The Daily Beacon

Follow us: @DailyBeacon

Vols hoops falls to Indianapolis in exhibition game

PAGE 6 T H E

Conan impresses in cable debut

Wednesday, November 10, 2010 Issue 58

E D I T O R I A L L Y

Sunny with a 0% chance of rain HIGH LOW 75 41

Vol. 115

I N D E P E N D E N T

S T U D E N T

PUBLISHED SINCE 1906 http://utdailybeacon.com

N E W S P A P E R

O F

T H E

U N I V E R S I T Y

PAGE 5 O F

T E N N E S S E E

New programs aim to improve UT retention Robby O’Daniel Recruitment Editor

graduation rates is from 2009, but these students began in 2003. So they experienced none of the freshmen programs now implemented and did not start with the HOPE Scholarship.

There is still more that needs to be done, McMillan said. New programs like BANNER — the replacement for the online course registration site Circle Park Online — will provide UT administration with better student data.

A program called Platinum Analytics will go through student schedules and identify potential problem courses, she said.

Another program, UTrack, will use both of those systems, along with the graduation course-requirement system DARS, to use students’ declared majors to predict course demand.

In addition, UTracK, to launch fall 2012, will aid students who want to switch majors, letting them see how the classes they’ve taken fit in with different majors’ course requirements.

just UT students to Knoxville community citizens.

Undergrads supplement instruction With the university losing state and federal support and relying UT’s poor graduation rate is one of the obstacles standing in the more and more on private donations and rapidly expiring stimulus way of the university becoming a top-25 public school. money, the university has been forced to create, in some cases, larger “If you look at other universities who are in that category, they gradclasses to maintain course offerings. uate more students than we do,” UT Vice Provost Sally McMillan said.

But for a student struggling in a larger class — especially one of the “So if we want to be more like the University of Virginia or the historically challenging, introductory courses like engineering fundaUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, one of the things we have mentals — finding needed help can prove difficult. to do is graduate more students.”

Enter supplemental instruction. Tiffany Hedges, assistant director At June’s UT Board of Trustees meeting, Chancellor Jimmy Cheek of supplemental instruction, assures students it’s not just a euphemism unveiled the top-25 goal, saying the university was looking at a “target for tutoring. group,” made up of the universities ranked Nos. 21-29, several spots Supplemental instruction consists of out-of-class study sessions, led above UT’s No. 52 ranking at that time of the 600 total public instituby an undergraduate instructor who has already taken the class and is tions in the country. now taking it again to instruct it.

The data showed UT was on the level with those “They sit in the class every day it meets,” schools in ACT scores but not in freshmen retenHedges said. “They rehear the lecture, and during tion rate or six-year graduation rate. the evening sessions, they could really relate the The university was at 83.8 percent freshmen material talked about in the section.” retention rate, as opposed to the target group’s 90 Supplemental instructors get trained before they percent. teach. Program leaders oversee how supplemental The retention rate has grown from 83.8 percent instructors perform to make sure they are adhering to 86.2 percent for the class of 2009, according to to the goals of the program, as well. preliminary data, McMillan said. The goal is reach“What we really want to do is get students working and going beyond the target group to more than ing together to master the course material,” 90 percent in 10 years.

Hedges said. “… Not just talking about course With six-year graduation rate, UT was at 59.8 permaterial but how to study, how to read how to talk cent, compared to the target group’s 75 percent. about the material they’re learning in class.”

The preliminary number for the 2009 six-year Student instructors are required to have taken graduation rate is 60.5 percent, up from 59.8, the class and gotten a B+ or better in it, as well as McMillan said. The goal is that target group’s 75 having recommendations from faculty members in percent in 10 years. the course’s discipline, she said.

“We would love to get there in 10 years,” she said.

Supplemental instruction is not like one-on-one “But whether or not that’s realistic, it’s probably a bit tutoring, but is it the same as if a course has a disof a stretch. It’s probably going to be about 15 cussion section with a teaching assistant? Hedges years.” says that’s not supplemental instruction. She says McMillan attributes UT’s lagging behind Cheek’s the TA essentially parrots the professor, emphasiztargeted top-25 universities in graduation rates to a Tia Patron• The Daily Beacon ing what the professor thinks is most important lack of focus on graduation rates until recently.

“If you look at those schools, they’ve had a more Freshmen are told during orientation that walking on the Presidential Seal while at and rehashing course information.

“The SI leader certainly has an idea, a concept consistent focus on retention for a longer period of UT is bad luck, meaning the student will not graduate on time. The university has bigtime than we have,” she said. “We just frankly ger issues to worry about when it comes to graduation, though, as the school ranked provided to them by the instructor based on the lecture, but the SI leader’s main goal is to help stuhaven’t been paying a lot of attention to it before 52nd among public schools, mainly because of low graduation rates. dents use that material,” Hedges said.

2002.”

“You can sort of play around with it until you find a major that Often supplemental instructors begin as sophomores or juniors and Improving poor graduation rates at UT begins with looking at the matches your skill set,” she said. stay on until graduation. It’s a paid, hourly position, and the Student freshmen, not the graduating seniors, McMillan said.

Ultimately, through talks with students, McMillan has decided that Success Center hires new instructors each term, she said.

Without UT improving retention rates — the barometer for main“We will have some students who are maybe pre-med and are gettaining students from year to year — the freshmen will not be there improving retention rate is about changing the environment at UT. She said students used to fail out of UT when the university had ting ready to take the MCAT or other sorts of exams,” she said. “… the fourth year.

“Once you’ve lost part of the freshman class, you never get them lower standards of admission. Now, with the higher standards, some They say that because they were a chemistry SI leader, they were realstill don’t graduate because they “opt out” instead. ly able to think through that material again.” back,” McMillan said.

According to a summer survey of students not coming back after The supplemental instruction program started in 2006 in algebra This is why the university has introduced a slew of new programs freshman year, some said it was because UT was too large and imper- and has grown every year since. It now also includes precalculus, geared toward freshmen this decade.

The university’s new focus settled on admissions in 2002. The sonal. They decided to “opt out” and attend a smaller school instead. Chemistry 120, Chemistry 130, engineering fundamentals and “UT is large,” she said, “but it does not have to be impersonal.”

Biology 130. result is a seemingly annual press release from the university about The program usually sees roughly half of the students enrolled in a freshmen with new record ACT scores or GPAs. Sophomores struggle course attending.

“2002 was the year we really started to intentionally make a class The university also plans on asking undecided students to declare “(It’s a) useful way of relating material and discussing it in a way instead of taking whoever came,” she said.

As a result, the percentage of first-time freshmen scoring below a an “exploratory major,” she said. Right now undecided students all get that is meaningful for students,” she said. “… (It’s) an easy way for us to really relate that pairing of the lecture and what's going on in the 26 on the ACT has fallen from about 70 percent in 1997 to around 40 lumped in together with the College of Arts and Sciences.

An exploratory major would serve essentially as a pre-major, gear- textbook.” percent in 2008. But it’s not just about admitting more academicallygifted freshmen. The university has put a number of programs into ing students toward taking classes they think they’ll need but aren’t sure yet.

UT’s future place to retain those freshmen.

“The longer they wait to make the decision, the more likely they’ll Programs like BANNER and UTracK, as well as the hiring of more The Student Success Center and the Life of the Mind reading proprofessional advisers, could help put an end to stories of students’ congram both began in 2005. Also, in that year, UT made major revisions have some courses that don’t count toward their major,” she said.

This is the reason why some sophomore students are on the fast fusion on the requirements of graduating. It could also move UT closto its First-Year Studies offerings. er to fulfilling its state mission.

Supplemental instruction, group tutoring sessions with an academ- track not to graduate, UT Vice Provost Ruth Darling said.

Not enough sophomores have picked their major by the second Improving graduation rates is important, McMillan said, because ically gifted undergraduate leader, began in 2006 for challenging classyear, which contributes to the university losing many students from of UT’s status as a public university. es.

“People of the state of Tennessee expect us to be preparing young Additionally, the HOPE Scholarship brought financial aid to stu- the second to the third year. New campus seminars targeted specifically on what sophomores can do to move toward graduation, graduate people to be productive citizens of society, so actually having them dents beginning in 2004. complete their college degree is an important part of that process,” she Incentivizing summer school is another avenue the university looks school and getting a job in the future could help sophomores focus.

But Darling said many sophomores have difficulties outside the said. to explore, McMillan said, finding ways to better course offerings and And students need to finish their programs in order to move on to provide student funding for classes not currently covered by the classroom. Sophomore year is the year many students move into apartments off campus and take on responsibilities like paying rent for careers or graduate school.

HOPE Scholarship.

“Starting a degree is great,” she said, “but finishing a degree is realAs far as graduation rate is concerned, McMillan said it’s too early the first time, she said.

Seminars now focus on what sophomores can do to transition from ly what is required in today’s world to be successful.” to gauge because of all these new programs. The latest data for six-year

Iraqi leaders meet to form government Associated Press Leaders of Iraq’s major political blocs met Monday for the first time since March elections in a new push to break the eightmonth deadlock over forming a new government. Car bombs struck the country’s two holiest cities and killed 16 people, a reminder that insurgents remain determined to destabilize the country.

The 90-minute meeting in the northern town of Irbil was the start of three days of negotiations that could signal the deeply divided political blocs are close to a power-sharing agreement in which Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki would keep his job. However, officials said there are still major obstacles to overcome.

Political blocs that in the past settled their differences in the streets remain deeply suspicious of one another. Al-Maliki’s State of Law coalition won 89 seats compared with 91 for the Sunni-backed alliance headed by former Prime Minister Ayad Allawi in the March 7 election.

No party won an outright majority in the 325-seat parliament, and the blocs have spent the past eight months haggling to form a new government.

The battle has come down to

a contest between the Iranianfavored coalition of al-Maliki along with followers of antiAmerican cleric Muqtada alSadr and Allawi’s Iraqiya coalition, which is pushing hard for limits to al-Maliki’s power.

In recent weeks, momentum has turned in al-Maliki’s favor after the prime minister picked up the support of the Sadrists — once his archrivals — and backing from a smaller coalition over the weekend.

But if al-Maliki remains in office, the question then becomes what to do with Allawi and his coalition. Shutting Iraqiya — and Iraq’s Sunnis — out of the political process altogether could spell a return to the violence that once plagued the country if Sunnis become disillusioned. The U.S. has been pushing hard for a government that would include all the major blocs, including Iraqiya.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said during a stop in Australia Monday that the U.S. hopes Iraq is finally close to forming a new government. She would not confirm whether the political factions had reached a deal but said the U.S. wants an inclusive government that represents all interests.

See IRAQ on Page 3

Sheila Hannus• The Daily Beacon

Alpha Chi Omega and Alpha Gamma Rho won the Homecoming Soap Box Derby on Nov. 8. Another major Homecoming event is the Homecoming Parade on Nov. 12 at 4:00 p.m.

2 • The Daily Beacon

InSHORT

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

George Richardson • The Daily Beacon

Students were not happy with the way the men’s basketball team finished the first half against Indianapolis, leading 40-32, but it only got worse, when the Greyhounds started the second half scoring 15 points.

Crime Log Nov. 4 A UT student reported that his scooter was stolen from the bicycle rack near the entrance to Gibbs Hall while it was left there from 12:30 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.

A UT student reported that she was harassed by a known suspect at the University Heights Apartments. The suspect is also a UT student.

Nov. 5 A UT staff member reported an incident of vandalism that occurred at the front desk in Massey Hall around midnight. The known male suspect is a UT student.

A UT student reported that his bicycle was stolen from the bicycle rack on the east side of Apartment Residence Hall, while it was chained there from 10 a.m. on Nov. 4 to 8 a.m. on Nov. 5.

A female UT student reported a theft that occurred in the Alumni Memorial Building lobby around midnight. The report did not contain any indication of a suspect or the description of one.

A UT student reported that a temporary handicap placard was stolen from his dark blue 2002 Mazda RGC while it was parked on the first level of the G12 parking garage between 8:45 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Nov. 3.

A UT student reported that she received a series of harassing phone calls and text messages from an unknown suspect spanning from Oct. 26 to Oct. 29. The victim described the suspect as a black male, 5 feet 10 inches, between the ages of 45 and 55, with short black hair and a gray patch toward the front, who is missing his top two front teeth and who speaks with a lisplike impediment.

— Compiled by Robbie Hargett

Compiled from a media log provided to the Daily Beacon by the Universty of Tennessee Police Department.

All persons arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. People with names similar or identical to those listed may not be those identified in reports.

1969: Sesame Street debuts On this day in 1969, “Sesame Street,” a pioneering TV show that would teach generations of young children the alphabet and how to count, makes its broadcast debut.

“Sesame Street,” with its memorable theme song (”Can you tell me how to get/How to get to Sesame Street”), went on to become the most widely viewed children’s program in the world. It has aired in more than 120 countries.

The show was the brainchild of Joan Ganz Cooney, a former documentary producer for public television.

Cooney’s goal was to create programming for preschoolers that was both entertaining and educational. She also wanted to use TV as a way to help underprivileged 3- to 5-year-olds prepare for kindergarten.

“Sesame Street” was set in a fictional New York neighborhood and included ethnically diverse characters and positive social messages.

Taking a cue from “Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In,” a popular 1960s variety show, “Sesame Street” was built around short, often funny segments featuring puppets, animation and live actors.

This format was hugely successful, although over the years some critics have blamed the show and its use of brief segments for shrink-

ing children’s attention spans.

From the show’s inception, one of its mostloved aspects has been a family of puppets known as Muppets.

Joan Ganz Cooney hired puppeteer Jim Henson (1936-1990) to create a cast of characters that became Sesame Street institutions, including Bert and Ernie, Cookie Monster, Oscar the Grouch, Grover and Big Bird.

The subjects tackled by “Sesame Street” have evolved with the times. In 2002, the South African version of the program, “Takalani Sesame,” introduced a 5-year-old Muppet character named Kami who is HIVpositive, in order to help children living with the stigma of a disease that has reached epidemic proportions.

In 2006, a new Muppet, Abby Cadabby, made her debut and was positioned as the show’s first female star character, in an effort to encourage diversity and provide a strong role model for girls.

Since its inception, more than 74 million Americans have watched “Sesame Street.”

Today, an estimated eight million people tune in to the show each week in the United States alone.

— This Day in History is courtesy of history.com

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

UT AFROTC to celebrate Veterans Day UT’s Air Force ROTC Detachment 800 will celebrate Veterans Day on Thursday by participating in the city’s annual parade, seeing two of its members honored at a military luncheon and listening to a lecture by a Tennessee veteran who was a prisoner of war in Vietnam for nearly six years.

A flight of cadets and a color guard from Detachment 800 will march in Knoxville’s 85th annual Veteran’s Day parade, which steps off at 10:45 a.m. on Gay Street.

After that, two AFROTC members will be honored at the East Tennessee Military Affairs Council’s Annual Awards and Recognition Luncheon.

Tech. Sgt. Lisa M. Mitchell will receive the Air Force Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) of the Year award and Cadet Thomas David Winter, a junior in aerospace engineering, will receive the Col. Jack Westbrook Scholarship.

Mitchell manages the paperwork for 115 cadets within Detachment 800 and also manages the uniform program, which has been recognized by both the AFROTC Southeast Region Commander and the AFROTC Commander as one of the best in the nation.

She has been chosen to train incoming NCOs for all 144 detachments in the United States.

Winter heads the physical training program for cadets in Detachment 800. He is also the Arnold Air Society Area V commander. He has successfully completed Army Air Assault School in Fort Campbell, Ky., and wears the U.S. Army Air Assault Badge on his uniform. He was also recognized as a Distinguished Graduate upon completing field training in the summer of 2010.

Wrapping up the day’s events, members of the Air Force and Army ROTC will hear retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Norman C. Gaddis talk about his Vietnam experiences and subsequent career.

A native of Dandridge, Gaddis graduated from UT in 1947.

He enlisted in October 1942 and was recalled to active duty in February 1949. As a fighter pilot, he earned more than 4,300 flying hours. On May 12, 1967, while serving on his 72nd combat mission in Vietnam, his F-4 Phantom was shot down and he was captured by the North Vietnamese. At the time, he was a colonel.

Gaddis was placed in the Hanoi Hilton, where he was the ranking officer. When offered release, Gaddis refused to leave because he was the ranking officer. He was finally released on March 4, 1973, after being in captivity for 2,124 days.

Gaddis, along with former presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, were the two senior U.S. prisoners of war

NEWS

The Daily Beacon • 3

during the Vietnam War. Gaddis, who went on to serve as deputy director of operations in the U.S. Air Force headquarters in Washington, D.C., was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Purple Heart, Air Force Outstanding Award Ribbon and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross.

Gaddis received the Silver Star twice. He received one for flying against anti-aircraft fire, surface-to-air missiles and enemy aircraft on a dangerous escort mission the day he was shot down. He received the other for resisting mental and physical torture and beatings from the enemy while in captivity.

Fraternity to host pageant The brothers of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., will commence the first Miss Krimson & Kreme Scholarship Pageant on Thursday in Cox Auditorium of AMB. Eight UT students were selected to take part in the 2010 Miss Krimson & Kreme Scholarship Pageant.

They were selected based on their GPAs, campus involvement and commitment to service.

The pageant is comprised of five segments of competition: personal fashion, lifestyle and fitness in swimwear, talent, evening wear and question & answer. The judges for the pageant are all members of the UT community, and Tracia Cloud, graduate assistant, will serve as the Mistress of Ceremony. The show will also have a live band.

All the contestants collected advertisements for be placed in the official ad book and sold tickets for the event.

Dustin Fulton, keeper of records for Kappa Alpha Psi, and Stephen Smith, polemarch for Kappa Alpha Psi, served as the Chairmen of the 2010 Miss Krimson & Kreme Scholarship Pageant Committee.

UT professor to discuss Auschwitz photos Photographs of the infamous Auschwitz concentration camp taken by Rob Heller, a University of Tennessee, Knoxville, photojournalism professor, will be on display at UT’s Ewing Gallery from Nov. 15 to Dec. 13.

Heller will present a lecture on the photo exhibition at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 15, in the McCarty Auditorium of the Art + Architecture Building, 1715 Volunteer Blvd.

The event is free and open to the public.

The photos were taken by Heller during the 2007 European tour of “Living On,” his exhibition of photographs and interviews of Tennessee Holocaust survivors and liberators.

U.S. Ambassador to Poland and former Knoxville Mayor Victor Ashe helped to arrange Heller’s travel to Warsaw, and it was during that visit that he spent time photographing at Auschwitz.

With only six hours at the camp, Heller said he tried to make the most of it.

Heller said this was perhaps his most difficult assignment as a photographer.

Andrew Cox • The Daily Beacon

The Vols run through the T before the Alabama game. The famous tradition saw a change of direction this year, when the home bench switched to the press box side of the stadium.

IRAQ continued from Page 1 While Monday’s nationally televised meeting in an Irbil conference hall marked the first time all the main political leaders have met since the March 7 vote, the leaders did not come close to resolving the thorny political issues. The gathering concluded with one decision: to meet again in Baghdad on Tuesday.

Al-Maliki described the gathering as a new push toward an agreement and urged fellow politicians to “open a new page and leave the past behind.”

Alluding to Iraq’s violence, often blamed on Sunni insurgents, Allawi emphasized it was important to form an inclusive government quickly and move forward with “firm and courageous steps.”

Vice President Tareq al-Hashimi, a Sunni from the Iraqiya alliance, warned that negotiating committees meeting for weeks before the Irbil gathering had left many of the most contentious issues to the leaders to work out.

“I do not think that the leaders will be able to solve these sticking points because they need a lot of discussion and study,” he said.

Officials familiar with the talks say Iraqiya is pushing for limits to al-Maliki’s power should they join forces with him and not just token positions.

One idea on the table is the creation of an independent position as head of a National Council

for the Strategic Policies, which would go to someone in Iraqiya if al-Maliki were to be prime minister. Iraqiya officials want the position to have concrete authority, while al-Maliki's supporters prefer it to be solely consultative.

Iraqis, who voted in large numbers in March, have grown increasingly bitter at the postelection stalemate.

“There is an acute disappointment from the continuing terrorism and killing and the lack of security and stability. There is a fiasco in offering public services,” said the Shiite vice president, Adel Abdul-Mahdi.

Since the elections, insurgents have tried to exploit the political uncertainty. Monday’s blasts in the holy cities of Karbala and Najaf were the third major attacks since last week, after the slaughter of more than 50 Christians in a Baghdad church and a string of 13 coordinated bombings across Baghdad that killed more than 90 people.

Others in attendance at Monday’s meeting included Massoud Barzani, president of the Kurdish Autonomous Region in northern Iraq, and Iraqi President Jalal Talabani. The Kurdish coalition is one of the four main political blocs vying for power.

Also in attendance were representatives from the fourth bloc, the Iraqi National Alliance, an Iranian-backed coalition that used to include the Sadrists until they decided to back al-Maliki.

Ammar al-Hakim, who heads one of the parties in the INA, attended the meeting along with AbdulMahdi.

4 • The Daily Beacon

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

OPINIONS

Editor’s Note Parking plans detract from campus beauty

Zac Ellis Editor-in-Chief In August, the Princeton Review ranked UT as one of the ugliest campuses in America. At No. 10 in the Review’s “least beautiful” rankings, the Knoxville campus, which sits along Fort Loudon Lake and only steps from downtown Knoxville and World’s Fair Park, was given a scholarly smack in the face by Princeton, whose review stands as one of the more recognizable collegiate studies in academia.

Agree or not, the rankings claimed UT’s campus isn’t exactly easy on the eyes. So my question is, why make it any uglier?

UT officials have confirmed preliminary discussions to turn a well-known, central spot on campus into a sizable parking facility. Staff Lot 9, which sits directly across Phillip Fulmer Way from Neyland Stadium’s newly completed Gate 21 plaza, was hand-picked by the UT Parking and Transit Subcommittee this past summer as one of five potential campus locations for new parking garages. This facility would likely provide spots for faculty, staff and visitors to the UC, replacing the existing UC garage, which is more than 30 years old.

Sure, Staff Lot 9 is already a parking lot. Beautifying one of those is no easy task. But is placing a massive parking facility — one that would house an estimated 1,200 spots, as well as office space for Parking and Transit Services — in that centralized portion of campus the best option for campus beautification?

Of course, parking stands tall on the list of student and faculty complaints. Ask any campus-frequenter of UT’s biggest issues, and a glorious lack of parking will likely become a highlight of the conversation.

Parking spots are few and far between, especially for students who schedule classes well into the morning. Showing up late to class after a seemingly endless search for a parking space is nary a way to start a student’s day of learning.

Increased parking or not, the area surrounding Staff Lot 9 — with its open views of Neyland and Gate 21 — needs not be plagued by more concrete and steel. No curtain need be drawn over Phillip Fulmer Way, and no shadow need be cast over the famous Vol Walk prior to Tennessee football games.

Why not turn the entirety of Staff Lot 9 into a usable park? Imagine Tennessee gamedays with a tailgating field — not a parking lot — similar to The Grove, an expansive patch of land and trees in Oxford, Miss., overflowing with Rebel faithful on fall Saturdays at Ole Miss. Imagine a lawn stretching the length of the roadway, usable for graduation and other ceremonies to celebrate those honored by UT — land not hidden away by tires and bumpers and windshields.

This is nothing more than an idealistic view of campus space, but those who truly love UT take to heart when its campus is recognized as an eyesore. Parking is cherished on campus, no doubt, but throwing up parking garages on UT land which has, thankfully, remained untouched by such monstrosities shouldn’t be the option.

UT bigwigs should consider practical approaches that not only beautify but enrich the use of areas of campus. Let’s try to put Tennessee on display, rather than cover it up.

—Zac Ellis is a senior in journalism and electronic media. He can be reached at rellis13@utk.edu.

THE DAILY BACON • Blake Tredway

DOONESBURY • Garry Trudeau

Columns of The Daily Beacon are reflections of the individual columnist, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Beacon or its editorial staff.

Voter ignorance dangerous for democracy Off the Deep End by

Derek Mullins The 2010 midterm elections have come and gone. Just as pundits, experts, academics and laymen predicted, the Republicans won the day. Sure, their victories are not as widespread as some prophesized, such as Sen. Harry Reid retaining office and the Democrats maintaining control of the Senate, but they achieved victories in states that are usually firmly in the “blue” category.

Like many students, especially those studying the social sciences, a fair amount of time last week in my classes was dedicated to discussion of the impending election on Monday and Tuesday and the results that followed afterward. One story from the election struck me as being particularly interesting.

In relating his experience at the polls Tuesday, one of my classmates discussed having a brief conversation with another voter about the ballot initiative that suggested a constitutional amendment ensuring the right of Tennessee’s citizens to hunt and fish with a reasonable amount of regulation. According to my classmate, the other voter said something along the lines of him voting against the provision because he was a vegetarian and thus did not have an interest in the matter one way or another.

That sort of apathy is disturbing on two levels.

First off, the fact that someone would vote on an issue without at least doing a bit of cursory research into the matter is rather chilling. When the nation was first formed, the founders, especially Thomas Jefferson, envisioned a nation whose political infrastructure consisted of educated citizens who were aware of current events, privy to the issues that were pressing to their countrymen and active in the political process by means of voting and running for office.

The thought of a citizenry blindly voting on issues that may have major ramifications in the lives of the citizens of a city, county, state or even the nation as a whole is one that is rather alarming. It doesn’t take long to look at a newspaper article or two … unless, of course, you’re Sarah Palin. Heck, you could even Google the subject or check to see if there’s a Wikipedia entry, but

it is dangerous to cast a vote on ballot initiatives without even bothering to contemplate the consequences their victory and defeat might have on the populace. If faced with this conundrum, the responsible thing to do is simply leave that portion of the ballot blank and move on.

The other implication of this story that should terrify is the idea that because an issue does not affect a voter personally, he or she does not have to consider or worry about it whatsoever.

Now, admittedly, the provision in question carried handsomely. Chances are the vegan voter knew that, but consider the implications this could have in other matters.

Say, for instance, that there was an initiative on gay marriage or civil unions. Just because you’re not gay and/or don’t know anyone that is gay is not a justifiable reason to vote against someone else having the right to get married or enter into an arguably equivalent, legally recognized partnership. For the more conservative readers of my very limited audience, suppose that a bleeding-heart liberal was voting in an election in which there was a ballot initiative involving some strict guncontrol measure at a city, county or state level. Just because that individual may not like guns or know a guntoting member of the NRA is no excuse to preclude someone else from having the ability to own a firearm.

It is commonplace in the United States to hear people talk about the danger posed to our brand of democracy when people neglect to venture out on Election Day to do their civic duty and cast their ballots along with their fellow citizens. As perilous as this may or may not be, I would argue that it is more dangerous to have people voting ignorantly on issues they do not completely understand.

An election is not a standardized test, and a ballot is not a Scantron sheet. Because of the ramifications that are involved, you cannot simply bubble in your best guess. There is no “Pick C” option when it comes to voting.

Some states have heard the pleas of the politically astute portions of the populace and have put small summaries along with the initiatives to try to give a quick explanation of what a measure will do instead of simply asking “yes” or “no”, but this doesn’t go far enough.

Citizens need to be diligent, and the government needs to do more to educate voters. Jefferson would have wanted it that way.

—Derek Mullins is a senior in political science. He can be reached at dmullin5@utk.edu.

Concerns about US hegemony overstated Immut abl y Right by

Treston Wheat

Zac Ellis

Ally Callahan

To report a news item, please e-mail the newsroom@utk.edu or call the managing editor at 974-2348.

MANAGING EDITOR

ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES

To place an ad, please call retail advertising at 974-5206.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Brandi Panter CHIEF COPY EDITOR

Kevin Huebschman COPY EDITORS

Blair Kuykendall Jordan Lawson Kim Lynch DESIGN EDITORS

Abbie Gordon Hillary McDaniels

ADVERTISING MANAGER

Ebony Jones Austin Martin Shannon Thomas Stephanie Wierwille Danielle Zimmer ADVERTISING PRODUCTION ARTISTS

Krystal Oliva Lindsey Shackleford

To place a classified, please call the classified manager at 974-4931.

If you think something has been reported incorrectly, please contact the managing editor at 974-2348.

Advertising: (865) 974-5206 Classifieds: (865) 974-4931 Editor: (865) 974-2348

EDITORIAL PRODUCTION ARTISTS

Main office: (865) 974-3231 Newsroom: (865) 974-3226

NEWS EDITOR

Brittany Coggins Liz Newnam Katherine Niehaus

Kyle Turner

CLASSIFIED ADVISER

STUDENT LIFE EDITOR

XiaoXiao Ma

PHOTO EDITORS

Tia Patron George Richardson

Kristian Smith ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

Jake Lane SPORTS EDITOR

Matt Dixon ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

Colin Skinner RECRUITMENT EDITOR

Robby O’Daniel ONLINE EDITORS

Krista Lewis Sarah Smith

Managing Editor: (865) 974-2348 Newsroom fax: (865) 974-5569 Photo: (865) 974-5212 E-mail: newsroom@utk.edu letters@utk.edu

The Daily Beacon is published by students at The University of Tennessee Monday through Friday during the fall and spring semesters and Tuesday and Friday during the summer semester. The offices are located at 1340 Circle Park Drive, 5 Communications Building, Knoxville, TN 37996-0314. The newspaper is free on campus and is available via mail subscription for $200/year, $100/semester or $70/summer only. It is also available online at: http://utdailybeacon.com.

LETTERS POLICY: The Daily Beacon welcomes all letters to the editor and guest columns from students, faculty and staff. Each submission is considered for publication by the editor on the basis of space, timeliness and clarity. Contributions must include the author’s name and phone number for verification. Students must include their year in school and major. Letters to the editor and guest columns may be e-mailed to letters@utk.edu or sent to Zac Ellis, 1340 Circle Park Dr., 5 Communications Building, Knoxville, TN 37996-0314. The Beacon reserves the right to reject any submissions or edit all copy in compliance with available space, editorial policy and style.

Any casual observer of the world can see that its geopolitical landscape is drastically changing. There are supposedly several rising powers that will challenge the U.S. hegemony across the world. However, we should be careful to utilize this framework when analyzing the world’s situation.

Every country and region has its own problems, which could limit its growth and influence in the world. During the 1990s, many people believed that Japan would overtake America as the largest economy, but then an economic collapse in the country has now prevented it from having the influence everyone thought it would.

Places like China, India and others might not pose the threat many people assume because of their own problems.

The United States has feared China as a rising power for two centuries, because we always saw its potential.

China’s economy may have grown steadily, but there are certain demographic and political problems with the country.

First, China’s one-child policy is actually working, which has two problems. The 4-2-1 problem means that four grandparents have two parents who have one grandchild. This seriously limits the number of workers in the population and creates an aging population.

In addition, the numbers of births for women have reduced from five in the 1970s to only 1.8. This is bad for China, because a country needs a birthrate of 2.1 to maintain its economy. Therefore, although China gains economic power, if its birthrate continues to decline, the country will face irreversible problems.

Besides a demographic problem, China also faces a severe political predicament. The government oppresses the people to the point where there is little individual freedom if they have more choice in the economy. They face a possible revolution or breaking down of the government because the people want freedom. Just look at the recent Nobel Peace Prize winner, Liu Xiaobo.

He is a man fighting for political freedom, which could have radical implications for the country’s future.

Another rising power is the world’s largest democracy.

India is becoming one of the largest economies in the world and gaining military strength, but its demographic

problems also pose a challenge to its growing power.

The adult literacy rate is about two-thirds, and more than 40 percent of the country lives in poverty. There are many new jobs and education opportunities in the country, but this is not enough to help a country of its size. Hundreds of millions of people are still in abhorrent conditions.

Although there are demographic problems, India is always near war, and possibly nuclear war, with Pakistan because of the contentious ethnic and border issues, especially concerning Kashmir. Also, India is facing terrorist problems. Although people know about Islamist attacks like in Mumbai, they do not often know that India has a situation with Maoist terrorists. In April of this year, the Naxalite-Maoist insurgency of 1,000 led an assault that killed 76 policemen in the Chattisgarh’s Dantewada district.

Other possible challengers to U.S. hegemony are the European Union, Russia and Japan. The latter two have decreasing populations, which will limit the number of workers in their countries and negatively impact the economy in coming decades. Russia continues to have authoritarian tendencies, and it has terrorist problems as well, like Chechen terrorists. In the last few years, violence has drastically increased, and suicide bombers have quadrupled.

The EU has illegal and legal immigration problems, but more importantly, adding new countries from the Eastern Bloc and bailing out countries like Greece pose major economic problems. The largest expenditure of the EU is agricultural subsidies. Soon the larger economies in the community will prop up the weaker economies that are too poor to help themselves.

Furthermore, the EU is finding it nigh impossible to create a unified foreign policy that could challenge U.S. dominance.

This is not to say that America does not have problems of its own. However, it is important to note that when analysts claim America’s place in the world is threatened by rising powers, remember that these powers also face negative oscillations. It is impossible to know where the world will end up in the next century. China, India, the EU, Russia, Japan, etc., are all rising powers that rival America, but their own domestic issues are just as threatening, if not more so, than ours. Immigration, demographics, terrorism and poverty are no Lilliputian tribulations. Yet, empires rise and fall, but America’s place in the world and in history is not as threatened as one might think.

— Treston Wheat is a senior in political science and history. He can be reached at twheat@utk.edu.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

The Daily Beacon • 5

ENTERTAINMENT

Conan shines in late-night cable TV debut Chris Shamblin Staff Writer Former “Late Night” host and recent popculture superstar Conan O’Brien made his highly anticipated return to television Monday night with the premiere of his new series on TBS. The new show, simply titled “Conan,” closely follows the format of his previous talk shows by combining opening monologues, prerecorded skits, celebrity guests and musical acts.

Even though it’s been 10 months since O’Brien last graced the nation’s television sets, he took control of the studio floor again with only the slightest trace of nervousness.

For viewers who watched O’Brien in the past, the only noteworthy differences with this new show are the larger, more open set — complete with a controllable background moon — and the new house band.

Jimmy Vivino and the Basic Cable Band replaced the Max Weinberg 7, which previously played for O’Brien’s show. While talented, very little focus was given to the band, with the producers wisely choosing to focus on O’Brien instead.

The series kicked things off with a mock “previously on” segment, which served to catch viewers up on O’Brien’s widely publicized departure from NBC earlier this year, albeit with a “Godfather”-inspired dramatized spin on the events.

From there, O’Brien launched into one of his trademark opening monologues, which proved the writing staff on the show is just as sharp as ever. Despite taking numerous pot shots at NBC, O’Brien’s jokes never felt stale or repetitive — something that sets him apart from most talk show hosts and explains his enduring popularity.

O’Brien introduced Seth Rogen as his first celebrity guest around the midway point of the premiere. Rogen, who was visiting primarily to promote his upcoming film

“The Green Hornet,” was a safe guest choice for kicking off the series. He is popular enough to garner viewers and comfortable enough to allow the interview to ease through any potential hiccups that could have arisen. Rogen also provided a number of solid laughs as he recounted his recent proposal, allowing for plenty of witty banter between himself, O’Brien and returning sidekick Andy Richter.

If the episode had any genuinely sore spot, it was the interview with the second celebrity guest Lea Michele, star of the hit Fox series “Glee.” O’Brien’s skill as a talk show host shined through during this awkward interview, as he deftly handled Michele’s less-than-enthusiastic responses to her recent, controversial GQ photoshoot.

While Michele was not so much a difficult guest as she was an uncomfortable one, O’Brien managed to make the best of the interview and garner some laughter from the audience, while not drawing too much attention to his guest’s obvious awkwardness.

The premiere wrapped things up with a special musical performance by Jack White, accompanied by O’Brien himself. White delivered a strong performance and sat down for a brief, insightful interview where it was revealed that O’Brien and White recently recorded an album together. Their friendship may lead to more appearances by White on the show in the future, or at the very least, open the door for other notable musical acts to perform.

Overall, “Conan” is off to a strong start.

As is the case with virtually all new talk shows, it will take a week or two before things really get smoothed out and running properly. However, if O’Brien is able to keep his signature style of humor just as sharp and poignant as ever, then it will be well worth the wait for this show to find its footing.

• Photo courtesy of TBS.com

SERVICES Bartending. 40 hour program. Must be 18 years old.

Day, evening and Saturday classes. knoxvillebartendingschool.com 1-800-BARTEND. We pay top cash for gold.

Located at 1712 Cumberland Ave. (865)789-3739.

TUTORING TESTPREP EXPERTS GRE/ GMAT/ LSAT For over 30 years, Michael K. Smith, Ph.D., and his teachers have helped UT students prepare for the GRE/ GMAT/ LSAT. Our programs offer individual tutoring, practice tests, and computer- adaptive strategies at a reasonable price. Programs can be designed around your schedule, weekdays, weeknights, or weekends.

Conveniently located at 308 South Peters Rd. Call (865)694-4108 for more information.

EMPLOYMENT South Bound and Carleos Night Club in the Old City are now hiring for the following positions: servers, bartenders, door girl, dishwasher, and cooks. Apply in person at Da Vinci’s Pizza in the Old City at 113 South Central St. Monday through Thursday 4-6pm. No phone calls please.

This space could be yours. Call 974-4931

EMPLOYMENT Customer Service Representative $12.00 per hour.

Serve customers by providing and answering questions about financial services. You will have the advantage of working with an experienced management team that will work to help you succeed. Professional but casual west Knoxville call center location, convenient to UT and West Town Mall. Full and part-time positions are available. We will make every effort to provide a convenient schedule.

Email: hr@vrgknoxville.com Fax: (865)330-9945.

EMPLOYMENT

FOR RENT

FOR RENT

CONDOS FOR RENT

INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITY for 4 young adults to lead small groups of students, age 11 to 15, to Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland July 2011 with Children's International Summer Villages (CISV). Applicants must be age 21 by July 2011.

Room, board, and travel expenses provided by CISV. Meet CISV reps at Hodge's Library Starbucks next Monday Nov. 15 between 4 and 8PM. For more information email or call Ann at jannholtz@att.net (865)414-8509.

Also visit our website at www.smokymtn.cisvusa.org

Cute, Cute, Cute Studio!

All new interior with granite style countertops, new appliances, private patio, and walk-in closet! Escape the chaos of campus..... easy 12 minute commute from West Knoxville! Free recycling!

Pets welcome! $599/mth.

Call today! (888)703-1453.

Two Bedroom Must See!!

2BR, W/D connections, hardwood style floors, private patio...... super nice and clean in a wonderful West Knoxville community. Pets are welcome! Includes 24 hour workout center and free recycling! Special rate of only $749! Take $200 off 1st two month's rent! Call today - this one won't last!

(888)703-1453.

1201 Highland $575-$650.

Cherokee at West Cliff. $600 - $850. Cable, internet trash pick up and parking.

Other condos available Sullins Ridge, Laurel Station, River Town. (865)673-6600.

University Real Estate & Property Management LLC.www.urehousing.com or rentals@urehousing.com

UNFURN APTS 1 and 2BR Apts. UT area.

(865)522-5815. Ask about our special.

Double Dogs Now Hiring Energetic, capable Service and Kitchen staff for a fast-paced environment.

If you are ready for a challenging opportunity, we are now accepting applications at 10639 Hardin Valley Rd (865)470-4447.

Call TODAY before 1:00 p.m. and your classified ad can start tomorrow!

974-4931

KEYSTONE CREEK 2BR apartment. Approx 4 miles west of UT on Middlebrook Pike. $500. Call (865)522-5815. Ask about our special.

FOR RENT 1 bedroom apt available in January. Includes parking, laundry and convenient walk to campus. $300- $600/mo.

Call (865)300-9898.

2BR apt. 3 blocks from UT. 1803 White Ave. 584-5235 or 607-5395 4th AND GILL Houses and apartments now available. Please call Tim at (865)599-2235.

CAMBRIDGE ARMS Just 4 miles west of campus.

Small pets allowed. Pool and laundry rooms. 2BR at great price! Call (865)588-1087.

HUNTINGTON PLACE UT students! Only 3 miles west of campus. We have eff. to 3BR. Hardwood floors. Central H/A. Pets allowed. Call (865)588-1087.

Ask about our special.

LUXURY 1 BR CONDOS 3 min. walk to Law School. $480R. $300SD. No app. fee.

865 (4408-0006, 250-8136).

Luxury condo for rent. 3BR, 2.5BA, 1800 sq. ft. Hard wood floors, new appliances, 24 hour security, pool, tennis court, amazing river front views. $450/mo. per BR. (321)890-2640.

Monday Plaza 1BR and studios available on The Strip.

Starting at $365/mo. Call (865)219-9000 for information.

Special 1 month FREE. Convenient to downtown, UT area. 2BR apartments available now. $475/mo (865)573-1000.

Sublease wanted for Spring.

Renaissance III master bedroom. Includes parking and util. $550/mo. (513)260-3392.

This could be YOUR classified ad.

Call 974-4931 NOW!

HOUSE FOR RENT 2BR, cH/A, stove & fridge furnished, two car garage, no pets. Rent $600. Deposit $300. 603-5030.

7BR 2BA, 3 blocks to campus. Remodeled, W/D, Central H/A, porch. Midterm special available Jan 15!

Other houses 3- 10BR show soon for Fall 2011. Call/ text 964-4669 volrentals.com

2BR 1BA condo at Kingston Place. $600/mo. Ground level, end unit w/ lots of green space, free parking.

Email martymp@gmail.com or call (865)803-7039.

This could be YOUR ad.

974-4931

CONDOS FOR SALE Downtown Condos for Sale 2 blocks from Market Sq, adjacent to World Fair Park, 5 minutes Greenway bike ride to campus. In building parking, storage units with all condos, balconies, 10- 12 ft ceilings, hardwood floors, exposed brick, state of the art appliances, awardwinning Southeastern Glass Building, FHA qualified. Down payments as low as $4000. Contact Joe Petre owner/ agent.

(865)599-1696Sperry Van Ness/ R.M. Moore, LLC.

AUTOS FOR SALE 100+ vehicles $5,995 or less. Specializing in imports. www.DOUGJUSTUS.com

ANNOUNCEMENTS The Quarter Mile of Quarters. Lay down a quarter for those who lay down their lives for you. It’s a charitable fundraiser benefiting the Wounded Warrior Project and Arnold Air Society Area 5 Headquarters. November 11th and 12th from 10 to 4 outside Hodges Library on Pedestrian Walkway.

Classified ads can work for YOU! Give us a call at 974-4931

NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD • Will Shortz Across 1 Red October detector 6 Mystified

42 Complaints, informally 45 Renter

11 Support grp. for the troops

46 Classic Dana Carvey character, with “the”

14 Pong maker

50 Eastern discipline

15 Hardly chic

51 Bygone warship

16 Black goo

57 1989 play about Capote

17 1970 James Taylor hit 19 Egg cells 20 See 2-Down 21 Go over 22 Mischievous rural pastime 25 Kind of agent 30 “I can ___” 31 Hatch on the Senate floor

58 Sound of capitalism? …or a hint to the starts of 17-, 22-, 35- and 46-Across 60 Orders at a restaurant 61 Restaurant order, with “the” 62 Tempt

32 Start of a dog owner’s sign

63 Bus. card info

35 Keeping your elbows off the table, e.g.

65 Building material in “The Three Little Pigs”

40 Surrounded by 41 Basslike fish

64 Luxurious

Down 1 Bombproof, say

2 Big name in the 20-Across business 3 Undercover buster 4 Turf

ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE

5 Iranian money 6 Supplement 7 “Presumed Innocent” author 8 Brainy 9 Prefix with dermis 10 Rand who wrote “Civilization is the process of setting man free from men” 11 Best of all possible worlds 12 Idiot ___

13 “High,” in the Homeland Security Advisory System 18 Common crystals, chemically 21 Body organs associated with anger 23 “The Hurt Locker” setting 24 Browse 25 Mail-order option 26 ___ Gold, agent on “Entourage” 27 Samovar 28 Singer honored on a 2008 U.S. postage stamp 29 Lacking brio 32 Flower’s home 33 Frequent Weekly World News subjects, briefly

34 36 37 38 39 42 43 44 45 47 48 49

Wordplay, e.g.

Full of calories How-___ Nail holder Just make (out) Swath maker Chest Lordly Boston suburb Capt.’s inferior Ball’s partner Valentine embellishment 52 Capt.’s inferiors 53 “Ri-i-ight!”

54 Sweets 55 Designer Schiaparelli 56 Ton 58 “___ Father …”

59 Tire abbr.

6 • The Daily Beacon

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

THESPORTSPAGE

Vols hoops shocked by Indianapolis Grizzlies pull away from Suns late “Give (Indianapolis coach) Stan Gouard and Indianapolis credit,” Pearl said. “They’ve beaten Valp(araiso) last season, and they’re in one Tennessee may have entered Monday’s exhi- of the better Division-II leagues (sic) in the bition game against Division-II Indianapolis country. Indianapolis outplayed us.”

Two positive things that Tennessee can take expecting a win in what was considered by from Monday’s game were the strong play from many as a tune-up preseason game.

If so, the Vols and their fans were mistaken. freshman Tobias Harris and junior Cameron Tennessee lost at home to Indianapolis, 79- Tatum. Tatum saw his first action in a game 64, thanks in large part to a strong second half since nursing an injury during preseason workby the Greyhounds. The Vols led at halftime, outs. Harris scored 10 points and grabbed 11 40-32, but Indianapolis answered with an 11-0 rebounds, to the delight of many UT fans expecting big things from the freshman forrun that ended in an eventual 22-3 run. ward.

Coach Bruce Pearl credited Pearl spoke of the Harris’ play as upset during his the exception to press conference UT’s lack of sucafter the game and cess in the paint explained how and said that the Indianapolis sucVols will try to cessfully ran the create more up-tempo offense opportunities more successfully for Harris to than UT. score.

“We had way “I feel good too many unforced about the opporturnovers,” Coach tunity,” Harris Pearl said. “When said. “Whatever you’re in a situawe need to do tion when the two out there to win quickest kids on games is what I the court are for want to do. It’s Indianapolis, hard to lose a (Adrian) Moss and game like that, (Darius) Adams, but we have to they’re going to learn from it, spread the floor, and we have to they’re going to regroup.” drain the shot Tatum was clock down, and the leading scorthere’s nothing we er for UT, scorcan do about it. ing 15 points “What you saw and shooting 4was our system. of-7 from the Using fast breaks, field, while hitbeing patient in ting three 3the half court and pointers. With then breaking it Scotty Hopson down at the end. in foul trouble, They ran cutters, Tatum stepped except they ran it up as the biggest better than we did. scoring threat to They were patient, complement and they had a purH a r r i s . pose out there.”

However, Tatum The is much more Greyhounds were focused on wins led by the efforts of George Richardson• The Daily Beacon than on persontheir starting Skylar McBee takes a 3-point shot against al statistics. guards, Adams Indianapolis on Nov. 8. McBee scored nine points “I do think I and Moss. Adams against the Greyhounds. have to step my led all players game up and with 27 points and 8 assists in 35 minutes of work. Moss contributed with 20 points and 5 score more,” Tatum said. “But I think my allaround game is important — defending, assists.

The key component that led to so many rebounds, assists and basically being a playscoring opportunities for Indianapolis was its maker. But my main role is basically to keep the ability to capitalize on the Vols’ mistakes. team together and make sure we can bounce Despite shooting for a higher percentage and back from this.

“It’s definitely a tough loss, but we have to having more rebounds and assists, UT committed 15 more turnovers than Indianapolis and make sure that nobody has their head down saw the free throw line 14 fewer times than its and the team doesn’t go south from this. At the end of the day, it’s just an exhibition game, and opponent.

Pearl said he realized that his team made we still have the home opener against many mistakes in the game, and he took noth- Chattanooga. I think it’s time for us to watch ing away from the victorious Indianapolis film on them and see what we need to learn from it and get on the practice floor and get team. better.”

Jason Hall

Staff Writer

Associated Press MEMPHIS — Zach Randolph isn’t the tallest guy on the floor and can’t jump the highest, yet he’s one of the top rebounders in the league.

Randolph had 23 points and 20 rebounds while Rudy Gay added 22 points to help the Memphis Grizzlies defeat the Phoenix Suns 109-99 on Monday night.

“I think it’s positioning,” the 6-foot-9 Randolph said of his rebounding strategy.

“Guys are strong and all those guys are athletic. But that is just a little bit of it. It’s about getting position and having a nose for the ball. Hit the guy a little, and know where the ball is going to come out.”

Randolph was 9 of 16 from the field and led six Grizzlies in double figures. The points and rebounds were season highs for the Memphis forward, and the fifth 20-20 game in his career.

“Zach’s going to do that to a lot of people, not just us. He’s a tremendous player,” Suns coach Alvin Gentry said. “Probably as good an offensive rebounder as there is in the league.

He’s a real cerebral player. He knows angles, does a great job of using his body, and he’s got an unbelievable soft touch.”

O.J. Mayo and Mike Conley scored 16 apiece for the Grizzlies, while rookie Xavier Henry scored 14 points off the bench. Marc Gasol finished with 10 points and eight rebounds.

Grant Hill led the Suns with 19 points and Jason Richardson finished with 17. Hakim Warrick and Steve Nash had 16 points apiece.

Nash also had 11 assists.

But the Suns were hampered by 23 turnovers, including a dozen steals by Memphis, which leads the league with 12.6 swipes a game.

“That’s (23) chances we don’t get to shoot the basketball,” Gentry said. “If we are managing our turnovers, and we’ve got 10 or 12 turnovers, that’s 10 more possessions that we can shoot it at the basket. Make five of them, and it's a different story. We’ve just got to do a better job in that department.”

Memphis led by as many as 18 early in the fourth period, but Goran Dragic sparked a rally and got the Suns within 97-90, when he scored on a layup off a Memphis turnover with just

over 5 minutes left.

The Grizzlies answered with back-to-back 3pointers from Gay and Conley as the Suns starters waited at the scorers table to re-enter the game. Phoenix never threatened the rest of the way.

“They held on at the end,” Warrick said.

“We had an uphill battle the whole game. They made the plays down the stretch to keep us from winning.”

Both teams shot well to open the game, but Memphis began misfiring, while the Suns starters maintained a 60 percent shooting pace through much of the first quarter.

Despite the early accuracy, the Suns mishandled the ball for a handful of early turnovers, part of a dozen in the first half. Meanwhile, Memphis was struggling from inside, missing stickbacks and layups.

Randolph already had his third double-double of the season by halftime with 17 points and 10 rebounds, helping Memphis take a 5552 lead at the break. It was a changed Randolph, who had missed four games after suffering a lower back contusion in an opening night loss to Atlanta, and is still recovering.

“It is huge to have the guy that cleans up all the boards and gives us extra possession,” Memphis coach Lionel Hollins said.

Warrick sparked the Suns off the bench with 14 points, hitting all five of his shots in the half.

Hill led the Suns scorers with 15 in the half.

Memphis opened the second half on a 17-8 run to stretch the lead to 72-60, the largest at that point. The advantage would eventually reach 13 in the period before the Suns began chipping away.

A 10-2 run would pull Phoenix back within striking distance as Richardson recorded 10 in the quarter. But Gay had 13 in the stanza, including a 3-pointer as the shot clock expired late in the quarter, giving Memphis an 88-75 lead entering the fourth.

The Grizzlies would stretch the margin to 93-75 in the early stages of the final period.

Notes: The Suns entered the game having won 14 of last 17 in the series, including 6 of last 8 in Memphis. Nash had two 3-pointers, leaving him five away from 1,500 for his career.

Richardson has scored at least 15 points in seventh straight game, the longest such streak in his career.

and

The Lincoln Institute for Leadership and Public Policy

present

Frank Williams

Chief Justice [Ret.] (Rhode Island)

“Abraham Lincoln and the Application of the Constitution” Friday 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

The Duncan School of Law Courtroom

Remote viewing available at the main campus in Business Education 124 Attorney CLE credit available ($1 fee) For more information visit www.LMUnet.edu or call (865) 545-5325