BALTIMORE (Map, News) - Billy Packer, lead analyst for CBS Sports, is broadcasting his 34th NCAA Tournament. He and partner Jim Nantz will be calling today’s action for both the UMBC-Georgetown game and the Mount St. Mary’s-North Carolina contest from Raleigh, N.C.

UMBC plays at 2:30 p.m. on WJZ-TV, Baltimore’s home for all the tournament action. Mount St. Mary’s plays at 7:10 p.m. I had a chance to ask Packer a couple questions about the tournament, and before you ask, yes, he knows what UMBC stands for and where it is located. He really does his homework.

QIt’s an uphill battle, but can UMBC upset Georgetown?

AYes. UMBC must be able to rebound, because Georgetown is very good on the boards. Secondly, they must get some outstanding guard play so that they can dictate the tempo of the game. If UMBC allows Georgetown to dictate tempo, then they will lose. There is a reason why the Hoyas are a No. 2 seed. You simply can’t let them play their game and expect to win. I don’t expect UMBC to fear Georgetown or to be awestruck by their surroundings, because to their credit, they played on the road at Wichita State, West Virginia, Ohio State and American. So they won’t be intimidated. This should be a good first-round game.”

Q You said on the NCAA Selection Show that this is the most open the tournament has been in more than 10 years. Why?

A Look at the power conferences this year — the ACC, the PAC 1O, Big East, Big 12, and SEC. In each case, the top two teams in each conference were very evenly matched. Then look at the teams that were three through six: they also were also evenly matched. Just look at the ACC. You had UNC and Duke at the top of the league with Clemson, Maryland, Virginia Tech and Miami all very much in the race to the end. That is what we see when we look at the NCAA Tournament. The teams that are seeded No. 1 and No. 2 are almost interchangeable, and the No. 3 through No. 6 teams are all solid.

» The women’s tournament will tip off Sunday at Comcast Center. Top-seed Maryland hosts Coppin State on ESPN at 2:30 p.m. Maryland grad and Bowie native Pam Ward will be calling all the action for ESPN. When I asked Ward if the Terps had a shot at winning their second national title in three years, she said: “Without a doubt.”

Ward has signed a new deal with ESPN and is now doing play-by-play almost exclusively. She will continue to do college football, college basketball, WNBA, college softball and college baseball, making her the top woman’s play-by-play voice in the history of sports.

Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer. Check out his blog, Watch this! on www.examiner.com.

Comments from Examiner Readers

6:34 PM MST on Mon., May. 5, 2008 re: "Triumph and tragedy sums up NBC�s Derby coverage"

Examiner Reader said:
I am very against horse racing for the simple FACT that they race these "babies" way too young. If they would only wait until their bones were fused, maybe there wouldn't be so much damage done to these precious creatures. It's such a tragedy. I will NEVER watch horseracing again because it's horrible to watch Barbaro go through what he had to go through and now Eight belles.

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6:30 PM MST on Mon., May. 5, 2008 re: "Triumph and tragedy sums up NBC�s Derby coverage"

Examiner Reader said:
Might want to check some of your facts a little more closely. Tom Hammond is the anchor for NBC's derby coverage. Tom Hammonds with a "S" was a former basketball star who was a first round pick of the Bullets

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8:21 AM MST on Fri., Mar. 7, 2008 re: "Broadcaster Carpenter excited about the Nats season"

Carpenter Fan said:
I, for one, am estatic that Bob Carpenter is back! I thought he and Sutton did a great job last year as I watched more baseball games last summer than I ever have previously. I definitely enjoy his easy style and the "relationship" between he and Don Sutton. Both guys don't try to make themselves bigger than the game. For the reader who wants Mr. Williams to "educate the public" as to why Bob Carpenter is such a horrible annoucer, I would say it's time to get off the couch every once in a while, maybe join a softball league or something. Sounds like you are watching too much tv!

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6:35 AM MST on Fri., Mar. 7, 2008 re: "Broadcaster Carpenter excited about the Nats season"

WFY said:
It is worth noting that it was Sutton who expressed concerns about Carpenter in the first place.

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6:30 AM MST on Fri., Mar. 7, 2008 re: "Broadcaster Carpenter excited about the Nats season"

Examiner Reader said:
Bob Carpenter is horrible. Only by small-market standards can a homer, who spews cliches and exhibits little knowledge of the game, be seen as a good announcer. DC isn't a small market but has no expectations for its sportscasters. Jim, you should be educating the public, explaining why announcers like Carpenter are weak. Instead, you fawn all over them and artificially elevate their status. Carpenter deserved to be fired and his return is a shame.

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7:26 PM MST on Tue., Jan. 29, 2008 re: "An NHL New Year�s Day tradition?"

shane said:
Williams your so good--but so biased. All here know of your "relationship with marx" Please stopppppp your soo hurting your great cred in this town for sure!

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10:47 PM MST on Mon., Dec. 31, 2007 re: "Who�s the city�s best host?"

Examiner Reader said:
the fill in people like jeremy caan and ken wyman are 100 times better than marx. this guy should write about them

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1:26 PM MST on Thu., Dec. 27, 2007 re: "Who�s the city�s best host?"

Examiner Reader said:
Anita Marks is a man baby. She's a man I tell you!

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2:52 PM MST on Wed., Dec. 26, 2007 re: "Who�s the city�s best host?"

Examiner Reader said:
I suppose someone had to come out on top, but Marks is insufferable, Viviano lifeless, and Davis just plain obnoxious. But who else but third-stringers would land in Baltimore? The good ones are lured to NYC, Chicago and any place else where top talent has millions of listeners and you have to be special to be asked and to last.

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5:08 PM MST on Tue., Dec. 25, 2007 re: "Who�s the city�s best host?"

Examiner Reader said:
Anita Marks is terrible...simply terrible. Since when is "yuk yuk, buddy buddy" radio good journalism? Doesn't matter where she's from or where she works...she is dreadful.

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8:20 PM MST on Wed., Dec. 19, 2007 re: "Who�s the city�s best host?"

anne said:
wow Pam .. Icould not have said it better myself to a degree. Jim is a very talented--one way!

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8:15 PM MST on Wed., Dec. 19, 2007 re: "Who�s the city�s best host?"

Pam said:
Williams you completly threw journalsitic integrity out the window. Turn those award-whatevers IN. ADMIT you went to the "U" with Anita Marx.. ADMIT you are a self proclaimed " GOD BROTHER" didn't know those of the jewish faith had had GOD parents, and were instructed by her parents to "Take care of her" Shame -shame on you.. I love sports in this town.. Love the combo of Viv and Yaffe.. Haynie is great especially if you love terps.. ROB, you idiot--not BOB, is hands down the best in Baltimore-fair unbiased-unlike yourself Mr. Jim Marx Williams. The Examiner should can you. You are an embarrasment

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7:41 PM MST on Tue., Dec. 18, 2007 re: "Who�s the city�s best host?"

Examiner Reader said:
Baltimore sports talk radio is abysmal, the only host on wnst that is tolerable is Bob Haynie, the Saturday show with Bruce Cunningham and Arron Wilson is quite good also. As far as 1300 and wbal, well Anita Marks isn't worth even commenting on, and Tom ("the fans don't understand") Davis is nothing but an apologist for the dismal Angelos regime at the Orioles, Steve Davis on wbal is nothing more than a smart-ass, and his attempts at humor often are embarrassing. Yes the sports talk roster in Baltimore is severely lacking.

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7:40 PM MST on Tue., Dec. 18, 2007 re: "Who�s the city�s best host?"

Examiner Reader said:
The sooner that Anita Marks leaves this market and goes back to South Florida, the better we all will be. She knows nothing about Baltimore sports history. She does not let the callers to her show make their point, because she cuts them off.

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5:30 PM MST on Tue., Dec. 18, 2007 re: "Who�s the city�s best host?"

Examiner Reader said:
his name is ROB LONG

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1:18 PM MST on Tue., Dec. 18, 2007 re: "Who�s the city�s best host?"

Examiner Reader said:
What was the purpose of this article ? All this reporter did was tell us what we already knew and made everyone look good. As for Ms. Marks, the sooner this name dropper, over rated, "ultimate sports chick" gets out of town and off the Baltimore airwaves, the more pleasurable it will be. Tom David would do much better in this time slot and he is repected. As for Ms. Marks, go find a football game to play in with the boys. You're not all that great looking and as far as radio "talent" and Baltimore sports knowledge you are severly lacking. All you do is kiss up to all the "celebrities" you know. heres a news flash for you - The excitement and newness of your shreaking voice has worn off. GO AWAY ! ! ! !

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1:04 PM MST on Tue., Dec. 18, 2007 re: "Who�s the city�s best host?"

Examiner Reader said:
Anita Marks is a carpetbagger and does almost nothing in the Baltimore Community. She is a hired gun, but in my opionion she's not that good. Baltimore is a blue collar town and we love our hometown favorites, she is not a Baltimorone! Bruce Cunningham is the best sports person in town. He loves Baltimore and you can tell when he announces the Ravens.

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9:57 AM MST on Tue., Dec. 18, 2007 re: "Who�s the city�s best host?"

Examiner Reader said:
Great article on Baltimore sports talk radio I also think that Drew Forrester does a good job. The WNST afternoon driver's name Is Rob Long not Bob Long. Anita Marks I think will move on to a bigger market the top 10 she Is good I just think that she Is a hired gun no commitment to Baltimore she Is most likely making good money,but I do not think that she Is long for the 21st rated radio market.

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5:28 PM MST on Sun., Dec. 9, 2007 re: "NFL Network-Comcast feud just tip of iceberg"

Examiner Reader said:
Steve Boyce - December 9, 2007 @ 7:15 pm I wish people would wake up and smell the coffee! It�s not the NFL network punishing the fans, it�s the cable companies. Direct TV offers this netwrok as part of normal programming and is provided with no extra charge to their customers. Some Cable companies only charge for NFL network DURING the football season and then providing it free during off-season. If the cable company is charging their customers yet directTV is not then what does that tell you? It tells you that the Cable companies are the one�s trying to gouge you! I am a Direct TV subscriber and have had NFL netwrok for several years now and have never had to pay extra for it. I do pay for the privelage to View NFL Sunday Ticket which i am glad to pay for. I have the option to watch any game i want and would never complain about having to pay for it. If you CHOOSE to have cable tv then you reall y have no right to complain about the inadequacies of the service. Here�s a thou

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12:51 PM MST on Thu., Oct. 25, 2007 re: "Fall Classic is not so special anymore"

Examiner Reader said:
I am happy to know I am not the only person who does not appreciate Tim McGarver. It was even worse when he was teamed with Tony Kubek. I'm no so wild about Buck either---he cannot carry his father's water bucket so to speak. and the delay between TV and radio makes it difficult to watch and listen. So I mute and read the caption. Almost as bad.

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5:51 PM MST on Tue., Oct. 23, 2007 re: "Dan Patrick returns to DC�s airwaves"

Examiner Reader said:
Let's hope the Nationals ditch Charlie Slowes for good and hire a first-rate baseball play-by-play man instead. Jon Miller, Joe Angel, Tom Hamilton (Indians)or Harry Kalas would all be a huge improvement. Slowes calls baseball like it's basketball and bogs down his broadcasts with way too many stats. As for TV, the big mistake was letting Mel Proctor go. He was much better than Carpenter

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1:12 PM MST on Tue., Oct. 23, 2007 re: "Nats need to be loyal to staff"

Examiner Reader said:
Must keep Carpenter and Sutton. Must keep them long-term...chemistry will only improve. Must give Taylor better questions for interviews. Must keep Slowes and Jageler. Must keep them long-term, too. Must keep Knight in the studio and out of the booth (talks waaaaaaaaaaay too much when replacing Sutton). Must have continuity somewhere and these broadcasting teams are good and a good place to start...GO NATS!!!!

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12:31 PM MST on Tue., Oct. 23, 2007 re: "Nats need to be loyal to staff"

Rick Barry said:
What if any implications does your article have on XM broadcasts? Would XM simply be picking up the same broadcasts as AM/FM?

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7:40 AM MST on Tue., Oct. 23, 2007 re: "Nats need to be loyal to their broadcasters"

Shawn Irving said:
Hey Jim Lets not forget the great pre and post game shows the Nats have with Johnny Holliday and Ray Knight..These Two have terrific chemistry and give Nationals fans some great insight and very entertaining shows.. add Holliday and Knight to the mix of Carpenter, Sutton and Taylor and you've got an unbeatable combination..

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6:59 AM MST on Tue., Oct. 23, 2007 re: "Nats need to be loyal to their broadcasters"

Examiner Reader said:
I worked with Jags in Boston! Keep him....

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6:26 AM MST on Tue., Oct. 23, 2007 re: "Nats need to be loyal to their broadcasters"

A . Moore said:
Must keep Carpenter, he is the reason I watch the Nats on MASN.

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11:52 AM MST on Mon., Oct. 22, 2007 re: "Dan Patrick returns to DC�s airwaves"

Examiner Reader said:
What a mistake by WTEM.. why would you take off the best local show on there for a national one?? Hopefully Feldman and Maloney get to take their show somewhere else..

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10:58 AM MST on Mon., Oct. 22, 2007 re: "Dan Patrick returns to DC�s airwaves"

Examiner Reader said:
Agreed. Feldman and Maloney was the best show on Sportstalk 980. They are really running the station into the ground. They should get back Kornheiser and put Feldman and Maloney behind him and then Dan Patrick could do the afternoon.

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10:31 AM MST on Mon., Oct. 22, 2007 re: "Dan Patrick returns to DC�s airwaves"

Robert C. said:
Hi Jim Williams, Dave Pugh is Dan Patrick's brother, not his brother-in law. Dan Patrick's full name is "Daniel Patrick Pugh". Just to let you know for the future. -- Robert

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8:59 AM MST on Sat., Oct. 20, 2007 re: "Is FOX5�s Feldman heir apparent to Michael?"

Examiner Reader said:
We can now turn 980 back on from 11 - 1 weekdays

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10:38 AM MST on Wed., Oct. 10, 2007 re: "Ripken improving as he goes along"

Frank TV said:
TBS gets a C because of the endless shill for this new FRANK TV show. The HD picture looks good.

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7:50 AM MST on Wed., Oct. 10, 2007 re: "Ripken improving as he goes along"

hallucinating? said:
Is it just me, or is it sometimes tough to see how many people are on base? Sometimes it if theres a guy on first and the little 1st base graphic is yellow, it sometimes looks a bit like the 3rd base graphic is sort of colored in, less so than the 1st base part but more so than 2nd base. It looked that way a few times during the last NYY/Cle game.

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12:11 PM MST on Fri., Sep. 21, 2007 re: "Nats� Carpenter is a class act and will be missed"

Examiner Reader said:
"have studio analyst Ray Knight serve as the color analyst moving Don Baylor to a full time role as the studio host" Oh please no

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9:58 AM MST on Fri., Sep. 21, 2007 re: "Nats� Carpenter is a class act and will be missed"

Examiner Reader said:
Bob Carpenter was the best, he didn't deserve to be let go, shame on Stan and the Nationals, he will truely be missed!

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10:16 PM MST on Wed., Sep. 19, 2007 re: "What do Beckham and Geraldo have in common?"

Examiner Reader said:
Aw, that's too bad. I had so hoped for...well, I don't know. I suppose there had to be a reason for Europe to let go of him. Hopefully he'll pick up?

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5:19 PM MST on Tue., Aug. 21, 2007 re: "Vick becomes more than a sports story"

Examiner Reader said:
"Michael Vick is probably the most visible professional athlete to be headed to jail in the history of sports." Mike Tyson. Internationally known boxer. Jailed for 3 years. This article must have taken you, what, 10 minutes to write Jim? My grandma knows who Mike Tyson is, but no clue who Vick is. If this article were submitted to a journalism class, you'd get an F. Keep up the great work Jim, you hack.

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9:08 AM MST on Tue., Aug. 21, 2007 re: "Vick becomes more than a sports story"

Examiner Reader said:
Vick did not win all the games he played. When he lost , is there anybody around to execute him for poor performance ? He indeed has a mean heart . In his next life, he will be condemned by god to be a dog which will slaughtered in the same manner he excuted these dogs. What a cruel man !

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4:53 AM MST on Tue., Aug. 21, 2007 re: "Vick becomes more than a sports story"

Examiner Reader said:
Whatever the penalties imposed on Vick, they will be TOO lenient. This is a vicious individual with a GANGSTA attitude toward life. Contrary to popular beliefs amongst some sections of our populace (race and ethnic background aside) cruelty to animals is not only ILLEGAL it is MORALLY REPREHENSIBLE! Shame on Vick and his ilk. Shame on the NFL if they do not BAN Vick. Shame on those who will glorify Vick to enrich their pocketbooks. And shame on our society for raising such a scumbag. I am a hunter. I have spent HOURS tracking game which was shot and only wounded. Only once was I personally responsible. Several times people I didn't know but met while hunting just packed up and left wounded game. To a man (and I use the term lightly), they did not grow up in a hunting family. They just bought a gun and took off in the woods. Vick is like them. He is a cretin. I hope he likes jail.

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7:45 AM MST on Sun., Jul. 22, 2007 re: "Have we learned nothing from Duke?"

Examiner Reader said:
Hey Jim. Don't even compare this case to the Duke debacle. The truth is that a liberal prosecutor wanted to nail some young rich white college kids who happened to be at a party with a trashy black stripper. He crossed the line and much to my surprise was held accountable. It seems that professional sports figures today are exempt from the rules of normal folks. If you believe for a minute that Michael Vick was unaware of what was going on at his house you're just plain stupid. The term "innocent until proven guilty" has no meaning anymore. These losers talk about being men but when it comes down to it they're just overpaid cowards. Sure, they can beat my a** to a pulp because that's what cowards do. The only thing that they have going for them is their physical prowess. I'm sick of working my butt of trying to makes ends meet and these bozo's get treated like royalty. The only reason you and other announcers defend these people is so you have a reason to get paid.

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6:09 PM MST on Sat., Jul. 21, 2007 re: "Have we learned nothing from Duke?"

Criminal guilt said:
Criminal guilt is not necessary in the court of public opinion. Similarly, a not guilty verdict can mean diddly. (See former running back #32)

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1:54 PM MST on Sat., Jul. 21, 2007 re: "Have we learned nothing from Duke?"

Examiner Reader said:
Innocent until proven guilty? Hundreds of people who have never had so much as a parking ticket find themselves on the TSA's no fly list, and have spent up to a year "proving their innocence." In the case of Michael Vick--who is probably NOT on the no fly list, despite the "secret compartment water bottle incident--the cliche I perfer is "where there's smoke, there's fire." Less than two weeks after the Duke case became scandal du jour, most of the "smoke" was already suspected as part of the smoke and mirrors attempt by D.A. Nifong to make a name for himself. Nifong made more vows than Liz Taylor to produce evidence to bring the guilty to justice. The dogs discovered on Vick's property may not be PROOF that Vick was involved, but since we are at war based on nonexistant evidence, I'm apt to think the media HAS learned from past mistakes. Vick's denial is like the mom who finds pot in her son's room, and believes he was keeping it for a friend to keep him out of trouble.

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11:14 PM MST on Sat., Jul. 14, 2007 re: "Williams shifts from court to course"

Examiner Reader said:
I'd double check your WUSA numbers there Jim. oh, never mind, they just made a nice little blow your own horn commercial about it so it must be true. If you check them again, you might find WJLA a stronger threat to WRC at 11pm than WUSA, but why should a fact get in the way of a good story or self promotion. Notice how their little ad attributes The Examiner and not the actual book? Hmmmmmmm....

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10:33 AM MST on Mon., Jun. 11, 2007 re: "Beltways to do battle again and MASN scores big"

WFY said:
So, will the Malevolent Angelo$ Sports Network treats Nats fans like second-class citizens again?

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7:27 PM MST on Tue., May. 15, 2007 re: "Is FOX5�s Feldman heir apparent to Michael?"

Examiner Reader said:
Jim Williams article on Dave Feldman is ridiculas. What are his opinions based on? What numbers? If being on radio and tv makes you the most popular than Tim Brant is in a class of his own.... HOGWASH!

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5:55 AM MST on Fri., May. 11, 2007 re: "Triple X ESPN seeking to grow signal"

Dr. Hardcrab said:
That should be Sonny, Sam, and FRANK!!!! That's why i don't listen to the broadcast any longer. No offence to Larry, but BRING FRANK BACK!!!!

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5:52 AM MST on Fri., May. 11, 2007 re: "When good broadcasters go bad"

Dr. Hardcrab said:
Bad attempt at humor. Not appropriate. He apologized. Move on.......

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