June 27, 2013

LEN TO LEARN FUTURE TEAM SCOTUS KNOCKS DOWN DOMA Former Terps center Alex Len may be No. 1 pick p. 8

Staff editorial: One step closer to national LGBT equality p. 4

The University of Maryland’s Independent Student Newspaper

ISSUE NO. 149

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THURSDAY, june 27, 2013

LGBT victory in Supreme Court Defense of Marriage Act overturned; affirm. action, voting law challenged

By Diamondback staff Over the past several days, the Supreme Court handed down decisions on several landmark cases, including voting rights, same-sex marriage and affirmative action.

The justices overturned some cases, upheld others and turned more away. But their decisions made history, shedding light on issues previously unseen in court while setting precedents signaling shifting views on civil rights and gay marriage.

green tidings, a new food truck that travels the campus during the day, sells sustainable food at its spot at the campus farmers market Wednesdays. christian jenkins/the diamondback

The truck stops here

By Holly Cuozzo For The Diamondback Sustainable, gourmet food is right around the corner since Good Tidings opened the new Green Tidings food truck this month.

Inspiration struck after Good Tidings, the university’s catering company, found a truck that was the perfect size for a food truck complete with a fully functioning kitchen, said executive chef Will Rogers, who founded Green Tidings with Good Tidings Assistant Director Abbott Albright.

The goal was to create a green business model in line with the campus community’s focus on sustainability, Rogers said. Using ingredients from a garden outside Stamp Student Union and from farms in Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, the company has developed a menu that’s attract-

ing people from all over the campus and College Park.

“You see it out your window and dash out,” said Andrea Morris, computer, mathematical and natural sciences college assistant dean. Many employees don’t have an opportunity to leave the campus for a lunch break, she said, so the food truck’s accessibility is creating a buzz among staff.

Open during the summer on weekdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the truck stops at a different location on the campus every day, and patrons can track its daily location on the Twitter account @UMDGreenTidings. Though the truck only takes cash and credit cards during the summer, students will be able to use Terrapin Express in the fall.

Since the food truck’s opening on June 10, the excitement of the food See truck, Page 2

photo illustration by holly cuozzo/the diamondback

County lays plans for future progress

See court, Page 2

Gender-neutral safety questioned Students raise housing concerns amid Prince Frederick Hall construction

By Darcy Costello For The Diamondback When junior Mykell HatcherMcLarin moved into his Oakland Hall dorm in fall 2012, one of the first things he did was write his identities on the whiteboard hanging outside his door.

“Black, student, poet, queer,” the board read. Hatcher-McLarin, a sociology major, wanted to be open with the other residents on his floor.

But soon after, people began to cross out the words on the board, erasing parts of his identity.

“Queer was crossed out several times; it happened just constantly,” Hatcher-McLarin said.

“I openly presented that I was

queer, and I don’t think everyone accepted that. Those issues do still come up because you have people that don’t understand.”

Hatcher-McLarin brought the issue to a resident assistant after someone vandalized his board a third time, but his frustration was unanswered. There wasn’t much they could do to remedy the situation, he said.

Now, as this university prepares to expand its gender-neutral and gender-inclusive housing options, students like Hatcher-McLarin wonder if campus officials should place greater emphasis on safety and security in these living arrangements.

See gender, Page 3

Recent graduate fights fiercely after developing blood disorder

By Erin Serpico For The Diamondback

By Alexandra Tennant For The Diamondback

INDEX

On Wednesday, the Court overturned the Defense of Marriage Act’s limitations on federal marital benefits for same-sex couples, securing another victory for the LGBT community just months after this state legalized same-sex marriage.

The 5-4 decision strikes down a section of the 1996 federal law that required married couples to be heterosexual to be

Life changed, but diploma achieved

Residents vote on downtown growth

Experts are anticipating 63,000 new homes, 114,000 new jobs and 150,000 new residents in Prince George’s County by 2035. And with that expansion, county officials are looking to develop downtown College Park using resident input to craft their plans.

County residents met on June 15 in the Riggs Alumni Center to answer electronic

SAME-SEX MARRIAGE

college park’s metro station is slated to be the center of future downtown development under a Prince George’s County commission plan aimed for 2035. file photo/the diamondback survey questions about what they would like to see in the Maryland-National Park and Planning Commission’s plan for a downtown development centered on the College Park Metro station.

Survey questions included, “How important is it to prioritize development in the county

to be more transit-oriented?” and, “Would you support the county annually targeting investment in 2-3 ‘downtowns?’”

Before the meeting, Kierre McCune, the county planning department project manager, spoke with CTV News and See metro, Page 3

Meredith Prescott proudly graduated in May, but it wasn’t easy getting there.

The motivated, confident and easygoing psychology student found the life she had come to know and love at this university changed after she was diagnosed with the blood disorder ITP during her senior year.

“I think it was a hard thing for me,” Prescott said. “To wake up one day and realize that my whole life would be different.”

NEWS 2 OPINION 4 FEATURES 5 DIVERSIONS 6 CLASSIFIED 6 SPORTS 8 Submit tips to The Diamondback at newsumdbk@gmail.com

Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura is a blood disorder that causes unusually low levels of platelets, the cells that help clot blood, leading to excessive bruising or bleeding.

ITP isn’t common enough that the average hematologist can treat it, Prescott said, so the then-second-semester senior had to go to a specialist to find the right expertise. Not only was the treatment taxing and scarce, but she began feeling sick from the drugs and side effects.

“You don’t really want to be on treatments, but you don’t really have a choice,” Prescott said. “And that’s the scary thing.”

Meredith Prescott moved home to better fight her disorder and graduate on time with her class. photo courtesy of meredith prescott It also took some time to find the right treatment for her, she said. The first treatments yielded negative responses, meaning she’d have to continue treatment to try to raise her platelet count.

At 21, Prescott had a vibrant life in College Park. She was a member of the Phi Sigma Sigma sorority, took classes

For breaking news, alerts and more, follow us on Twitter @thedbk

See prescott, Page 3

© 2013 THE DIAMONDBACK

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THE DIAMONDBACK | news | THURSDAY, june 27, 2013

THE RULINGS SAME-SEX MARRIAGE CASE: Windsor v. U.S. (Federal Defense of Marriage Act) VOTE: 5 to 4 VERDICT: Partly Unconstitutional CASE: Hollingsworth v. Perry (California’s Proposition 8) VOTE: 5 to 4 VERDICT: Dismissed

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION CASE: Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin VOTE: 7 to 1 VERDICT: Returned to lower courts for reconsideration

VOTING RIGHTS CASE: Shelby County, Alabama v. Holder; Nix v. Holder (Voting Rights Act) VOTE: 5 to 4 VERDICT: Partly Unconstitutional

genetics CASE: Association for Molecular Pathology v. Myriad Genetics VOTE: 9 to 0 VERDICT: Human genes cannot be patented

court From PAGE 1 recognized by their state of residence to receive federal marital benefits, effectively excluding same-sex couples even in states where their marriages were legal.

The final ruling declared DOMA a violation of the federal government’s duty to apply laws equally and fairly to all citizens.

Justice Anthony Kennedy delivered the majority opinion, stressing the importance of a state’s right to define marriage — a right denied by DOMA’s catchall provisions.

“DOMA, because of its reach and extent, departs from this history and tradition of reliance on state law to define marriage,” Kennedy wrote in his opinion.

In his dissenting opinion, Justice Antonin Scalia said such matters should not be in the hands of the courts.

“That is jaw-dropping. It is an assertion of judicial supremacy over the people’s Representatives in Congress and the Executive,” Scalia wrote. “It envisions a Supreme Court standing (or

rather enthroned) at the apex of government, empowered to decide all constitutional questions, always and everywhere ‘primary’ in its role.”

Declaring these provisions unconstitutional, however, doesn’t preclude states from banning same-sex marriage. It only compels the federal government to recognize unions as state authorities define them.

“Same-sex marriage is coming, not as quickly as liberals would like, not as slowly as conservatives would like,” government and politics professor Mark Graber said.

The Court also weighed in on a 9th Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision that declared a California ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional, but it didn’t set a precedent for same-sex marriage bans nationwide. The court voted, 5-4, not to issue a ruling on Proposition 8’s constitutionality, leaving the lower court’s decision in place and confining the legal impact to California’s borders.

Despite the Court sidestepping a distinctive ruling on the proposition’s constitutionality,

Graber said the DOMA decision could set a precedent that would compel more states to legalize same-sex marriage.

“The country continues to drift left on same-sex marriage,” Graber said. “You can use the language in [the Supreme Court ruling] to support a constitutional right in same-sex marriage.

We’re not there yet, but the precedents are being established.”

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION In a 7-1 decision, the Supreme Court moved Monday to roll back public colleges’ and universities’ discretion to admit or deny applicants based on race.

The Court reviewed admissions practices at the University of Texas and ruled lower courts must judge affirmative action programs under a strict scrutiny standard, meaning race-based challenges of constitutionality must be legally judged with heightened skepticism to ensure they are fair and necessary.

The plaintiff in the case, Abigail Fisher, was a white applicant to the University of Texas at Austin who was denied admis-

truck From PAGE 1

food truck green tidings is putting healthy meals on wheels at this university. The environmentally-friendly food truck announces its location daily through social media and serves up meals made with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. christian jenkins/the diamondback

truck spread through Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. On Wednesdays, when the Farmers Market sets up outside Cole Field House, the truck parks near the area. The truck typically averages 100 orders a day, but it’s been reaching closer to 250 orders on Wednesdays, Rogers said.

Lisa Holt, owner of College Park-based Paperworks Balloons and Gifts, discovered the food truck through a retweet on Twitter and decided to put her 10-year-old son in her car and hunt for the source.

“It was kind of like Where’s Waldo,” Hunt said. “The food was amazing. The steak sandwich was to die for; it was so gourmet-tasting.”

With a small selection of soups, salads, entrees and

sion under a race-based evaluation program. She challenged the program in court, arguing she was unfairly denied admission because of her race.

The decision does not end affirmative action — a practice designed to compensate for years of racial discrimination — or declare it unconstitutional.

Affirmative action at the Austin university must be applied judiciously, Kennedy wrote in the majority opinion.

“Strict scrutiny must not be strict in theory but feeble in fact,” wrote Kennedy, who is considered the Court’s swing vote.

states originally covered.

The decision does not entirely ban the federal government from overseeing voting changes in some states, but it does require the law be updated before the government can enforce it. Their decision will now allow nine states to pass changes to voter laws without permission from the federal government.

However, supporters of the original legislation expressed concern about what could take place before the legislation is updated. Already, Texas officials announced a 2011 law requiring voters to provide photo identification would go into effect immediately, though it was VOTING RIGHTS previously blocked by a federal The Supreme Court struck court in 2012. down a crucial part of the Voting Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg Rights Act of 1965 in a 5-4 ruling wrote the dissenting opinion on Tuesday, saying the provi- and voiced concern about what sion is outdated and states do the decision would mean for not need federal permission to civil rights. change their voting laws.

“The sad irony of today’s deThe act was originally passed cision lies in its utter failure to to protect black voters in six states grasp why the VRA has proven with a history of racism. Much effective,” Ginsberg wrote. has changed since the 1960s, and “History repeats itself.” black voter turnout now exceeds white turnout in five of the six newsumdbk@gmail.com

dessert, meals are priced between $5 and $7, Rogers said.

The menu will change every other week and adjust to the season, Rogers said.

“It was a little pricey and not a huge portion, but lamb is usually expensive, and I thought it was well worth the money,” said junior mathematics major Philip Marx, who tried the braised lamb shoulder sandwich. “[I am] definitely trying the fish tacos next.”

The truck’s prices are competitive with dining options in Stamp Student Union, Rogers said. But the convenience of the food truck isn’t likely to draw away from the customer base of the Maryland Food Co-op, which also offers organic, locally sourced food options.

Both companies stand behind the idea of “food for people and not for profit,” said Renita TylerRichards, a Co-op employee and university alumna. She’s not

“it really fits our green profile ... We are just trying to be as healthy and sustainable as possible.”

WILL ROGERS Green Tidings head chef

worried about any competition, she said, adding the companies could coexist with their similar business principles.

In the face of friendly competition, Rogers and his coworkers hope the food truck’s chefs will continue to “grow and expand their palette,” Rogers said, as well as expose the campus community to sustainable dining in the coming academic year.

“It really fits our green profile,” Rogers said. “We are just trying to be as healthy and sustainable as possible.” newsumdbk@gmail.com

thursday, june 27, 2013 | news | The Diamondback

GENDER From PAGE 1 “There wasn’t anything for them to do besides to put up another announcement saying for everyone to accept people’s spaces,” said Hatcher-McLarin, adding he never learned who vandalized his board. “There’s not constant monitoring on the floor. And I don’t think there should be, but that sort of left me to handle it by myself.”

In 2012, national nonprofit Campus Pride named this university to its list of the top 25 LGBT-friendly colleges and universities in the country.

The only category in which the campus did not receive a perfect score was LGBT housing and residence life, calling campus officials’ attention to a need for improvements in housing options.

“We recognized that the LGBT community was under-

metro From PAGE 1 described the plan for growth as “an opportunity for us, as a county, to establish ourselves in terms of a downtown, provide jobs, recreation and economic employment.”

College Park isn’t the only downtown area the county hopes to develop — they’re hoping for two or more in the county to serve as economic engines, McCune said.

“I think that we could see quality, transit-oriented development here,” said city councilman Patrick Wojahn.

“Although the plans to make the area around the College

3

served, and we wanted additional housing options for every student,” said Erin Iverson, Resident Life assignments and public inquiry manager.

The university launched the Apartment Living for Students of Different Genders program in the 2008-09 school year, allowing gender-neutral housing options for upperclassmen living in certain South Campus Commons and Courtyards apartments. Following a Residence Hall Association vote in November 2012, the university added additional gender-inclusive housing options, enabling students of different genders to live in the same room.

It’s a step in the right direction to accommodating LGBT students, said Catherine Hyde, Mid-Atlantic regional director for national nonprofit Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays and transgender coordinator for the PFLAG chapter in Columbia and Howard County.

“These steps have allowed our transgender family members to live honestly and authentically without being ostracized,” Hyde said. “It’s obviously the school’s responsibility to keep students free and safe from harassment, so I would really encourage the university to continue down the path it’s going.”

More flexible housing options will make students more comfortable, said Hatcher-McLarin, who lived in female housing during his social transition.

“The gender-neutral setup takes away the stigma that’s attached to housing where it’s guys on one side, girls on the other,” he said. “For a transgender person, it means no one’s questioning why you’re on a certain side of the floor, or really asking about your gender besides what you’re saying.”

Some universities with gender-neutral housing options have reported vandalism on the floors. Earlier this year,

Park Metro Station into a ‘downtown Prince George’s County’ are still very preliminary, this offers real promise to our city,” Wojahn added.

The 2035 General Plan is designed to promote “making a return on investment” by focusing revitalization on three major downtown centers.

Planners hope to target such centers near the major county Metro stations — most likely the Prince George’s Plaza, College Park and New Carrollton stations — where development and growth is more likely.

“This is a great idea because it will provide more lodging and entertainment for families visiting the university,” said Christopher Glenn, a

junior engineering major.

“Also, trekking all the way to the Metro from Stamp or the dorms won’t be as much of a drag if there is shopping and entertainment to see, too.”

For Melissa Capurro, a sophomore kinesiology major, a new downtown area would be a welcome change to the College Park social scene, and transportation-centric development would make it easier for students to enjoy the new development.

“Getting there isn’t a hassle with the university bus system, and it will be a great and easily accessible escape from school work,” Capurro said. newsumdbk@gmail.com

MORE ONLINE STRIKING OUT IN THE GAME OF LOVE Have you heard of Brian Jarosinski? He’s a former Terrapins baseball outfielder who, in the 2004 season, fearlessly led the Terps and finished the season as one of the leaders of the ACC. He hit 16 home runs that season, the second highest number in the ACC. Injuries took him out of the game for much of the 2005 season, according to The Diamondback archives.

But these days, Jarosinski is probably better known for striking out in his fearless search for love on the ABC reality television show, The Bachelorette.

Desiree Hartock, this season’s Bachelorette, took Jarosinski out of the game in the episode that aired June 10 after a dramatic scene in which Stephanie Larimore — Playboy’s June 2006 Playmate of the Month — came on the show and said she was Jarosinski’s girlfriend. photo courtesy of abc

To read more of Zoe Sagalow’s post, check out the student blogs at diamondbackonline.com.

Prince frederick hall, which is undergoing construction and should open by fall 2014, will be gender-neutral. Resident Life officials saw a need for more housing options to ensure students feel safe and comfortable in their living environments. sung-min kim/for the diamondback Dartmouth College advocacy group #REALTALKDartmouth reported posters about gender and sexuality were torn from walls and ripped to pieces, prompting some students from this university to suggest adding security measures such as cameras in dorms to prevent similar incidents from occurring on the campus.

The university does not plan

prescott From PAGE 1 and interned at Morgan Stanley, a financial services firm in Bethesda.

Prescott had to make a difficult decision: As much as she wanted to continue living with her sorority sisters in College Park, the risk was too great and she needed to move home to Livingston, N.J., to get the treatment she needed.

But though she couldn’t be in College Park, she was determined to graduate on time and not let her illness affect her friends and family.

“I didn’t want everyone to be so impacted,” Prescott said. “I wanted everyone’s lives to go on.”

Prescott finished her classes online, and given the circumstances and her plummeting platelet count, she knew it was the right decision. “[Meredith]’s a very motivated person, and that helps you accomplish things when you’re going through periods like this,” said Bruce Prescott, Meredith’s father.

If she had given up on school or graduating, he said, “It would be admission that the disease had taken over her life.”

And Meredith Prescott never wanted ITP to take over. She would never let the disorder define her, she said,

to include additional security measures for the expanding housing options, Iverson said.

All campus dorms have a triplebarrier lock system in place to prevent entry into the living quarters by non-residents.

But adding security as a precaution could prevent vandalism and other issues from occurring, said Kelly Lowe, Pride Alliance president.

“Every time a stride forward is made within an oppressed community, there is always some backlash from those who oppose the efforts,” said Lowe, a junior sociology major. “While I wish I could say that added security on gender-neutral housing is unnecessary, I think it would be wise to take precautions.”

and she never wanted anyone to feel bad for her. She would rather do the helping than be helped.

“She’s the most outgoing, friendly, bubbly person I know, and since she’s had [ITP], she hasn’t even changed because of it,” said her sorority sister, Samantha Cheslow, who also graduated in May. “She’s that same bubbly person despite everything.”

Because the disorder is not widely known, patients with ITP often feel alone and in the dark, so Prescott saw this as an opportunity to get the word out.

With ITP Awareness Month coming up in September and the Platelet Disorder Support Association conference in July, she recently decided to post her story on ITP … In Our Words …, a blog dedicated to awareness of the disorder, to help others who are going through the same experience.

G iv i n g b a c k to o t h e rs doesn’t stop there for Prescott, a s s h e w i l l b e a t te n d i n g Fordham University’s graduate school next year to become a social worker, and she recently organized a walk in her town for ITP. On Sunday, Aug. 11, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Livingston, N.J., her walk will raise money and awareness and give people an opportunity to share their stories. “[Meredith] is extremely persistent, and when there is a cause that she believes in, there is absolutely nothing that will

“once you lose your confidence, you lose everything. you can’t lose that, because that’s huge.”

newsumdbk@gmail.com

MEREDITH PRESCOTT

University alumna

stop her,” Bruce Prescott said.

She is now being treated with Nplate, a drug specifically developed to treat ITP, and has weekly blood tests. To add to the uncertainty, the drug isn’t meant to be taken for an extended period and patients can develop immunity to it, although Prescott is hoping that if her treatment continues to go well, she won’t have to use it.

“I’m lucky right now,” Prescott said. “No. 1, I’m here.

No. 2, I got to choose Nplate, and it is working.”

The reality of the disorder is that it’s life-changing, not just a small bump in the road. She continues to stay “cautious, but optimistic,” she said.

It’s frightening to put your life in a doctor’s hands and to depend solely on a number, Prescott said, but she continues to hope for the best and is most concerned with keeping everyone else in her life happy.

“Once you lose your confidence, you lose everything,” Prescott said. “You can’t lose that, because that’s huge.” newsumdbk@gmail.com

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Opinion

THE DIAMONDBACK | THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2013

EDITORIAL BOARD

Mike King

Editor in Chief

DAN APPENFELLER

BRIAN COMPERE

Managing Editor

Deputy Managing Editor

maria romas Opinion Editor

ADAM OFFITZER

Assistant Opinion Editor

CONTACT US 3150 South Campus Dining Hall | College Park, MD 20742 | newsumdbk@gmail.com OR opinionumdbk@gmail.com PHONE (301) 314-8200

Our beautifully silly Justice for same-sex couples legislative system STAFF EDITORIAL

F

orty-four years ago tomorrow, the Stonewall riots, the first major uprising to fight for equality for gay people, began outside a bar in New York City’s Greenwich Village.

It is widely considered the dawn of the gay rights movement. And yesterday, the Supreme Court helped the LGBT movement progress with key decisions.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals, as well as supporters, all have reason to celebrate these decisions. And members of this editorial board are no exception — we are thrilled this country is taking steps in the right direction toward equality for those with any and all sexual identities.

The most significant move was ruling the Defense of Marriage Act’s Section 3 unconstitutional. The law called for marriage to be legally defined exclusively as the union between a man and a woman, invalidating the already-existing same-sex marriages that likely total in the millions. DOMA sought to deprive same-sex couples of equal liberty and basic dignity, but the Supreme Court has thwarted its proponents’ efforts.

One interesting part of the political support the overruling has garnered is just how transparently superficial it has been. President Obama, who has previously stated that as a Christian, he cannot support same-sex marriage, has issued a number of tweets with #LoveisLove over the past few days. In fact, even former President Bill Clinton, who signed DOMA into law during his presidency, has supported overturn the law. This is great — and not just because you get to see politicians caught in their own flip-flopping game. It shows that high-ranking politicians truly believe people want same-sex marriage to be legal; after all, politicians are always trying to garner public approval. And this premise is what should give us all hope that this country will continue taking steps forward to give all LGBT individuals equal rights to marry.

For many LGBT young adults, college is the first time they feel comfortable sharing their sexual identity or even admitting it to themselves. This university has consistently ranked among the

best U.S. educational institutions for LGBT-friendly metrics, offers numerous LGBT-related student groups and courses, and is expanding its genderneutral and gender-inclusive housing options (such as the to-be-completed Prince Frederick Hall).

For the many LGBT members of the university community, these rulings are surely a salve for the long-festering wound of civil inequality. Still, there are undoubtedly numerous areas for further progress in creating an atmosphere of acceptance for LGBT members of this community.

Many are also celebrating a second Supreme Court ruling that California’s Proposition 8 had no reason to be

OUR VIEW

The Supreme Court’s decisions on equality this week leave us simultaneously hopeful and wary. debated by the Court, leaving a federal appeals court’s decision — to overturn the measure that would only recognize marriages between a man and a woman — as the legally valid decision.

The Supreme Court firmly said it is not deciding anything about states’ authority to deny marital rights to same-sex couples, as more than 30 states still do, essentially setting no precedent.

Yet by not allowing Proposition 8 proponents the right to implement the measure, the Court made another small step toward legalizing same-sex marriage in every state. This state was the first in the U.S. to approve same-sex marriage by referendum. Now, with California officials presumably implementing the judge’s ruling to allow marriages for all state couples in the next few weeks, California would be the 14th and largest state (counting Washington, D.C.) to permit same-sex marriage. Lawmakers across the country are slowly moving along, spreading the notion that all people should be afforded the civil right to wed. It’s just another step to convincing state lawmakers like Texas’ that this is what a modern society demands.

Unfortunately, the Court also said

it was not making any decision at this point as to whether same-sex marriages are constitutional. That’s a battle for another day, and gay rights activists are not ready to give up just yet. The Court itself has a pair of new cases from Arizona and Nevada that it could take on to discuss the constitutionality of same-sex marriage as early as tomorrow. But after the debate and struggle of the decisions two days ago, we shouldn’t hold our collective breath just yet.

Additionally, the Court struck down a key provision in the Voting Rights Act. With the argument that extreme past circumstances had resolved themselves and intense scrutiny was no longer needed, the ruling eliminated the requirement that nine states — mostly in the South — receive federal approval to change election laws.

Essentially, the idea makes sense in theory. But the theory only works if people are perfect, similar to the reasoning behind communism: If everyone was a good person and did the work they were being paid to do, and the ruler truly had the people’s best interests at heart, the system could potentially work.

But as with communism, people are often more deceitful and closedminded, only working for personal gain. Voting laws that discriminate, such as Texas’ immediate decision to reinstate a formerly blocked voter identification law, are bound to come up, even if only so specific politicians can gain offices.

The bottom line is, the Court made some big decisions at the eleventh hour Wednesday. Overall, in terms of ensuring that equality is afforded to all citizens, justices were on the right track but also took a step backward.

They promoted equality for those in the LGBT community but repealed provisions to ensure people aren’t discriminated against at the polls. So while we as Americans can be happy that civil rights are being promoted, we have to be careful to watch lawmakers and justices and how their decisions about already-established equality could undermine those rights.

EDITORIAL CARTOON

EZRA FISHMAN

This Wednesday, the Texas Senate failed to pass a bill restricting abortions in its state. It did not do so for ethical reasons — the bill was widely popular and was expected to pass easily — but because a state senator, Wendy Davis, refused to yield the floor until Tuesday at midnight, at which time the special legislative session legally expired.

Think about this for a moment.

A popular bill promoting values that the citizens of Texas hold to be important failed because the clock struck midnight. It was a fairy-tale ending for Texas Democrats — the fairy tale being Cinderella. Much like the fairy godmother, Gov. Rick Perry only gave the senators until midnight to party; after that, they lost their shoes and were forced to go home defeated — until they convene another special session, which Perry announced yesterday, to pass the law.

When events like these occur, one can’t help but wonder how our country works this way. How is it that there are 78 federal judicial vacancies, 50 of which don’t even have pending nominees, and the president can’t fill any of the vacancies because a single senator bangs a gavel in a pro forma session once every three days? Or that the Supreme Court could rule the Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional for violating equal protection under the law, but states can continue to ban samesex marriage because they’ve said defining marriage is a state power rather than a federal one? Or that civil rights laws in the 1960s were provided for in the constitution not as the government protecting equal rights but as the government regu- Ezra Fishman is a senior accounting lating interstate commerce? and finance major. He can be reached The deeper you dig into the legal at ezra.fish@gmail.com.

GUEST COLUMN

On room selection

R

BEN STRYKER/the diamondback

The inadequate telecom program ANAND GUPTA To university President Wallace Loh, In fall 2013, as we welcome the undergraduate class of 2017 to College Park, we will also welcome another class: the newest class of graduate students’ class of 2015 in the telecommunications engineering department.

A department that has negatively affected the reputation of our university both within the country as well as abroad.

The department website does not release admissions statistics, but from what a University of Pennsylvania graduate student told me last weekend, I was outraged. He said, “Almost all who apply to UMCP get in; all you need is a 3.0 GPA as an undergraduate and a 60th-percentile GRE score” — both mediocre benchmarks. According to Peterson’s, a higher education analytics group, the acceptance rate of this program is at an unacceptable 58 percent, almost 15 percentage points higher than that for undergraduate admissions.

Sure, the directors of this program may argue that bright students compose the bulk of the almost 500 applicants and, therefore, the acceptance rate is adjusted to accommo-

date as many of the best as possible.

In fact, many of my doctoral candidate friends on this campus reflect this in their conversations with some of the students, saying, “Oh, he (or she) is a telecommunications student. No, mustn’t be of good caliber.”

In summer 2011, when I went back to India and attended a South Asian Youth Conference at the Indian Institute of Management in Bangalore — a top institution by itself — I met numerous top-quality engineering graduate students. When I mentioned my own affiliation with this university, many were impressed. They had friends who had gone on to pursue master’s and doctoral-level graduate studies at this university and were aware of its reputation. Back then, this telecommunications program was still in its developmental phase.

On my last trip to my home country of India about two weeks ago, I attended a similar forum in Mumbai and again came across many top-quality engineering students. This time, their response to my note of affiliation with this university was that of an, “Oh, I know that school; a few people I am acquainted with are doing telecommunications there. It’s an easy place to get into, right?” This is very disturbing, Mr. President. The work you are doing to promote our university in places like Taiwan, China, Jordan and

Israel, among other nations, may easily be overridden by the short-sighted admittance policy of this telecommunications program.

The directors in charge may defend themselves by arguing the industry has embraced students who have completed their program. While statistics are not available on the department website, my estimation is that a good chunk of these students land jobs that pay above the undergraduate median wage. But according to the ManpowerGroup, a career consulting firm, engineers have been in great shortage in this country for eight straight years since 2007. Getting jobs does not imply top-quality talent.

The directors of this telecommunications program must understand that revenues are not the sole objective of this university. While money is important, they must strive to make the aforementioned program more selective. Their poor judgment in admitting a large number of substandard students — because that is what generates big dollars — is myopic and has already generated negative externalities on other departments as well as the overall prestige of this school.

Anand Gupta is a senior environmental science and policy major. He can be reached at anandgupta92@gmail.com.

justifications for our laws and judicial opinions, the sillier they get. The Constitution, now more than 225 years old, is full of nooks and crannies that can be used to make almost any law justifiable in one way or another. Our body of law exists as it currently stands not because of basic constitutional law, but because of 225 years of interpretation by lawmakers and judges alike. And these interpretations lead to some very interesting conclusions.

There is only one way to truly appreciate this strange legal system: understanding it. Start with the Constitution — you can borrow mine, I carry it in my backpack. Read through it once or twice, and get to appreciate the unique wording our Founding Fathers chose to use. Then move to major Supreme Court cases from our history. Look for the moments when the court overruled its own prior decisions — those are some of the most interesting studies.

Learn exactly what it is that makes our legal system tick.

Once you do this, you’ll start to understand just how beautiful our legal system is. For all of its strange quirks, it keeps rolling forward. And though you will not agree with everything our government puts forth, you’ll start to understand the magic behind the decisions they make. Though the laws may often be nonsensical, full of meaningless minor considerations and against your personal beliefs, they will always be carefully worded and prepared to meet the exact rigors of our ever-evolving interpretation of our Constitution and its meaning.

I was told as a child that lawmaking is like sausage-making: You’re happy with the results, but you never want to find out how they were made. I hold the opposite: The laws that pass are ugly, but the way they get put together is marvelous. Once you get to see the system, you’ll say the same.

oom selection — that surreal period when friendships are tested, roommates are evaluated and new dorms are explored — is thankfully over for the year. What makes this process both frustrating and alluring is its sheer mystery, atmosphere of suspense and constant plot twists. The housing lottery might as well have been established

by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

While the Department of Resident Life has tried to simplify this magical voodoo by establishing a priority points system, many students remain in the dark about what their priority number really means and what on earth they did to deserve it. Of course, moving off-campus is an option, but it is not always an economically feasible one.

Priority numbers usually run from best to worst on a scale of 1 to 6,000. According to the Resident Life website, these numbers are produced based on the following criteria: Give yourself two points for every consecutive semester you have lived in a residence hall and two more for every consecutive semester you have been enrolled in classes here.

On top of that, you get an extra point for every dozen credits transferred to this university from another college or university. But not so fast, diligent students — AP credits do not count and neither do summer and winter term classes.

And forget getting special treatment if you are graduating early.

The only way to change your priority number is by receiving Academic Housing Probation; simply deduct two points per sanction.

If there is a tie in the number of points, priority numbers are assigned using an arbitrary number generator. Thanks to this, people with the same number of points could be anywhere from two to 2,000 priority numbers apart.

But here’s one of the plot twists: Students are also grouped into “housing commitment groups,” whereby you lose commitment as

you get older. Incoming freshmen are essentially guaranteed on-campus housing, and seniors are hard-pressed to find an opening in a traditional residence hall.

All of these random, generic criteria raise the question: Is this really the fairest way to allocate on-campus housing? Should certain students be able to get an express pass to their favorite dorm, or does some of this occur behind the scenes already? Of course, there will always be biases for which student demographics should get which priority levels. Some would argue athletes should have the best priority numbers to ensure they receive air-conditioned residences near their practice fields, especially considering the athletic department generates a lot of revenue for the university.

Other students may raise the question of academic merit — after all, a university is primarily an educational setting. Should housing be allocated by academic success instead? Let’s consider assigning priority numbers by class rank, GPA or membership in certain honor societies. Perhaps a less biased method would be to take fields of study into account. Students would be housed in whichever dorm is closest to the buildings affiliated with their major. Of course, in that case, students enrolled in letters and sciences would get the short end of the stick.

In any case, although our current room selection process may not guarantee placement into your favorite dorms, it certainly does a good job of finding space for students who opt to stay on the campus. Considering that most upperclassmen prefer to move off the campus for their senior year, you only really have to go through the room selection process two or three times. Cheer up — as the university continues to make improvements to existing dorms, any room on campus will be just as comfortable as the next.

Too bad we all will have graduated by then.

Tiffany Burba is a junior government and politics major. She can be reached at tburba@terpmail.umd.edu.

THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2013 | The Diamondback

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Features ACROSS 1 Relish 5 Ms. Nazimova 9 Shrill bark 13 Sea eagles 15 Thug, slangily 16 Squashed circle 17 Walk heavily 18 Vishnu incarnation 19 Snooze 20 “Daddy” Warbucks’ servant 21 Thing 23 Offended the nose 25 Manitoba tribe 26 Used a ladder 27 Kept score 30 Codgers’ queries 31 Kapitan’s command (hyph.)

32 Crisp toast 37 Half the checkers 38 Chamonix’s Mont -40 Wildebeest chaser 41 Beachwear (hyph.)

43 Move a bit 44 Debtor’s note 45 Software version

47 Weather systems 50 Not sunnyside up 51 Flu shot place 52 Shaman’s quest 53 Edible tuber 56 Diatribe 57 Beatles flick 59 Extinguish 61 Bear in the sky 62 -- Stanley Gardner 63 Kind of bar 64 Hard to grasp 65 Char a steak 66 Gym iterations

CROSSWORD

27 Grass 28 “Green Mansions” hero 29 City near Stockton 32 Phaser blast 33 More downcast 34 Verdi opus

35 36 38 39 42 43 45

Machine teeth Patch locale Spots Gehrig et al.

Done, in France Mixtures Festive one

DOWN 1 Catherine --- Jones 2 Is off base 3 Purse closer 4 Speaker pro -5 Concurred 6 Friable soil 7 Actor Herbert -8 Lawless 9 Alpine refrain 10 Call to mind 11 Lolled about 12 Begged 14 Wraith 22 Pigskin prop 24 Moderate 25 Join, as hands 26 Basted together

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51 52 53 54 55

Caked-on dirt Earthenware pot Gift-giving time Cousin of PDQ Docs prescribe them 58 Before 60 Rowboat need

T

HOROSCOPE STELLA WILDER

he coming week is likely to present things in a way that seems, to many, to be completely backwards -- or, more appropriately perhaps, upside-down, as beginnings and endings become switched, black becomes white, in becomes out and everything appears to have been shaken up and emptied out onto a table for everyone to figure out as if for the first time. There are two options, of course: confusion -- which may well be the more common of the two -- or an unexpected feeling that things finally make sense. Those who enjoy the latter sensation are sure to find themselves on top, at least for now. They will be head and shoulders above those who are stuck in former assumptions and perceptions.

On the flip side, there are tasks that will require no more than the usual effort to get done. Everyone can take comfort in the fact that such items will prove the basis upon which to build future successes. That which is begun this week may prove very big before long.

CANCER (June 21-July 7) -- It may seem as though you are getting only cold responses from those around you, but someone is sure to step up and have your back. (July 8-July 22) -- A gut response early in the week is likely to send you in a surprising direction.

Something beckons.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 7) -- You may feel trapped by circumstances, but as the days pass, you’ll recapture a keen sense of control. (Aug. 8-Aug. 22) -- What begins as something purely recreational is likely to turn into something that means much more by week’s end.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 7) -- You may find yourself engaged in a contest of wills. How it ends will determine much more than your own personal standing.

(Sept. 8-Sept. 22) -- You may not require a great deal of coaching this week; your own experience and expertise do the trick.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 7) -- You may feel as though a great deal more than

usual is riding on what you accomplish this week, and this may be proved true very soon. (Oct. 8-Oct. 22) -- You may want to say goodbye to a certain part of yourself that you feel is no longer relevant.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 7) -- What you need at this time is a stepping-stone of sorts, but you aren’t likely to find it where you most expect it. Keep looking!

(Nov. 8-Nov. 21) -- You are missing something that actually provides you with a great deal of strength and confidence, but you’ll recapture it soon.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 7) -- You may have only one chance this week to get it right. As soon as it reveals itself, you must make your play. (Dec. 8-Dec. 21) -- You mustn’t distract yourself with trying to be the best. Instead, progress is made in small increments.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 6) -- You may not be reaching the heights that you had previously anticipated. It’s a good week to rethink what really matters to you. (Jan. 7-Jan. 19) -- You may have to say your goodbyes before you had planned on it, but you’re not likely to encounter many other such surprises.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 3) -- You may have to make an early start each and every day this week, but later on you’ll be able to get some much-needed rest. (Feb. 4-Feb. 18) -- You may be operating according to an assumption that is proved to be quite wrong by week’s end.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 5) -- You should be able to help another out of a rut, and in the process you may rekindle an interest that pays off handsomely for you. (March 6-March 20) -- You may behave in ways that send the wrong signals to a loved one, when in fact you’re trying to say just what is needed.

ARIES (March 21-April 4) -- Follow your instincts and you’ll be able to make sense out of something that has others confused and even rather afraid.

(April 5-April 19) -- You can share what’s on your mind with some other people who are willing to help you on your way.

TAURUS (April 20-May 5) -- You may be able to sneak off and enjoy a little downtime, but you must be ready to get back to business when called upon. (May 6-May 20) -- You may not fully understand the significance of the role you are asked to play, but you know there will be a payoff.

GEMINI (May 21-June 6) -- You are likely to make a few important discoveries every step of the way, and your travels may take you quite far indeed. (June 7-June 20) -- Now is the time for you to let another know exactly how you feel and exactly what you are willing to do about it!

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THE DIAMONDBACK | THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2013

Diversions

AMATEUR FILMMAKING

ON THE BLOG

Staff writer Kelsey Hughes defends Vine against Instagram and senior staff writer Robert Gifford reviews Monsters University. For more, visit diamondbackonline.com.

REVIEW | WORLD WAR Z

brain-dead

World War Z delivers blockbuster thrills but isn’t smart enough to make an impact

By Warren Zhang Senior staff writer If you’ve never seen a zombie film before, or if you don’t understand the whole zombie thing, World War Z might not be the movie for you.

Brad Pitt’s (Killing Them Softly) latest flick never adequately describes what exactly defines the movie’s zombie syndrome; you see some biting, you see a person “turn,” but you’re left to your own devices when it comes to putting two and two together.

Instead, the movie, much like its ridiculously fast undead legions, is too busy jetting all over the world to answer your simple questions.

That, in a nutshell, represents both the film’s greatest strength and its fatal flaw.

World War Z has, if nothing else, fleet, economic filmmaking. The plot is threadbare; Pitt, a vaguely disgraced ex-United Nations employee, is tasked with traveling the world in search of a cure for the zombie epidemic.

Fans of the source material — Max

Brooks’ stellar faux-oral history — will be (and probably should be) disappointed. The writers have jettisoned all semblance of political satire and a majority of the human essence of the book in favor of the movie’s blitz through Philadelphia, Newark, N.J., South Korea, Israel and Wales.

This shedding of thematic inquiry and narrative scope enables World War Z’s trim pacing and storytelling. In a rare feat for a summer blockbuster, World War Z has virtually no exposition (save for two very quick scenes) and virtually no extraneous subplots (other than a half-baked, basically ignored wife and family thread).

Eve n b e t te r, d i re c to r M a rc Forster (Machine Gun Preacher) injects a wicked playfulness into the otherwise serious, grim enterprise. You wouldn’t catch Christopher Nolan doing an extended zombie bunny chew gag or dwelling on an utterly idiotic death, but Forster lacks such shame.

Instead of making World War Z dumber (not that the movie needs

any help in that department) the weird humor throughout makes the movie and its flaws more palatable.

Remarkably, the film keeps its funny streak alive despite an ever-increasingly morose plot, without sacrificing drama or tension.

The film accomplishes that tension and sustained dread best. World War Z isn’t quite a horror movie, but the film ventures frequently into that territory. A chilling, effective sequence in a cramped Newark apartment opens the film, and a chilling, effective sequence in Wales (with shades of 28 Days Later and Resident Evil) closes the film.

Trouble is, a whole lot of stupidity happens in between. Though the humor undercuts some of the rampant idiocy, the movie is still frequently overwhelmed by its story beats. Without a doubt, World War Z contains some of the dumbest things you will see in a movie this year.

From a groan-inducing death in Korea to a horrendously conceived airplane set piece, an absurd amount of the grim, gravelly voiced movie is

REVIEW | PHO D’LITE

NOT QUITE A D’LITE

By Warren Zhang Senior staff writer It’s difficult to describe Pho D’Lite without drawing comparisons to its nearby competitor Pho Thom. Both Route 1 restaurants serve the same genre of food — Vietnamese and Southeast Asian aimed to please a more American palate — and both establishments are new to the local scene.

Step into Pho D’Lite, however, and you’ll immediately notice a radically different design philosophy. In stark contrast to Pho Thom’s slightly cramped, modern sports bar sensibilities, Pho

D’Lite opts for a far subtler and more considerate aesthetic.

The furniture is tastefully modern but not avant-garde or pretentious enough to distract.

The restaurant goes for a vague tropical mood with moderate use of straw, rope and rice paddy hats. The dining area is wide and open, with plenty of room to move about. Noise is also kept lower here, without Pho Thom’s space constraints and noisy TV set.

The open kitchen in Pho D’Lite is actually functional. You’re offered a good view into the wellorganized and clean cooking space, especially if you choose to sit at the restaurant’s tiny bar.

TIGHT, FUN AND MORE THAN A LITTLE STUPID, zombie action extravaganza World War Z has its successful moments, but it’s too weak overall to stand out from its crowded genre. photo courtesy of aceshowbiz.com unintentionally wacky.

Pitt’s cipher of a main character certainly doesn’t help. His performance does boast a good deal of charisma and presence, yet it’s frequently undermined by just how damn fast the movie goes. He gets lost all too often among the zombies, another pixel in a sea of angry, marathonrunning pixels.

The swift, unfussy storytelling robs the movie of some of its humanity. Had more time been devoted to setting up Pitt’s character or giving ludicrous set pieces room to breathe, the stupidity of World War Z wouldn’t have registered so strongly.

When I go back and look at the

On the whole, Pho D’Lite is a much nicer place at which to eat at than its more cramped counterpart. But if you strip away the polished exterior, you’ll find that both restaurants largely serve food of the same caliber.

Pho D’Lite’s take on pho comes in a large, immensely cool saucer bowl. It is offered with the same accoutrements expected at any selfrespecting pho operation: Thai basil, lime, bean sprouts, hot sauce and hoisin sauce.

Presentation here is far above Pho Thom’s sloppy offerings, but the broth ends up being virtually identical. The soup is potent, to be sure.

Hot, savory and rich, this stuff will instantly warm you up. Yet it never rises above adequate.

The secret to the best pho — an almost indescribable etherealness or umami — is sorely missing.

And the meat, while generally portioned and paired properly, is a little on the tough side.

Moving on to Pho D’Lite’s other menu items, the same level of execution remains near constant.

The vermicelli bowls present a playful twist on

movie, I can’t help but wonder if World War Z is a really dumb movie or a smart movie with a lot of dumb elements. If I seem too positive on this otherwise mediocre-sounding film, that’s because I have the sneaking suspicion World War Z qualifies as the latter.

World War Z is not transcendent or even a good adaptation of the novel, but it’s clear that considerable craft and skill went into making all the things blow up real good. Like Pitt’s enigmatic lead character, it’s easy to like World War Z, but difficult to feel much else. diversionsdbk@gmail.com

a typical rice bowl but end up being a little too heavy in flavor. The sweetness of the provided sauce drowns out nearly every other note in the bowl, resulting in a largely monochromatic heap of charred beef and skimpy portions of shrimp.

The appetizers are standard Southeastern Asian fare, cooked well if not perfectly. The chicken wings have enough substance to be satisfying but aren’t quite crunchy enough. The summer roll and the egg roll are a little texturally bland. Aside from the crispy wrap, the egg roll is disarmingly mushy, while the summer roll doesn’t have enough crunchy lettuce or basil to counter the soft vermicelli and wrapper.

Prices are reasonable for fairly good portions, but Pho D’Lite doesn’t do enough to distinguish itself from Pho Thom. The heart of any restaurant ultimately lays in the food it serves, and Pho D’Lite’s pretty cover can’t hide how humdrum its book really is. diversionsdbk@gmail.com

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thursday, june 27, 2013 | sports | THE DIAMONDBACK

Gallen From PAGE 8 has helped mold a lottery pick in just two seasons at the helm of the program. The Terps haven’t had a lottery pick since the Los Angeles Clippers drafted forward Chris Wilcox eighth overall in 2002 or a topfive pick since guard Steve Francis went second overall to the Vancouver Grizzlies in 1999. And the last Terp selected first overall was forward Joe Smith to Golden State in 1995.

If the Cavaliers take Len, the Terps would become only

Draft From PAGE 8 latest official mock draft.

Meanwhile, ESPN moved Len down to sixth and DraftExpress and Sports Illustrated have mock drafts predicting Len will land with the Charlotte Bobcats, who have the fourth selection.

“I have size and I’m different from other players because I have my agility,” Len said.

“That’s what I think makes me different.”

Plenty of analysts agree, and thanks to Len’s performance in Brooklyn last fall, they’ve seen the physical attributes produce on-court results.

“There aren’t many [7-foot1,] 255-pound centers with a [7foot-3] wingspan in the NBA. There are even fewer who have the ability to impact the game on both sides of the ball,” SB Nation’s Jonathan Tjarks wrote.

There is also reason to be concerned about Len’s value.

Two months ago, he had surgery to stabilize a partial stress fracture in his left ankle — an injury he hinted at playing through in an interview with Grantland’s Bill Simmons and Jalen Rose — and isn’t guaran-

the second school ever to have three No. 1 draft picks, joining Duke. Guard John Lucas went No. 1 in 1976 to Houston.

It’s a prime selling point for Turgeon on the recruiting trail, especially with the Terps searching for a big man to round out their 2014 class.

Not to mention, Turgeon already coached one starting NBA center at Texas A&M in the Clippers’ DeAndre Jordan.

“Now, hopefully Alex can be a big-time player, and that helps you a lot down the road in recruiting,” Turgeon said last week.

For a program that hasn’t made the NCAA tournament

teed to be healthy when training camp starts in October.

Plus pundits and scouts question why he couldn’t consistently impact games last season the way he did against Kentucky.

“You see someone his size, who is talented offensively, but you look up and he averages 11 and 9, and you’re like, what the hell is going on?” said an anonymous NBA scout quoted by Sport Illustrated’s Seth Davis.

“When he wanted to do well, like against Nerlens Noel or [Duke center] Mason Plumlee, he did it, but why wasn’t that there every night?”

Turgeon disagrees. It wasn’t that Len didn’t want to do well against lesser competition, Turgeon said, it’s that he’s more suited to match up with talented big men than fight against pesky double teams from smaller players.

“His game translates to the NBA more so than it did to college,” Turgeon said. “He’ll be playing against bigger bodies. Big guys shoot more at that level. He’ll be able to stretch the floor and show that part of the game.”

In addition to his jump shot, Len feels he’ll be able to score from the post at the next level.

Since coming to the United

7

since Greivis Vasquez roamed Comcast Center, putting players in the NBA is a vital recruiting tool to add more top players.

Turgeon has already proven to be a top salesman, getting the Terps into the final conversation for the lauded Harrison twins last fall and putting together a 2014 class rated No. 4 in the nation by ESPN. It’s been more than 18 months since Len’s 14-point, eight-rebound performance in his Terps debut against Albany. Since then, it’s been an up-and-down ride of injury, ineffectiveness and speculation for Len and struggles and mild

disappointment for Turgeon.

But tonight, the culmination of Len’s time in College Park and Turgeon’s establishment of a revamped Terps program will be seen by basketball fans across the world.

And this university will be in the conversation.

After all, this is just the foundation for the future — for Turgeon and for Len. “We came here to win a lot of games and to graduate kids and get kids to the NBA,” Turgeon said. “It’s a good start.” sportsdbk@gmail.com

THE DESTINATIONS Ahead of former Terrapins men’s basketball center Alex Len’s likely selection as a lottery pick in tonight’s NBA draft, senior staff writer Daniel Gallen previews Len’s possible landing spots. For a full preview of the NBA draft lottery, visit diamondbackonline.com.

TEAM Cleveland Cavaliers PICK No. 1 2012-13 RECORD 24-58 LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE 2010 KEY PLAYERS G Kyrie Irving, C Anderson Varejao FIT Len would combine right away with center Anderson Varejao to give the Cavaliers — who have the No. 1 draft pick for the second time in three years — a tough inside presence. Varejao, who missed all but 25 games due to injury last season, is one of the NBA’s best rebounders, and Len would provide another presence to free up budding star Kyrie Irving.

Team Washington Wizards Pick No. 3 2012-13 record 29-53 Last playoff appearance 2008 Key players G John Wall, G Bradley Beal Fit The Wizards trotted out a front court featuring Emeka Okafor, Nene Hilario, Trevor Booker and Kevin Seraphin in 2012-13, so Len would be an immediate upgrade. John Wall emerged as a star late last year, and if there was one thing Len lacked in College Park it was consistent guard play.

former Center Alex len scored 23 points in the team’s season opener against Kentucky at Barclays Center. He’ll be back at the arena tonight for the NBA draft. File photo/the diamondback States in 2011, he’s aimed to work more on his back-tothe-basket arsenal of moves.

He’s even emulated some NBA greats known for their sound fundamentals in the post.

“When I was little, I would watch the American NBA players. I really liked [Houston Rockets center] Hakeem Olajuwon,” Len said. “Now more so like [Spurs center] Tim Duncan.”

The last time Len was in Barclays Center, he played like Olajuwon. Tonight, he’ll be back as one of 10 prospects invited to the “green room,” and will get

a chance to join the league his icons have dominated.

There are still questions as to exactly where Len will land.

But Turgeon’s been invited to the draft, too, and the last time he was in Brooklyn, he was pleasantly surprised by the big Ukrainian.

“He’s obviously got the size, but he’s really skilled and has a good feel for the game,” Turgeon said. “Put all that together, and it could be something special.” sportsdbk@gmail.com

Team Charlotte Bobcats Pick No. 4 2012-13 record 21-61 Last playoff appearance 2010 Key players G Kemba Walker, F Michael Kidd-Gilchrist Fit Len would give an immediate boost to the NBA’s newest franchise, especially on the defensive end. The Bobcats had the second-worst scoring defense last season, allowing 102.7 points per game. But Charlotte doesn’t have the best history of drafting well — just three of 11 first-round picks in the franchise’s eight-year history remain with the team.

Team Oklahoma City Thunder Pick No. 12 2012-13 record 60-22 Last playoff appearance 2013 Key players F Kevin Durant, G Russell Westbrook Fit: The Thunder are obviously the best fit if Len wants to be successful right away. After all, the Thunder were a Russell Westbrook knee injury from being a serious contender to dethrone the Miami Heat as NBA champions. There are openings for Len, too. Kendrick Perkins (4.2 points, 6.0 rebounds per game) saw most of the starts at center, and his backup is underwhelming veteran Nick Collison.

TWEET OF THE DAY Alex Len @Alex Len Former Terps basketball center

“What’s up twitter?! Excited to be in NYC for the #NBADraft to represent my family, Ukraine, & @UMTerps!”

Sports

CLASSROOM ACHIEVEMENTS

The Terrapins are well represented on the ACC’s spring All-Academic teams. For more, visit diamondbackonline.com.

Page 8

ON THE BLOG Thursday, june 27, 2013

MEN’S BASKETBALL | NBA DRAFT

THE NEXT BIG THING

Len waits to hear name called as early as first in tonight’s NBA draft in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Marriage of Len and Turgeon beneficial for player, coach and program moving forward

By Aaron Kasinitz Staff writer Terrapins men’s basketball coach Mark Turgeon stood on the sideline of the new Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., on Nov. 9 watching a player unrecognizable to most college basketball fans.

NBA scouts and executives knew about former Terps center Alex Len before the team’s season opener that night because of his unique size and athleticism. But the 7-foot-1 Ukrainian hadn’t accomplished enough on the court during an abbreviated freshman season to capture the attention of the country.

Len changed that while playing arguably the best game of his college career against defending champion Kentucky on national television. He totaled 23 points and 12 rebounds while matched up against the top 2012 recruit, Nerlens Noel, and despite a 72-69 loss, his national perception had been altered.

Even his coach came to a realization.

“The first time I worked him out, I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, this kid’s a pro,’” Turgeon said. “But I didn’t see him put it onto the court in game situations until the Kentucky game. That’s when I knew he couldn’t stay here. He would have to go to the NBA.” Turgeon’s assumption will soon be validated in the same building where it was formed. Though Len struggled to match his season-opening performance throughout his sophomore campaign, he’s primed to hear his name called by Commissioner David Stern early in tonight’s NBA draft at Barclays Center.

It’s still not certain which team will select the former Terp, who averaged 11.9 points and 7.8 rebounds per game this past season, but he’s thought of as one of the top prospects in what many analysts consider a weak draft class.

The Times-Picayune (New Orleans) reported June 17 that the Cleveland Cavaliers were considering taking Len — over Noel, incidentally — with the first pick in the draft. If Len is chosen as the top pick, the Terps would join Duke as the only program to have three players go No. 1 overall.

SB Nation has Len as the top pick in its

DANIEL GALLEN

former terps center Alex Len is poised to be the Terps’ first NBA draft lottery pick since Chris Wilcox in 2002. file photo/the diamondback

“That’s when I knew he couldn’t stay here.

He would have to go to the NBA.” MARK TURGEON

See draft, Page 7

NBA DRAFT WHEN Tonight, 8:30 p.m.

WHERE Barclays Center, Brooklyn, N.Y. TV ESPN DATA Former Terps center Alex Len is projected to be a lottery pick in the draft. Len is also rumored to be in contention for the top overall pick, which the Cleveland Cavaliers own. If Len is chosen with the top pick, this university would join Duke as the only schools to ever produce three first overall picks.

Terrapins men’s basketball coach

@dbksports

He didn’t lead his team to a championship title or even to the NCAA tournament. He didn’t put up show-stopping numbers every game. And at times, he looked nothing like an NBA draft lottery pick.

But tonight, when Alex Len hears his name called, walks across the stage at Barclays Center, shakes NBA commissioner David Stern’s hand and puts on the hat of the team that drafts him, the former Terrapins men’s basketball center will give the program that sharpened him into a lottery pick its biggest boost yet.

The conversation surrounding Len’s legacy in College Park is split. There are plenty who wanted more out of the 7-foot-1 Ukrainian than the 11.9 points and 7.8 rebounds per game he posted in his sophomore campaign.

At the same time, Terps fans were rewarded with dominant performances on some of the biggest stages, including the season opener against Kentucky in Brooklyn, N.Y. — in the same building where Len will get drafted, no less — and in upset wins over Duke in February and March.

In the end, though, Len’s time in College Park will benefit the player and the program.

Len arrived in America in 2011 as a virtual unknown. He was known in basketball circles, but the average fan knew little about him before his cartwheel-dunk combination at Maryland Madness a little more than 20 months ago.

Len’s stock has risen ever since, so much so that many expect the Cleveland Cavaliers to select him with the first overall pick tonight. Sure, there were plenty of calls for Len to stay in school for at least another year to hone his skills and contribute to what is expected to be a deep and more seasoned Terps team this fall. But he’s poised to be one of the top picks in the NBA draft. Why would you pass that up?

Back in College Park, coach Mark Turgeon See gallen, Page 7