The Daily Campus: December 4, 2013

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Volume CXX No. 59

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Prof. affected by typhoon Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Prof. Marie Shanahan’s parents survivors in Tolosa, location of Typhoon Haiyan which left thousands dead and millions displaced

By Katie McWilliams Senior Staff Writer

GAME PREVIEW: ‘Gran turismo’ will get you all revved up FOCUS/ page 5

survive and advance Men’s soccer prepares for Elite Eight matchup against Virginia on Friday SPORTS/ page 12 EDITORIAL: One world trade center is the new tallest building in america The 1,776 foot building passes the height of the original World Trade Center COMMENTARY/page 4 INSIDE NEWS: freshman talk about first semester at uconn Thoughts on living away from home, other challenges NEWS/page 2

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On Nov. 3, a powerful storm brewed in the Pacific Ocean that threatened the lives of millions of Filipino residents throughout the Southeast Asian island nation.

While UConn students focused on midterms and papers, journalism professor Marie Shanahan was frantically waiting to hear from her parents, Jack and Fe Shanahan, who reside in the town of Tolosa where Typhoon Haiyan ravaged the area with winds between 145 and 195 miles per hour, according to the Washington Post, and razed the entire town leaving thousands dead and millions displaced.

“I thought they were dead,” said Shanahan.

AP The Shanahans, who split their time between Enfield, Conn. and A Philippine Air Force helicopter crew prepares to drop a sack of rice for Typhoon Haiyan survivors during an aid flight in Tolosa, Tolosa were caught in the middle Philippines, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2013. of the storm and witnessed the pare, but other than that, her fam- their home. viding relief in this natural disaster destruction first hand. ily received no indication that the “The first floor completely situation is complicated and they “The town is completely flat- storm would be so severe. washed away, everything is gone,” have not been able to reach many tened, one hundred percent of the “They don’t have Wi-Fi. All they Shanahan said. victims. buildings are damaged,” said Marie have is an air card…no newspaper Shanahan, who visited the island The Shanahans were fortunate Shanahan. “Tolosa is uninhabit- delivery. There’s a radio and my this summer, said that knowing to escape the island by driving to a able.” father’s friend does have internet, all the roads she drove on and the port and catching a boat to another Before the storm hit, Shanahan but they had no other information,” airport in the town are completely island that sustained less damage. tried to get in touch with her par- Shanahan said. “They had no infor- gone is surreal.

From there they flew to Hong ents and warn them to leave the mation on how bad it would be.”

“It’s upsetting to know every- Kong and then to the United States. island, but the couple could not The Shanahans waited out the thing is gone,” Shanahan said. “The “They want to go back,” leave because they were already storm in their own home and devastation is utterly complete.”

Shanahan said. “But they’ll need stuck. Shanahan said that her par- reported that the surges of water Nearly a month after the devas- to wait for infrastructure to come ents received a warning from the coming from the sea were 10 to 13 tating hit and groups such as the back.”

U.S Embassy in Manila that the feet high and powerful enough to Red Cross and Doctors Without storm was coming and to pre- completely destroy the first level of Borders are still reporting that pro- Kathleen.McWilliams@UConn.edu

Motorcycle accident near visitors’ center Two people were taken to the hospital for non-lifethreatening injuries after an accident involving a motor vehicle and motor scooter. The accident occured at North Eagleville Road and Hillside Road, according to UConn Police. Tha crash is under inverstigation by UConn Police Department investigators.

-News Staff

WCSU professor brings volunteers to Bulgaria for girls leadership camp

By Annie Pancak Staff Writer

As a female in Bulgaria there are limited opportunities, unless related to having a family early in life and raising kids, said a director for GLOW NGO Tsvetta Kaleynska. She said her future changed when she went to GLOW’s sevenday leadership camp when she was 14 years old.

“Americans played a huge role in my upbringing as an independent young female and they showed me the best of the Western model of life,” said Kaleynska. Kaleynska graduated in the top 10 of her high school class, knows four languages, received a scholarship to St. Francis College in New York and now works as a social media strategist.

She said all of the accomplishments were because of GLOW. The leaders of the NGO

Provided by Jean Hatcherson

Jean Hatcherson, professor at WCSU brings a group to Bulgaria each summer to vulunteer at a girls leadership camp estabilished by the Peace Corps.

are a group of women, the oldest only 28, volunteering their efforts to girl empowerment in their post-communist country.

GLOW, which stands for Girls Leading Our World,

was originally established by Peace Corps volunteers in Romania, and then spread to over 60 countries. After the Peace Corps finished their mission in Bulgaria, young

» VOLUNTEERS, page 3

Storrs, Conn.

Downtown co-op opens

By Miles Halpine Campus Correspondent The UConn Co-op Bookstore at Storrs Center, which opened last week on Monday, is already bringing in many visitors with its numerous attractions – and they’re just getting started.

Suzy Staubach, the manager of the new bookstore, said last Monday “was a soft opening...we’re still doing things. We’re still getting books in. We just got our chairs (on Dec. 2). The café is still being built. The puppetry museum is still being built.”

The bookstore is conveniently located across the street from Geno’s Grille, and open every day from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. At the entrance, customers are greeted with a wide array of UConn and Huskies clothing and other items including sweatshirts, hoodies, sweatpants, T-shirts, hats, ornaments, chocolate, mugs, bottles as well as basketballs and soccer balls.

Towards the back of the store, there is a large children section for them to look around and explore any books they find interesting.

Nearby, is a black box theatre which the bookstore will share with the neighboring Ballard Institute and Museum

» DOWNTOWN, page 2

A DAY IN THE LIFE

UConn firefighter describes routine

By Sandy Mueller Campus Correspondent Ever week, 35 University of Connecticut firefighters each devote more than 42 hours to ensure the safety of the students at UConn.

Whether it is a fire drill or a building inspection, the firefighters are always ready to jump into action.

“Our daily life as firefighters, it’s all about being ready for what could happen. We do a lot of proactive steps being for any type of emergency that might come in.

(There is) a lot of training that takes place on our shift,” said UConn firefighter Rob Babcock.

Every Monday morning, firefighters start their shift at 7 a.m. preparing to be ready for anything.

“We come in every morning (at) 7 o’clock and check our gear, check our trucks,” said Babcock. “We get everything ready because we need to be out of the building within a couple of minutes of an emergency happening, so that’s fires, rescues, HAZMAT (hazardous materials) situations, ETS calls, confined space.

A variety of emergencies we need to be ready for so that

is the main priority for the morning.”

The daily tasks of a firefighter vary depending on the day and what kind of calls they receive. One day, they could be fighting a fire while another they could be saving lives as Emergency Medical Technicians.

“Each day, we have different tasks that we need to do,” said Babcock. “Mondays, we go through every vehicle, nose to tail, and make sure that everything is operational, every light works, every piece of equipment is there.

Throughout the rest of the day, we do crew training, briefing from our captain to tell us what is going on campus. Any type of event that goes on campus, we really try and be proactive of what is going on campus.”

Later in the day, they go through campus to make sure they are familiar with the buildings and that those building are safe.

“We try and get out on campus and do some building inspections, it gets out into the community, and it lets the rest of the community to know that we are here.

We are doing proactive steps to make sure that everything

» CAMPUS, page 2

What’s going on at UConn today...

HACHA 5 - 7 p.m.

Ryan Building, 240 HACHA is a monthly informal graduate student and faculty gathering. Those interested in Latina/o, Latin American/ Caribbean and Peninsular studies are invited to come and share research and experiences across disciplines.

Job Search: Presented by the Center for Career Development 5 to 6:15 p.m.

Student Union, 403 Worried about finding a job? Don’t want to wait until after graduation? Worried about conducting a job search while LGBTQIA or ally? Let the Center for Career Development and the Rainbow Center help with a job search workshop!

Finals Preparation 7 to 8 p.m.

Rowe (CUE), 217 A look into how to start preparing for finals early so you are not stuck cramming the night before!

Taffeta Punk: A Shakespeare Show 7:30 to 8 p.m.

Drama Music, Mobius Theatre Whether you love Shakespeare or hate him – whether you love romance or find it nauseating, there’s a character who feels the same in this series of scenes. This is not just the Shakespeare you read in English class.

– ANNIE PANCAK

The Daily Campus, Page 2

News

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Freshmen talk about first semester at UConn

By Alban Murtishi Campus Correspondent

When, or if, a UConn freshman decides to become a true Husky depends heavily on their first months on Storrs campus. The first time away from home is an anxious time for any incoming student, but that anxiety either alleviates or worsens based on the first semester here.

“My favorite thing about living on my own is living on my own,” Aaron Gladstein, first semester material science engineering major said. “It would be nice to have family and support, but that’s what your dorm is for and what your friends are for.”

Freshman year of college is usually the first time many individuals are living on their own.

For many, this may be a burden off the shoulders because their time is now in their hands.

However, on the opposite side there is the ever-looming pitfall of procrastination that, without

the support of parents or guard- can be a healthy diversion, or a ians, can lead to burgeoning detriment anxiety.

“In high school I really wasn’t “I have to be on exposed to the my own back to kinds of things get things done. At I’ve been first I was worried exposed to at about getting things UConn, but done on my own I’ve been trying like work or getting to keep myself my room cleaned, from going but I think I’ve overboard.” gotten better on Blanchard said. doing those things “In terms of myself,” said Julia partying, I have Blanchard, first not formed any semester undecidbad habits from ed major. it, but I’ve defiFreshman year nitely seen peois not just school ple start to.” work and what hapThese major pens in the dorm, challenge areas, Jen Allocco independence, however. Partying at UConn is not First semester biology time managestrange to anyone ment, and parand German majors tying are some who has lived here more than a year, of the major and the way an incoming student detriments to success if poorly interacts with that environment conducted. According to www.

“I went to Boston and I was wearing a UConn sweater, and it was weird because being in Boston you wouldn’t expect people yelling ‘UConn’”.”

uconn.edu the freshman retention rate is approximately 93 percent. UConn also ranks 12 out of 58 for public research universities for graduation rate of freshman, which is about 68 percent.

This reinforces the confidence UConn has in its incoming freshman, as well as the expectations of them. As the UConn Alumni Association proclaims, “Students today. Huskies forever.” This is true for many UConn students who become engrossed in this husky personality. What being a Husky means, and when one becomes one, is different for every student.

“I went to Boston and I was wearing a UConn sweater, and it was weird because being in Boston you wouldn’t expect so many people yelling ‘UConn,’” Jen Allocco, first semester biology and German language major said. “It was very surreal.”

Alban.Murtishi@UConn.edu

Santiago Pelaez/The Daily Campus

Photo of admitted students day, when high school seniors admitted to UConn come to see the school with their parents.

Downtown co-op will open French cafe

Cyber Monday draws $1.74B billion holiday dollars

from DOWNTOWN, page 1

AP

Brenda Thompson, right, loads packages into a container at the FedEx hub at Los Angeles International Airport on Monday, Dec. 2, 2013, in Los Angeles. Millions of Americans took advantage of online deals ranging from free shipping to hundreds of dollars off electronics and half-price clothing Monday, which was expected to be the busiest online shopping day of the year. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Campus firefighter different than being a non-campus firefighter

from UCONN, page 1

is safe in the building. Each of (the firefighters) getting to know the 400 buildings on campus, it takes a while so we are sort of tasked with knowing a majority of the buildings if we are going there for an emergency,” said Babcock.

The daily life of a firefighter is affected in many ways including life at home and job satisfaction.

“The daily tasks of our day, it affects our lives a few ways,” said Babcock. “I think that it makes us feel good. We are all here and we love helping

people, that’s why we got into this job. I think that everybody could really feel that way.

Another way it affects our lives (is) it somewhat affects the home life.”

Being a firefighter is a demanding job, requiring many hours and sometimes even working holidays or birthdays.

“We don’t work a set schedule. We work four-day schedule, averaging about 42 hours per week. We work holidays.

We work 24 (hours a day), 365 days a year. Some days we could be working on our kid’s birthday or working on Thanksgiving so it affects a

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little bit of the home life. Deep down, it is worth it to us to be here and help people out,” Babcock said.

Being a UConn firefighter is somewhat different from being a firefighter in non-campus setting. It requires different tasks, deals with different age group, and “provides assistance to many different local communities around the University of Connecticut in their time of need.”

“It is unique we have so many different tasks we are needed to do whether it is going to a lab for some sort of spill or hazardous material incident or going

to a cooking fire in someone’s dorm room or an EMS call. It is also unique because of the age group of kids that we are dealing with. They are between 17 and 22, so it is a unique environment,” stated Babcock.

Fire drills are a way for firefighters to not only equip students to be ready for a fire but to also show them that the fire department is available anytime. “(Doing fire drills) is another way of us getting out there … we are just a phone call away,” said Babcock.

of Puppetry that they can use for a performance area.

According to Staubach, once it passes inspection, they should have access to that by the end of the week.

Behind the children’s area, the bookstore has a complete selection that provides a wide array of art supplies.

Staubach said since part of the wall that connects the bookstore to the lobby of the puppetry museum they will also be selling some of their gift items. Next to that, there is a selection of different magazine and newspaper subscriptions.

For books, they also have copies of best-sellers, books by faculty authors, UConn Reads and Co-op picks.

“We have a few gift items, Staubach said, “but we’re going to have some more.”

So far, Staubach said the turnout of customers and visitors to the new Co-op bookstore has been pretty good.

“A lot of people have been coming in, she said, “even when no one was around, people were coming in.”

As Staubach mentioned, there is a café, which is located on the left of the

children and arts sections.

It is called Le Petit Marche Café, which is French for The Little Market Café. Once open, it will sell assorted crêpes, baguettes and French pastries.

Ben Mason, a 1st-semester pre-teaching secondary education major, said he and his friends visited the store for more than an hour “to check it out really quickly and just got lost ... We love this place.”

Mason said the almostfinished café will be their new Friday night destination.

He also said what makes it different from the original bookstore is “it’s cozy” and “is more welcoming than the other Co-op.”

Recently, the bookstore held several events, including a beat poetry reading on Nov. 30 for Small Business Saturday. For the attendance, Staubach said “it wasn’t huge, but it was good.”

On Monday, the bookstore hosted a “Cider Monday” event where passers-by could stop in for some cider and explore the store.

Miles.Halpine@UConn.edu

Alex Sferrazza/The Daily Campus

This photo was taken at a book talk by Wally Lamb at the new downtown co-op.

Sandra.Mueller@UConn.edu

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The Daily Campus, Page 3

News

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Insomnia joins RAR to support groups efforts

By Julia Werth Campus Correspondent Today at Insomnia Cookies five percent of all purchases will go to the UConn Revolution Against Rape (RAR) Organization. RAR is hoping to use the money donated by Insomnia to support their annual slut walk, consent workshops and fees for attending conferences.

RAR began in December 2011 and, “meets weekly to watch movies and have discussions about sexual violence and feminism,” said Rachel Stewart, a 7thsemester Psychology student and one of the founders and leaders of the organization.

RAR also works to change the current rape culture on campus and support any students struggling with sexual abuse.

RAR is active beyond the UConn campus; members travel to nearby high schools to do workshops about consent and the basics of sexual assault. Stewart and her peers educate the younger students about what to do if they or someone they know has been

sexually assaulted. They inform them of the resources available to them at their high school and within their communities.

RAR is most well-known for their annual Slut Walk, held every September on Fairfield Way. Slut Walk spreads awareness to the entire UConn Campus about the need for change in the victim blaming culture of rape and sexual assault. The costs of this event, which include “T-shirts, poster making supplies, and megaphones,” according to Stewart, do add up and that is where RAR is hoping Insomnia Cookies can help.

Insomnia Cookies is constantly partnering with different student organizations across the country to help them raise the money they need to continue their programs. “We run anywhere from 2-12 donation days a month at each one of our 40+ locations,” said Renee Sarnecky the Director of Marketing for Insomnia Cookies.

Donating five percent of profits for two to 12 days a month can certainly add up

and make running a business more difficult, but Sarnecky says, “Insomnia Cookies really enjoys being involved and giving back to the campus and local community as much as possible.” After all, a college campus is where Insomnia made its own start in 2003.

Sarnecky encourages any student club or team to apply for a donation day. She suggested that, “organizations interested in applying for a donation day or learning more should visit our website at www.insomniacookies.com and click on the fundraising tab.”

As a relatively new organization, RAR has never done a fundraising event of this scale. Stewart said, “we have no expectation of how much money we will receive.” In her mind, if Insomnia donates “enough money to cover gas money to a high school a little farther away that would be great!”

“I had never thought about rape or sexual assault before coming to UConn,” said Stewart, “no one ever talked about it even though people I know had been sexu-

Jess Condon/The Daily Campus

Today, Insomnia will give five percent of purchases to UConn Revolution Against Rape group.

ally assaulted.” If the money raised from Insomnia cookie sales can help educate just one more class of high school students RAR will be one step

International psych. honors society inducts new menbers at UConn

By Fatir Qureshi Campus Correspondent

Tuesday night at the Dodd Center, UConn chapter of Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology, inducted 17 new members. The psychology majors and minors were required to have a GPA of at least 3.4 and be in the top 3 percent of their class.

Accepted students also had to have at least 2nd-semester sophomore standing, and must have completed nine semester hours of psychology courses. On average, the UConn chapter receives around thirty applications for membership within a given semester, and the quality of each terms applicants has steadily risen.

The guest speaker at the event was Professor Seth Kalichman, who was inducted into Psi Chi in 1982. Professor Kalichman has had an extensive career in research and has published numerous papers and books on issues such as AIDS behavioral research and substance use risks. He discussed the practical applications of psychology, and its potential to help deal with the growing AIDS epidemic in his presentation titled, “Psychology in action: Behavioral interventions to prevent HIV/AIDS in South Africa”. Kalichman discussed the research his team conducted in Cape Town, South Africa, and the way that community and group behavior intervention affected the cultural norms that lead to AIDS transmission. “The intervention that we tested was through community engagement, individual

Stephen Quick/The Daily Campus

17 students were inducted into the International Honor Society, UConn chapter Psi Chi at the Dodd Center yesterday.

level workshops and communitylevel intervention,” Kalichman said.

Following Professor Kalichman’s remarks, Psi Chi President Ashley Raynock asked inductees to agree to the organization’s oath. New inductees then signed the Chapter’s Role Book, officiating their initiation into the organization. New members received a pin and certificate

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showing their official status as members of Psi Chi. For many of the inductees, joining Psi Chi serves as a major accomplishment, and an important asset in achieving their future goals.

“I was interested in the benefits of being a member of Psi Chi, especially for how it helps when looking to apply for grad school,” 5th-semester psychology and

spanish major Jennifer Selensky said.

Psi Chi is planning to hold several events over the course of the spring semester both for the benefit of its members and the general university population at large.

According to Psi Chi President Raynock, the honor society hopes to host an upcoming GRE practice night and a Valentine’s Day event.

Fatir.Qureshi@UConn.edu

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camp alumnae continued to run it.

Although Peace Corps volunteers are no longer there, Western Connecticut State University professor and UConn alumna Jean Hatcherson has brought a group to volunteer at the Leadership Academy in Bulgaria for the past two summers, and will continue to this summer.

Volunteers have been university students, professors, professionals and this summer will include high school teachers. Hatcherson said by including high school teachers she hopes they can establish a cross-cultural writing program with the Bulgarian girls and Connecticut students.

GLOW’s goal is to help young Bulgarian girls learn their potential as future leaders, and the volunteers help run sessions on gender, leadership skills and volunteering.

Hatcherson said one of the best skills for them, though, is practicing to speak in English.

She said people are not happy with their government, citing student protests from the past weeks, so many people feel to get a good education they need to look outside the country.

“It’s good to get exposure, for anyone including Americans to go abroad and learn it’s only a plus, but for girls in Bulgaria it also enhances their ability to be employed,” said Hatcherson.

Out of 125 girls aged 14 to 18 that fill out an application in English for the camp, only 50 are accepted.

The girls come from their villages to historic town Veliko Tarnovo where they stay in a hotel with the leaders and volunteers.

Hatcherson said that a typical day might include waking up at 7 a.m. for an optional walk or jog with the girls, followed by icebreakers and an information session. After they break into groups to do role-playing and further discuss the topics. The volunteers are with the girls 24/7 during the camp, although they also spend a few days with Hatcherson in the capital city Sophia.

This summer’s dates are from Aug. 3-18, and the cost for volunteers is $1,450, excluding airfare.

People interested in volunteering with GLOW should contact Hatcherson at jeanhatcherson@gmail.com, she said.

Anne.Pancak@UConn.edu

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and buy a few treats at Insomnia Cookies in order to help RAR in their efforts to stop sexual assault.

Volunteers work with Bulgarin girls on English, leadership from WCSU, page 1

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Wednesday, December 4, 2013

The Daily Campus

Editorial Board

Kimberly Wilson, Editor-in-Chief Kayvon Ghoreshi, Commentary Editor Jesse Rifkin, Associate Commentary Editor Kristi Allen, Weekly Columnist Omar Allam, Weekly Columnist Victoria Kallsen, Weekly Columnist

» EDITORIAL

One World Trade Center is the new tallest building in America

S

ince the devastation on Sept. 11, 2001, America has banded together to support and remember the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks while rebuilding the entire World Trade Center complex. The events on 9/11 destroyed the Twin Towers and the original 7 World Trade Center, which was affected by the falling debris. Fellow buildings 3 WTC, 4 WTC, 5 WTC and 6 WTC were also severely damaged during those attacks and later torn down. Since the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation (LMDC) was created in November 2001, they have worked to restore the complex and memorialize the victims. The crown jewel of that effort, One World Trade Center, will be America’s tallest building and the world’s third-tallest overall after it is completed in early 2014.

There was initially controversy over the actual height of the building. A 408 ft needle graces the top of One WTC and without its inclusion, the building would be not surpass the Willis Tower’s height of 1,451 feet. The Chicago building was ranked as America’s tallest. The Council of Tall Building and Urban Habitat ruled this past November that the spire constituted an aesthetic design choice that was a permanent fixture rather than a removable antenna.

As said to NBC News by Timothy Johnson, the chairman of the council in charge of the ruling, “It was very clear that it was a spire and not an antenna ... (and is) part of the architectural expression of the building.” Indeed, the fixture is an important symbolic decision, as with it the building stands at 1,776 feet. Without the 408 ft addition, the building stands at 1,368 feet, or the original height of the World Trade Center.

The opening of One World Trade Center is set for next year, coinciding with the opening of the museum that will be housed in the 9/11 memorial area. Other WTC buildings are expected to open in the coming years as they find tenants. In fact, 7 WTC already reopened in 2006 as the restoration of the Consolidated Edison Cos. electrical substation was needed immediately. The completion of work on the main WTC site, begun with a ground-breaking ceremony for the then-named Freedom Tower on April 27, 2006, is an important part of the healing process of the victim’s families, New York and America as a whole.

Seeing creation where there was once only destruction and death and brought life back into the Lower Manhattan area which dealt bravely with the attacks. The memorial, museum and new buildings such and One World Trade Center properly honor those who lost their lives, those who saved as many as they could, those who have been a part of the road to recovery and America’s reliance when confronted with adversity.

The little deal that could

O

ver Thanksgiving break, in addition to the plentiful amounts of food, family and football, there was a significant development in the international community. Iran reached a deal with the United States, Great Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China with regards to their nuclear weapons program. I am Iranian so take that as bias if you want, but I honestly believe this deal is an important and effective step for all parties involved.

Under the terms of the deal as detailed by the White House,

By Kayvon Ghoreshi Iran cannot enrich uraCommentary Editor nium above 5 percent and must neutralize all highly enriched materials, some as high as 20 percent, through dilution or conversion to a form not usable for weaponry. Iran is also not allowed to install any additional centrifuges and must make about half of installed centrifuges at Natanz and three-quarters of installed centrifuges at Fordow inoperable. During the sixmonth period, Iran will not be allowed to stockpile centrifuges or construct new enrichment facilities. As part of the concessions, Iran will also be required to halt progress on its plutonium efforts at its Arak reactor. The country will provide the IAEA, who will verify that Iran holds up its end of the bargain, with access to facilities and design informa-

tion for the Arak reactor. In return, the international community will lift some sanctions and unfreeze some of Iran’s overseas assets.

In short, this interim deal hinders Iran’s ability to acquire nuclear weapons and will hopefully lead to a deal larger in scope that will ensure Iran does not develop nuclear weapons and also brings Iran back into the international community. Critics of the deal point to the agreement as nothing more than a sixmonth pass for Iran to continue developing a bomb, but this fails to take in the context of the situation.

I personally believe that Iran would like to have nuclear weapons, but not so it can blow up Israel upon acquisition, as some fear. Rather, it is because nuclear weapons give countries leverage on the international stage. As facetious of an analogy as it may seem, the international community is a lot like an elementary school playground where instead of earning respect through kickball skills, one does so through a nuclear arsenal.

However, in Iran’s case, pursuit of a nuclear weapon has come at a cost in the form of sanctions which have been detrimental to their economy, particularly in the midst of a weak global economy.

At some point, the benefit of acquiring nuclear weapons gets outweighed by the toll of its cost on a country, which may be what brought Iran to the negotiating table in the first place.

What happens at the end of this interim deal will be crucial as it will effectively dictate our future relationship with Iran.

Given that an isolationist path à la North Korea is not desirable for Iran, there is strong incentive to get integrated back into the international community. And

with plenty of sanctions and frozen assets remaining, there is still economic pressure to reach a larger deal. However, we need to be wary in what we do during these negotiation periods. Congress is proposing new sanctions on Iran, and if they should pass, it could hurt negotiations. Not only does it undermine the interim deal, but it also could have political ramifications in Iran.

When Hassan Rouhani won Iran’s presidential election back in June, he was considered a moderate and represented a shift from the more hard line stance of Ahmadinejad, as shown by the fact that a deal even took place and that a dialogue has been opened between the U.S. and Iran for the first time in decades. Sanctions and economic woes discredited hard line positions to the Iranian public, which put favor on Rouhani’s more moderate stance.

However, if more sanctions are passed before a larger deal is reached it will only work to discredit Rouhani’s methods and possibly empower hard liners.

There is still a long way to go, but this deal is progress that would be considered unthinkable only a few years ago.

And more importantly, it puts the ball in Iran’s court. Should they falter in their obligations during this interim period, it will only increase international support for putting pressure on Iran. However, should they comply, it opens the door to restoring international ties with Iran and limiting their nuclear capabilities, a desirable end goal for all parties involved.

 Kayvon.Ghoreshi@UConn.edu  3rd-semester molecular and cell biology

MSNBC’s disparate treatment of Baldwin and Bashir

I

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n recent weeks, Alec Baldwin and Martin Bashir, both hosts of shows on MSNBC, were embroiled in scandals after making comments that many found deeply offensive.

Though the comments themselves are troubling, perhaps more alarming is MSNBC’s disparate treatment of the two situations. Alec Baldwin yelled at a photographer outside his apartment, using anti-gay slurs.

In

By Brian McCarty r e s p o n s e , Staff Columnist M S N B C fired him and canceled his show. Martin Bashir, on the other hand, responded to comments Sarah Palin had made relating the burden of the national debt to slavery.

He described horrifying punishments a British landowner in Jamaica inflicted on his slaves in the 18th century.

The punishments involved brutal beatings and forcing slaves to defecate and urinate in each other’s mouths.

He concluded by stating “if anyone is truly qualified for a dose of (such) discipline … she would be the outstanding candidate.” Though he apologized on air and has taken a “vacation” that some speculate to be a suspension, MSNBC has not publicly announced any disciplinary action and continues to refer

to Bashir’s leave as a “vacation.”

There are several possible reasons why MSNBC would treat these two situations so differently. Alec Baldwin’s show had been on air for less than a week and Martin Bashir has been working at MSNBC since 2010. Perhaps MSNBC was more willing to dismiss a new employee displaying inappropriate behavior than one with whom they had developed a long working relationship. Yet a longer period of work with MSNBC should not protect Bashir in this instance. Bashir’s comments were made on the air, whereas Baldwin’s comments were made privately and in a fit of passion. Baldwin demonstrated the poor judgment and lack of consideration that most humans, regrettably, fall victim to in their private lives.

Bashir clearly felt that his comments were appropriate and acceptable, not only in private, but in the public arena of political discourse.

This indicates an astonishing lack of regard for the respectability and professionalism of the press that should trouble MSNBC more than an offensive indiscretion committed in a private character.

Perhaps they were more disturbed by the outright vulgarity of the language

used by Baldwin than by Bashir’s comments, as he did not actually use foul language. This possibility is troubling. While MSNBC is right to be concerned about their hosts’ use of offensive language, vile ideas and suggestions do not become less vile because the particular words chosen to convey such ideas are not themselves vulgar or offensive. MSNBC should be concerned with the sentiments Baldwin and Bashir are expressing, rather than the actual words. Some ideas are so horrid that the chosen diction of the speaker is irrelevant.

The most alarming possibility is that MSNBC made the determination that Baldwin’s comments would be more offensive to their core viewership than Bashir’s. The fact that many of their viewers likely see Sarah Palin as a political rival does not excuse the type of savage vitriol employed

by Bashir. Cruel and inconsiderate comments are not mitigated by the identity of their target. In political discourse, everyone should be treated with respect and civility, not only the people you agree with or the groups you support.

The deplorable actions Bashir describes should remind us of the great callousness and depravity that

humanity is capable of and inspire us to treat our fellow man with kindness and respect. Yet Bashir misses this great lesson of human history and suggests resurrecting the sadistic relics of an inhumane institution to punish Sarah Palin. If a host may remain employed after expressing the same wishes as a cruel plantation manager, a dangerous precedent is set for the standards of the press and public discussion.

Alec Baldwin’s outburst was certainly inexcusable, yet it was expressed out of personal frustration with a photographer. Martin Bashir’s comments were made as journalistic commentary and MSNBC’s lack of response illustrates a severe misunderstanding of the seriousness of his comments. Deplorable statements, whether made in public or private, deserve censure, and the inconsistency between MSNBC’s vocal opposition to Alec Baldwin and their silence concerning Martin Bashir greatly damages their reputation among all who value courteous and respectful political discussion.

 Brian.McCarty@UConn.edu  3rd-semester political science

THIS DATE IN HISTORY

BORN ON THIS DATE

1991 Islamic militants in Lebanon release kidnapped American journalist Terry Anderson after 2,454 days in captivity.

Top shows to shamelessly marathon during winter break, finals week www.dailycampus.com

By Maurilio Amorim Staff Writer

With break approaching, you find you suddenly have time to watch all the shows you’ve been wanting to all semester.

If you’re like me, then you’ve probably already spent some time watching some of them and aren’t proud of it, but it’s done. Either way, there are a lot of good and bad shows on Netflix. Here are some recommendations to help you kill time over break with some of the better shows.

The League: This is perhaps both the greatest and most underrated comedy on television today. The League is a half scripted and half improvised sitcom about a group of middle-aged men and one of their wivews who are obsessed with fantasy football. While that may not sound appealing to non-football fans, trust me on this one. The show more often than not focuses on their personal lives and the character’s dilemmas rather than football. It is one of the raunchiest comedies airing right now, frequently pushing the limits of what you can and can’t show on cable even with a TV-MA rating.

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Breaking Bad: There’s not much that needs to be said about this one. If you’ve seen the show then you know why it is frequently referred to as the greatest television serial drama of all time. If you haven’t, then you’re probably tired of hearing about it. The only question I have to ask is if you haven’t seen it yet, why not? Do yourself a favor by reevaluating your life and priorities and check out this great show already.

American Horror Story: Fans are divided on the latest two seasons, but the first story in FX’s chilling horror anthology is perfect. Our story begins with a New England family moving into a haunted house in Los Angeles looking for a fresh start. When a ghost impregnates the wife and they begin to learn the secrets of their new home, things quickly escalate into madness. I don’t know which seasons Netflix has, but for what it’s worth, I like all of them even if the first is eas-

ily the best. Make sure you watch with the lights off and be prepared to be extremely confused.

Most Popular Shows on Netflix

1. “Breaking Bad”

7. “The Twilight Zone”

2.”Sherlock”

8. “House of Cards”

3.”Arrested Development”

9. “Fawlty Towers” 10. “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”

4.”Firefly” 5. “Twin Peaks” 6. “Freaks and Geeks” 24: 24 is the ultimate marathon show. Each episode is a non-stop thrill ride with a cliffhanger ending. It is practically meant to be watched straight through on Netflix. While we

» GAME PREVIEW

‘Gran Turismo’ will get you all revved up

gamesradar.com

“Gran Turismo 6” hits the shelves on Dec.6. The racing game franchise is one the largest to date.

By Max Engel Campus Correspondent Ever since “Gran Turismo” debuted for the first of the Playstation consoles in the late 1990s, it has become one of the biggest racing game franchises ever made. Its popularity spread awareness of various sports cars around the world, and is said to be responsible for the Subaru Impreza WRX STi and Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution coming to American markets. It continues to collaborate closely with the auto industry itself; its creator, Kazunori Yamauchi, designed the instrument display in the new Nissan GT-R, and Gran Turismo’s developer, Polyphony Digital, collaborated with famed French manufacturer Citroën to make the “GT

by Citroën” supercar for “Gran Turismo 5.” Without a doubt, “Gran Turismo’s” impact is almost immeasurable.

However, despite its accomplishments, the series has room for improvement. This is especially so since it continues to compete with Turn 10’s Forza Motorsport series for the title of being the best console-exclusive racing game. Gran Turismo’s latest installment, “Gran Turismo 6,” is due for release this winter on Dec. 6 for the Playstation 3.

I can only hope that in the three

all have our favorites, there isn’t a season of the hit show that isn’t great. It’s also coming back this summer so this is the

years since the release of “Gran Turismo 5,” Polyphony Digital has had time to learn what the Playstation 3 can and cannot do, as well as what features should be added.

So far, “Gran Turismo 6’s” development has had a good turn, as the game is planned to remove the experience system “Gran Turismo 5.” The controversial system limited players to being able to buy certain cars even if they had enough credits. “Gran Turismo 6” is also reported to have re-combined the “A-Spec” mode where you drive the car like any other racing game, and the “B-Spec” mode in which you train a computer-controlled driver. Now, much like in “Gran Turismo 4,” you will be able to choose between either mode for an event, rather than being forced to go through an event twice: once for A-Spec and another time for B-Spec.

The car list seems to have some very good additions.

Some cars from “Gran Turismo 5” have been thoroughly updated, such as the Bugatti Veyron and Lamborghini Countach.

Meanwhile, more long-awaited vehicles finally come to Gran Turismo, like the Aston Martin One-77 and the Ferrari FXX. Racecars will also be having

a healthy representation, with the addition of the BMW Z4 GT3, the Subaru BRZ modified for Super GT300, and the Audi Sport Quattro S1 Rally Car. However, it seems unusual that it took Polyphony Digital three years to integrate cars like the new Shelby GT500 or the Aston Martin One-77 when “Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit” had them in 2010. Then again, Polyphony Digital pays immaculate detail to their car modeling, and “Need for Speed” has seldom had interior views available for its vehicles. Some hypercar fans will also be miffed when they see that cars like the all-new Ferrari F12 Berlinetta or the McLaren P1 are also not included, though these cars are new enough that it’s unlikely Polyphony Digital had time to render them to a presentable extent of detail. But some relatively older cars that are unusually absent include the cars of Konigsegg, a Swedish hypercar maker, or the iconic BMW M3 E30. The official car list on “Gran Turismo 6” website claims it is subject to change, so it’s possible the list is a mere sampler; more cars could remain unrevealed until the game is released. It is notable that earlier this year, the official Gran Turismo Facebook page

»PREVIEW, page 7

therichest.com best time to get into it.

How I Met Your Mother: Ted’s epic search for a soul mate is apparently a really long story. His children sure are patient. As friends defined 90’s

pop culture and the times, How I Met Your Mother is the sitcom to define the 00’s and 10’s.

You’ve probably seen re-runs and episodes here and there, but why not spend some time watching this hilarious show in order, the way it was meant to be seen. It’s actually funnier this way because you catch all of the inside jokes.

Lost: Its middle seasons may drag and be a bit convoluted, but it manages to both start and end strong, tying everything together rather nicely. The story of plane crash survivors stranded on a deserted supernatural island is just as complex as you’d expect. At times it makes no sense and is frequently misleading and confusing for dramatic effect, but in the end it works. Being able to watch episodes back-to-back certainly makes for a better viewing experience as every episode will leave you with more questions than answers.

Other Shows Worth Watching: Parks and Recreation, House of Cards, Archer, American Dad, Family Guy, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

Pick up a good read for winter break

By Kathleen McWilliams Senior Staff Writer

Winter break is the perfect time to kick back next to a fire and read a good book. During the semester it can be difficult to find time to pleasure read, especially when you have eighty pages of Descartes to read in an evening, so here are a few suggestions to pick up for the month long winter recess.

1. “The Storyteller” by Jodi Picoult Jodi Picoult is thinly veiled literary cocaine, or books that are terribly written (such as any harlequin romance or anything Dan brown) yet thrilling and addictive.

Her smart plot lines and smooth writing style disguise the fact that she wants to pull the reader in with a sensational story that pose a complicated moral question.

“The Storyteller” is no exception.

The novel is of a young woman who befriends an elderly man with a horrifying past. Sage, the daughter of Jewish Holocaust survivors is shocked when she discovers her new friend was an S.S. guard. Doesn’t sound shocking enough? Sage is forced to make ethical and legal decisions after her new friend asks her for a difficult favor. Pick this one up if you have a lot of concentrated free time and can spare a few hours to sit down and read continuously.

2. “The Glass Castle” by Jeanette Walls Whereas Picoult crafts a story that grabs the reader for its sensationalism, Walls has readers captive with the details of her childhood moving around with her destitute family. This is not a “feel good read” by any stretch of the imagination with its descriptions of violence, alcoholism, drug abuse and homelessness, but the vivid portrait of those who lives on the fringes of American society is a lasting experience that leaves the reader feeling empty and questioning how society lets children, in particular, suffer in such miserable ways. At only 288 pages this memoir is an easy read that can be easily picked up for a flight, a road trip or a quick read on a lazy weekend. Need more incentive to read this one?

Its been picked up by Paramount Studios for a movie starring Jennifer Lawrence who will also make her debut as a producer.

3. “I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban”

by Malala Yousafzai The world was rocked when reports of the Taliban shooting a 15-year-old Pakistani girl

Maurilio.Amorim@UConn.edu

point blank on her way home from school surfaced. Malala Yousafzai was a well known and vociferous advocate for female education in her native country, and courageously stood up to the oppressive Taliban ideology. This act and her continued activism has garnered acknowledgement in the form of nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize and TIME magazine’s Person of the Year.

Her autobiography is a stunning look into the events that shaped her life and strays from sensationalism and drama, simply stating the facts and expressing her valid and interesting thoughts.

4. “Divergent” by Veronica Roth If you went to see “Catching Fire” last week you can’t have missed the action packed theatrical trailer for the film adaptation of Roth’s “Divergent.” The novel is the first in a series of three and revolves around the life of Beatrice Prior, a young woman living in futuristic Chicago.

Humans of the future are not allowed to chose their talents and aptitudes, instead they are tested for a series of five talents (amity, candor, abnegation, erudite and dauntless). Prior is resistant to all five and is considered “divergent” which is dangerous in their society. Not fitting into any of the designated factions, Prior struggles to belong and soon discovers a strange plot brewing in the city.

Expect excellent action sequences and suspense from this one.

5. “Winter’s Bone” by Daniel Woodrell If you’re pining for a little methamphetamine action after the dramatic end to “Breaking Bad” look no further than “Winter’s Bone.” This novel rose to fame after a 2010 film adaptation starring Jennifer Lawrence brought the ingénue to fame. Despite that, the novel is a masterpiece in and of itself with its gritty descriptions of poverty and daily life in the Ozarks. The main character, Ree, is burdened with taking care of her family because her father is on the run after being arrested for producing methamphetamine and her mother is mentally ill.

Upon discovering that her family will be evicted if her father’s bond isn’t posted, Ree sets out on a dangerous and harrowing journey to find him and save her family.

The novel is an exciting journey for the reader, but often is disturbing and shocking. After you finish you can bring the harsh reality to life by watching the excellent movie.

Kathleen.McWilliams@UConn.edu

1949 - Jeff Bridges 1964 - Marisa Tomei 1969 - Jay-Z 1973 - Tyra Banks

The Daily Campus, Page 5

Keep calm and communicate

By Imaani Cain Campus Correspondent

Plenty of people look for cues in body language when they’re hooking up rather than asking how their sexual partner feels the entire time. I get why: asking feels clunky to some people, and entirely different from the smooth way that people imagine ideal sex to be. But sex isn’t consistently smooth or without troubles for anyone – there’s always going to be bumps in the road. There could be awkward positions that make you to feel like you look unattractive, or positions that seem sexy, but in actuality just culminate in you kicking them by accident. There could even be moments where you mean to sexily flip your hair and

“It’s always best to state your intentions.”

-Imaani Cain

instead get it caught in your mouth. With all of the things that can complicate sex, what’s one more, really?

Sex should be a fun, enjoyable experience. First and foremost, you should find if your partner is comfortable with having sex – despite them following you back to your dorm, they might not have thought it would go farther than a few bases.

It’s always best to state your intentions: it’s not being rude at all. Some people think this is forward and entirely too blunt, but it is, after all, 2013. It’s perfectly fine to name your intentions, as long as you don’t make the other person uncomfortable.

Simply ask them if they’re into having sex with you, and if it’s an enthusiastic affirmative, then carry on!

If they seem unsure or don’t want to, either let them leave and offer them an out. There should never be a circumstance where a person feels obligated to have sex with you, or vice versa.

Discuss what is and is not off limits. It can ruin the experience and render awful consequences for you or your partner if you somehow over-step because you didn’t talk about it. It’s probably for the best that you both invent and agree upon a safe-word, so that there is no confusion when someone wants to tap out. It’s easy to get caught up in the moment and get carried away, but this should never be done at the expense of anyone’s comfort. It may be difficult, but it is your responsibility to rein yourself in and pay attention to your partner. Likewise, it’s equally as important for them to pay attention to you.

Consent is an incredibly important part of having sex with anyone. It might seem awkward to repeatedly ask someone “Is this alright? Do you feel good?” throughout foreplay and the actual sex act, but it pays off in the end. You can be comfortable because your partner is comfortable, and with enthusiastic verbal consent, there’s no doubting that the two of you have had anything other than a good time.

Imaani.Cain@UConn.edu

The Daily Campus, Page 6

FOCUS ON:

Game Of The Week

GAMES Focus Favorite

“New Super Mario Bros” I probably take it for granted now but its hard to fathom that when “New Super Mario Bros.” dropped in summer of 2006 for the Nintendo DS, it had been over a decade since we had seen an original side scrolling Mario game.

New Super Mario bros

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Focus

Can’t get your head out of the game?

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Meetings at 8 p.m. on Mondays.

» GAME REVIEWS

Slow and steady wins the race

Rather than strictly copy and paste from older titles “New Super Mario Bros.” managed to shake things up in the best ways. The game was a side scroller but Mario now had abilities first demonstrated in his 3D outings such as the triple jump and the ground pound.

Spike’s VGAs: new name, same garbage

New power-ups like the blue Koopa shell, and both the mini and mega mushrooms kept things new and exciting. And that theme tune still sits in a corner of my head to this day.

Easy to get into but a significant challenge to master “New Super Mario Bros.” was Mario platforming perfection, and no subsequent 2D title in the series has been able to surpass it.

-Alex Sferrazza

Upcoming Releases South Park: The Stick of Truth Dec. 10 Dark Souls II March 11 Infamous: Second Son March 21 Mad Max May 31 Destiny June 30

By Alex Sferrazza Staff Writer

elder-geek.com

“Need for Speed” it is a solid entry in the long running franchise. The landscape around the game is intricate and the sense of speed the player can achieve is another excellent feature of the game.

By Alex Sferrazza Staff Writer

It might be a bit rough around the edges for at its core, “Need for Speed Rivals” stands as another solid entry in the long running franchise. A blast to pick up and play aw ell as a visual beast, “Rivals” is a guaranteed winner for any arcade racing fan.

The debut product of “Ghost Games” a new EA studio created to handle the “Need for Speed” franchise, “Rivals” feels very similar to 2010’s “Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit” and 2012’s “Need for Speed: Most Wanted” developed by Criterion games borrowing the former’s “Cops vs. Racers” design and the latter’s open world approach.

“Rivals” lets you play both as a cop or a racer in two separate careers. As a cop, your goal is to bust racers and as a racer your goal is to win races and outrun the cops. No matter what side you’re playing for, you’re thrown

into a massive open game world and free to drive for miles on end in an always online shared environment where you can challenge or engage both A.I. and other real players.

The environment is spectacular with gorgeous forest, waterfalls, snow covered areas and more. The incredible sense of speed the game provides makes it easy to get lost in yourself and simply begin going on a joyride.

(Disclaimer: For the purposes of this review, I played the title on PS4 and my comments on graphical performance apply only the PS4, Xbox One and high-end PC versions of the game.)

The visuals in “Rivals” are absolutely spectacular. On certain portions of the road you can see far into the distance with minimal

fog or other distortion effects.

Cars, the varied environments, and incredible weather effects look positively perfect, and amazingly the frame rate stays buttery smooth throughout the experience, despite a constant online connection.

It must be noted that while still thrilling, pursuing racers as a cop and attempting to “bust” them simply isn’t as satisfying or as fun as it was in 2010’s “Hot Pursuit” nor is the open world as elaborate and fun to explore as 2012’s “Most Wanted.” Hitting A.I. cars with spike strips is far more difficult than it was previously and other weapons aren’t really very innovative.

The constant online connection

“Need for Speed Rivals” 8/10

hook might be great if you have friends to play with, but when there are other random players on the map, you can drive around aimlessly without ever running into someone – sort of defeating the purpose.

“Rivals” isn’t a giant leap in EA’s quest for the perfect Need for Speed game but it’s a small step in the right direction. Combining the best concepts from the two best titles in the series from the past decade was a smart move, and in time through more proper refinement, there should be little doubt that Ghost Games will pull off something truly extraordinary. But for now, “Rivals” stands as a valiant effort that will please pretty much any arcade racing fan, and its perhaps the best title this year to pick up if you want to show off your next gen console’s flashy new graphics to your buddies.

‘Into the Nexus’ is the best Ratchet game in years Alex.Sferrazza@UConn.edu

By Alex Sferrazza Staff Writer

Top Purchases 1.Call of Duty Ghosts Xbox360 2. Just Dance 2014 Nintendo Wii 3. Legend of Zelda: A link between worlds Nintendo 3DS 4. Super Mario 3D World Wii U 5. Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag PS4 6.Minecraft Xbox360 7.Dead Rising 3 Day One Xbox One 8.Pokémon X Nintendo DS 9.Ryse: Son of Rome Day One Xbox One 10. Kill Zone: Shadow Fall PS4

Rating courtesy of amazon.com

It’s been a rough couple of years for fan-favorite Lombax and his robotic pal. Since the release of the spectacular “Ratchet and Clank Future: A Crack in Time” back in 2009, the Ratchet and Clank series has unsuccessfully attempted to diversify its tried and true formula with the spin-off titles “All 4 One” and “Full Frontal Assault.” Fans have been clamoring for the series to return to its roots ever since, and Insomniac has delivered spectacularly with “Into the Nexus.”

An epilogue to the main Ratchet and Clank: Future trilogy, “Into the Nexus” sees Ratchet and Clank facing off against the dastardly criminal Vendra Prog who – like Ratchet, longs to be reunited with her own species but unfortunately for the galaxy, Prog doesn’t care what (or whom) gets destroyed in the process.

The brilliant story has some truly touching moments spliced with a generous portion of the series’ trademark humor. A colorful cast of returning supporting characters like Talwyn Apogee and Captain Quark help make the experience a truly enjoyable one.

Like other titles in the series, “Ratchet and Clank: Into the Nexus” is a third-person 3D platforming game combined with elements of a third-person shooter.

What’s truly remarkable about “Into the Nexus” is that developer Insomniac Games could have easily pushed out “more of the same” and put out a half-baked cookie cutter title to appease the fans – but they didn’t. Despite its comparatively short five-hour length, “Into

gamingbolt.com

“Ratchet and Clank: Into the Nexus” is the epilogue to the main series and features unique game play for a long standing series.

the Nexus” never fails to stop innovating and bringing new ideas to the table. The opening level sees Ratchet jumping into a pair of gravity boots dodging asteroids and hopping around space debris.

Clank has a series of gravity defying side scrolling side levels unlike anything seen in the series before. Of course, what’s a “Ratchet and Clank” game without some ridiculous and totally awesome weapons? Old favorites like the Fusion Grenades and Mr. Zurkon are back along with great new additions such as

the Winterizer, which can turn enemies into adorable snowmen.

As expected, everything from art and level design to the marvelous orchestral score are all top notch, simultaneously giving the game a friendly and familiar and yet somewhat epic and adventurous feel. Once again, Insomniac’s animation team deserves kudos from crafting cut scenes that rival Pixar in technical mastery.

The game does have a few faults. Despite the incredible ride “Into the Nexus” is most of the

“Ratchet and Clank: Into the Nexus” 9/10

time, the final level does indeed feel a bit rushed (a casualty of the developers deciding to make a shorter length, lower priced title), a lone sore spot on an otherwise remarkable experience.

“Ratchet and Clank” is a series that may borrow elements from multiple genre’s, but in the end it provides a truly unique experience unlike anything else out there.

“Into the Nexus” is no exception and despite this beloved franchise now being over a decade old, it’s clear that Insomniac Games isn’t short on ideas for the series. For Ratchet fans or people searching for some good old platforming fun, “Ratchet and Clank Into the Nexus” is a can’t miss experience.

Alex.Sferrazza@UConn.edu

Every major field of mass entertainment has a signature annual awards show. The television industry has the Emmy Awards, the motion picture industry has the Academy Awards, and the music recording industry has the Grammy Awards. Despite being a multibillion dollar industry with hundreds of millions of players worldwide, the closest such event for the video game industry is the annual Spike Video Game Awards, the prestige of which is comparable to that of Nickelodeon’s Kids Choice Awards.

The VGAs is unfortunately the leading video game awards show by default. Far from a prestigious event, past shows have featured, among many other high brow moments, an Activision CEO being T-bagged live on stage, and the appearance of a YouTube nutjob who was inexplicably flown out to the show so that he could yell at the head of Spike TV live on air.

Spike’s VGAs are in reality a mass publicity event only held under the guise of an awards show. Over the course of every broadcast, only a handful of awards are presented live on stage, often by random celebrities such as Charlie Sheen who have nothing to do with gaming whatsoever. The remaining 20 or so categories are quickly listed before and after commercial breaks. What’s worse, the format is incredibly predictable. When you see “Batman: Arkham City” win the Best Action Adventure Game award, you know that it’s not going to win Game of the Year. Heaven forbid they put a development team on screen more than they need to.

The nomination selections are confounding. In past years, the show has nominated annual sports simulators such as Madden for Game of the Year, a practice most review houses deem ludicrous comparing such titles to artistic works. Among other controversies, “Super Mario Galaxy 2” wasn’t even nominated in 2010 despite being among the top three most acclaimed games of all time, according to review aggregate website gamerankings.com. “The Walking Dead” was named Game of the Year in 2012 despite much more critically acclaimed titles including “Journey,” “Mass Effect 3” and “Xenoblade Chronicles” being released that year. This year, “Bioshock Infinite” was nominated for “Best Xbox Game” and not for “Best Playstation Game,” despite the title receiving a more positive reception on the Playstation 3.

To the Spike’s credit, their nominees for Game of the Year this year seem pretty logical: “Bioshock Infinite,” “The Last of Us,” “Grand Theft Auto V,” “Tomb Raider” and “Super Mario 3D World”. Perhaps they have started to take past negative feedback seriously.

Unlikely, but we’ll have to wait and see how the show goes.

Alex.Sferrazza@UConn.edu

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

‘Gran turismo’ installment looks promising from TURISMO page 5

posted photos of Polyphony Digital staff taking photos of a Lancia Delta rally car, an Alfa Romeo 155 modified for the German Touring Car Masters, and a P4/5 Competizione, likely for modeling reference. All these cars were likely from the private collection of stock exchange magnate James Glickenhaus.

Conspicuously, the photos were hastily removed, rousing suspicion the former two cars will be updated from their “Gran Turismo 5” incarnations for “Gran Turismo 6,” and the latter one being a newcomer to the series. But none of these vehicles appear on the list, puzzling car enthusiasts the world over; only when the game is released this December can we be sure.

“Gran Turismo 6” also includes a variety of new tracks.

In tradition of the series, some of these are original creations, such as the new Matterhorn track. New tracks based on real circuits include Brands Hatch, Mount Panorama and Silverstone. All these new tracks will feature real-time weather and lighting changes, as well, much like Circuit de Sarthe and Nurburging Nordschleife in “Gran Turismo 5.” Tracks featured in “Gran Turismo 5’s” downloadable add-ons, such as Spa Francorchamps and Twin Ring Motegi, also return.

Some fans of the series will also find it disappointing that as of the current list, favorites from “Gran Turismo 4,” such as New York, El Capitan, and the Grand Canyon are all absent.

However, some time ago, the logos used for these older tracks were discovered on the official “Gran Turismo 5” website. In addition, a pre-release trailer for “Gran Turismo 5” that was screened at the 2010 Tokyo Games Show featured El Capitan. Despite their absence in “Gran Turismo 5” and the “Gran Turismo 6” track list, it’s possible Polyphony Digital could still be remaking these locales for the Playstation 3.

Although “Gran Turismo 6’s” official car and track list are missing some iconic vehicles and tracks, its content as it is now is very welcome. Polyphony Digital hopes to continue support for the game after its release, in the form of complementary or paid downloadable content, much like “Gran Turismo 5.”

Interestingly, the developer has also stated that a large, day-one patch will be issued.

It could be to add content that couldn’t make the deadline where the game must begin the printing of its physical copies. It’s even been proposed by Polyphony Digital that by utilizing patches, Gran Turismo may not need new installments as much, and can become more of a service rather than a game series.

Either way, “Gran Turismo 6” looks quite promising. Let’s hope its developers have had all their cylinder’s firing as they worked on this game, and that when I buy it, I’ll be burning rubber and not my money.

Max.Engel@UConn.edu

Yo ho drink up me hearties

The Daily Campus, Page 7

Focus

‘Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag’ pirate premise almost as good as rum

joystiq.com

“Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag” is the pirate game that everyone has been waiting for. The fourth installment in the highly popular series wowed players with its intense action and stealth missions.

“Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag” does for the pirate video game what “Red Dead Redemption” did for the western. It successfully provides the pirate game you’ve always dreamed of, and while its not as great as it could have been, it’s a fantastic swashbuckling adventure and probably the best multi-platform action adventure game available this holiday season.

Taking the series’ into the early 18th century Caribbean, this swashbuckling adventure puts you in the shows of pirate Edward Kenway (grandfather to Connor of Assassin’s Creed III), easily the best protagonist in the series’ aside from Ezio, as you embark on a journey that will put you in contact

with some of the most famous pirates of the era including Blackbeard.

“Black Flag” delivers the total Pirate experience. A large digital re-creation of the Caribbean is yours to explore and unless you dock your ship at a city or other major location, the game remarkably allows you to explore the seas (and small to mid-sized islands) without a loading screen. Sailing comprises about 40% of the experience and it’s an absolute blast.

There’s really nothing like setting out for the high seas with your crew singing sea shanty’s along the way, then running into some ships ready to be sacked.

From awesome time sinking mini games such as whaling and diving to fantastic story based side missions that you’ll actually find yourself wanting

to play round out the complete package.

The art design of the title is beautiful. Those who play the title on next gen consoles (I played the title on PS4) will notice a smooth frame rate, and subtle graphical improvements (i.e. the way waves wash over the deck of your ship, the more realistically moving vegetation etc.) enhance an already brilliant visual experience W h i l e assassinating targets is as fun as ever on land, “Black Flag” falls victim to the same relatively poor and unintuitive combat mechanics of its pre-

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Pop star Katy Perry said Tuesday that becoming a goodwill ambassador for the U.N. children’s agency has made her realize there’s more to happiness than material possessions and social status.

She said that on her first trip for UNICEF, to the impoverished Indian Ocean island nation of Madagascar in April to see how the agency worked before agreeing to be a goodwill ambassador, she was moved by “the incredible joy” among the children despite the difficulties many faced.

“It changed my life,” Perry said of the trip. “It really kind of reprioritized my thinking, and my whole approach on life, and how to find my own joy and my own happiness that isn’t being from material possessions and social status.”

She said it also inspired her to write “Unconditionally,” her favorite song on her new album “Prism.”

UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake officially appointed her a Goodwill Ambassador to focus especially on children and adolescents

who are most vulnerable as a result of severe poverty, violence, abuse and neglect.

“We look forward to hearing her ‘roar’ on behalf of UNICEF,” Lake said.

Perry told The Associated Press that the Madagascar trip made her realize that young people outside the United States need help with education and other services that UNICEF provides.

“It’s nice to be able to pop the bubble that I live in and realize that the world has so many different things to offer and cultures,” she said.

Perry said listening to the stories of the people she met, especially the women who were suppressed and abused, had an influence on her and her music.

“You know I was going through a transition in my life where I felt like I had been suppressed and emotionally toyed with — and like I went there, and I was like, I have nothing to compare my situation to,” she said in an apparent reference to the breakup of her marriage to British comedian Russell Brand. “It made

me feel very grateful, but also very aware.”

Perry said she expects to make one trip a year for UNICEF and among the possibilities being discussed are Peru, Haiti and the Philippines.

Grammy nominations are coming up Friday and there’s been speculation that Perry’s hit “Roar” could be up for some awards.

“Well first comes the speculation, then the nomination and then hopefully an award,” she said. “So I think I would be too premature. I’m just happy that ‘Roar’ has kind of taken on a life of its own and touched so many people in a way unexpectedly that I could have ever imagined.”

Perry said there is definitely one other person she’d like to see get a Grammy nomination.

“I think my boyfriend would be a perfect candidate because he put out an incredible record called ‘Paradise Valley’ that is unlike anything else in the scene right now,” Perry said of singer John Mayer.

By Alex Sferrazza Staff Writer

decessors. Whether your fighting with swords or firearms, the combat still feels needlessly clunky and unrefined.

The series’ trademark parkour elements are still hit or miss.

While fun its still far too easy to make your character perform an unintended action making some missions needlessly frustrating.

F o r t u n a t e l y, the game does an excellent job with stealth centric missions both on foot and at sea as they avoid the aforementioned poor combat for the most part and focus on quiet assassinations.

Multiplayer returns and provides some amusement but you’ll likely ignore it after a

“Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag” 9/10

short time.

“Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag” is far from perfect. It’s frustrating to see problems with the series core mechanics that have lingered since the franchise’s inception continue, the multiplayer isn’t nearly as engaging as the main campaign, the modern day segments are unmemorable, and the title can at times be overly repetitive. But the game gets so much right, from the brilliant story and memorable supporting characters to the large open world littered with activities and the incredible sense of adventure one is struck with after taking sail to the high seas. It’s so ambitious it must be given its due and it’s an easy recommendation for fans and newcomers alike.

Alex.Sferrazza@UConn.edu

Katy Perry is newest UNICEF Billy Joel plans goodwill ambassador Madison Square

December 6th-15th

Dec 6th: 8am-6pm • Dec 7th: 10am-6pm • Dec 8th: 12pm-6pm • Dec 9th-Dec 13th: 8am-8pm • Dec 14th: 10am-8pm • Dec 15th: 10am-6pm STOLEN BOOK PROTECTION! If your books are lost or stolen report the loss to the Co-op and the University police. The Co-op checks for stolen books. We have been able to return many stolen books to their rightful owners.

Remember to write your name in you books!

Buyback is located upstairs in the rear of the UConn Co-op.

2075 Hillside Rd Storrs, CT 860.486.3537 www.bookstore.uconn.edu

Garden residency

NEW YORK (AP) — Billy Joel will perform once a month at Madison Square Garden — as long as the fans will have him.

The Grammy Awardwinning icon announced Tuesday that he’ll perform a residency at the famed NYC venue every month for as long as New Yorkers demand. He’s set to perform sold-out shows on Jan. 27, Feb. 3, March 21 and April 28. He will also perform on his 65th birthday, which is May 9. Tickets go on sale Saturday.

“We’re gonna dust off some stuff. We’re gonna feature more of the album tracks, more obscure songs.

We’ll still do some songs people are familiar with and like, but we’re gonna change it up. It gives you an edge,” he said in an interview after the press conference.

Joel was introduced by New York Gov. Andrew

Cuomo, who called the singer a “worldwide superstar who values most that he is a hometown hero,” citing Joel’s participation in the Concert for New York City after the Sept. 11 attacks and the 12-12-12 concert for Hurricane Sandy relief.

The Bronx-born Joel first performed at MSG in 1978.

Since then, he has played at the venue 46 times.

“I said it in ‘78, and I’ll say it again, there is no better venue in the world,” he said.

Joel will perform at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center on New Year’s Eve. He said that show and previous shows are prepping him for his MSG run.

“We did a series of gigs in England and Ireland and they went well. That’s kind of how we warmed up to this,” he said.

after he was accused of hitting a promoter in the head with a pool cue. He also was convicted of possessing more than 20 grams of marijuana in Florida in June 2005, according to the indictment.

An Atlanta police officer responded on Sept. 12 “in reference to a subject inside of an office building acting upset,” according to a police report.

Findling’s office is in that building, and Davis and the responding officer went in to speak to Findling, who told the officer he wanted Davis to leave “due to the way he was currently acting,” the report says.

A .45-caliber handgun containing eight rounds of ammunition was found with Davis’ stuff in the office. Davis said the gun belonged to his girlfriend who had dropped him off, and no one in the office had seen him with

a gun, the report says. Atlanta police didn’t file any charges against Davis.

Findling declined to comment on what happened at his office.

Early Sept. 14, a man who said he was a friend of the rapper’s called police to say Davis was walking down the street behaving violently, according to a police report. When police arrived, Davis smelled strongly of marijuana, cursed at them, called them names and threatened to shoot them, the report says.

Police arrested him on a disorderly conduct charge and found a clear baggie with what they believe was marijuana and a loaded .40-caliber Glock handgun, the report says. An ambulance was called, and Davis was sedated and taken to Grady Memorial Hospital for treatment.

Rapper Gucci Mane indicted in Atlanta on gun charges ATLANTA (AP) — Rapper Gucci Mane is facing federal firearms charges after authorities say he possessed guns on two occasions when police were called to investigate his behavior.

The rapper, whose real name is Radric Davis, faces two counts of possession of a firearm by a felon, the U.S. attorney’s office in Atlanta said Tuesday. Davis, 33, was indicted by a federal grand jury on Nov. 19.

Davis was found to have a gun on Sept. 12 and had a different gun in his possession two days later, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors say he acted erratically and threatened people on both occasions.

“Last month’s indictment lists two felony convictions for Davis. He pleaded no contest to charges of aggravated assault and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in October 2005

The Daily Campus, Page 8

Comics

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

PHOTO OF THE DAY

SweaterCorps

by Kevin J.

Alex Sferrazza/The Daily Campus

Northwest Dining Hall is decorated for the holidays.

Wenke

UCONN CLASSICS: IS THANKSGIVING THE BEST HOLIDAY? ONE CAN NEVER BE SURE UNTIL THE YEAR IS OVER.

by Mary Daudish

WOULD YOU LIKE TO DRAW OR MAKE GAMES FOR THE DAILY CAMPUS COMICS?!

HOROSCOPES To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.

EMAIL US @ DAILYCAMPUSCOMICS@GMAIL.COM!

Aries (March 21-April 19) -- Today is a 6 -- It’s fine to find solace in solitude, but don’t get lost in the archives. New informationopensupnewpossibilities.

Putmoreintothehouseholdaccount.

Classic Side of Rice

Taurus (April 20-May 20) -- Today is a 6 Classic Toast -- A dose of your friends is prescribed. by Tom Dilling Side effects include fun, distractions, playfulconversationandoptimism.You’re surrounded by love.

by Laura Rice

Gemini (May 21-June 21) -- Today is a 6 -- Go ahead and daydream. Put yourideastoworkforthebettermentof yourcommunityandtheworld.Letyour imagination take wing. Say “yes.”

Cancer (June 22-July 22) -- Today is an 8--Getreadyfortwodaysofadventure.

Usewhatyoulearnedrecentlyfornew income possibilities. There’s nothing wrong with a little ambition.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) -- Today is a 9 --Themonthbeginswithintensitywhere businessisconcerned.Useyourcharm anddetermination.Dowhatyoualready know works. Stay thrifty, but get what you need.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) --Today is an 8 --Letyourfeelingsofaffectionforanother flourish.Apartnerreliesonyoursmarts.

It’ssimple:Keepdoingwhatworksand stop doing what doesn’t.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) -- Today is a 9 --Theimpossiblelookseasy.Projectsare comingatyoufast,andyoucanhandle them.Itmayrequireperfectingnewskills.

Explore new directions.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) -- Today is a 7 -- Cast your own romantic spell.

Yourpowersareparticularlykeen,and your mood is infectious. Friends offer encouragement. Go for it.

Sagittarius(Nov.22-Dec.21)--Todayis an8--Yourspiritualpracticesclearyour mind.Getintonestingathome.Discover somethingnewandsurprisingaboutyour familyroots.Stepintonewleadership.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) --Today is a 6--Togettothenextlevel,studywitha master.You’rereadytolearnthelesson.

Practiceasoftenasittakesuntilyouget it. Then celebrate!

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) -- Today is a 9--Letyourscheduletellyouwhattodo (andyou’rethemasterofyourschedule).

Precisionandprofitarecorrelated.Follow an educated hunch. Friends surprise.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) -- Today is an 8 -- The Moon is in your sign, and youarethestar.Dothework,withloving support,andsucceed.Thepracticalplan worksbest.You’rebuildingsomething.

by Brian Ingmanson

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

The Daily Campus, Page 9

Sports

Sarkisian plans immediate title contention at USC

AP

New Southern California football head coach Steve Sarkisian looks on during a news conference on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2013, in Los Angeles.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Steve Sarkisian confidently strode into the John McKay Center on Tuesday and immediately embraced both the lofty standards set by past Southern California coaches and the skyhigh hopes of all Trojans football fans.

"We will not shy away from the expectations here," USC's new head coach said. "We're here to win championships. I wouldn't have taken this job just

to come home. ... Rebuilding is not a word around here. Coach O proved that."

A day after hiring Sarkisian away from Washington, USC athletic director Pat Haden formally introduced him as the replacement for Lane Kiffin and interim coach Ed Orgeron, who led the Trojans to a 9-4 regular season.

Sarkisian, a Los Angeles-area native, was joined by his wife and three children. His parents

Spurs, Timberwolves to play in Mexico City MEXICO CITY (AP) — The NBA is back in Mexico for a regular-season game, and the San Antonio Spurs and Minnesota Timberwolves are learning there's an additional rival to conquer: The altitude.

During a practice game Tuesday, Minnesota's players looked noticeably exhausted.

"It was very tough getting through the sprints," Kevin Love said. "You lose your breath very easy in here, but it was a good practice. Hopefully we'll have our wind tomorrow."

The Timberwolves and Spurs will play Wednesday night at 9:30 p.m. EST. Sitting at 7,350 feet above sea level, Mexico's capital is at a far higher elevation than Denver, which is the NBA's highest venue at 5,280 feet.

"In Denver, which is the highest city in the United states, we can feel (the altitude) in the first five minutes," the Spurs' Manu Ginobili said.

"I'm sure it will be much more difficult here."

Minnesota, which will be the home team, has never played in Mexico. During the practice, Love and the rest of his teammates looked visibly tired.

"We did not know the altitude would affect us so much but we were able to run a bit during practice," said Jose Juan Barea, who has twice played in Mexico for Puerto Rico's national team — in Cancun and Guadalajara.

"The trainer asked us to drink a lot of water because he wants to make sure we're OK," Barea said.

Timberwolves coach Rick Adelman said he plans to modify his strategy a bit to take the city's altitude into account.

"We have to be very aware on probably getting guys in earlier than we normally would," Alder said. "We had a scrimmage to get ready for it. Our substitutions will be quicker."

Spurs coach Greg Popovich

said he won't change his substitution plan and simply hopes that "as the minutes go by, the (altitude's) effect will pass. I'm not planning any changes."

The game Wednesday will be the 21st played south of the border. Although, this will be the first regular-season game since the Dallas Mavericks faced the Houston Rockets on December 6, 1997, at Mexico City's Palacio de los Deportes.

The Spurs have played five games in Mexico, including one just a couple of years ago when they played a preseason game against the Los Angeles Clippers.

"It's certainly different because now is a sum game," Ginobili said. "In preseason, it's for fun. Now we do not want to lose."

All but two of the 21 games have been held in Mexico City.

After their practice, the Spurs and Timberwolves took their socks and sneakers off and played against a team of Trique Indian boys, who have earned acclaim in Mexico and abroad after sweeping through a youth basketball tournament despite their generally short stature and the fact that most play barefoot.

The team from the southern Mexico state of Oaxaca won all six of its games to become this year's champions at the International Festival of Mini-Basketball held recently in Argentina.

"It's a wonderful story," Popovich said. "They have good fundamentals. I was surprised to learn many don't speak Spanish."

They played a five-on-five that was won by the Trique Indian boys, 10-4.

"We ran, and we had fun," said Ginobili, who is from Argentina. "I know they did well in Argentina and it was pleasure to have had this experience with them."

sat in the front row at the school where their 39-year-old son was briefly a baseball player before three stints as an assistant coach under Pete Carroll.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I felt I had to take advantage of," Sarkisian said. "The timing was right to do this. I think we're going to do great things, and I couldn't be more fired up to do it at home in front of my family and friends."

Sarkisian believes he's better prepared to take over a program of USC's profile after the last five seasons at Washington, where he went 34-29 and turned a decimated program into a perennial bowl team. He left for the Huskies one year before Carroll bolted for the NFL's Seattle Seahawks, and Sarkisian believes the timing worked out to his advantage.

"I've had five years to learn to be a head football coach," Sarkisian said. "I don't know if I would have been ready five years ago. There's a reason this is the best job in the country.

It's a big job. Today, I feel great about where I'm at as a football

coach and a person."

Sarkisian had a three-hour interview Sunday with Haden, who claimed Sarkisian was the only coach offered the job.

Haden called Sarkisian "a proven, successful leader with significant head coaching experience that has built a sustainable program aligned with USC's tradition."

Orgeron resigned Monday and left behind a roster of confused, weary players. Sarkisian will stay in the wings while offensive coordinator Clay Helton coaches the Trojans in their bowl game later this month, but the new coach knows he's got plenty of work to do in recruiting and staff hires to solidify the foundation of a national title contender.

He also knows he'll have to smooth hurt feelings about the departure of Orgeron, who earned serious consideration for the full-time job after going 6-2 with losses to Notre Dame and UCLA. "I understand it stings right now," said Sarkisian, who recruited more than half of the Trojans' current roster for USC

or Washington. "Over time, it will get better. I'm going to be real with those guys, and they'll be real with me."

Only a few players attended Sarkisian's news conference, although they included quarterback Cody Kessler, who was on the verge of choosing Washington out of high school before USC called — a familiar lament for Sarkisian with the Huskies.

Kessler was impressed by Sarkisian's performance at a hastily called team meeting Monday night, a few hours after Orgeron announced his departure in a tearful, painful gathering.

"After the Coach O meeting, guys were freaking out," Kessler said. "It was unreal.

I was really proud of the way (Sarkisian) handled that situation. The guys like me who know him well, we weren't surprised how he immediately came in and helped guys start to get over it."

Haden confirmed he made strenuous attempts to keep Orgeron on the USC staff, but was rebuffed. The AD referred

to Orgeron as "one of the greatest Trojans of them all."

"I hope he goes somewhere and makes me look like an idiot," Haden said.

Kiffin, who coached alongside Sarkisian for much of their USC tenure, was fired by Haden in late September after a 3-2 start to his fourth season in charge.

Although he went 28-15 and had a standout season in 2011, Kiffin had an awful fall from a preseason No. 1 ranking in 2012 and never reached the heights expected by USC's zealous fans and alumni. His standoffish personality also alienated people used to the folksy, convivial Carroll.

Sarkisian is much more in Carroll's mode, carrying himself with more ease and confidence than Kiffin. He's also considered a formidable recruiter in the Los Angeles area whose job just got much easier.

"A lot of the kids that have committed here, I've already got them on my radar," Sarkisian said. "We're going to assemble a tremendous staff to make all that happen."

the run early. In order to stop their abysmal 10-game losing streak, Houston needs to run the ball early and often to help out their young quarterback. Tate is projected to have 90 yards on the ground and a touchdown, which is 15 points, but look for him to crack the century mark and score 18.

Player to Bench: Charles Clay (Tight End, Miami Dolphins) After lighting up the Jets for seven catches and 80 yards in the first half, Clay was on the verge of having a monstrous afternoon, but he went scoreless in the next two quarters. Clay has been up and down lately, having three outings under 40 yards, then a 90-yard, one touchdown performance followed by 27-yard game before his 80-yard game.

He is the 7th ranked tight end in fantasy football, averaging 7.1 fantasy points a game. This week he is projected to average four points, 47 yards, on the road against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Steelers are ranked 11th against the overall pass, only

allowing 225.4 yards per game, and are ranked 5th against tight ends, only giving up 5.7 fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends. Pittsburgh has only allowed double-digit scoring to tight ends three times and has only given up three touchdowns to opposing tight ends. Clay has only caught four touchdowns all season, and against a physical opponent, he will be in only to block and pass protect, which will take away from his own statistics. Week 14 will be a subfive-point performance for Clay and his projection of four points might even be generous.

Player to Add: Doug Baldwin (Wide Receiver, Seattle Seahawks) The Seahawks led by sophomore sensation Russell Wilson are electric and firing on all cylinders at this point in the season. Wilson has thrown at least two touchdowns in six straight weeks as the wide receivers are being targeted more and are having an increase in production. One receiver who struggled early in the season but has

come on huge lately is Doug Baldwin, who is only owned in 13.4 percent of ESPN fantasy football leagues. In three of the last four weeks, he caught a touchdown and has double-digit performances, most recently in Week 13 where he had 77 yards and a receiving touchdown. With Percy Harvin still getting in the lineup, Baldwin is the first or secondary option for Russell, which will translate into more targets, more yards and more points. This week will be a bell weather for Baldwin and the Seahawks on the road at rival San Francisco, who only gives up 16.2 points to opposing wide receivers, which is good for 6th in the league. Baldwin is projected to have nine points this week, 39 yards and a touchdown. However, look for him to have about a 70-yard performance in a game the Seahawks need to win in order to clinch the No. 1 seed and home field advantage.

Fantasy Football advice for Week 14

By Matthew Kren Fantasy Football Columnist

Player to Start: Ben Tate (Running Back, Houston Texans) Coming off his best game of the season, a 28-point performance at home against the Patriots, Tate looks to continue his production on the road at Jacksonville. Though this was only his second double-digit performance all season, as he averages 7.2 points per game, Tate is going to get the bulk of the carries in Week 14. After being benched in Week 12 at home against Jacksonville, this is a revenge game for Tate, as he will certainly do better than two points. The Jaguars are ranked 29th in the league against the run, as they allow 130.4 yards per game and give up an average 18.1 fantasy points to opposing backs, ranking 24th in the league. In the last four weeks, Jacksonville has won three of their last four by improving their play, but in a divisional game, look for the Texans to establish

Matthew.Kren@UConn.edu

Mariota will return to Oregon for junior season EUGENE, Ore. (AP) — Quarterback Marcus Mariota has announced that he will return to Oregon for his junior season.

There had been speculation that Mariota might declare himself eligible for the NFL. Following Oregon's 36-35 victory over Oregon State in the Civil War last Friday, he said he hadn't yet made a decision.

But on Tuesday the school announced on its website that Mariota would stay, along with junior Hroniss Grasu, a three-year starter at center.

"It is an honor to be a student at the University of Oregon and to have the opportunity to represent our institution on the football field alongside my teammates," Mariota said in a statement. "I look forward to earning my degree next year and to the rest of my career at this great University."

December 6th-15th

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Books not needed for the next semester may be purchased for a used book wholesaler for a price based on national demand.

Buyback is located upstairs in the rear of the UConn Co-op.

2075 Hillside Rd Storrs, CT 860.486.3537 www.bookstore.uconn.edu

Mariota has thrown 30 touchdowns this season for the Ducks, who finished the regular season 10-2. Oregon will know its postseason fate on Sunday when the bowl pairings are announced.

He has thrown a touchdown in all 25 games he's played in as a Duck, the third-longest current streak in the nation. His 39 touchdowns this season — 30 passing, 9 rushing — and 3,994 yards of total offense are the most in a single season at Oregon.

Widely considered a top Heisman Trophy candidate this season, Mariota was hampered by what appeared to be a left knee injury the last five games of the season. Oregon doesn't discuss injuries as a policy so it was difficult to determine how serious it was.

The Ducks won their first eight games and were looking toward a

shot at the national championship but they lost to Stanford in Palo Alto. Oregon lost again two weeks

later at Arizona, which took the Ducks out of the Pac-12 championship game.

SEATTLE (AP) — Seahawks fans rocked the stadium so hard during Monday night's matchup with New Orleans that seismic instruments registered small tremors at various points in the game.

A magnitude 1 or 2 quake was recorded during Michael Bennett's 22-yard fumble return for a touchdown in the first quarter. The game, a 34-7 victory that clinched a playoff berth for the Seahawks, registered on nearby seismic instruments several other times.

John Vidale, director of the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network, said fans get the oval stadium moving back and forth by stomping their feet and jumping up and down. "It's sort of what you see when a car rocks back and forth," said Vidale, also a University of Washington earth and space sciences professor.

Vidale said a small quake wasn't all that surprising in the

stadium, which is built on pilings dug through soft ground in earthquake country.

Structural engineers who plan buildings in Seattle often do so with room for movement, so when a natural earthquake happens the buildings aren't so stiff that they crack and crumble.

Vidale watched the game from his office to compare seismic reports with game action because he wondered if there would be a repeat of the 2011 "Beast Quake," when Marshawn Lynch ran for a 67-yard, fourth quarter touchdown as Seattle upset the Saints to advance to the second round of the playoffs.

After the 2011 quake, Vidale looked at the whole season and found that that one Lynch run shook the stadium more than any other moment during that season.

He said it's possible quakes occur in stadiums in other cities, but he suspects Seattle's stadium is more flexible than most and

may flow with the fans more.

"People unconsciously get the stadium moving, sort of like the wave," he said.

Seattle structural engineer John Hooper said similar quakes can happen anywhere a large number of people are moving in unison, but the difference in Seattle is that there were instruments nearby to record the quake and people were paying attention.

The same thing could happen next weekend in San Francisco, when the Seahawks play the NFC West-rival 49ers, said Hooper, director of earthquake engineering at Magnusson Klemencic Associates.

But he also acknowledged Seahawks fans are unique.

"They're very enthusiastic and it shows," Hooper said.

Seattle fans also made record noise Monday, setting the Guinness World Record for loudest outdoor sports stadium noise at 137.6 decibels.

AP

Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota, right, shakes hands with Oregon State receiver Blair Cavanaugh after an NCAA college football game in Eugene, Ore., Friday, Nov. 29, 2013.

Seahawks fans cause small quake

The Daily Campus, Page 10

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Sports

AP Source: Yanks, Ellsbury reach $153M, 7-yr deal NEW YORK (AP) — Free agent outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury, fresh off winning the World Series with Boston, reached agreement with the rival New York Yankees on a seven-year contract worth about $153 million, a person familiar with the negotiations said Tuesday night.

Ellsbury is the second major free-agent addition in the Yankees' offseason rebuilding after missing the playoffs for just the second time in 19 years. The center fielder was to take a physical in New York on Wednesday that he must pass before the deal can be finalized, the person said, speaking on condition of anonymity because no statements were authorized.

The Yankees also had been negotiating with outfielder ShinSoo Choo, who like Ellsbury is represented by agent Scott Boras.

Earlier Tuesday, New York finalized an $85 million, five-year contract with All-Star catcher Brian McCann.

There is a long history of stars

moving from Beantown to the Big Apple during their careers. Babe Ruth was the most famous, and Roger Clemens, Wade Boggs and Johnny Damon followed.

Ellsbury, who turned 30 in September, led the majors with 52 stolen bases despite being hobbled late in the season by a broken right foot. The lefty-hitting leadoff man batted .298 with nine homers and 53 RBIs, and the short right-field porch at Yankee Stadium should boost his power numbers.

Ellsbury's deal includes a $21 million option for the 2021 season, with a $5 million buyout. If the option is exercised, the deal would be worth $169 million over eight years.

His agreement may not be finalized this week, and it's possible he could be introduced by the Yankees during a news conference at the winter meetings next week in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The move would raise the Yankees' luxury tax payroll to about $138 million for 10 players.

The Yankees hope to get under the $189 million tax threshold next season, which includes about $177 million for salaries for the 40-man roster and approximately $12 million for benefits.

New York also has been speaking with the agents for Robinson Cano, their All-Star second baseman. The Yankees, who rebuffed his request for a 10-year deal worth more than $300 million, believe he has been in talks with the Seattle Mariners.

Ellsbury won a pair of World Series titles with the Red Sox and was an All-Star in 2011, when he finished second to Detroit's Justin Verlander in AL MVP voting. He has reached the postseason four times and is a career .301 hitter in those 38 games.

After their playoff absence, the Yankees are undergoing a major transformation. Closer Mariano Rivera and Andy Pettitte are retiring, Phil Hughes is leaving to sign with Minnesota and New York appears to be making little effort to

retain outfielder Curtis Granderson.

McCann, a seven-time AllStar, is to be introduced at a news conference Thursday at Yankee Stadium.

He receives $17 million in each of the next five seasons, and the Yankees have a $15 million option for 2019 with no buyout. The option becomes McCann's if he has at least 1,000 plate appearances combined in 2017 and 2018, has at least 90 starts at catcher in 2018 and does not end the 2018 season on the disabled list.

His deal includes a full no-trade provision, meaning he cannot be dealt without his consent.

McCann, who turns 30 in February, hit .256 with 20 homers and 57 RBIs in 102 games this year, when he missed the first month following offseason surgery on his right shoulder. He has a .277 average in nine big league seasons with 176 homers and 661 RBIs. Following the departure of Russell Martin last offseason, Yankees catchers combined for a

AP

Former Boston Red Sox outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury dives for a ball during Game 5 of the American League baseball championship series in Detroit.

.213 average, eight homers and 43 RBIs, according to STATS, down from .220, 22 and 64 in 2012.

"We feel we have made a significant improvement to a key position, while adding a high-character presence to our clubhouse,"

Yankees managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner said in a statement. "Our work this offseason has just begun, but we feel this is an important step towards what will be an exciting and rewarding 2014 season for our fans."

McCurry: Manning and Broncos earn top grades in AFC, Pistons snap Miami's 10-game win streak, 107-97 Houston and Jacksonville sit at the bottom of the pile from PLAYING, page 12 scored per contest.

Seriously, do they once again draft a quarterback?

Buffalo Bills (C): C.J. Spiller has been a disappointment, but did anyone really expect him to average six yards per rush again? Rookie QB E.J. Manuel hasn’t been terrible when healthy (9 TD, 4 INT), and Buffalo has a real Rookie of the Year candidate in linebacker Kiko Alonso. Overall, the Bills are just blah. They’re not fun to watch, they’re probably not going anywhere playoff-wise in the foreseeable future, but they’re not awful, either.

Cincinnati Bengals (B+): The Bengals will ride their undefeated home record to the wildcard round, where they will most likely host the Chiefs. While Cincinnati has developed a culture in which a campaign that doesn’t culminate in the playoffs is a lost season, I don’t know if they’ll ever get over that hump by joining the AFC’s elite. Like the Patriots, the Bengals have lost a few defensive studs to injuries. One stud that is alive and well is on the offensive end: wide receiver A.J. Green (1,103 yards, 7 TD).

Baltimore Ravens (B-): Even with a severe Super Bowl hangover (and I’m not talking about a different one than Gronkowski hitting the club after losing to the Giants), Baltimore would be the conference’s sixth seed if the regular season culminated today. The defense, fortified by the likes of Terrell Suggs, Elvis Dumervil and Daryl Smith, has been very effective this year. Not only are they No. 7 in the NFL in lowest points allowed per game, but they also rank inside the Top 10 in fewest yards yielded. The Ravens’ running game is invisible, and some of their wide receivers require nametags, but getting back to the playoffs is all they need.

That’s where Joey Flacco makes his money—literally.

Pittsburgh Steelers (C+):

Pittsburgh was on quite a roll before losing a heartbreaker to the Ravens on Thanksgiving.

Luckily for them, you can’t talk about the wildcard saga without mentioning Big Ben and the boys. Their next three games: Dolphins, Bengals and Packers, possibly with Aaron Rodgers back. It’s not going to be easy, of course, but they have plenty of opportunities to obtain a huge victory and get momentum back on their side. Unless Coach Mike Tomlin decides to trip more opponents, that is.

Cleveland Browns (C): The best move they’ve made all year is trading Trent Richardson to the Colts for a first-round pick. Also, Josh Gordon is a budding star as long as he remembers to screw his head on correctly each morning—the guy was suspended to begin the year, yet he has 1,249 yards and seven scores! Once again, recall the quarterbacks (if you want to call them that) that are throwing to him. Should Cleveland address the QB issue, perhaps by nabbing Johnny Manziel, Browns fans may be able to show their faces over the next decade.

Indianapolis Colts (B+): I wanted to give the Colts a grade in the “A” range, I really did. But they’ve followed up a sensational opening, one that included wins over the Broncos, Seahawks and 49ers, with losses to the Rams and Cardinals. And they weren’t simply losses, as Indy lost the two by a combined score of 78-19. The rushing defense contains too many holes, and it’s becoming more apparent by the week that losing the veteran presence of Reggie Wayne has slowed down the offense. As I’ve said all year, I would pay good money for a Broncos-Colts rematch in the playoffs.

Tennessee Titans (C): On offense, it appears we’ll never see the Chris Johnson that amazed us in 2009 (2,500 total yards, 16 total TD).

Also, we may never get to experience the fully healthy

Disappointing Nets reassign assistant coach Frank NEW YORK (AP) — The disappointing Brooklyn Nets shook up their coaching staff Tuesday, reassigning top assistant Lawrence Frank to a non-bench role.

Head coach Jason Kidd said Frank will not be at practices or games, and that he will be writing daily reports. He said the two had "different philosophies."

"This is a decision that I had to make and I made it and we move on," Kidd said.

Kidd played for Frank with the Nets and hired him when he became a first-time coach in June.

Frank had spent the two previous seasons as coach of the Detroit Pistons, and earned a league-high 21.4 percent of the vote as best assistant by executives who voted in the preseason NBA.com GM survey.

Frank is the Nets' career leader in NBA wins with 225. He was expected to work mostly with the defense, but the Nets are near

the bottom of the league in that category, allowing 102.4 points per game.

Kidd denied that the defensive struggles were behind his decision.

"Different philosophies and that's it," he said. "We'll figure out how to stop people."

Kidd said the rest of his staff would remain as is and there would be no new coaching hires.

The Nets brought a 5-12 record into their game Tuesday against Denver, which is coached by Brian Shaw — the other finalist for the Nets job that went to Kidd. Shaw, a longtime successful assistant before finally getting his first head coaching opportunity this season, interviewed just after Kidd and said he thought he had a "pretty good chance" to be the Nets' choice.

"I think everything happens for a reason. I'm happy in the situation that I'm in," Shaw said.

Jake Locker, as the thirdyear dual threat has arguably developed a better rapport with the team doctors than with his receivers. Not a lot of household names reside on Tennessee’s defense, but cornerback Alterraun Verner is second in the NFL with 5 interceptions.

Jacksonville Jaguars (D-): You think the Auburn Tigers produce miracles? The Jaguars are 3-1 in their last four games! All occurred on the road, too: at the Titans, Texans and Browns. In the matchup of my lifetime, it’s Jaguars-Texans this Thursday night. For the first and last time this season, I’m glad we don’t get NFL Network at school.

Houston Texans (F): It’s a foot race between Houston and Atlanta for who is enduring the most frustrating year.

Matt Schaub has more picksix’s than the Texans have wins.

Denver Broncos (A+): They have the league’s MVP and the best overall offense in football. The defense is suspect, but the Broncos’ ability to win shoot-outs sometimes hides the D’s insufficiencies. If it weren’t for blowing a 24-0 lead against the Patriots, Denver would be tied with Seattle for the best record in the NFL. Due to the fact that they’re still 10-2 and are in prime position to have home-field advantage throughout the postseason, they most likely won’t have to worry about playing in New England again. One thing Peyton Manning will not be able to escape, especially if he plans to collect a second Super Bowl ring, is the cold weather. Somewhere, brother Eli is laughing.

Kansas City Chiefs (A): KC has come back to reality over the last month—an unprecedented 9-0 start has been followed up by three consecutive losses, two of which came against the division rival Denver Broncos.

Why is that so significant?

Arrowhead Stadium, also

known as the home of the Chiefs, might be the most deafening scene for the road team besides Seattle. I expect Denver to lock up the AFC West and, if that’s the case, KC will have to travel for the opening playoff matchup.

A great story, sure, but the Chiefs’ ceiling is most likely the divisional round, and that’s it.

San Diego Chargers (B): I wholeheartedly foresaw a catastrophic 2013 for the super Chargers. I figured Ryan Mathews would get hurt again, Philip Rivers would shed enough tears to get Justin Timberlake that river he always wished for, and the offensive line would be in shambles. But the offense is fine—their 401 yards per game ranks No. 4 the NFL, and Rivers has been outstanding. The defense has to shore up some areas in the coming years for San Diego to return to the playoffs. As for this season, the Chargers are quite an enigma. They have beaten the likes of the Eagles, Cowboys, Colts and Chiefs, but have lost to the Texans, Titans, Raiders and Redskins.

You can’t afford that many slip-ups in a division featuring the Broncos and Chiefs.

Oakland Raiders (C): It’s never good when the highlight of your year occurs in early October. But that’s how it is for the Raiders, who played at a very high level for 60 minutes in a 27-17 victory over the Chargers in Week 5. Terrelle Pryor completed 18 of 23 passes on the night and threw two passing touchdowns, but he’s been way too inconsistent in his audition (5 TD, 10 INT)—plus, as with any running QB, he’s a major injury threat. Like usual, running back Darren McFadden has been banged up as well.

Unfortunately, for the few Raiders fans that still exist, it’s going to take a few huge pieces to complete the puzzle that is the postseason.

Michael.McCurry@UConn.edu

MIAMI (AP) — Kyle Singler scored 18 points to lead seven Detroit players in double figures, Andre Drummond had 18 rebounds and the Pistons beat the Miami Heat 107-97 on Tuesday night to snap the NBA champions' 10-game winning streak.

Greg Monroe and Rodney Stuckey each scored 16 for Detroit, which got 15 apiece from Josh Smith and Brandon Jennings. The Pistons led by 18 before Miami got within three points in the fourth, but never trailed in the game's final 47 minutes.

Jennings sealed it with just over

two minutes left, stealing the ball from LeBron James and setting up Monroe for an easy score.

James and Michael Beasley each scored 23 for Miami. The Heat played without guard Dwyane Wade, the All-Star sitting for the fourth time this season to rest a sore knee.

Miami shot a season-low 44 percent.

Chris Bosh scored 14 and Ray Allen added 12 for Miami.

Drummond had more rebounds than any three Heat players combined, and the Pistons held a 46-34 edge on the boards.

from SURVIVE, page 12

has the same objectives and the same goals. It’s our family against them… Even when we leave here, it’s Husky forever.”

“It’s not only about the university, it’s about the state of Connecticut,” continued Diouf.

“We have pride. All of us. We love this university… Those fans who came, sometimes it’s the fans look like they’re players. They want to get on the field to make plays. It’s pride.”

With that being said, UConn seems to be building something special. They’ve gotten over the hump that is PKs. They have gone on the road and emerged with another game to play. They have struggled, they have failed, but they have endured.

With that being said, Reid is making sure his team doesn’t look too far ahead, as the idea of fate and future is something that doesn’t exist in the UConn locker room.

“Team of destiny is movie stuff,” said Reid. “We need to get ready for the University of Virginia. I’m just very proud of these guys, and I mean that…

They’ve overcome a lot of adversity.

“They’ve been through some wars. We’re pleased right now with where we’re at. We’re just taking it a game at a time. We’re on the road, and hopefully we’ll do enough to hang around on Friday night.”

Fans' support helps Huskies continue tournament run watch a 120-minute soccer game.

“When you are playing and you see your fans who traveled six hours in the cold and wind to watch you play, are you kidding me?” said Diouf. “You need to give everything you have. If you go down, you go down, but it’s going to take a hard punch.”

Then it was UCLA, almost 3,000 miles across the United States. Despite the distance, UConn support was as loud as ever “UCLA has never had their field stormed by a visiting team,” said Reid, whose trip to UCLA saw UConn return with the scalp of the nation’s top ranked team.

“We probably had 600 to 700 fans there. They had about 400…It was unbelievable to watch these people storm the field to be honest with you. It was like a home game at Morrone.”

The Huskies have traveled all over the country to play their game, and have come home each and every time victorious.

According to Diouf, it’s about a lot more than winning soccer games; it’s about the pride that comes with representing the university.

“There’s something different and something special about this university,” said Diouf, who will leave Storrs for greener and more professional pastures in the spring. “Every single person here

Ryan.Tolmich@UConn.edu

TWO Wednesday, December 4, 2013

PAGE 2

What's Next Home game

Away game

Men’s Basketball Dec. 6 Maine 7 p.m.

Dec. 18 Stanford 9 p.m.

Tomorrow UC Davis 7 p.m.

Dec. 17 Duke 7 p.m.

17

Stat of the day The UConn men’s soccer team has not lost for 17 consecutive matches, dating back to Sept. 17.

» NCAA

» That’s what he said

Robert Morris to cut 7 Division I programs

“Got to give ‘that other team’ credit for the way they played and the way they came back. That’s all I’ve got to say about that.”

- UConn interim head coach T.J. Weist, who played wide receiver at Alabama, on the Iron Bowl this past Saturday.

(8-0)

Dec. 28 Dec. 22 Dec. 31 Eastern Washington Houston Washington 3:30 p.m.

9 p.m.

1 p.m.

Women’s Basketball

The Daily Campus, Page 11

Sports

» Pic of the day

Call me ‘Brazuca’

(9-0)

Dec. 22 Dec. 29 Cal Cincinnati 1:30 p.m. 5 p.m.

AP

T.J. Weist

Jan. 1 Central Florida 4 p.m.

Football (2-9) Dec. 7 Memphis 1 p.m.

Men’s Soccer (12-2-8) 2013 NCAA Tournament Quarterfinals Dec. 6 Virginia 7 p.m.

Men’s Hockey (4-5-2) Dec. 6 Dec. 7 Niagara Niagara 7:05 p.m. 4:05 p.m.

Dec. 29 Dec. 30 Jan. 3 Sacred UMass/ RIT Heart Quinnipiac 7:05 p.m.

7:05 p.m.

TBA

Women’s Hockey (4-10-1) Jan. 2 Princeton 7 p.m.

Jan. 3 Princeton 4 p.m.

Jan. 7 Harvard 7 p.m.

Jan. 10 Vermont 7 p.m.

Jan. 11 Vermont 4 p.m.

Men’s Track and Field Jan. 11 Jan. 17 Jan. 25 Feb. 1 Yale Great Dane Terrier Coaches Invitational Classic Classic Tribute 9 a.m. 12:30 p.m. 10:30 a.m. TBA

Feb. 8 Skykes Sabock 10 a.m.

AP

Dutch soccer player Clarence Seedorf heads the 2014 World Cup official soccer ball, called Brazuca, after it was unveiled in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2013.

Women’s Track and Field Dec. 7 BU Season Opener 10 a.m.

Jan. 10 Gotham Cup TBA

THE Storrs Side

Jan. 17 Jan. 24 Jan. 24 Great Dane Cherry & Terrier Invite Classic Silver 2 p.m.

7 p.m. 10:30 a.m.

NCAA Basketball: Michigan State vs. North Carolina 9 p.m., ESPN The top-ranked Spartans (7-0) host the Tar Heels (4-2) in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge in East Lansing, Mich.

Since Roy Williams became the head coach at North Carolina 10 years ago, he has won each of the six meetings against Tom Izzo and Michigan State.

Keith Appling and Gary Harris are averaging 16.9 and 17.7 points per game to lead the Spartans and Marcus Paige paces the Tar Heels with 20.8 ppg.

NCAA Basketball: Ohio State vs. Maryland 7 p.m., ESPN In the other ACC/Big Ten Challenge game, the No. 5 Buckeyes (6-0) will host the 5-2 Terrapins at Columbus, Ohio.

Maryland will get a preview of its future conference opponent in Ohio State as the Terrapins will move to the Big Ten next season.

Jake Layman leads Maryland with 16.4 ppg while Aaron Craft, Amir Williams and Lenzelle Smith Jr. are tied with 11.3 ppg to lead OSU.

THE Pro Side

UConn earns unanimous No. Pelicans’ Davis expected out 1 for the first time this season 4-6 weeks with hand injury

What's On TV

AP

MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. (AP) — Robert Morris University is cutting seven Division I athletic programs to bolster funding for the remaining 16 sports.

Men’s indoor and outdoor track, tennis and cross country and women’s golf, tennis and field hockey will be phased out following the 2013-14 academic year. The move will impact 80 student-athletes.

“Today is a sad day, a very unhappy day,” athletic director Craig Coleman said.

Robert Morris will honor the scholarships of those athletes and assist those who seek to transfer.

Under NCAA rules, students whose sports were eliminated can play at another Division I school without having to sit out a year.

Coleman called the decision difficult but necessary. Coleman added the restructuring will eventually save about $1-1.2 million annually, money he plans to spread among the remaining programs to help additional scholarships, facility upgrades and deal with increased travel and recruiting budgets.

The Colonials play in the 10-team Northeastern Conference, which includes a cluster of schools in the New York/New Jersey area. Robert Morris, located about 15 miles west of Pittsburgh, has the most arduous travel schedule of any school in the league. Coleman stressed the decision to shutter the programs had nothing to do with a desire to become more attractive to another conference.

“It was not a motivating factor for this,” Coleman said. “It’s a sign we want to be more competitive across the board in all sports. We want our highprofile sports that have achieved a lot of success to go to another level.”

Robert Morris has become a men’s basketball power in the NEC and upset Kentucky in the opening round of the NIT last spring, with students rushing the floor in the giddy aftermath as the mighty Wildcats walked stunned to their locker room.

The men’s hockey program, founded in 2004 is also finding success. To have the athletic department improve with a campus that is growing exponentially, Coleman felt it was time to reallocate resources. The decision is part of a campus-wide strategic plan set to launch next fall.

By decreasing the number of student athletes from 560 to 480, Coleman said the school will be able to invest in programs more effectively.

“The university spends a low amount per student athlete, not because funding wasn’t there, but because of sheer volume of student athletes that we have,” he said.

Coleman pointed out the move is not unprecedented. Rutgers and Maryland, among others, have trimmed the number of sports they offer to deal with a changing athletic and economic climate.

“This is happening at many schools of various size,” Coleman said. “Maryland went through a similar point not too many years ago. I think one of the issues that we all have regardless of what level of athletics we’re at, is escalating costs.”

AP

By Dalton Zbierski Campus Correspondent For the third consecutive week, the University of Connecticut women’s basketball team is the nation’s top ranked team in both the AP Top 25 and USA Today Coaches Poll. With a record of 9-0 and victories over three different top-15 opponents, UConn received all 36 votes as the first place team in the AP Top 25 and all 32 votes in the USA Today Coaches poll.

UConn has sustained its status as the nation’s top ranked team since the preseason polls were released in October. The preseason Coaches poll saw Tennessee receive a lone vote besides UConn as the country’s top team. In Week 2 Duke also received a first place vote in the AP top 25. However, since then the Huskies have stood alone. A 19 point win over No. 3 Stanford on Nov. 11 cemented UConn’s position as the most dominant team in the country. Since then, no other team has received a first place vote.

Last year’s leading scorer Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis has been out for an extended period of time with a nerve contusion to her shooting elbow, but the Huskies have still managed back-to-back road victories over No. 8 Maryland and No. 13 Penn State.

An upcoming trip to Durham, N.C. could serve as the Huskies’ toughest test of the season. UConn will play on Dec. 17 against No. 2 Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium in a game that will more than likely showcase the nation’s top two teams.

If the Huskies can survive the Blue Devils and a neutral-sited game against No. 21 California Golden Bears several days after, they will play only one game against a currently-ranked opponent before Feb. 9, placing UConn in a position to continue to be the nation’s topranked team for an indefinite amount of time.

Dalton.Zbierski@UConn.edu

By Scott Carroll Staff Writer After a great start to the season, No. 1 pick in the 2012 NBA Draft Anthony Davis suffered a fractured left hand on an alley-oop play in the first quarter against the New York Knicks.

The star power forward will be out for an extended period of time and will be required to wear a heavy cast on his hand.

This comes as a huge blow to the Pelicans roster as Davis was having a break-out season, averaging a double-double with 19.6 points per game and 10.6 rebounds per game. Davis was also leading the league in blocks per game with 3.9 blocks per game.

The Pelicans do have other pieces that can pick up for the loss of Davis. New Orleans acquired Jrue Holiday during the off-season, trading away their first round pick Nerlens Noel. The Pelicans also added Tyreke Evans from the Sacramento Kings in a threeteam deal that sent center Robin Lopez to the Portland Trail Blazers.

Holiday and Evans were

both selected in the 2009 NBA Draft and have been relied on by their former teams for scoring. Holiday was an AllStar for the 76ers last season while averaging 17.7 points per game.

Evans has averaged more than 15 points per game during each of his seasons with the Kings. Evans’ scoring has dropped to 12 points a game during this season, but it looks like he will need to pick up to the scoring once again.

Of course, the Pelicans can also rely on their returning stars, Ryan Andersen and Eric Gordon.

Andersen has been a proven 3-point shooter in the league and has taken just under eight 3-pointers per game. He currently leads the team with 22.6 points per game, but expect that to drop as teams will no longer have to double team Davis in the post and can contest his threes.

The Pelicans sit just outside of the playoff hunt by one game. With Davis out, they will be forced to adjust or drop back down into the NBA Draft Lottery.

Scott.Carroll@UConn.edu

» INSIDE SPORTS TODAY

P.11: Storrs Side/Pro Side P.10: AP Source: Yanks, Ellsbury reach $153M, 7-yr deal P. 9: Sarkisian plans immediate title contention at USC

Page 12

Putting pandemonium in perspective

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

www.dailycampus.com

SURVIVE AND ADVANCE Men’s soccer prepares for Elite Eight matchup against Virigina on Friday

By Ryan Tolmich Campus Correspondent

Matt Stypulkoski By now, we all know what happened inside Gampel Pavilion Monday night. Really, there’s only one way to describe it: pandemonium.

We’ve all seen the plethora of storylines that have come out of that game, too.

Shabazz the buzzer-beating hero.

DeAndre Daniels, the rebound tip-out hero.

Billy Donovan, the whining coach on the wrong end of a miracle.

Gampel Pavilion, infinitely more awesome than the XL Center.

Yes, by now, all of those things that bring a smile to the face of every Husky roaming campus have been heard, read and seen.

Unfortunately, while they may tell the story of the last 33.5 seconds, they fail to paint the full picture.

Take a step back and look at the box score.

Shabazz Napier may have gotten his chance to play Superman – again – but that was in large part due to a lack of help around him.

Only one other player, Daniels, scored in double-digits.

Even more striking is the fact that, aside from Daniels’ seven boards, not a single Husky grabbed more than four rebounds. Florida won the glass battle 34-26 – not an overwhelming margin, but certainly a substantial edge. And one point, that advantage was even more pronounced; with 2:04 remaining, the Gators held a 34-22 lead.

Rebounding has been this team’s issue for the past year and a half, so by now it’s no surprise, but if those numbers don’t put a little fear into the heart of UConn Country, they certainly should. It’s tough enough to win a game when you only have one man that can reliably score. It only makes it harder when no one can grab a miss.

In large part, that burden falls on the big guys inside. The Huskies’ three posts – Tyler Olander, Philip Nolan and Amida Brimah – were scarily ineffectively in just about every category.

The trio logged 37 minutes, yet managed just five points. Worse yet, they only got their hands on two rebounds.

Olander, aside from his five fouls, pitched a shutout. He failed to record a single piece of production in 11 minutes on the floor; zero points, zero boards, zero blocks, zero assists.

Defensively, the threesome was no better. Patric Young, the 6-foot9, 240-pound Gator who Kevin Ollie described as having “muscles on top of muscles,” used that physical frame to boss his defender around throughout the night.

Every time he touched the ball in the post, it was one quick move and a bucket, it seemed. His 17 points came easy.

Make no mistake: a win is a win. Every single fan – myself included – inside Gampel Pavilion was euphoric for good reason after the Shabuzzer-beater.

This team is legit. They can play with anyone. And having a guard like Napier, who’s doing his best to become Kemba 2.0 – or is it Rip Hamilton? The shots were eerily similar – makes this team infinitely dangerous.

But sometimes, winning has a funny way of covering up gaping holes and obvious deficiencies. And frankly, the Huskies have plenty of both.

Creating more balance, finding ways to rebound, defending in the post – it all needs tweaking, fixing and improvement.

Sorry if this rained on anyone’s parade. That wasn’t the intent. It’s just that there’s still work to be done if UConn wants to host another parade – this time, come April.

Imagine the pandemonium then.

Matthew.Stypulkoski@UConn.edu

There are a lot to be made of curses when it comes to the world of sports.

Curses are damning. They are ruthless. They are cruel.

However, every curse is meant to be broken, someday and somehow.

The University of Connecticut men’s soccer team has been exorcizing a few of its demons these past few weeks, as the Huskies have emerged from not one, but two penalty shootouts after previously being winless in PKs in the Ray Reid era.

The Huskies have entered matchups with UMBC and UCLA as dead men. They were unranked, unheralded and unsung. Yet, both times, the Huskies have managed to play another day.

“All of the know-it-alls had us dead,” said Reid, whose team had been written off by pundits throughout the regular season. “We didn’t have a good team. We didn’t have good players. We lost the plot. You know what? Our season has been over since the 15th of September. Everyone has been moaning except these kids.”

The Huskies are staring down a trip to Virginia, as UConn is now one win away from its first trip to the Final Four since 2000.

Despite the obstacles, the Huskies have fought on, and senior captain Mamadou Doudou Diouf has recovered from injury just in time to lead his team into the do-or-die NCAA tournament.

“These past two weeks have been the two best weeks, I think, in my UConn career,” said the senior, who is playing every game as if it could be his last, and it very well could be. One bad bounce, one mistake, and it can all be over.

These Huskies know what they’re up against; they’re playing the top teams in the country each and every weekend. However, they are not alone, as the Huskies have been followed by supporters each and every step of the way.

First it was UMBC, where UConn fans made STEVE QUICK/The Daily Campus a 335-mile drive from Storrs to Baltimore to

UConn senior Mamadou Doudou Diouf dribbles the ball in the Huskies’ first round match of the NCAA Tournament against Quinnipiac on Nov. 21. The Huskies have since defeated both UMBC and UCLA via penalty kick shootouts to advance to the Elite Eight for the third consecutive season.

» FANS, page 10

Huskies focus on season finale amid future uncertainties

By Tim Fontenault Sports Editor

Less than two weeks ago, the UConn football team was not inspiring many people.

The Huskies were 0-9, off to the worst start in program history, letting the 1977 team and its 0-8 start off the hook. They were on their third starting quarterback during a season that started with a drudging at the hands of a Football Championship Subdivision side.

Soon enough, the head coach was fired and the first-year offensive coordinator was calling the shots.

Athletic Director Warde Manuel said at that point that for T.J. Weist to get the job permanently, he needed to win.

That is the nature of the coaching business. If a coach is not winning, he will be replaced. But Weist was given the difficult task of guiding UConn through its toughest stretch of the year. After his debut against South Florida, the Huskies traveled

to Central Florida and Cincinnati before hosting Louisville.

The Louisville game was on Nov. 8, the day the men’s basketball team began its regular season, so Kevin Ollie’s group was 1-0 by the time Weist’s team began the game that sent them to 0-8, 0-4 since he took charge.

But since that night, something has changed. Over the past three games, UConn has played its best football, led by starting quarterback No. 3, Casey Cochran.

More importantly, the Huskies are 2-1 in that stretch.

Losing is never easy on a team, and at 0-9, UConn could easily have thrown in the towel on this season.

But the Huskies have a motto: “All in.” Through the struggles of this season, the Huskies have always kept the same attitude, the never back down, all-in mentality.

So for UConn, winning did not change the mentality of the team.

“It’s more about us doing the

same things and getting results,” Weist said. “I think they’ve worked hard; they have worked hard.

They’ve been together. I keep saying that word, but it’s the same fundamentals to win football games that they’ve always won. There’s just always more excuses when you lose. It’s not a revelation that we won the game, it’s not something that’s out of character. We just made plays.”

“When you’re losing games, a lot of guys is down,” said junior linebacker and team captain Yawin Smallwood, “but once you start winning games, you start seeing the swagger come back out of guys.

Guys are playing with more sense of confidence. When we’re losing games, it’s tough to do that.”

Earlier this season, UConn was in a similar situation to USC. The Trojans fired head coach Lane Kiffin after a 62-41 loss at Arizona State on Sept. 28, the same day UConn was on the wrong end of a 42-12 blowout against Buffalo,

which resulted in the firing of Paul Pasqualoni on Sept. 30.

The difference between UConn and USC at the time was that UConn was 0-4 while USC’s loss dropped the Trojans to 3-2. But both programs turned to an interim coach that would fight for the permanent coaching gig – Weist at UConn and Eddie Orgeron at Southern Cal. On Monday, USC made headlines across the United States, when the 7-5, bowl-bound Trojans, who improved under Orgeron and even defeated Stanford on Nov. 16, decided to announce the hiring of Washington head coach Steve Sarkisian. As a result, Orgeron resigned, refusing to coach the team’s bowl game.

Weist’s future is unknown. He could be in the running for head coach, up against about 100 other candidates, according to the rumors across the Internet. But what separates UConn from USC is the fact that Manuel and his staff are not

going to let the uncertainty of the head coaching position distract the program from its main objective, which is to win one last time on Saturday, when the Huskies host Memphis on Senior Day, the final game of the 2013 season.

“I think the biggest thing is just us trying to focus on the last game,” Cochran said. “Everyone’s done a good job at not worrying about the things that we can’t control because we can’t control who they’re gonna hire. We can’t control when it’s going to happen or anything like that.

“I think throughout the season, especially towards the end, we’ve done a good job at just being a team together and not worrying about things that we can’t control and worrying about the game at hand, and I think the last two weeks we’ve done that, and we need to continue to do that this week.”

Timothy.Fontenault@UConn.edu

Playing teacher in the AFC: Grading every team in the conference

By Mike McCurry NFL Columnist Approximately 16 weeks make up an average college semester, which is somewhat ironic because 16 games equate to a season for an NFL team (a regular season, at least; somewhere, the Browns can be heard saying, “wait, there’s something after the regular season?”). Despite the fact that we still have four weeks to go until the playoffs begin, one can make a pretty accurate assessment of a squad based on the months of September, October and November.

As college pupils around the country start preparing for final exams, it’s only right that we inspect each AFC team, review their body of work this year and hand out the letter grades that they’re deserving of. Disagree with my grading system? I may or may not be holding office hours and tutoring sessions. If that doesn’t float your boat, make some homerun selections in the draft, sign a

couple of high-impact free agents and simply get better. This is one class you do not want to flunk out of.

New England Patriots (A-): In the first few weeks, Tom Brady had a better chance helping Aaron Hernandez escape from prison than putting up solid numbers— this was due to a fairly incompetent receiving unit and the absence of party boy Rob Gronkowski. Gronk has only appeared in six games this year, but he ranks second on the Patriots in receiving yards (560) and is tied for the team lead with 4 touchdowns. The defense has suffered a few crippling injuries (linebacker Jerod Mayo and defensive tackle Vince Wilfork are out for the year, to name a few), but for the most part they have held their own. For now, at least—doesn’t the secondary always seem to choke in the playoffs?

Miami Dolphins (B-): The Dolphins were a trendy pick to break out in 2013, and a 3-0 start legitimized most of the buzz. Since then, they’re 3-6, lost 40 percent

of their starting offensive line due to an ugly bullying scandal, and have lost four games by four points or fewer—including to the lowly Bucs, which marked Tampa’s first victory. QB Ryan Tannehill has been sacked more than any other quarterback, possibly hindering his progress in year two, and the running attack has put up a couple stinkers. Besides all that, they’re right in the thick of the AFC wildcard race.

New York Jets (B-): Losers of three straight, you might be thinking the Jets should get a “C” or worse. When you consider their preseason prognostications, however, it’s a relative miracle that New York has five wins at the moment. The defensive unit is young, and they’re truly among the NFL’s elite, particularly in the running department. A lack of skill players on offense, plus a quarterback that defensive backs dream about facing, has put the Jets at No. 31 in the league in points scored

» MCCURRY, page 10

AP

The Patriots do have a win over the Broncos, but can they remain the last AFC team standing come Super Bowl time?