Chapter 13: Reverse BOAT
"Did you say the University of North Carolina wants to play an invitational match with us in a week?"
Han Sen was in high spirits when Theus approached him after practice to discuss something.
Theus nodded, but there was a troubled look on his face.
This type of invitation was a double-edged sword. If they didn't accept, it would look like they were scared; but if they did accept, they were likely to get crushed.
"This is a bit unexpected," Han Sen admitted, as he hadn't anticipated this development.
Was it just because of what he had said?
It didn't seem likely.
North Carolina was Michael Jordan's alma mater and one of the most well-known schools in the NCAA. With such a prominent reputation, they were often the target of trash talk. If they had to respond to every jab, they'd be overwhelmed.
"It's probably about their reputation. After all, we're just a second-division team."
Khalil's news had blown things out of proportion.
"It doesn't add up," Han Sen shook his head. North Carolina didn't just have a big reputation; their current strength was through the roof. Even if they beat them, it wouldn't prove anything.
But then a thought occurred to him. "Coach, do you think we have a chance against North Carolina?"
"None," Theus shook his head without hesitation.
The only reason they had beaten Michigan State University was that they had underestimated them. If that hadn't happened, they wouldn't have stood a chance.
And North Carolina? Michigan State was ranked fifth, while North Carolina was ranked first.
Tyler Hansbrough, Ty Lawson, Wayne Ellington, Danny Green— all of them were practically on the cusp of the NBA.
Not to mention, with Michigan State's loss fresh in mind, North Carolina wouldn't make the same mistake of underestimating them.
So, by any measure, Barry University stood no chance.
"Exactly. They're not going to lose. I even think that unless it's 'March Madness,' they don't care much about other games," Han Sen confirmed his earlier thoughts.
"So, whether they play other teams or us, it doesn't make a difference. But playing us has more buzz."
After all, exhibition matches were meant to be seen by the 'league committee'.
"Then I'll reject them."
Beating Michigan State had given Han Sen a brief moment of fame, but facing North Carolina could very well crush his reputation.
But Han Sen shook his head. "Coach, this is the first— and possibly the only— chance our school will ever get to face North Carolina. We can't miss this opportunity."
…
The news of an upcoming match between Barry University and the University of North Carolina generated massive media attention.
It wasn't just the NCAA hyping it up; mainstream sports media outlets like TNT were reporting on it too.
This external attention finally gave Han Sen another chance to attend a press conference.
This time, the number of reporters far exceeded the season opener.
And right from the start, they focused all their questions on him.
"You previously said that you believe you could beat the University of North Carolina. Do you still stand by that?" The first reporter asked arrogantly.
"Of course," Han replied calmly.
"But I can't see any reason why you would win," the reporter pressed, giving no leeway.
"Before we faced Michigan State, I bet you felt the same way," Han shot back.
"What do you think your advantage is?" The reporter wasn't giving up.
"How about we make a bet? $500,000 says we can win this match." Han didn't answer the question directly; instead, he stared the reporter down.
The room was in an uproar.
Even Theus, who had gotten used to his way of speaking, was wide-eyed in shock.
Challenging a reporter to a bet in a press conference— Han Sen had just set another precedent.
"Well? Do you dare?" Han Sen pushed further when the reporter just stood there, stunned.
The reporter awkwardly smiled and finally sat back down.
Who would be dumb enough to take that bet? His annual salary didn't even come close to $500,000.
The room buzzed with murmurs. No one could figure out where Han Sen's confidence was coming from.
But this also made them even more curious about the upcoming game.
If Barry University really did beat North Carolina, it wouldn't just be "passion"— it would be a true miracle.
Han's bold statement had thrown fuel on the fire for the upcoming game.
Some were hoping for another upset victory by Barry University, but most were just waiting for Barry to make fools of themselves.
With all the attention, the game was scheduled to be held at the Miami Heat's home arena, the American Airlines Arena.
The game drew nearly 15,000 fans to the venue.
From the very start, the players from North Carolina were laser-focused, their individual skills and teamwork on full display.
Barry University fought hard, but the gap in skill between the two teams was too wide, and the score kept growing.
By halftime, Barry was already trailing by nearly 20 points.
In the second half, North Carolina showed no mercy, ultimately crushing Barry University 95-41.
After the game, Han Sen and his teammates walked dejectedly into the tunnel with their heads hung low.
"Don't go to the post-game press conference," Theus called out to Han Sen as they entered the locker room.
"I have to," Han Sen shook his head.
"They're not going to go easy on you," he warned, reminding Han of all the things he had said before the game.
"Coach, I'm not someone who runs away," he looked at him, his expression calm.
Theus stared at Han for a while before patting him on the shoulder and nodding.
When Han appeared at the press conference, the atmosphere immediately heated up.
As soon as he sat down, the reporters pounced.
"You were so confident before the game, but you lost by 54 points. What do you have to say for yourself?"
The reporter who asked the question couldn't wait to mock him.
All eyes were on him, eagerly awaiting his response.
The reporters' pre-game expressions of confusion were now replaced with smug satisfaction. Even the journalist who Han had tried to bet with looked regretful— he could've easily won $500,000.
Han Sen calmly adjusted the microphone in front of him and spoke:
"Michael Jordan entered the NBA in 1984, but it wasn't until 1991 that he won his first championship. Before that, he was repeatedly beaten by the Pistons. But he never gave up and kept improving himself until he finally defeated them."
"That doesn't seem to have much to do with my question," the reporter interjected.
Han Sen smiled and continued:
"What I mean is that no one is a winner forever. In fact, most of the time, we are losers. Learning how to deal with failure is just as important as winning."
Han Sen's answer was profound. Learning to face failure and rise above it was a core lesson in sports— a lesson many people never fully grasped.
But the reporters were unsatisfied.
It wasn't that his answer was wrong; they just wanted to see a frustrated, defeated Han, or perhaps an angry, ranting one— anything but the composed, unshaken version in front of them.
The tough questions kept coming, but Han Sen remained steady.
It wasn't that he was unaffected; it was that, in a game he knew they couldn't win, his goal had never been victory— it had been about increasing his [hater points].
Earlier, he still needed 2,000 more points to activate the lottery, which was no small number.
Under normal circumstances, since the invitational games would end in late December, he might not have reached that number even by the end of the season.
Even if the Michigan State game had been exciting and the news coverage high, the hype would eventually die down.
But Theus' news changed everything.
He wasn't shocked that North Carolina wanted to play them—he had never been against the idea.
In fact, he had felt the same excitement before the Michigan State game.
And the result exceeded his expectations.
Because during this game, his [hater points] skyrocketed, breaking 10,000 before the game even ended!
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