big Dance, where his No. 5 seeded Marquette squad was upset by No. 12 seed Murray State, led by eventual NBA Draft second-overall pick guard Ja Morant. sharpened up on offense. We know how good we can be.” Armed with a 6-foot-8 frame and Since the start of this unique sea- closer to home, just so my family could ed ways, with Joey preferring Michi- All of that work seems to have an effective field goal percentage of son, Virginia men’s basketball has watch me,” Hauser said on the Wahoo gan State and Sam deciding to play at paid off, as Hauser has been a force to 63 percent, Hauser’s unique combina- had to rely on several new faces to Central Podcast in early March. “That Virginia. While it may have happened be reckoned with this season. Hauser tion of size and shooting has earned play major roles. In fact, three of the was a big factor ... [Marquette] had later than he wanted, Bennett finally is leading the team in minutes and him a lot of attention. For instance, Cavaliers’ top five players in total been recruiting me since my sopho- landed Hauser’s commitment. scoring, averaging 34.1 minutes and 16 Hauser joined elite company when he minutes played are newcomers to more or junior year of high school, so I “I am really excited to join the points per game. became only the sixth Virginia player the team. One of these newcomers just felt that might have been the right Virginia basketball program,” Hauser The former Marquette player is under Bennett to be named to the All- is senior forward Sam Hauser, who place for me at the time.” said in Virginia’s press release. “I have not only scoring a lot, but he is doing ACC first team. This exclusive group has quickly become the team’s go-to In three seasons at Marquette, great respect for Coach Bennett since so at an extremely efficient rate. At includes Virginia icons like Mike scoring option and leader on offense. Hauser started 97 times, helping the he recruited me out of high school. I the moment, Hauser is making 51.8 Scott, Joe Harris, Malcolm Brogdon, As Virginia prepares to play in its sev- Golden Eagles win 63 percent of their feel that U.Va. provides the best fit for percent of his field goals, 43.4 percent Kyle Guy, De’Andre Hunter and now enth-straight NCAA Tournament, games and secure an NCAA Tourna- me on-and-off the court to finish my of his three-point shots — the highest Hauser. despite a surprise positive coronavirus ment bid twice. Hauser truly came collegiate career.” mark in the ACC and ninth-best in Despite all of the individual and test among one of the players, Haus- alive in the 2018-19 season when he Although Hauser officially joined the entire country — and 88.1 percent team success Hauser and Virginia er’s performance will be key to a deep averaged 14.9 points and earned a spot the Virginia men’s basketball program of his free throws. have had so far this season, the Cav- run. on the All-Big East second team. De- in the fall of 2019, he had to wait a If Hauser is able to maintain these aliers now turn their attention to just Looking back, Hauser’s journey spite Hauser’s excellent play, that sea- year to actually step on the court due marks, he could become the first Vir- one thing — the 2021 NCAA Tourna- to Virginia was not straightforward. son was a roller coaster for Marquette. to NCAA transfer eligibility rules. ginia player ever to finish a season in ment. This March Madness will likely Hauser was born in Green Bay, Wis., The team won 23 of its first 27 games That being said, Hauser did not waste the exclusive “50/40/80” club. In just be Hauser’s last shot at a national title, but grew up about 100 miles away in before dropping six of its last seven — his year on the sidelines. In addition his first year in Charlottesville, Haus- and the Wisconsin native is excited Stevens Point, Wis. — a city that co- including a blowout loss to Murray to supporting his teammates, Hauser er may accomplish something none about the opportunity. incidentally Coach Tony Bennett also State in the first round of the NCAA used his redshirt season as an oppor- of Virginia’s other iconic Bennett-era “You got to play like you either win called home from first to ninth grade. Tournament. tunity to grow as a player. shooters — including current NBA or you’re done, and that’s the mental- After a prolific high school career Less than a month after Marque- Hauser was primarily known as a players Kyle Guy, Malcolm Brogdon ity for a lot of teams coming into this at Stevens Point Area Senior High tte’s season came to a disappointing catch-and-shoot and spot-up shoot- and Joe Harris — ever could in college. tournament,” Hauser said in the press that included a state title, Hauser — a end, Hauser — along with his young- er at Marquette. Last year, however, Hauser made an immediate im- conference. “Every possession matters highly touted four-star prospect at the er brother Joey, who was also on the Hauser worked on his ability to score pact, dropping 19 points and eight even more this time of the year ... If time — had a number of college suit- Golden Eagles’ roster — announced off screens, developed his playmaking rebounds in his first game in the the chips fall where they fall, you live ors. Notably, one of those suitors was that they would be transferring. skills and, most importantly, learned orange and blue — and he has not with it, but obviously you want to Bennett, who “recruited [Hauser] hard “I want to thank Marquette Uni- how to play in Virginia’s infamous slowed down since then. So far this win.” out of high school.” Bennett hoped to versity for the countless opportunities Pack Line defense. year, Hauser has recorded double-dig- Looking towards the future, Haus- add Hauser to a recruiting class that it has granted me with over the past “Having a whole redshirt year to it scoring figures in all but two games er has expressed interest in coaching would ultimately consist of four na- 3 years,” Hauser said via social media. really work on your game benefits and has crossed the 20-point mark six after his playing career is over and tional champions — Kyle Guy, Ty Je- “I’d like to thank everyone involved you,” Hauser said on the Wahoo Cen- times in the last 13 games. hopes to lean on the Youth and So- rome, De’Andre Hunter and Jay Huff. with the Marquette basketball pro- tral Podcast. “Redshirting is not bad In Virginia’s pre-ACC Tourna- cial Innovation degree he is currently Despite Virginia’s interest, Hauser gram … Marquette will always have a in any way if you end up doing that ment press conference, junior guard pursuing within the Curry School of chose to stay closer to home and at- special place in my heart. But moving route. I was able to really focus on Kihei Clark mentioned that he knew Education and Human Development. tend Marquette in Milwaukee, Wis. forward with my basketball career, I my game and work hard. I think I’ve Hauser was a talented shooter from However, coaching will have to wait “A big thing for me coming out of have made the decision to transfer.” changed, I think I’m just doing differ- day one. Hauser has certainly lived up for now — Hauser has a game to play. high school [was that] I wanted to play Ultimately, the two brothers part- ent things.” to those expectations. SPORTS Thursday, March 18, 2021 | 13 Men’s basketball preview: The NCAA Tournament Despite facing uncertainty surrounding the team’s availability, the Cavaliers plan to begin their title defense Saturday against Ohio

Jude Nanaw & Joe von Storch | Senior Associates

After nearly two full calendar dominated for Ohio, averaging 17.1 their last 10 games. years, No. 15 Virginia men’s basketball points per game on an impressive 53.6 As the fifth seed in its conference will finally have a chance to defend the percent shooting from the floor. tournament, Ohio dismantled its op- program’s first NCAA Championship. In the Bobcats’ most recent game ponents, winning three games by a The Cavaliers (18-6, 13-4 ACC)- like against Buffalo on March 13, Preston combined 44 points en route to the ly face one of the tournament’s most led the way with 22 points, seven as- MAC Championship. Notably, the challenging roads to a Final Four with sists and six rebounds. In addition, Bobcats scored at least 84 points in a quietly strong first-round opponent Preston has displayed to be a threat all three games and are averaging 80.6 and the top overall seed looming large from beyond the arc in the game, con- points per game on the season — pre- in a possible Sweet 16 matchup. necting on three three-pointers. senting a stark contrast to the 60.5 It is no guarantee that Virginia is With such a dynamic player to points per game that the Cavaliers available to play Saturday, as numer- defend, Virginia big men, including allow. ous COVID-19 protocols must be senior forwards Jay Huff and Sam Ohio has shown that they can passed, but all signs point to the Cava- Hauser as well as junior guard Trey compete with elite teams, taking liers making it through the week with- Murphy, will have to work to prevent top-seeded Illinois down to the wire out any setbacks. If Virginia makes dribble-drive penetration. Also, the back in November, losing 77-75. Con- it to Bloomington, Ind., there are a packline defense will have to protect sidering Virginia’s propensity to go number of keys that will determine the three-point line and close out on on cold spells offensively — leading the team’s success in embarking on a shot attempts. to devastating tournament exits — a tournament run. When playing Syracuse in the short week of practice due to COV- ACC Tournament, the Cavaliers ID-19 protocols and a potentially key Virginia’s keys to success gave up eight three-pointers with five player missing this game, the Bobcats makes coming from junior guard Bud- will likely be a popular upset pick on Pass COVID-19 protocols dy Boeheim. Virginia must protect the the brackets of many. perimeter better in order to have a Ohio has four players averaging The Cavaliers’ early exit from the successful tournament. double-figure scoring, led by -Pres ACC Tournament due to a positive ton’s 17.1 points per game. Outside of coronavirus test within the program Continuous ball movement on offense controlling the tempo and contain- brought about concern regarding the ing Preston, the Cavaliers have an team’s eligibility for the NCAA tour- The Cavaliers have had the ability opportunity to put together a strong nament. However, after being slotted to catch fire shooting the basketball offensive game against a weak -Bob into the No. 4 seed in the West Region, this season. The key to reaching this cat defense. In conference play, Ohio it appears that Virginia will have the level of momentum has been smart allowed 76.7 points per game and a COURTESY GREGG ELLMAN opportunity to participate in March passes and working the ball to open porous 37.7 opponent three-point Junior guard Kihei Clark will need to have quick feet when he faces off against star Ohio Madness. shooters. percentage, playing right into one of guard Jason Person Saturday. With the NCAA requiring sev- This was perhaps best exemplified Virginia’s strengths of knocking down en straight negative tests from every against Syracuse when junior guard outside shots. member of a team’s travel party in Kihei Clark found freshman guard rowski’s playmaking ability. as a defender. While Virginia likely order to play in the tournament, the Reece Beekman on the three-point Second round - Creighton has a better performance in store than Cavaliers have been forced to run an line with the game clock winding Sweet 16 - Gonzaga the one they put on in late December, incredibly tight ship. Since the posi- down. After a series of passes, -Beek If No. 19 Creighton can avoid the overcoming this stacked Gonzaga tive test that resulted in Virginia’s sem- man eventually found himself wide infamous 12 over 5 seed upset against The top overall seed and undefeat- team will be a significant challenge. ifinal match-up against Georgia Tech open with the ball in his hands before UC Santa Barbara, the Bluejays (20- ed No. 1 Gonzaga has rolled through being called off, there have not been delivering the game-winning shot. 8, 14-6 Big East) will set up a ranked much of their season, winning all but Elite Eight - Iowa any other positive COVID-19 tests. In a number of games in which matchup against the Cavaliers in the one of its games by double digits. No- If this continues to be the case as Virginia has fallen short this season round of 32. Creighton was just blown tably, the Bulldogs (26-0, 15-0 WCC) Even if the Cavaliers are able to every member of the travel party will such as against Florida State, Duke out by Georgetown in the Big East clobbered the Cavaliers in late Decem- pull off perhaps the upset of the tour- be tested everyday, the team’s quar- and NC State, the team has fallen Tournament finals, but the Bluejays ber, picking apart Virginia’s normally nament in the Sweet 16, the road gets antine will reportedly end Thursday. victim to poor shot selection. Rather, have put together a solid resume with stout defense to the tune of a 98-75 no easier as they could potentially face That is also when the Cavaliers will when the Cavaliers work to create a wins over three ranked teams and 14 victory. No. 8 Iowa in the next round. Head- be able to practice again before they high-percentage look at the basket wins in the always-competitive Big Gonzaga is the odds-on favorite lined by Luka Garza — senior center travel to Indiana on Friday for the and do not rush to take a shot early in East. to win the tournament and looks to and National Player of the Year can- tournament. a possession, the team is virtually un- Led by junior guard Marcus Zega- become the first team since Indiana’s didate — the Hawkeyes (21-8, 15-7 Big Additionally, if Virginia does not beatable. rowski’s 15.5 points per game, Creight- 1976 squad to finish a season undefeat- 10) battled through a stacked confer- experience any new positive tests, it is Providing sharpshooters such as on also has five players averaging at ed. Should these two teams meet in ence to finish third behind one-seeds expected that all players will be availa- Hauser, Huff, Murphy and senior least 10 points per game. Both senior the Sweet Sixteen, Gonzaga will be a Michigan and Illinois. ble to play. However, this comes with guard Tomas Woldetensae with solid guard Mitch Ballock and Zegarowski heavy favorite. Garza leads the NCAA with 687 the exception of the player who tested opportunities to take shots through have hit at least 70 three-pointers this The Bulldogs are scoring a spectac- total points and has posted seven positive during the ACC Tournament. continuous ball movement will cer- season — good for first and second in ular 92.1 points per game and are led 30-point games. He would undoubt- That individual will not be allowed tainly boost Virginia going into the the Big East, respectively — and as a by senior forward Corey Kispert’s 19.2 edly be Huff’s toughest test of the to play in either of the Cavaliers’ round round of 64. team, the Bluejays have drilled an im- points per game and sophomore for- year, and Bennett’s famed low-post of 64 match-up against Ohio or the pressive 272 three-pointers at a 36.7 ward Drew Timme’s 18.7 points and 7.1 double-team would be put to the ul- round of 32 game against the winner Virginia’s path to the Final Four if percent clip. rebounds per game. Timme is shoot- timate test. While Iowa has other ca- of Creighton versus UC Santa Barbara favorites win out Creighton’s ability to hit deep ing a remarkable 65.6 percent from the pable scorers such as junior guard Joe — should Virginia advance. shots would present a difficult chal- floor — third-best in the NCAA. Wieskamp, containing Garza would First round - Ohio lenge for Virginia, as Coach Tony During their game against the be the key to Virginia punching its Contain junior guard Jason Preston Bennett’s teams have always been sus- Cavaliers, Kispert tore apart Virgin- ticket to a second consecutive Final Virginia is set to face 13th-seeded ceptible to teams who get hot from the ia, knocking down nine three-point- Four. Heading into their face-off against Ohio in the tournament’s opening outside. It’s likely that Clark would be ers on his way to a 32-point outburst. The Cavaliers will embark on their No. 13 seeded Ohio on Saturday, the round of action. Despite playing only tasked with handling Zegarowski — Kispert’s primary defender was Haus- tournament run Saturday against Cavaliers will have to keep a close seven games since the beginning of a tough assignment for the second er, who struggled early in the season Ohio. Tip-off is slated for 7:15 p.m. and eye on the Bobcats’ junior guard Ja- February, the Bobcats (16-7, 9-5 MAC) straight game — both in defending on that end of the floor, but has made the game will be televised on truTV. son Preston. This season, Preston has have been on a tear, winning nine of the three-pointer and limiting Zega- major strides during conference play 14 | www.cavalierdaily.com The Cavalier Daily OPINION LEAD EDITORIAL Respect the safety of athletes and local communities The NCAA must value the health and wellbeing of athletes and local communities over the economic exploitation of college athletes Last week, Virginia men’s basket- of the tournament. Rather, we should not directly putting students at risk of tive enough. For example, Lucas Oil March Madness is clearly an im- ball’s semifinal game against Georgia be working to make sure that all those contracting the virus. Stadium in Indianapolis — which will portant tournament for both players Tech in the ACC Championship was who test positive are provided the sup- However, while these represent host the men’s Final Four games and and fans alike. However, as much as we canceled after someone within the pro- port and resources they need to remain some thorough COVID-19 protocols, the Championship Game — has a nor- want to believe decreasing case num- gram tested positive for COVID-19. safe and well during their quarantine. the NCAA cannot ease up. Six referee mal capacity of around 70,000 people. bers and increased vaccinations indi- With the beginning of the NCAA Student-athletes are not paid, but officials are already out after a positive A 25% limit still amounts to over 17,000 cate otherwise, we are still in the midst Tournament this Thursday, March 18, they often spend dozens of hours every COVID test — if measures are not fans in one stadium. While case num- of a pandemic. If the NCAA values the team’s ability to participate was a week dedicated to their sports and followed, instances like this will only bers have been decreasing throughout our players, they must do everything huge topic of discussion. Virginia bas- driving up revenue for their respective become more common. Recently, the the country, now is not the time to in their power to ensure the safety of ketball is expected to participate in universities. Athletes deserve to be NCAA shifted their quarantine policy, start getting reckless. Even with the players through increased quarantine the tournament beginning with their protected, especially in the midst of a allowing teams arriving late at night vast amount of space in the stadium restrictions and the removal of fans first game against Ohio University global pandemic. As such, the NCAA to begin practicing after two negative and the numerous restrictions in place from games. In addition, the NCAA this Saturday. However, this story only must do all that it can to be sure it is tests only 12 hours apart — previously, for fans attending the game, it’s ridicu- has a responsibility to keep the local serves as a reminder that the pandemic protecting students — and many of teams needed two negative tests on lous to allow a gathering of thousands communities safe, and allowing 17,000 is not over — multiple teams are see- the current restrictions and proto- separate days before they could leave of people under one roof, putting local people under one roof does not fulfill ing positive tests that are disrupting cols are doing this. For example, each quarantine to begin practicing. While communities at risk. this responsibility. If fans want college their seasons. This only further high- player is fitted with a tracking device this represents a small shift, it is still Regardless of Virginia’s perfor- basketball to continue, we must call lights the need for stringent measures to monitor who they are in close con- indicative of the NCAA easing restric- mance in the tournament, students on the NCAA to make these necessary from the NCAA to be sure that they tact with, players are largely isolated tions to allow for greater practice time need to remember to remain respon- changes to combat COVID-19 with its are protecting both the athletes and throughout the tournament — eating — this should not be happening. sible. Basketball victories are often planned tournaments. the local communities. in their rooms or in socially distanced Both the men’s and women’s tour- known for causing large gatherings First and foremost, we must re- areas — and players are tested daily. In naments are going to be bringing large amongst students — both at the Uni- member that student-athletes are still addition, after their positive test, Vir- numbers of teams throughout the versity and at other schools. Students college students. Their lives do not ginia will not be practicing together country to the respective host cities. need to remember that a victory does THE CAVALIER DAILY EDITO- exist within a bubble like that of the or arriving in Indianapolis until the The NCAA needs to do all it can to not mean we can blatantly disregard RIAL BOARD is composed of the Ex- National Basketball Association last day before their first game, as they make sure these tournaments do not COVID-19 policies. We can — and ecutive Editor, the Editor-in-Chief, the two fall — as such, we should remember continue to quarantine. These are all increase COVID-19 cases in these cit- must — celebrate our school’s wins in Opinion Editors, their Senior Associate not to vilify players who test positive, necessary precautions that need to be ies. As such, the current plan to allow a safe manner if we do not want to see and an Opinion Columnist. The board can thereby putting our favorite teams out taken so that these tournaments are for 25% capacity of fans is not restric- another spike in COVID-19 cases. be reached at [email protected].

THE CAVALIER DAILY THE CAVALIER DAILY MANAGING BOARD Sports Editors Production Editors Editor-in-Chief Akhil Rekulapelli Ethan Fingerhut The Cavalier Daily is a financially and editorially independent news organization Jenn Brice Sarah Pettycord Noah Holloway staffed and managed entirely by students of the University of Virginia. Managing Editor (SA) Joe von Storch Flora Kim The opinions expressed in The Cavalier Daily are not necessarily those of the students, faculty, staff or administration of the University of Virginia. Unsigned editorials represent Carolyn Lane (SA) Jude Nanaw Graphics Editors the majority opinion of the editorial board. Cartoons and columns represent the views Executive Editor Life Editors Anisha Hossain of the authors. The managing board of The Cavalier Daily has sole authority over and Zachary Pasciak Elise Kim Martha Wilding responsibility for all content. No part of The Cavalier Daily or The Cavalier Daily online edition may be reproduced Operations Manager Nayeon Kim Photography Editors in any form, in whole or in part, without the written consent of the editor-in-chief. Ankit Agrawal (SA) Aaron Doss Khuyen Dinh The Cavalier Daily is published Thursdays in print and daily online at cavalierdaily. Chief Financial Officer Arts & Entertainment Editors Ariana Gueranmayeh com. It is printed on at least 40 percent recycled paper. 2020 The Cavalier Daily Inc. Malcolm Mashig Kalista Diamantopoulos (SA) Tapley Borucke Loree Seitz (SA) Ava Proehl HAVE AN OPINION? EDITORIAL BOARD (SA) Darryle Aldridge (SA) Sophie Roehse The Cavalier Daily welcomes letters to the editor and guest columns. Writers must Zack Pasciak Health & Science Editors (SA) Abby Sacks provide full name, telephone number and University affiliation, if appropriate. Letters Jenn Brice Astha Kulshrestha Social Media Managers should not exceed 250 words in length and columns should not exceed 700. The Cavalier Daily does not guarantee publication of submissions and may edit all material for content Thomas Driscoll Isabel Weir Isabel Carino and grammar. Submit to [email protected] or P.O. Box 400703, Charlottesville, Hailey Yowell (SA) Alexa Clark Begum Genc VA 22904-4703 Jessica Moore (SA) Anika Iyer Translation Editors Bryce Wyles Magazine Editors Aldo Barriente QUESTIONS/COMMENTS Kyndal Harrison Lily Lin JUNIOR BOARD Vani Agarwal (SA) Diana Albarracin To better serve readers, The Cavalier Daily has a public editor to respond to questions Assistant Managing Editors Podcast Editor (SA) Maria Corvalan and concerns regarding its practices. The public editor writes a column published every week on the opinion pages based on reader feedback and his independent observations. He Isabel Barney Nabeel Raza (SA) Lucy Hoak also welcomes queries pertaining to journalism and the newspaper industry in general. The Pauline Povitsky Opinion Editors (SA) Xi Chen public editor is available at [email protected]. (SA) Hanna Preston Thomas Driscoll (SA) Weining Wang (SA) Grace Eberhardt Hailey Yowell Finance Manager (SA) Lana Kweon (SA) Bryce Wyles Jenna Carpenter FOLLOW US @CAVALIERDAILY (SA) Morgan Kemp Humor Editor Advertising Manager WWW.CAVALIERDAILY.COM (SA) Nicole Freeman Eshaan Sarup Katrina Yankovich News Editors (SA) Emily Porter Eva Surovell Cartoon Editor Maryann Xue Audrey Lewis Want to respond? Want(SA) t Avao MacBlanerespond? (SA) Caroline Abel Submit a letter to the editor to [email protected] Submit a letter(SA) to the Zach editor tRosenthalo [email protected] OPINION Thursday, March 18, 2021 | 15 Student-athletes deserve labor rights On the eve of March Madness, let’s keep in mind how college athletes are exploited, and what can be done about it

arch Madness is a lucrative believe that their players are incom- $265,027. Yet, while the NCAA makes ing players to keep money they earn require a broader coalition, and the Mperiod for schools, bettors, parable to employees. However, the hundreds of millions of dollars per from sponsorship agreements, and due process of unionization differs among the National Collegiate Athletic As- working conditions of college athletes year on broadcasting rights, 86 per- process when dealing with NCAA in- public schools versus private schools, sociation and just about everybody closely resemble those of their profes- cent of college athletes with scholar- fractions.” the door has not closed on collective involved — except the players them- sional counterparts. They often work ships live below the poverty line and, Initially, the regional National bargaining for college athletes. selves. As long as the NCAA contin- full-time hours, are constantly travel- despite their scholarships, still have to Labor Relations Board decided that An unjust power imbalance will ues to exploit college athletes under ling across the country and regularly pay thousands in “out-of-pocket edu- Northwestern scholarship athletes remain until this is realized, but, the pretense of amateurism, betting put their bodies at risk of injury to cational expenses” not covered by their were employees of Northwestern and promisingly, more are becoming pools and brackets are actually, as support a $14 billion industry. As Zi- scholarships. Meanwhile, as reported therefore were entitled to unionize. aware of the exploitation endemic in sports columnist Dave Zirin notes, rin points out, while college athletes’ by USA Today, the players’ coach- Peter Ohr, the NLRB regional di- intercollegiate athletics. Even former “the most economically above-board social lives, social media activity and es “dominate the list of highest-paid rector, poked holes in the NCAA’s head of the NCAA Walter Byers, who part of this entire operation.” We need academics are usually closely moni- public employees with seven-digit amateurism argument in his ruling, coined the term student-athlete, is to start recognizing that student-ath- now fiercely critical of his former or- letes are exploited workers who are ganization. Byers says that, currently, currently compensated far below their “We need to start recognizing that student-athletes are exploited workers who are “[t]he coaches own the athletes’ feet, market value, if at all. currently compensated far below their market value, if at all.” the colleges own the athletes’ bodies, Now is an appropriate time for and the supervisors retain the large us to reevaluate our use of the term rewards. That reflects a neo-planta- student-athlete, which was crafted tion mentality on the campuses that by the NCAA as a way to avoid pay- tored, those competing in the tourna- salaries.” in which he acknowledged that, “[n] is not appropriate at this time of high ing workers’ compensation. It saw its ment this year will be subjected to an To challenge the feudalistic NCAA ot only” do players spend more hours dollars.” But the oppressive status quo first use after Ray Dennison — who even stricter surveillance culture. Play- and have a say in decisions directly im- on athletics “than many undisputed Byers institutionalized and now fights played football on a scholarship for ers will be quarantined in hotels and pacting their wellbeing, many college full-time employees work at their against has been jolted before by col- Fort Lewis A&M — suffered a fatal have to wear contact-tracing tracking athletes have taken to collective organ- jobs,” but they also spend “many more lective action. This gives hope for a fu- injury during a kick return. In 1957, his devices in a “controlled environment” izing — within the past year, Pac-12 hours” on sports than they “spend on ture in which college athletes demand widow sought death benefits in court, modeled after the 2020 National Bas- players organized against exploitation, their studies.” However, in 2015, Ohr’s and receive the compensation that but the NCAA pushed back against ketball Association’s bubble. Yet, un- the UCLA football team demanded ruling was overturned, but the Board their profitable, laborious work enti- the claim and — successfully painting like their counterparts in the NBA, proper COVID-19 protections and did not rule on whether college ath- tles them to. Until they do, we must Dennison as a student-athlete rather college athletes have no say in their college athletes across the country pro- letes are employees. It simply decided recognize that the athletes we watch than a college employee — they won. working conditions. tested against police brutality and ra- that granting a singular private uni- during March Madness are exploited Surely to the delight of the NCAA, According to a 2011 Drexel Uni- cial inequality. In 2014, Northwestern versity the ability to unionize while it workers at the mercy of their schools the term student-athlete has since be- versity study, the fair market value University quarterback Kain Colter lacks jurisdiction over public schools, and the NCAA. come deep-seated in our vocabulary, of a college basketball player — the spearheaded an unprecedented union which make up a majority of NCAA reinforcing the purported amateurism amount each would be earning in a effort with his teammates. According Division I teams, would not promote ROBERT McCOY is a Viewpoint of college sports. completely free market, based on the to Vox, the team sought “more cover- “stability in labor relations.” So, while Writer for The Cavalier Daily. He can be The NCAA would like you to revenue they bring in — would be age for sports-related injuries, allow- a more widespread union effort would reached at [email protected].

Let the ACC semifinal cancellation be a lesson Ahead of the NCAA tournament, the study body must heed COVID-19 guidance from administration to initiate the return to normal college life

ust when we thought that the only five healthy players are needed to being able to see their team succeed — the University. ed, taking necessary precautions and JCOVID-19 pandemic had fin- participate in an NCAA tournament though no blame should be placed on This crippling realization should following the guidelines laid out by ished stripping our lives of any re- game. Two negative tests must be pre- any individual — and it is a reminder not be taken lightly. We are not in this our administration. maining normalcy, it proved us wrong. sented 12 hours apart before a game that coronavirus precautions must be position by chance. We cannot be sur- I have heard so many students The Atlantic Coast Conference- an can commence. taken seriously. prised that over 2,000 students at the yearn for a regular college experience. nounced March 12 that the Georgia However, this does not diminish Athletic excellence has always been University have already contracted the I understand and share your sadness, Tech vs. Virginia ACC Tournament the fact that the anticipated ACC a substantial part of the culture at the virus. The combined ignorance and frustration or anger — especially after semifinal game had been canceled. championship title was ripped from University. Men’s basketball has con- passive action of large masses of the the news of our men’s basketball team. This devastating decision was prompt- their grasp. Not only this but the nected students at the University in a student body are what got us here. The However, nothing will change unless ed by a single positive coronavirus entire meaning of the 2021 ACC way in which academics simply don’t. blatant disregard for the safety and we collectively face this issue and work test found within the Virginia men’s men’s basketball championship title This program is a symbol of the Uni- wellbeing of our fellow classmates and proactively to leave COVID-19 in the basketball program. This cancellation changed. No longer would the win- versity’s undeniable success in the col- of the greater Charlottesville commu- past. No blame can be put on one indi- should only serve as a reminder to the vidual — rather as adults we must col- student body that the COVID-19 pan- lectively take responsibility for what demic is not over — we must remem- has happened. Complaining about a ber to act responsibly. “The blatant disregard for the safety and wellbeing of our fellow classmates and of lost ACC Championship is only valid In a press conference March 14, the greater Charlottesville community is what got us here.” when you start to take the coronavirus coach Tony Bennett assured fans that pandemic seriously. the program would continue testing Men’s basketball took a hit this daily and complying with the Nation- ner be a product of pure athleticism legiate realm. Whether it be winning nity is what got us here. What started year. In order to ensure a path towards al Collegiate Athletic Association’s but of who could outlast the corona- the legendary NCAA championship with reckless Midsummer parties in normalcy, it is imperative that the stu- protocols. Bennett revealed that con- virus spread — as both Georgia Tech game in 2019 or the banter of being the summer turned into bar hopping dent body heeds all coronavirus guide- tact tracing has left most of the team and Florida State advanced to the defending NCAA champions a year weekends in the fall, leading to corona- lines as implemented by our adminis- in quarantine, where they will stay un- finals due to semi final cancellations. later, the men’s basketball program has virus-ridden IFC events in the spring. tration. Only then can we fully regain til Thursday. Until then, no team prac- Granted any team that can make it to proven to be irreplaceable. In 2021, a We must learn from our mistakes and the fruits of men’s basketball and fully tices can be held. Virginia will com- the ACC semifinal game showcases full year into the coronavirus pandem- not use March Madness as an excuse celebrate their future hopeful NCAA pete in the NCAA men’s basketball extreme dedication. Still, ACC pro- ic, we still find ourselves unable to ob- to celebrate irresponsibly. Battling the championship win. tournament —the team is scheduled tocol gives some teams an unfair ad- tain the fruits which men’s basketball coronavirus pandemic is a constant, to travel to Indianapolis for on Friday vantage — despite however necessary bears. Despite countless protocols, te- conscious effort that must improve if prior to their first game on Saturday. these measures are to ensure the safety dious testing schedules and thorough we are to regain any sense of normalcy GRACE DUREGGER is a Viewpoint Dan Gavitt, NCAA Senior Vice Pres- of our community. Students and fans contact tracing, COVID-19 has poi- in the future. It is the responsibility of Writer for The Cavalier Daily. She can be ident of Men’s Basketball, notes that alike are rightfully frustrated with not soned the fruits of men’s basketball at each student to continue getting test- reached at [email protected]. 16 | www.cavalierdaily.com The Cavalier Daily HUMOR Something we can all agree on Stability and consistency are experience of suffering through consciousness is if you spotted said it was yellow. The silence from life science to physics. It is something that many people — school or work in the virtual and someone mentioning it on social was deafening. small so you can keep it in the especially during these unprec- physical world. In some odd way, media at two in the morning. It is weird, that while people back of your mind when things edented times — are practical- like biting into something soft With that criteria in mind, I go wild over arguing what note- don’t seem consistent or are ly desperate for. I know I am. and not feeling a crunch, it is a came to my answer. book color they want to write stressful. And, most important- And as a result, I have searched bit comforting to know that you Science is green. quadratic equations or vocab ly, it is enough. Because science through the limited depths of are not alone. The majority of us Now, before you scoff and practice in, when it comes to is green. my mind for things that have can agree that, on very simplified stop reading, hear me out. science, no matter the subtopic, And math is blue. Don’t be been constant over the past sev- terms, life is very unstable right From remembering a con- it is always green. Now, I’m not mad, it’s a verifiable fact. eral years of my existence. And, now. versation I had during class two expecting the entirety of the hu- unfortunately, I have found that So, for the sake of escapism years ago, I came to a very inter- man race to agree with me, but I growth from kindergarten to from my upcoming math exam esting conclusion. When associ- do not think it would be wrong college has resulted in instabili- and the collective good, I have ating certain academic subjects of me to expect a pretty large ty of what one knows and agrees decided that what we all need is to colors, a grand majority of portion to shrug and say, “Yeah, on. For example, in elementary something else to agree on as a people differ between their core I guess.” school I was terrified of the Ber- group. We need a completely un- classes — English, math, history I do not believe this will solve muda triangle. Yet years later, the deniable fact that no amount of and whatever foreign language any issues going on in the world only thing that reminded me of evidence can refute. Now, I could they are taking. English is blue right now. That would just be it was a tweet asking if everyone declare that to be ‘mitochondria or red but math is red or blue. ridiculous. But, a massive and had the collective experience of is the powerhouse of the cell’ or History is brown or purple but credible statement such as this thinking the region would have ‘the Earth is round,’ but those your language class is purple or one should not be ignored. It is a more of an impact on their life are old news. Boring. The pub- brown. bigger door that you can float on than it has — that got me think- lic needs something that is both Except science. People do not with a buddy as this ship called CAMILA COHEN SUAREZ is a ing. collectively recognized but so argue about science. Well, apart Earth sinks behind you. It is a Humor columnist for The Cavalier As of right now, a great ma- low level that the only time it from that one kid in my class stable statement. It is consistent Daily. He can be reached at humor@ jority of us are having a collective would float to the top of your who wanted to be different and no matter what you are studying, cavalierdaily.com. CARTOON Love in the Time of Corona

Ruma Jadhav | Cartoonist The Cavalier Daily Thursday, March 18, 2021 | 17 PUZZLES WEEKLY CROSSWORD PUZZLE Abby Sacks | Puzzle Master * THE SOLUTION TO THIS PUZZLE CAN BE FOUND IN THE NEXT ISSUE Across 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1. Freshman guard who secured the Cava- liers’ win over Syracuse. 5. Number that senior forward Jay Huff wears. 9. State where all March Madness games 9 10 will be played. 10. A type of game using strategy that 11 simulates combat. 12. To let someone down. 13. School Virginia will meet in its first 12 13 NCAA game of the season. 14. Black center of an eye. 15. A type of Irish and British dance; also, a type of woodwind instrument. 14 15 16 17. An old-fashioned idiom used when you believe something might be true. (Three words) 19. A salty, pickled berry similar to an ol- ive. 17 18 19 20 21. Descriptor for someone without hair. 22. Someone who is philanthropic. (adjec- tive) 24. Tree diagram for a series of games played in a knockout tournament. 21 22 23 25. Restaurant where food is served by vending machines. 26. Spiritual leader of Islam. 27. In journalism, the staffer who prepares copy. (Two words) 24 25 Down 2. Feeling of disinterest with life. 3. A type of colorful Japanese fish. (Two words) 26 27 4. City that houses the United States Na- val Academy. 6. The shape of many gifts and cards on * SOLUTION FROM MARCH 11 ISSUE Valentine’s Day. CORRECTION E S T E E M S C R E E C H Y 7. To reassemble, usually after being at- Vol. 131, Issue 13, pg. 18: The writer’s name was tacked. misspelled as Brigette Meyer. The correct spelling N R E K E M A 8. Holiest day in Judaism. of the author’s first name is Brigitte. F A I R P L A Y L A B O R S 11. Last name of the main character oppo- site Woody in “Toy Story.” F O A L I E M 14. Of or relating to children, usually in a Q U A R A N T I N E Z O O M medical sense. G N V Z N 16. Goodness or righteousness. 18. Extreme, especially politically. R E P R I E V E E C L A I R 20. The name for male in this bird species N E E C that has especially bright feathers. A G A V E S W I T H D R A W 22. Inexpensive. 23. Herd animal usually found in Peru. R O A I E M A S K M U T U A L F U N D V A O H C A I N I M B U S E V A C U A T E N L A R K C E E G R E S S E S E M I G R E 18 | www.cavalierdaily.com The Cavalier Daily HEALTH & SCIENCE Pandemic generates hurdles to equitable internet access Barriers to reliable internet access have detrimental effects on education, public health and access to information

Erica Szymanski | Staff Writer

In a time when learning in make- Furthermore, a pre-pandemic sur- shift classrooms at kitchen tables vey, conducted between March and has become the new norm, reliable April of 2018, also demonstrated that internet access is more of a necessity among teenage students in the Unit- than a luxury. According to data from ed States, internet access isn’t equal Pew Research, over half of Americans across racial groups. When asked how consider internet access “essential” frequently computer or internet ac- during the pandemic, yet a report cess issues prevent the student from from the Federal Communications completing their homework, 25 per- Commission estimates that 19 mil- cent of Black teenagers replied “some- lion Americans are without access to times or often” in comparison to only broadband — a form of high-speed 13 percent of white teenagers. internet. This disparity is height- Beyond education, internet access ened in rural and tribal areas, with has become critical to health man- one-fourth and one-third of those agement in the ongoing pandemic. populations lacking broadband ac- Everything from telemedicine ap- cess, respectively. Exacerbated by the pointments to registering online to pandemic, these barriers to internet receive the coronavirus vaccine can access have yielded adverse effects in be accomplished with the click of a education, public health and news button. access. John Stankovic is both a BP Well before the current health America professor and director of crisis transferred life to a digital en- Link Lab, a multidisciplinary cy- vironment, ongoing barriers to edu- ber-physical systems research group cation were prevalent. The School of at the University. He noted that un- Education and Human Development fortunately those lacking reliable in- recently hosted an online discussion ternet access or the skills to use such that addressed these inequities in technology are lacking these critical CYRENA MATINGOU | THE CAVALIER DAILY depth. The virtual panel touched on health resources. Stankovic works on the disadvantages in internet access systems that improve the patient ex- 19 million Americans are without access to high-speed internet, exacerbating health and education disparities. that many low-income, rural com- perience, and are heavily dependent munities face, and also encouraged upon technology. viewers to take action. “I do work with the telemedicine ic,” Stankovic said. your friends,” Stone said. “That is sort electricity, to some degree, and so “If we consider education a hu- center here at U.Va., and we were hav- While public health occupies the of an expanded view of what happens we have a mode in our country to be man right — and I think many of us ing projects for stroke victims where, forefront of the news, these last 12 to a community that has the internet able to do this,” Pianta said. “We just would — then the internet, which is if a stroke victim is in the hospital months have also been characterized and social media — there is an oppor- need to apply that model to internet a pathway to education ... has to be and they’re going home. Then we by social justice movements, such as tunity there for transformation that service.” considered part of that human right,” have built a smartwatch that helps the Black Lives Matters protests that is beyond just access to facts.” Following The Cavalier Daily’s said Bob Pianta, dean of the School of talk to them. It’s kind of a cognitive followed the death of Geroge Floyd. To ensure broader access to relia- interview with Pianta, the Federal Education and Human Development. assistant that tries to inform them University computer science profes- ble internet, there are a variety of po- Communications Commission au- While fluctuating internet - ac about different problems that they sor Derrick Stone noted that these tential routes to further investigate. thorized subsidies of up to $50 to cessibility has many implications might be having or reminders for tak- movements are a critical component In order to ensure equitable access, cover internet bills for low income for students, the rift most notably ing medication or reminders for their of the shared human experience, the first step is creating the infra- households. has produced a ‘“homework gap” — exercise,” Stankovic said. and those without WiFi access may structure for high-speed internet. Long-term solutions may be on meaning some students have lacked To combat inaccessibility and al- be missing out on these pivotal mo- “I think public broadband infra- the horizon, as the Virginia General adequate internet access outside low a greater number of patients to ments in history. structure is something a lot of com- Assembly recently allocated millions of the classroom to complete their receive this form of at-home care, “This was a moment of conscious- munities are already working on,” of dollars to improving broadband homework assignments. As a result, Stankovic mentioned that for certain ness that was not necessarily around Stone said. “If you live in an afflu- access. In the short-term, the Univer- these students have been at an ac- health conditions the U.Va. Health because someone had access to Wiki- ent community, you’re going to have sity has organized several resources to ademic disadvantage compared to system sends patients home with an pedia — [it was because] that many broadband like Charlottesville, you combat lack of internet access during classmates with reliable access. iPad to input data and track their people saw some truth and finally — can get one gigabit and that’s super the pandemic, including a Ting hot- Pianta noted that the split has health. Now, Stankovic is part of a it was inescapable,” Stone said. “In [a fast ... but if you’re in southwest Vir- spot at IX Park and student aid. To been acknowledged for several years team building health management coastal] town where you can’t get free ginia or someplace that doesn’t have view the locations of public wifi pro- and that even before the prevalence tools that can be utilized to com- Wi Fi with your latte, you could exist a lot of economic development and vided through Jefferson-Madison Re- of online classes and the internet bat the coronavirus — applying a without this consciousness.” reason for there to be high speed in- gional Library and Albemarle Coun- boom of the past decade, the home- variation of their watch technology In many ways, Stone stated that ternet, then the internet becomes less ty Public Schools, visit the Albemarle work gap posed a threat to academic to determine if patients may be de- the current format of online classes usable.” County Public WiFi Hotspots. success. With most learning moving veloping COVID-19 symptoms. In is a microcosm that demonstrates the Furthermore, Pianta suggested online during the pandemic, these addition to a lack of internet access, power of internet access. Although policy reforms to consider internet issues are compounded. some populations are also less adept University students this semester are access a public utility, akin to gov- “We are really now seeing more to using technology, which generates physically distant — only 27 percent ernment regulation of roads, water, broadly an ‘education gap’ because additional disparities during the pan- of classes with an in-person compo- sewage treatment or electricity. In the pandemic has forced us to do all demic. nent — there is a commonality in this manner, the government could of our teaching and learning online,” “It’s likely that the people that simultaneously experiencing this dig- ensure that the utility is available to Pianta said. “I think if you did the sur- they’re targeting [for coronavirus ital space. all, while providing subsidies similar veys, now you would see that it was at vaccines] as the class 1a and class 1b “You’re in your room, but you’re to current government assistance for least 16 million, if not many million are elderly, and they have less facility having this consciousness, this expe- energy expenses. more, students that have been nega- typically with the internet then the rience, with all your classmates and “We’ve solved this problem for tively affected by the lack of service.” younger crowd … it’s very problemat- HEALTH & SCIENCE Thursday, March 18, 2021 | 19 Three COVID-19 variants identified globally, two in Virginia Mutations in SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins have created more transmissible variants which may increase COVID-19 case numbers

Abigail Challas | Staff Writer

SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, has evolved to form new variants of itself. As of now, three variants of the vi- rus have been identified around the world — variant B.1.1.7, var- iant B.1.351 and variant P.1. Two of these variants were identified in Virginia last month. On Feb. 18, the Virginia Department of Health reported the first case of SARS-Cov-2 variant B.1.351 in the Northwest region of Virginia. Nine days later, the first case of SARS-Cov-2 variant B.1.1.7 was reported in the Southwest region of Virginia. These variants, caused by mu- tations in the genetic code of SARS-CoV-2, could potentially prolong the COVID-19 pandem- ic. The variants are believed to be more transmissible and recent data shows that current vaccines may be less effective against cer- tain variants, contributing to calls for enhanced prevention measures. The first case of the ANISHA HOSSAIN | THE CAVALIER DAILY B.1.1.7 variant was confirmed in the University community Feb. to arise as the virus replicates.” viruses that contain the new mu- producing neutralizing antibod- indoor dining in dining halls is 12, but the University is not As of Wednesday, there have tations,” Cox said. ies while the Pfizer vaccine was limited to groups of four indi- sharing the exact number of con- been 120,383,919 confirmed While mutations in spike 10.4 times less effective. viduals. firmed variant cases due to indi- COVID-19 cases worldwide. It proteins have made the variants Houpt stressed that, although Sifri emphasized the impor- vidual privacy concerns. is possible that many of these more transmissible, some evi- the vaccines are shown to be less tance of continuing to wear Dr. Eric Houpt, the Jack M. recent cases have been caused by dence also suggests that these effective against the B.1.351 var- masks and practicing social dis- Gwaltney Jr. professor of infec- new COVID-19 variants. variants increase the risk of se- iant, the vaccines should largely tancing in order to slow the tious diseases, explained how Cox furthered that there are a vere SARS-CoV-2 infection. prevent severe infection, which spread of the virus, especially these mutations in the virus’s ge- couple ways mutations can affect The CDC currently reports often leads to hospitalizations. with the presence of new variants netic code are created. fitness — the ability of an organ- over 4,600 cases of COVID-19 The emergence of new vari- and recent loosening of statewide “A virus, like a human, is not ism to pass its genetic material variant infection in the United ants has also prompted a reevalu- COVID-19 related restrictions. perfect,” Houpt said. “When it to its offspring. Some mutations States, but there are likely many ation of how quickly herd immu- “If we can make a collective replicates, it can introduce er- may have no impact on the virus’s more undetected cases. nity can be achieved. In a U.Va. effort to do that, I think the rors in the genetic code which fitness while others are harmful. “What we know about these Health media briefing March 5, spring and the summer will prob- then lead to mutations in specif- “Many of these mutations variants is really just scratching Costi Sifri, director of hospital ably look a lot different than it ic proteins. When you have a lot have little or no effect on the the surface,” Houpt said. epidemiology at the University, looks like right now,” Sifri said. of COVID-19 cases out in a com- virus — they are selectively neu- He added that it is difficult explained that herd immunity munity, there’s a lot of virus rep- tral,” Cox said. “Other mutations to determine the amount of in- will likely require upwards of 80 lication. That provides a perfect may alter the virus in a way that fections that have resulted from percent of individuals to have incubator for variants to arise.” influences its fitness. In most COVID-19 variants specifically immunity to COVID-19. Prior to Houpt explained that muta- cases, these mutations will prob- — this would require thorough the emergence of new variants, tions within a genome are a natu- ably disrupt the function of the sequencing of the virus with earlier estimates projected that ral occurrence and not unique to virus and lower its fitness. These specialized equipment and tests. between 60 to 70 percent of indi- COVID-19. mutations will usually be elimi- Routine COVID-19 tests simply viduals would need to be immune “Any virus, bacteria or organ- nated from the viral population search for the virus’s presence against COVID-19 to achieve ism may introduce errors during by natural selection, so we usual- and do not conduct in-depth se- herd immunity. replication,” Houpt said. “This ly don’t even notice them.” quencing of its genome. “What that number is exactly is nothing new to biology or to Cox continued that a select “We don’t know the full pic- is not clear, but it’s probably go- viruses … this is nothing surpris- number of mutations are advan- ture at this point,” Houpt said. ing to be a combination of both ing.” tageous to the virus and increase Additionally, the presence of people that have had immunity Assoc. Prof. of Biology Robert the virus’s fitness, allowing it to COVID-19 variants has raised due to COVID-19 vaccination Cox emphasized this as well in spread more quickly amongst the some concerns regarding the and people who have had immu- an email to The Cavalier Daily. population they infect. These effectiveness of the vaccines nity as a consequence of infec- He noted that variants are to be mutations are seen in the preva- against the new variants. A re- tion,” Sifri said. expected, especially in large pop- lent SARS-CoV-2 variants B.1.1.7, cent study found that both the In order to help slow the ulations. B.1.351 and P.1. Specifically, these Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna spread of the virus, especially “New virus variants occur all mutations have changed the vi- vaccines produced a similar anti- with the presence of new variants the time, and they are expected rus’s spike proteins, making it body response against the B.1.1.7 in the community, the University to arise in any virus population,” easier for the variants to attach variant and the original SARS- currently restricts indoor gather- Cox said. “The larger the popula- to and infect host cells compared CoV-2 strain. However, the study ings to six individuals and out- tion size of the virus — i.e., the to the original strain. found that both vaccines were door gatherings to 10 people. The greater the number of infected “These mutations should in- less effective against the B.1.351 University also requires students human hosts — the more chances crease in frequency because they variant. The Moderna vaccine to attend weekly COVID-19 sali- there will be for new mutations lead to increased replication of was 12.4 times less effective at va prevalence testing. Moreover, 20 | www.cavalierdaily.com ADVERTISEMENT UC050-2021_CavDaily_Print | .125” bleeds | 10” W x 12” H, Line Screen: 150 | CMYK | 1 of 4

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