Sports

THE SWAGGER: UC Irvine sports teams have started winning, and are winning often. We have achieved some national success, most recently with men's golf, baseball and men's volleyball. However, most of our sports teams seem to make it near the top, but are not able to get over that final bump. What is that last ingredient that we need for our sports teams to garner the utmost respect they deserve? Ladies and Gentleman, that is "Swagger."

THE FRESHNESS: Being fresh. What does that mean to you? For me, it immediately brings one thing to mind: The Fresh Prince. Considering that that was one of best shows ever made, I love my new column name. When our good friend over to the left came up with the new name for his column ("The Swagger"), I wanted something equally as smooth. "The Freshness" is just that.

PREVIEWS: Volleyball, basketball, baseball and swimming and diving are bringing some new looks and old dominance to 2008.

MARTIAL ARTS: The New University takes an in-depth look at the UFC craze, and into what lies ahead for the sport.

SOCCER: After defeating Cal Poly 3-0 in the second round, UCI falls to St.John's 3-2 in the Sweet 16.

THE ORACLE: I hate sports. Watching the UC Irvine men's soccer team fall to St. John's on Saturday in below 40-degree weather in Queens, NY just reminded me how lame sports can be.

THE HYPOTHESIS: We fans are not as good as the people on the field, court, rink or track. They simply are better athletes than us. That is why we are fans. I understand that sometimes that is hard to accept, but if the case were otherwise, we would not be fans — we would be players. With that in mind, we need to now understand our part, as fans, in the game. Trash talking.

BASKETBALL: Cal State Bakersfield avenges its loss to the Lady Anteaters last season with 85-63 win.

BASEBALL: The story of a female high schooler's selection into the pros spawns questions of gender and sports.

SPORTS: Men's basketball team loses to Idaho, and women's volleyball earns All-Big West Honors.

VOLLEYBALL: Women's team finishes second in conference after two thirlling matches; keeps playoffs hopes alive.

The Hypothesis takes the ripped Peter the Anteater costume for a ride on Wednesday. Here he is shooting a t-shirt into the crowd, which he shot in the same direction three times, aiming unsuccessfully for his girlfriend.