The Daily Gamecock 11/12/15

COVER 1

Weekender Thursday, November 12, 2015

BALL SO HARD Basketball’s back: The dawn of an era

P.J. Dozier looks to live up to family name

Columbia comes together to honor veterans

PG 5

PG 17

PG 24 Kamila Melko | Weekender

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WEEK ENDER

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Contents Briefing

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The dawn of an era

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Men’s Basketball to play Norfolk State

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Men’s Basketball season preview

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Women’s Basketball to face Ohio State

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No stage too big for Wilson

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Man of Steele: From player to coach

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P.J. Dozier to carry on family legacy

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Gamecocks seek upset over Florida

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Season Predictions: Editor vs. editor vs. writer 21 Students Speak: Veterans Day

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Columbia comes together to honor vets

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Veteran’s Day brunch holds 7th anniversary

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SVA helps students thank vets

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Republican debate improves slightly

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Persona Pizzeria brings pizza to Vista

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Kamila Melko | Weekender

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WEEK ENDER

“Welders make more money than philosophers.

We need more welders and less philosophers.”

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Briefing

Courtesy of MCT Campus

— Republican presidential hopeful Marco Rubio on the need for more vocational education during Tuesday’s fourth Republican Primary Debate

“There is nothing that can ever prepare you for a line of duty death; it shakes you to the core.”

— Columbia Police Chief Skip Holbrook on the passing of CPD Officer Stacy Case, who crashed while responding to a report of shots fired in the Vista

Courtesy of MCT Campus

“And today, we gather once more to salute every patriot who has ever proudly worn the uniform of the United States of America.”

— President Barack Obama in his Veteran’s Day address at Arlington National Cemetery

“Use my resignation to heal and start talking again.”

Courtesy of MCT Campus

— Former University of Missouri president Tim Wolfe announcing his resignation in response to protests against racism on campus

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WEEK ENDER

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5 CHANGING CULTURE

WEEK

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The dawn of an era

Kendra Little, Madison MacDonald, Kamila Melko | Weekender

Marion McCurry @MCFLURRY711

Basketball is relevant again at the University of South C a r o l i n a . T h e w o m e n ’s basketball team has been on a steady rise ever since the arrival of head coach Dawn Staley in 2008 and accomplished two things last season that have never been done before at South Carolina.

The Gamecocks attained the No. 1 ranking in the country and advanced to the school’s first NCAA Tournament Final Four.

The more surprising statement would be that men’s and women’s basketball are both relevant this season.

Sports Illustrated recently ranked every single men’s team in Division 1 college hoops, and the Gamecocks came in at No. 52, giving them an outside chance at an NCAA tournament berth.

Granted, the men did not exactly dominate Allen University in their exhibition game last Sunday, but this season should bring about the first real dividends of the Frank

Martin era, which is cause for cautious optimism.

There are a number of things that draw in top-rated student athletes, arguably none more important than the coach. At South Carolina, it started with the coaches, then came the players and now the fans are catching up. In past two years, the women’s team has landed local prospect A’ja Wilson, the consensus No. 1 overall recruit in the country, and P.J. Dozier, Columbia native and another McDonald’s AllAmerican, signed with the men last season. Staley and Martin have really taken the “Certified SC Grown” signs you see in restaurants and produce stands to heart.

Facilities have become a point of emphasis, too. Both basketball teams were just rewarded with revamped offices and locker rooms in the Coliseum, where the teams practice. That will help lure even more recruits to the program.

Columbia has even become a landing spot for out-of-state student athletes as well. This season, the women’s team has

WOMEN’S 22-game winning streak last season Top 4 finish Dawn Staley has a 155-74 record while at USC 4 NCAA Tournament appearance

MEN’S 17-16 record last season Three 4-star recruits 10 out-of-state players on its roster, including transfer student Sarah Imovbioh, who played three seasons as a star at Virginia and transferred to Carolina for her final year. She is expected to start at power forward and be a difference maker for the team, especially

as a rebounder.

Meanwhile on the men’s side, Coach Martin has been pulling in players from all over the East Coast. Just one day into the national signing period, the Gamecocks have already landed four-star recruit Sedee Keita from Connecticut and are still in the hunt for several other high profile recruits in the 2016 cycle.

The women’s basketball team has sold over 10,000 season tickets for this year — no surprise considering they led the nation in attendance last year at 12,293 people a game. Still, it is a dramatic increase from the 2,315 season tickets sold in 2012, only three years ago.

In the past six years, Gamecock women’s basketball has transformed from an afterthought to a team that will compete for a national championship for years to come. The men’s team had some success in the NIT postseason tournament, winning in 2005 and 2006, but they mainly plodded along since then just hoping to upset Kentucky or another big name

team on our schedule once every few years. Now, those days are gone as well.

In Staley’s first three seasons the team went 10-18, 1415 and 18-15, but since year three, the Gamecocks have gone 25-10, 25-8, 29-5 and 343. In Frank Martin’s first three years the team went 14-18, 14-20 and 17-16. Now in his fourth year, don’t be surprised to see the team have a much improved record this season similar to Staley’s jump. Martin has established his scheme and has brought in players that fit that vision. With the addition of young talent — specifically Dozier and fellow freshman Chris Silva — the Gamecocks are primed for a breakout year.

This is one of the most anticipated seasons in recent memory for both the men and women. Anything short of a final four appearance for the women and an NCAA appearance for the men could be considered a disappointment.

Hold your breath and take the plunge, Gamecocks. South Carolina is about to become a basketball school.

6 WOMENS SEASON PREVIEW

WEEK ENDER

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Championship or bust for Women’s Basketball Kelli Caldwell @KELLI_CALDWELL5

Kamila Melko | Weekender

For more on Women’s Basketball dailygamecock.com

It’s mid-November, and that means the Colonial Life Arena doors are opening and basketball season is starting. The South C a r o l i n a w o m e n ’s basketball team is ready to begin its regular season after starting out strong in exhibition play.

The No. 2 women’s basketball team showed off in their exhibition game winning 9349 against Newberry.

Junior center Alaina Coates took the leading scorer position with 24 points.

Senior forward Sarah Imovbioh also showed impressive talent with 11 rebounds for the Gamecocks.

Imovbioh is a transfer from Virginia where she played for three seasons, averaging 10.8 rebounds per game.

For the first time, South Carolina played under new rules for Women’s basketball — include four 10-minute periods, two free throws after the fifth foul and if the team in possession calls a timeout in the last minute, they automatically get moved up to the 28foot mark on the front court. Head coach Dawn Staley thought her team handled the new changes well when competing against Newberry.

“When it’s all said and done, it’s still basketball. It’s still 40 minutes no matter how you have to slice it up,” Staley said.

“For our team, they are more aware of the timeouts, and it’s good to see them embrace the newness of it and not just approach it like it’s a regular old 40 minutes.”

Over 10,000 tickets were sold for the upcoming season, and Staley is excited. She wants to make sure the crowd is feeling gratified about how the team will perform.

The Gamecocks know they have a tough schedule ahead, as they are ranked the No. 2 team in AP Preseason Poll behind the reigning National Champions, Connecticut. The last time these two teams played each other, the Gamecocks’ undefeated record was broken and No. 1 position stolen in a heartbreaking 87-62 loss. They don’t face UConn this season until Feb. 8 at the Colonial Life Arena.

Finishing with 34-3 last season, South Carolina managed to make it to the NCAA Tournament in the Final Four, where they lost in a close game to Notre Dame 66-65.

They did, however, win the SEC Tournament title, beating Tennessee in the final game 62-

46, finishing 15-1 in conference play and coming out undefeated 15-0 at home.

Point guards are especially important and Staley recognized that they must be versatile to fill the position. Staley said sophomore guard Bianca Cuevas could be a difference-maker this season if she does what she’s supposed to do out there.

Adding a new sports performance coach, K a t i e F o w l e r, h a s helped the Gamecocks prepare for this season, increasing their speed of the game. Fowler handled the team well in the offseason, according to Staley.

“Everything is q u i c k e r. I n t h e w e i g h t r o o m i t ’s q u i c k e r- p a c e d , a n d conditioning is quicker,” Staley said.

“We don’t give them time to think. They have to think on the run.”

South Carolina has the chance to pick up where they left off in becoming the next national champions but will have to take this season one game at a time.

The Gamecocks’ first matchup is against another top10 team, No. 6 Ohio State on Friday at 7 p.m.

WEEK ENDER

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Men’s basketball to open season against Norfolk State Joseph Crevier @JOSEPHMCREVIER

The South Carolina Gamecocks will begin their regular season Saturday night when they face the Norfolk State Spartans at home.

As a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, Norfolk State does not face the level of competition that an SEC team does. But Norfolk State has demonstrated an ability to win within its division, boasting four straight seasons with a winning record.

“You’re talking about a team that’s got a winning culture,” Head Coach Frank Martin said. “That’s the hardest thing to overcome sometimes. It’s not someone’s talent; it’s their fabric.

They’re a program that’s used to winning.”

The team’s head coach, Robert Jones, is entering his third season and has accumulated a 39-29 record since his arrival. Norfolk State’s major strength is

its wing duo, consisting of senior guards Jeff Short and D’Shon Taylor. They complement each other’s game, with the 6-foot-5 Taylor’s strength being off the dribble and Short’s being in the mid-post.

Both players can score at an elite level, averaging 32.1 points per game last season as a combo.

“We’re playing a team that has two dynamic wings scorers ... They’re both real good jump shooters,” Martin said.

Defending the two guards will be South Carolina’s main objective. The Gamecocks have the advantage in the frontcourt and off the bench with the influx of new recruits. Senior forwards Mindaugas Kacinas and Laimonas Chatkevicius are paramount to a South Carolina victory because of their experience and size advantage. Thus, Martin will likely emphasize an insideout game plan, especially at the start.

South Carolina’s guards struggled with their outside shooting last season,

namely junior Sindarius Thornwell, who shot a career low 26.8 percent from three. Nagging knee tendinitis and the lack of production from the frontcourt doomed Thornwell, who admittedly excels when attacking the basket.

“My mindset changed where — I was a slasher, (but) I became more of a jump shooter last year. And that’s not my game. I’ve never been that type of player,” Thornwell said.

Now, healthier than ever, Thornwell is expected to elevate his game to new heights, and Saturday’s game against the Spartans will be his first test before the Gamecocks move on to face more talented teams. Martin is also likely to experiment with the lineups to start the season in order to evaluate which recruits are prepared for the big stage and which will crumble under pressure.

Norfolk State is the perfect opponent to work out the kinks of the overhauled roster.

Kamila Melko | Weekender

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WEEK ENDER

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2015 MEN’S BASKETBALL

‘16

SEASON

Madison MacDonald | Weekender

Joseph Crevier @JOSEPHMCREVIER

The harsh truth about the University of South Carolina’s men’s basketball program is that it’s been obsolete for nearly its entire existence. If you want to get technical, the program’s only success came during the Frank McGuire era, which spanned from 1964 to 1980.

The former coach of NBA legend Wilt Chamberlain, McGuire coached and recruited South Carolina greats Alex English and Mike Dunleavy, both of whom graduated to find long-lasting success at the professional level. Since McGuire left the university, though, the program has squandered at, or below, mediocrity.

There was simply no allure to joining a Gamecock team that has repeatedly served as the SEC’s punching bag, at least until Frank Martin arrived. Martin earned his stripes at Kansas State, beginning in 2007. He rejuvenated Kansas State’s basketball team, coaching it to NCAA Tournament appearances in four of his five years as coach, and to the NIT Tournament the other. Upon arriving in Columbia, a restitution period was expected. Martin had to rebuild the culture, rebuild the roster and, most importantly, rebuild himself.

The head coach didn’t exactly leave

Kansas State on the greatest terms, as he was often ridiculed for being too passionate at times. From time to time that passion spilled onto the floor in what appeared as public scolding, when in actuality it was merely Martin’s attempt to extract every ounce of talent from his players. So, after five years of success at Kansas State, he embarked on a journey to resuscitate a team with no identity.

Entering his fourth season in South Carolina, Martin has assembled his most talented crew to date. All of these players are Martin’s guys. He’s added six recruits to the roster but has also retained the core group of veterans that led South Carolina to its first winning season in six years. The group, highlighted by junior guard Sindarius Thornwell, junior guard Duane Notice and senior forward Mindaugus Kacinas, provides Martin with a solid foundation to build upon to potentially make a major leap this season. Leadership has been an issue in the past, but, according to Martin, that issue will stay in the past.

“The older guys are ready to go play; they’ve been great,” Martin said.

“You guys have sat here and listened to me for three years complain about leadership and personality and all those

things. There’s nothing to complain about when it comes to that right now. Those guys have been absolutely phenomenal.”

Martin also alluded to the expected learning curve for the younger players in adapting to the college game. As the unit develops a sense of unity and cohesiveness, though, it could be a dangerous group. New recruits mean added depth for a team that was riddled by injury for most of last season.

Six new faces will take the court for the Gamecocks, perhaps the most familiar being P.J. Dozier, younger brother of Asia Dozier of the women’s basketball team. Dozier committed to South Carolina as a five-star recruit, ranked 19th in the ESPN Top 100.

The 6-foot-6 point guard is the first McDonald’s All-American to attend South Carolina in almost 15 years and will likely provide relief for Thornwell and Notice off the bench.

Despite Dozier’s highly-touted resume, Thornwell says the team will not harp on starting jobs.

“We feel like this is the better team since we’ve been here,” Thornwell said.

“Like coach said, we don’t care about competing for playing time. We’re just focused on helping each other get better and working together and trying

Madison MacDonald | Weekender

to win.”

Coach Martin also addressed the Gamecocks frontcourt depth issues by recruiting forward Eric Cobb. Outside of Kacinas and senior forward Laimonas Chatkevicius, South Carolina had no viable options to clog the paint against larger opponents. Cobb, a 6-foot-9, 296-pound Jacksonville native, possesses an array of post moves, but more importantly has the size to compete with the elite talents the SEC will present. Though Cobb will likely have to drop a few pounds to keep up with the college pace, his addition will play a pivotal role throughout the season, especially if the injury bug stings the frontcourt.

The Gamecocks schedule is a bit more favorable than last season as well.

The team will face the top-ranked Kentucky Wildcats just once this season, as opposed to two matchups in the previous, but will be playing on their home court. The Gamecocks are scheduled to face the nation’s top recruit Ben Simmons and the Louisiana State Tigers just once as well, also on their home court. These two games will take place back-to-back in February.

The regular season will kick off on Saturday, as the Gamecocks take on the Norfolk State Spartans.

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Kamila Melko | Weekender

Drew Mueller @TDG_SPORTS

Tw o w i n s . Tw o wins away from being the best of the best.

Granted, those two wins would have had to come against the top teams in the nation, but after coming so far and playing so well, head coach Dawn Staley’s G a m e c o c k s c o u l d n ’t help but be heartbroken.

“You want the carrot that’s been dangling in front of you all season long,” Staley said in

a postgame interview after the Final Four loss to Notre Dame. “It’s quite disappointing.”

But all of that disappointment has cultivated into excitement surrounding the women’s basketball program, and on Friday night, they will begin a new season ranked second in the nation with hopes of reaching the Final Four again.

For starters, the Gamecocks return with much of their production from last

year, with 2014-2015 First Team All-American Tiffany Mitchell and SEC Freshman of the Year A’ja Wilson coming back for the 2015-2016 campaign.

They, along with junior Alaina Coates, were the top three Gamecocks in scoring, averaging double figures. Coates also led the team in rebounds last season, averaging almost eight a game. Those three, along with senior guard Khadijah Sessions and Virginia transfer and

rebound machine Sarah Imovbioh, expect to round out the starting lineup. Imovbioh is expected to help fill the void left by last year’s senior post players Aleighsa Welch and Elem Ibiam.

Their first regular season game is no “gimme” game, as No. 6 Ohio State comes to town as one of the best in the Big 10.

After bowing out in the second round of the tournament last season, the Buckeyes

return their top three scorers from last season.

Forward Alexa Hart and guards Ameryst Alston and Kelsey Mitchell contributed — on average — 67 percent of the team’s scoring.

Mitchell, who led the team in scoring, assists and steals last season, earned 2014-2015 First Te a m A l l - A m e r i c a n honors, and this year has a spot on the AP Preseason All-American First Team alongside the Gamecocks’ Mitchell.

Ti f f a n y M i t c h e l l

knows the importance of this game. If the Gamecocks want to be a top seed and make it back to the Final Four again come March, then they have to perform at a high level early in the season, especially against teams like Ohio State that will boost their win resume.

“From here on, we expect to be a Final Four team,” she said. “It will be disappointing if we don’t make it back.”

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P r e m i u m F r o z e n Yo g u r t & S m o o t h i e s

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No stage too big for Wilson Marion McCurry @MCFLURRY711

“We are just taking it game by game, step by step and practice by practice and we are just going to keep working hard,” forward A’ja Wilson said during media day in front of a crowd of reporters, smiling.

It was a very senior-ish answer full of quiet confidence mixed with modesty and realism for a player that is still so young. Wilson stopped short of saying that a national c h a m p i o n s h i p w a s t h e t e a m ’s focus right now, but is confident nonetheless.

“We are all playing with that chip on our shoulder,” Wilson said. “I think the majority of the team has that bad taste in their mouth because we want to get back (to the Final Four) again.”

For at least the next three to four years, the Gamecocks will be stocked with the most talent ever assembled in the history of South Carolina women’s basketball. With a coach like Dawn Staley and players like Wilson, anything less than a title would be a letdown. Wilson should be more comfortable in this high stakes situation than most people.

She has been under pressure since her middle school years when she was becoming the basketball prodigy she is today.

A’ja Wilson came onto the scene as a one-woman-wrecking crew for the Heathwood Hall Highlanders volleyball team in 2010. That was in the fall, and before the basketball season.

When she settled into her

predestined sport, she was indomitable. She played all five positions, was a one-woman press break, had better handles than any girl out there and regularly brought the ball up the court only to pass it off to a player on the wing, set up in the post, get the ball back and score with a post move more polished than any move that could be seen in the varsity boys game that would be played after hers.

When Wilson was a senior at Heathwood, a massive banner of her spanned almost from floor to ceiling in the massive gym. The stands were full of college coaches in matching track suits and Connecticut head coach Geno Auriemma posed for pictures with fans courtside while scouting Wilson.

The buzz did not fade away when she sank a three-pointer to send the state championship game into overtime and then scored all of her team’s points in the extra period to win the title, or when she won a gold medal with the United States FIBA U19 team at the 2013 World Championships in Lithuania.

The hype surrounding Wilson continued past her first year of college, during which she won the SEC Freshman of the Year award while also appearing on the All-SEC first team. More important than individual awards, Wilson was a key player on a South Carolina team that advanced all the way to the Final Four and had a record of 34-3.

Wilson is not a sophomore in basketball years. With all of her AAU travel ball and her play on the United States U18 and U19 teams

Kamila Melko | Weekender

in the FIBA World Championships make her at least an upperclassman in terms of basketball knowledge and how she approaches the game.

It shows. At 6-foot-5, Wilson has the size to bang in the low post with any girl in the country. She averaged 13.1 points and 6.6 rebounds a game last year while averaging just 19.8 minutes of playing time, barely under half of a game.

But Wilson also posses the talent and skills to play on the wing, handle the ball and even step out to shoot 3-pointers, something she intends to do more this season. This unique combination of ability and size is the reason why she was ranked No. 1 out of high school.

This season, Staley has made the decision to speed up the team’s

pace of play. This makes sense since Wilson and fellow sophomore Bianca Cuevas, a point guard, both have what it takes to get up and down the court in a hurry.

Reigning SEC Player of the Year Tiffany Mitchell is still the best player on this year’s team and will be relied on heavily throughout the year, but the decision to play faster is one that was made with A’ja Wilson in mind. This is becoming Wilson’s team and when Mitchell leaves after this season, Wilson will be the first one to step up.

Wilson has spent her whole life in Columbia and has already become a household name. It might not be long before we see a No. 22 hanging from the rafters in Colonial Life Arena.

15 STEELE

WEEK ENDER

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Man of Steele Kendra Little | Weekender

Will Helms @WHELMS21

In 2012, 6-foot-5 forward Brian Steele began his Gamecock career despite receiving no Division 1 offers and little interest from major schools.

After averaging 17 points and eight rebounds per game during his senior year at Wade Hampton High School in Greenville, Steele looked around and eventually settled on South Carolina and head coach Frank Martin, who was also beginning his first season as a Gamecock.

Steele walked on, but his passion and drive helped him quickly earn the respect of his peers and coaches. Three years and a few nagging knee injuries later, he is still a leader, but his role looks much different.

Steele, who had knee surgery in September 2014, worked hard to get back to playing shape. The knee, however,

continued to swell and Steele ultimately made the decision to end his playing career.

It was a difficult decision for the fan favorite whose passion for basketball is unmatched.

“He has a desire in his heart for our basketball team that is phenomenal,” Martin said.

Steele was never a particularly astonishing player, averaging only 1.7 points and less than 10 minutes per game in his three-year career.

His work ethic and winner’s attitude, however, earned him the respect of coaches and players alike.

“My heart goes out to him,” Martin told The State. “For someone that’s worked so hard, to earn a scholarship and to be such a contributing member of the building blocks of our program, to not be able to play, is frustrating.”

And Steele was frustrated, but the sport and entertainment management student saw the setback as opportunity.

When Steele’s decision to step down was made final, he went to inform Martin. The coach that gave Steele an opportunity three years prior would come through yet again.

Martin immediately offered Steele a spot on the coaching staff as a student assistant.

“I’ve always wanted to coach,” Steele said. “I’ve never thought about anything else except coaching basketball.

Now that dream is becoming a reality. Frank went over options with me on how to keep me around. He knew I wanted to be a coach, so he started talking about having me stay on as a student assistant.”

The transition has not been easy for Steele though, whose passion for the game is evident.

“It was awful at first to be honest,” Steele said.

“Basketball is all I have really known … Coaching and being able to help out is helping to fill that void, but I will still miss playing.”

When South Carolina held an on-campus media day on Oct. 27, Steele walked to the interview table in his usual No. 35 jersey and fielded questions from various media members. Even then, he was visibly frustrated with the circumstances, yet determined to succeed in any way possible.

“I think the one thing I’ve always been able to communicate with the guys is effort,” Steele said. “That’s what I want to do as a coach too. There was never a day where I didn’t want to play or compete. That wasn’t an option. I gave my best every day. So now, if a guy is not doing what he needs to do effort-wise, I’m always a voice that can tell him that I never took a day off, so you can’t do that either.”

The role seems like a natural fit for Steele, but the senior is still adjusting to the transition from player to coach.

“I don’t believe in raising my

voice to coaches in practice,” Martin said at on-campus media day. “I don’t believe in that, but I actually had to raise my voice on [Steele] a couple days ago. One of the responsibilities we’ve given him is that he has to have prepared for practice, for every drill that we do in practice, for every 5-on-5, 4-on-4 segment ... So we went out to practice and I said, ‘Brian alright, let’s go, get us in our teams,’ I thought he was speaking in Chinese ... But no, he’s been great.”

Despite his inexperience, Steele will bring plenty of on-court knowledge to the team. People root for Brian Steele because his motivation has driven him to gain a spot on Martin’s team, and while his days of competitive play may be over, Steele will be respected wherever he goes.

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Dozier to carry on family legacy Claudia Chakamian @C_CHAKAMIAN

The men’s basketball freshman class is filled with young talent, and they’re hoping for an improvement from last season. One freshman to be watching is Columbia native P.J. Dozier.

Dozier was ranked the No. 19 overall prospect and No. 4 point guard in ESPN’s top 100.

247sports.com ranked him the No. 25 overall prospect and the top instate prospect. He was named a McDonald’s All-American in 2015 and earned the start in the AllAmerican game in Chicago. Dozier averaged 19 points and six assists per game during his senior season at Spring Valley High School.

His family also has ties to the area. His dad, Perry, and uncle, Terry, both played on the men’s basketball team, from 1986 to 1988 and 1986 to 1989, respectively. His sister, Asia, is currently a senior on the women’s basketball team.

Having so much family history helps him feel at home at USC. “It means a lot being able to follow in the footsteps of my father and my uncle and also my sister,” Dozier told GamecocksOnline.com.

“They’ve paved the way for me, and I want to try and take advantage of and make the best of it.”

Dozier said a big part of his choosing South Carolina was the relationships he was able to build with the coaches. He said assistant coach Lamont Evans had a huge impact on him and his decision.

“Being able to build a relationship with the coaching staff before I even made my decision helped a lot,” Dozier said. “Lamont was defi nitely the guy in charge in my recruitment process. He just tried to build a relationship every time we talked. He cared about me more as a person, and that was a huge

Kendra Little | Weekender

impact.”

Dozier, a 4A Player of the Year, was one of the first commits in this year’s freshman class. He and forward Chris Silva both committed in mid-November of last year.

There are six true freshmen on the team this year, and Dozier is excited to be working with the

other players.

“When I committed, it was just me and Chris that had committed thus far,” Dozier said. “Getting the extra players that we got kind of came out of nowhere. I’m happy that we got the freshman class that we did.”

Dozier said the upperclassmen

have done a great job helping the new players. He said they’re always there to help out in any way possible and have been strong leaders to the freshmen.

Besides basketball, Dozier said he enjoys golfing, even though he isn’t the best out there. He said it’s nice to play because it’s relaxing.

“I like to golf, It’s definitely relaxing,” Dozier said. “I’m not the best golfer, but I’m able to make it on the green and in the hole. That’s definitely the most relaxing thing for me outside of basketball.”

He did claim to be the best dancer on the team, however.

Going to the same school as his sister has certainly helped make the transition into college a little easier, especially with both of them on the basketball teams. “[Asia] most definitely is looking out for me,” Dozier said. “I talk to her everyday and I’m in her room just about every day. She keeps the food in her room.”

Dozier worked a lot over the summer on building up his body and strength. Although all of the freshmen struggled, including him, they just needed to get their nerves out and should be ready for the season opener.

The men’s basketball program is continuing to improve, and this year could be a breakout year for the Gamecocks. Dozier said he’s seen progress with the team even from the summer.

“Seeing the progression from being here during the summer and seeing our freshman get bigger and better and stronger,” Dozier said.

“Everyone is really excited for the season, just as excited as we are, so it’s a good feeling.”

If Dozier can live up to the hype, this season will definitely be fun.

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Gamecocks seek upset over Florida

Jeffrey Davis | Weekender

Will Helms @WHELMS21

The once-formidable South Carolina football team has declined dramatically in the past two seasons. Just two years ago, Gamecock fans were cheering against Missouri, knowing that a single misstep could lead South Carolina to the SEC Championship Game.

Now, Gamecock fans are cheering for moral victories hoping the team will cover the spread or at least keep it interesting.

Oh how the mighty have fallen.

Interim head coach Shawn Elliott and company will have a unique opportunity over the season’s final three weeks. In the three games since Elliott took over for Steve Spurrier the Gamecocks have played well, nearly upsetting Texas A&M and Tennessee.

This week, the Gamecocks draw No. 11 Florida.

The 8-1 Gators, coming off a sloppy 9-7 win over perennial bottom-dweller Vanderbilt, will enter WIlliams-Brice with an outside chance of making the College Football Playoff.

At 6-1 in conference play, the Gators have already clinched a spot in the SEC Championship Game.

Because the playoffs are determined only by a

committee of evaluators, the Gators will not only be looking to win, but to win big.

Florida will look to bounce back from a terrible showing last week in which the Gators totaled just 258 yards of offense despite running 61 plays.

South Carolina linebackers coach Kirk Botkin is not taking the Gator offense lightly, though.

“They run the football,” Botkin said. “They’ve got some big boys up front. They’ve got athletes everyone.

They do a lot of stuff formation-wise. Just getting lined up is probably the biggest thing. They have a ton of formations and a ton of personnel groupings.

That’s always a challenge. And they’re the best team in the East. Anytime you’re jumping those tight ends around, it becomes mental gymnastics a little bit on defense.”

The Gamecock defense has played well since Elliott has taken over, especially late in games. Since Elliott took over, the Gamecocks have given up only three points in the final quarter. However, The Gamecock offense has only contributed three points in the fourth quarter under Elliott.

The Gamecock offense has played exceptionally well in the third quarter all season, but to win against Florida, South Carolina must put together a complete

game on the offensive side of the ball.

The Gamecocks have not led at halftime this entire season with all three wins coming via secondhalf comeback. Saturday against the Gators, the Gamecocks must start and end strong if they hope to pull off the upset.

Florida will limp into Columbia nursing several injuries on defense. Defensive tackle Jonathan Bullard and starting free safety Keanu Neal are questionable, but backup defensive lineman has already been ruled out for the Gators.

This year has not gone as planned for the 3-6 Gamecocks, but with home games against Florida and No. 1 Clemson, South Carolina has two opportunities to redefine the season with an improbable upset win against a rival.

The Gamecocks will need consistent play on both sides of the ball, but if they can put together four good quarters, South Carolina can win. It will take solid defense, a balanced offensive attack and production from key skill players, but Elliott and the team believe they have a chance.

The game will be televised on ESPN at noon on Saturday with Ed Cunningham and Mike Patrick in the booth.

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EDITOR VS. EDITOR vs. writer Season Predictions from the staff of

WEEK 11 #21 Memphis @ #24 Houston Georgia @ Auburn #12 Oklahoma @ #6 Baylor

#2 Alabama @ #17 Mississippi St. #11 Florida @ South Carolina OVERALL RECORD

Will Helms

Joe Crevier

Drew Mueller

SPORTS EDITOR

ASST. SPORTS EDITOR

SPORTS WRITER

Houston

Memphis

Memphis

Auburn

Georgia

Georgia

Oklahoma

Oklahoma

Baylor

Alabama

Alabama

Alabama

South Carolina 21, Florida 16

South Carolina 13, Florida 24

South Carolina 24, Florida 17

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22 News

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NTS

STUDE

SPEAK

What does Veterans Day mean to you?

“My step-dad is a veteran, and my uncle guards the ambassador of Afghanistan, so it’s pretty important in my family.”

—Brittany Price, first-year experimental psychology student “It’s appreciating people that have sacrificed ... Especially at USC, we have Kyle Carpenter ... he jumped on top of an IED ... His whole body was torn up, and now he’s fully recovered, and he goes to USC, which I think is pretty awesome.”

—Mary Clardy, first-year biology student “Veterans Day is to recognize all the work the servicemen have done for our country and to realize all that we take for granted to live in a peaceful place.”

—Emily Byrne, first-year business student “Veterans Day is recognizing people who have fought for our country,” —Annemarie Donohue, first-year marketing student “Veterans Day means honoring all the people that fought for and continue to fight for our country.”

—Cassidy Rowell, second-year sports and entertainment management student

“To me, Veterans Day is about showing honor to those who have fought for our country and those who are currently fighting. Although it’s something we should always keep in mind, Veterans Day is a day to recognize the physical and emotional bravery, courage and hard work that goes into protecting our country and our freedom. Today is a day to really recognize the freedoms that we tend to take for granted every day, freedoms that we wouldn’t have without our soldiers. I always make sure to thank the people in the military that I know personally and to keep the people I don’t know in my thoughts and prayers.”

—Allyson Beetham, third-year psychology student “I feel like it’s just kind of a day to reflect on those who have served for our country and who lost their lives for our country. Those people who lost their lives sacrificed a lot for us.”

—Peyton Francum, first-year journalism student “It’s a day to appreciate all that the service men and women do for us.

I have friends whose dads are in the military, but I don’t have any family members of my own.”

—Bailey Dollins, first-year retailing student “I have a grandfather who’s been in the Army for a very long time. My family celebrates Veterans Day with my dad’s family, his dad.”

—Jaclyn Martz, third-year early childhood education student

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Columbia comes together to honor vets Kylie Tokar @KYLIE_TOKES

For the first time in what seemed like weeks, the sun was shining bright on Columbia on the morning of Veterans Day 2015. Thousands of South Carolinians flocked to Sumter Street, including people of all ages and, of course, United States military veterans.

The moments before the parade were like the calm before a storm — folding chairs were erected street-side, handheld flags were passed out and people peered over each other’s shoulders, anxious for something to begin.

Countless groups of uniformed children on school trips sat on the curb and frantically waved their flags. One group of particularly young children started chanting: “Go USA! Go USA! Go USA!” As the national anthem blasted over loudspeakers at the intersection of Sumter and Washington streets, the crowd turned to face an immense American flag hanging

Luke Yengo | Weekender

from a crane. Parents held their children’s hands, and uniformed military personnel solemnly saluted. It was a patriotic moment indeed.

When the motorcade finally began to creep down the street, the feeling of awe and pride still hung in the air. An emcee thanked and welcomed home the Vietnam Veterans of America, as did the

opening banner. Then, what seemed like an endless stream of units, groups and supporters followed.

Fort Jackson soldiers, Vietnam Veterans of America, the Military Vehicle Collectors of South Carolina and several high school JROTC units were some of the notable groups that walked in the parade. Brent Able, a first-year chemical

engineering student, was part of one of these JROTC units in high school, and he attended the parade to show his support.

“Veterans Day is just a day you say ‘thank you’ to all the people who gave up a lot more time than about any of the average day citizen,” Able said. “This is the first time I get to watch [the parade], and I really wanted to come

and see it.”

Several local high school and military bands participated in the parade, which served to liven up the atmosphere. Various support groups waved and shouted “Happy Veterans Day” from floats and vehicles down Sumter Street.

Other groups that were recognized included the Richland C o u n t y S h e r i f f ’s

Department and the Columbia fire and police departments, who honored a recently fallen member of their own, Officer Stacy Case.

Robert Middleton, a United States Army veteran wearing an Army T-shirt and Iraq Veterans cap, stood at attention even at the end of the parade.

“I spent my adult life serving,” Middleton said. “I did 24 years in the regular army. It means everything to me. I wanted to be a soldier from the time I was a little kid.”

As one of the biggest Veterans Day celebrations in the Southeast, Columbia’s parade was brag-worthy.

“I enjoy seeing all the active duty and the past veterans,” Middleton said. “Everything is just really enjoyable.”

One retired Army officer, Danny Medders, stood towards the end of the parade and watched with a grin on his face. He attends the parade every year and only had one thing to say: “It’s a great day to be a veteran.”

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eterans

Day Brunch Emily Barber | Weekender

Emily Barber @EMILYRISA

On Wednesday morning, the University of South Carolina hosted the seventh annual Veterans Day Breakfast for local veterans and their families in the Russell House Ballroom.

Those in attendance included veterans from the Columbia area, those affiliated with USC, several ROTC d e p a r t m e n t s a n d U S C ’s Student Veterans Association.

The breakfast has grown significantly since its inception seven years ago. It began as a small gathering of about 40

people and has increased to over 300 attendees.

Derrick Huggins, vice president of Facilities and Transportation, started the event in coordination with the Office of Vehicle Management and Parking Services.

“I have a strong affection for our veterans,” Huggins said.

“You just see a lot of veterans that work in the area … and you say … let’s have something for them.”

Each year, the event features a military speaker. This year, the university invited Maj. Gen. Roger Cloutier of the United States Army.

SVA helps students thank vets Mary Ramsey @MCOLLEEN1996

This Veteran’s Day week, the Student Veterans Association (SVA) is offering students and staff a chance to say thank you to the military community with their Salute to Service event on Greene Street.

The table, which will be open every day this week from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.,

Cloutier looked into the future as well as the past in his speech.

“Today’s about honoring a very special group of Americans,” he said. “It’s a day on which we remember the brave men and women of our nation, and generations of them, who above all else believed in — and fought for — a set of ideas.”

He recounted several stories of the more courageous veterans, including USC’s own Lance Cpl. Kyle Carpenter, who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his selflessness in combat.

allows anyone and everyone to come learn more about connecting with veterans who are now students. Those who come by the table can also help assemble care packages, sign thankyou cards and take pictures for social media to share along with Veteran’s Day posts.

Second-year public relations student Dani Goodreau, who serves as president of SVA and is herself a seven-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force, explained that the week-long event offers a myriad of ways for students to show their appreciation.

“It’s a campaign to bridge the gap between regular students and student veterans,” Goodreau said. “So what we’ve done is — everyday we’ve had different things going on. We’ve had Thank a Veteran, our Instagram and ‘If you could say one thing to a veteran

“Our veterans chose to serve a cause that was greater than themselves … I myself am especially proud every day to be part of our army,” Cloutier said.

Although Veterans Day is often considered a historic, retrospective holiday, it can also be a day to consider the future. Tobias Brasier, USC Director of Web Services in Information Technology and former armored crewman in the U.S. military, abides by this view.

“I think it’s an opportunity to express to younger people that there are honorable ways

here at USC ... what would you say?’”

Despite the variety of ways to give back, Goodreau feels it all goes back to the organization’s central goal of supporting student veterans.

“What we want to do is show the university, ‘Hey, we’re just like you.’

We share the same interests, the same hobbies,” Goodreau said. “We may be a little bit older and have gone a few different places than you, but we still want to learn from them (students).

And we want them to learn from us.”

First-year exercise science major Brooks Herring, who chairs SVA’s Professional Development Committee, is a six-year veteran of the US Navy and was an Army civilian for two years, shared similar sentiments.

“We want to spread the word, and we definitely want to get some thankyou cards and care packages out to our

to behave, and selfless service, service that might even require laying down your own life, [is] important,” Brasier said.

Cloutier also expressed that Veterans Day is important to current and former soldiers.

“We continue to have young men and women who … swear an oath to defend this idea we call America,” he said. “And I have personally witnessed their courage under fire and can attest that our newest generation [is] as tough, dedicated and courageous in battle as any who have gone before them.”

fellow service members,” he said.

Herring also noted that events like these help other student veterans find out about SVA and all it can offer them.

“We want to spread the word about the SVA to other veterans to let them know there is a place where they can come and associate with other veterans who understand,” Herring said. “It’s the same classes — the same school — same as everybody else, but it’s just a little bit different for us, and we want to make sure that all the veterans know that there’s a place where you can come.”

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Republican debate improves on previous efforts, still fails to change status quo Nick Vogt Fourth-year public relations student

Let me start this column by beginning it, as Marco Rubio might say.

Tu e s d a y ’s R e p u b l i c a n debate actually covered substantive issues and only had brief moments of circus-like nonsense. No single candidate emerged as a winner, but the debate seemed to be a victory for most candidates — with the possible exception of John Kasich and Rand Paul.

Beginning with Ben Carson, it was clear that each candidate had a strategy for a successful debate appearance, and the moderators were happy to let them follow their strategies.

Throughout the night, Carson demonstrated policy points at the beginning of a segment before disappearing until after the break. By the end of the night, Carson had solidified his position as the front-running outsider candidate — without getting in a dogfight.

Donald Trump was “The Donald” yet again, bringing with him an energetic debate performance. He sparred with Kasich throughout the night, gaining plenty of attention and camera time.

He was unafraid to call out winners and losers, as usual.

Most importantly, Trump has refined his ability to deliver clear policy points in his own bombastic style.

Rubio strengthened his position as the leading establishment candidate, showing off his rehearsed lines and pivot points.

He adequately handled a sparring match with Paul over foreign policy and won applause for his Clintonbashing in the later portion of the debate.

By the way, Jeb Bush actually made an appearance.

While his performance may not have been a slam dunk, it seems as if the Bush candidacy has a pulse. Bush wasn’t shaken after an early interruption by Kasich and delivered a strong early appearance. On foreign policy issues, Bush was able to highlight Trump’s naivety and to share his own stance on the Middle East.

Ted Cruz successfully reaffirmed his position on the far right. Cruz was strong in his opposition to bailing out the banks — and made a strong impression.

Most of all, he relished his opportunities to bash Hillary

Clinton and attacked her with a prosecutor’s precision.

Carly Fiorina had less camera time than usual but was able to capitalize on her appearances. She positioned herself as the staunch antiClinton candidate who can win a general election. But Fiorina’s performance waned as the night went on, and her strongest remarks came during the first hour of the debate.

Then there was Paul and Kasich. Kasich seemed to be doing his best Jim Webb impression, interrupting others at any opportunity.

This strategy worked well for Kasich until he interrupted Cruz to affirm his position that he would bail out the banks. This garnered Kasich plenty of boos, and he remained largely quiet the rest of the night.

Paul reminded viewers

that he was “the only fiscal conservative on stage” but beyond that was not very memorable. In an election year crowded with bigcharacter candidates, Paul’s public speaking style limits him. For much of the debate, he sounded like a lecturing economics professor, and his isolationist stance of foreign policy limits his appeal to the conservative base.

All in all, Tuesday’s debate furthered the status quo.

Carson continued to be your soft-spoken grandfather who only sounds crazy if you actually listen to him. Rubio is still the golden boy for the GOP, as is Cruz for the tea party. Trump re-emerged as a bombastic caricature. Bush, for his part, reminded people that he is still running for president.

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Persona Pizzeria brings personalized pizza to Vista

Madison MacDonald | Weekender

Sarah Nichols @TDG_ARTS

Downtown Columbia is a relatively diverse place.

Just one walk down Main Street takes you by the Statehouse, through the Columbia Museum of Art, to the Nickelodeon Theatre and more. In a city bustling with differing cultures and forms of entertainment, there is an underlying assumption that the food will offer a wide range of styles and atmospheres.

On Oct. 30, one more restaurant was put on that spectrum, adding authentic Italian pizza to Columbia’s already impressive portfolio.

Persona Wood Fired Pizzeria brings to Columbia the unique combination of fast service and high quality food.

Individual opinions and tastes may differ, but CEO and founder Glenn Cybulski’s reputation precedes him. A graduate of the world’s oldest pizza school, Cybulski has since gone on to win 112 culinary awards, appear on the Food Network’s show “Glutton for Punishment” in Naples, Italy and give back to the community via the non-profit he co-founded, “Chefs Feeding Kids.” Cybulski even boasts the title of “World Pizza Champion” from the Citta Di Napoli world pizza competition in Naples, Italy.

All of the restaurant’s specialty pies were inspired by culinary mastermind Cybulski himself, and his recipe for the Chipotle Chicken pizza is award-winning.

Pricing for the pizzas starts at $7.95, and increases with certain toppings you may choose to add. Persona offers side salads and their original “Burrata Bar” — a mixture of vegetables, cheese curds and cream stuffed inside of a ball of fresh mozzarella. Desserts, beer and wine are also available for a more sophisticated dinner.

Until now, Persona’s only two locations were in California — Santa Barbara and Santa Rosa. When asked about the decision to open a restaurant all the way in South Carolina, employee Jennifer Brandon said that the prospective Columbia owners knew they wanted to bring quality pizza to the city, so they did some hands-on research of their own on a trip to California.

“They tried every pizza shop they could find, and [Persona] was the best pizza they could find,” Brandon said, “so they decided they wanted to bring this one out to South Carolina”.

Although this pizza may not be the $5 dollar junk food you buy when you are low on cash and yearning to stuff your face, this will be the place you’ll want to go to when your mouth waters for food beyond its regular constraints. Their reasonably priced, 12-inch

pies are well worth the extra dollars and the perfect size for a date night, a snack between a few friends or a ravenous appetite of one.

Their method of ordering down the line — similar to that of Subway or Moe’s — ensures that your custom order pizza will be crafted speedily and efficiently. To add to the appeal, you need not wait long for your food — their unique wood-fired ovens bake pizzas in just 90 seconds.

Columbia resident Cyndi Gawronski is already a loyal customer, visiting three times in the first week of the store’s opening.

“It’s a good atmosphere — there’s everything,” Gawronski said. “Depending on what your mood is, you can find what you want.”

The atmosphere is undeniably appealing. The interior brick walls, paintings of the streets of Italy and large wood fired oven all make Persona an aesthetically pleasing place with a comforting atmosphere. The employees try their best to add to the experience as well.

“We definitely have one of the fastest services, and we have the most friendly staff,” employee Brandon said. “We don’t have any negative energy in here …

We all just really enjoy the concept of it here. It’s nice to be a part of something that opens like this.”

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ACROSS 1 Uncertainty 6 Bit of gel 9 Classroom supply 14 Media mogul Winfrey 15 Old studio letters 16 Google rival 17 “The Cloister and the Hearth” author Charles 18 Smart remark 20 Bowling building 21 Year’s record 22 Word from a heckler 23 Firmness of spirit 25 Makes furious 27 Crisp cookie 31 Ditty 35 Old vitamin bottle no.

36 Melville novel that continued the story from “Typee” 37 Betray like a stoolie 38 Country music’s __ Ridge Boys 39 Team supporters, collectively 42 “As I see it,” in texts 43 Reaper’s bundle 45 LAX predictions 46 Windy City hrs.

47 Can in a cooler 48 Super-popular 51 Jessica of “Sin City” 53 Voice below soprano 54 Unit of resistance 57 Desktop computer that inspired clones 59 Rainy-day covers 63 Compulsive cleaner 65 “__ you to try it!”

66 Fad 67 Place for pampering 68 Israeli desert 69 Voice an objection 70 Skosh 71 Lose it, and a hint to the last words of 18-, 27-, 48and 63-Across

DOWN 1 Cartoon explorer with a cousin named Diego 2 German automaker 3 Eurasian border river 4 Rotten apple 5 Race track cry after “And” 6 Holmes’ confidant 7 Similar 8 Region bordering Croatia 9 Rinse or spin, e.g.

10 Guffaw syllable 11 Obsessed fictional captain 12 Bonkers 13 Early cartoon clown 19 Lawman Wyatt 24 Culinary author Rombauer 26 RR stop 27 “That’s disgusting!”

28 Montana neighbor 29 Ready to skinny-dip 30 Prestigious prize 32 City in upstate New York 33 Asian menu assurance

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34 Cyberjotting 37 Turning back to zero, as an odometer 40 Smear campaign commercial 41 Satirist Mort 44 Duracell size 48 Shortened wd.

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36