Test your IQ against the MSU senior braintrust

It's time for the fifth annual State Journal Quiz Bowl, a trivia tussle between two players from an MSU basketball program that actually cares about the student part of the term "student athlete." Today we match up seniors Raymar Morgan and Isaiah Dahlman, both of whom are on course to graduate in May - Morgan with a degree in advertising, Dahlman in communication.

Drew Naymick won the first three Quiz Bowls, beating Chris Hill, Victoria Lucas-Perry and Drew Neitzel, and a year ago Goran Suton scored a narrow victory over Idong Ibok in a special international edition. Today pits Dahlman, a native Minnesotan, against Morgan, an Ohioan.

Dahlman, for the record, said he followed Naymick's Quiz Bowl career closely and has been looking forward to getting his chance.

The quiz is 10 questions on a variety of topics. No buzzers were readily available, so each player took it individually. As always, it takes a certifiable genius to score 5 or more, and the record entering this year is 6.5, by Naymick in 2008.

• 1. GEOGRAPHY: Which city has a larger population, Cleveland or Minneapolis?

MORGAN: Minneapolis.

DAHLMAN: Cleveland.

LSJ: It is Cleveland, by about 100,000 people. Dahlman takes the early lead.

• 2. ADVERTISING: Were Super Bowl ads less or more expensive this year compared with last year?

MORGAN: Less.

DAHLMAN: Less.

LSJ: Less expensive. So it's 2-1 Dahlman.

• 3. COMMUNICATION: According to UCLA researcher Albert Mehrabian, there are three facets of interpersonal communication - voice tone, body language and the content of the words spoken. Which of the three, according to Mehrabian, has the most impact on the meaning of the message?

MORGAN: Body language.

DAHLMAN: Body language.

LSJ: Body language. Dahlman stays one ahead.

• 4. TELEVISION: We hear you guys like "Family Guy" a lot, so here's a "Family Guy" question: How old is Stewie?

MORGAN: Man, no idea but I'll go with 2.

DAHLMAN: Uh, 3?

LSJ: 1 year old. Still 3-2 Dahlman.

• 5. CURRENT EVENTS: After the recent disastrous earthquake in Haiti, which South American nation was hit with a larger earthquake - one with a magnitude of 8.8, the fifth-strongest worldwide since 1900?

MORGAN: Oh my God, I know this, too. ... Chile.

DAHLMAN: Chile.

LSJ: Chile it is. And it's 4-3 Dahlman.

• 6. MATH: What number does "giga" stand for, a million, billion or trillion?

MORGAN: Not a big math guy but I'll go with a million.

DAHLMAN: Million?

LSJ: Billion. Still 4-3 Dahlman.

• 7. MSU BASKETBALL: You guys are playing for a Big Ten championship today. How many Big Ten banners will be hanging in the Breslin rafters if you win it?

MORGAN: Ooh, I think nine.

DAHLMAN: Twelve.

LSJ: Twelve is correct. Dahlman gets separation at 5-3.

• 8. HISTORY: What amendment to the U.S. Bill of Rights guarantees freedom of religion, speech and the press?

MORGAN: The second.

DAHLMAN: The fifth.

LSJ: It's the first amendment, stays 5-3.

• 9. SCIENCE: What planet takes 248 years to move around the sun?

MORGAN: Pluto.

DAHLMAN: You know Pluto's not a planet anymore right? I'm just letting you know the facts here.

LSJ: For these purposes, let's say it is.

DAHLMAN: OK, Pluto.

LSJ: Pluto is the answer. And as Dahlman has pointed out, the answer to a bad question. Thank you for discrediting this year's quiz, Isaiah. You have brought great shame to the Quiz Bowl staff.

DAHLMAN: Nice, Naymick didn't even do that.

LSJ: Dahlman leads 6-4, which means Dahlman has clinched it.

• 10. MUSIC: Name the Prince album that Time magazine ranked as the 15th-best rock album of all time.

MORGAN: "Purple Rain."

DAHLMAN: "Purple Rain."

LSJ: "Purple Rain" it is. Released in 1984, well before either of you were born. Nice work. So Dahlman wins 7-5, setting a new record in the process.

DAHLMAN: Well, let's face it, Naymick did horrible. He won, but he underperformed for his stature.

LSJ: Thank you for reading the Quiz Bowl so closely over the years, you must be the only player to do so. Any final words?

DAHLMAN: It feels good to go out on top.