Sindarius Thornwell Destroyed Duke — and Shook Up March Madness

(B/R Mag)

A few miles from downtown—where "For Rent" signs dangle in dusty windows of former gas stations, furniture stores and other shuttered businesses that line the main drag—a chestnut and white pitbull snarls in the gravel driveway of Lancaster, South Carolina's most famous citizen.

And the NCAA tournament's breakout star.

"Country!" Sindarius Thornwell's mother shouts as she bursts through the screen door and onto the porch of her tiny, one-bathroom home. "Stop that barking!"

The reigning SEC Player of the Year at South Carolina, Sindarius hasn't made the hourlong drive from Columbia to visit his 60-pound canine—not to mention his family—in more than a month. But on this Tuesday…