Sally Analyzes USA TODAY’s Daily Crossword Puzzle, “Lay-up”

There are spoilers ahead. You might want to solve today’s puzzle before reading further!

Constructor: Jared Goudsmit

Editor: Jared Goudsmit

Random Thoughts & Interesting Things:

• AMERICA (15A: Central ___ (Belize’s region))
  Belize is a country located on the coast of Central AMERICA, along the Caribbean Sea. It shares borders with Mexico and Guatemala and gained full independence from the United Kingdom in 1981. The capital is Belmopan.
• LEBANON (17A: Country whose national dish is kibbeh)
  LEBANON is in West Asia, with a coastline along the Mediterranean Sea. Its capital is Beirut. Kibbeh, a dish of lean ground meat, bulgur wheat, and spices, is also Syria’s national dish.
• RUBE (30A: ___ Goldberg machine)
  RUBE Goldberg (1883-1970) was a cartoonist, sculptor, author, engineer, and inventor, known for cartoons of intricate machines performing simple tasks. These led to the term “RUBE Goldberg machine.” Many videos of such machines are available online.
• AQUA (35A: Bluish color, with or without “marine” at the end)
  Merriam-Webster defines AQUA as a light greenish-blue color and AQUAMARINE as a pale blue to light greenish blue.
• ORZO (42A: Oval pasta)
  ORZO is categorized as “pastina” or “little pasta.” These oval, rice-shaped pieces cook quickly and are often used in soups and salads.
• ESPN (54A: “Get Up” sports channel)
  Get Up is a sports talk TV show airing weekday mornings on ESPN, hosted by Mike Greenberg.
• MEMO (57A: Get the ___ (become informed))
  A common saying used either positively or negatively, like “I didn’t get the MEMO” to explain being out of the loop.
• MALI (1D: Landlocked West African country)
  MALI, one of the 16 landlocked countries in Africa, is located in West Africa. Its capital is Bamako.
• REBA (3D: “You Lie” singer McEntire)
  “You Lie” is a song from REBA McEntire’s 1990 album, Rumor Has It.
• BRANDY ALEXANDER (4D: Cocktail with creme de cacao)
  A BRANDY ALEXANDER is a dessert cocktail made of cognac, crème de cacao, and cream. Adding ice cream turns it into a frozen BRANDY ALEXANDER.
• DANA (7D: Fox’s partner on “The X-Files”)
  FBI special agents DANA Scully and Fox Mulder, played by Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny, are the main characters on The X-Files.
• AMY (10D: Actress Poehler)
  AMY Poehler played Leslie Knope in Parks and Recreation and directed the 2022 documentary Lucy and Desi.
• EMMA (13D: “Little Women” actress Watson)
  EMMA Watson starred as Meg March in the 2019 movie Little Women. She is also a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador, advocating for gender equality.
• TULSA (29D: Oklahoma city where “The Outsiders” is set)
  The Outsiders, a 1967 book by S. E. Hinton, is set in TULSA, Oklahoma. It was adapted into a movie in 1983, a play in 1990, and a musical in 2024.
• MAZDA (34D: Tribute automaker)
  The MAZDA Tribute is a compact SUV that was sold from 2000 to 2011.
• ERMA (54D: “Abracadabra” singer Franklin)
  “Abracadabra” is a 1963 song by ERMA Franklin.
• A few conversational clues I especially enjoyed:
  • HUMOR ME (16A: “Silly as it seems, try going with it”)
  • ANYTIME (18A: Response to “Thanks for your help!”)
  • UP TO YOU (65A: “I’m cool with any decision”)
  • I QUIT (28D: “Consider this my resignation!”)

Crossword Puzzle Theme Synopsis:

• BRANDY ALEXANDER (4D: Cocktail with creme de cacao)
• NOT BY A LONG SHOT (11D: Unquestionably no)
• BABY ALBUM (21D: Collection of newborn photos)

LAY-UP: The word LAY is found backwards – that is, going UP – in each vertical theme answer: BRANDY ALEXANDER, NOT BY A LONG SHOT, and BABY ALBUM.

The word UP in the title hinted that the theme might be in the Down answers, and that was indeed the case. NOT BY A LONG SHOT is my favorite of today’s theme answers. Thank you, Jared, for this enjoyable puzzle.

Source: USA TODAY