Capítulo 68: The Arrival: NCAA Semifinals, April 4th
Lian Dao and DeMar were deep in discussions about how to handle Thabeet.
Meanwhile, in a nearby training hall, the University of Connecticut Huskies had already begun their practice sessions.
The UConn Huskies' game was scheduled a day earlier than USC's, granting them an extra day of rest and preparation. This additional time allowed them to focus on refining their strategies and skills.
The Huskies not only boasted talent but also extensive experience. Most of their players, including Thabeet, A.J. Price, and small forward Jerome Dyson, were juniors, while power forwards Jeff Adrian and Craig Osterley were seniors.
This wealth of experience gave UConn a significant advantage. In contrast, USC's starting lineup featured veterans like Gibson and Daniel alongside three freshman rookies.
Despite the intensity of their preparations, the training atmosphere in UConn's camp remained relaxed.
"Hashim, in the next game, you're up against a rookie from Southern California. Have you figured out how to handle him?" Jeff Adrian asked, taking a mid-range shot before turning to Thabeet.
Of course, Jeff wasn't referring to Lian Dao, as they were unaware of USC's plans to deploy him against Thabeet. The rookie in question here was Vucevic.
Standing tall at 221 centimeters and weighing 119 kilograms, Thabeet had a slender build that belied his imposing presence on the court.
"Jeff, you might be underestimating our opponent. Coach Jim emphasized that we shouldn't take anyone lightly," Thabeet responded, practicing his footwork under the basket.
As the top seed in the Western Division, UConn had dominated their opponents throughout the season, with Thabeet's dominant inside play anchoring their success.
Regarding Vucevic, a freshman, while Thabeet claimed he didn't underestimate him, he wasn't overly concerned either.
The University of Connecticut's reputation for creating a "no-fly zone" wasn't just talk; it was earned through their formidable shot-blocking abilities on the court.
"Jeff, instead of worrying about how Thabeet will handle your opponent, you should focus on our upcoming matchup. Gibson isn't someone to take lightly, especially considering his rising draft stock, similar to recent moves by the Rockets," Jerome Dyson interjected, adding a touch of humor to the conversation with Jeff Adrian.
However, Jeff Adrian seemed uneasy with Jerome's comment, clearly feeling the jab at his emotional intelligence.
"Hey, Jerome, let's not talk about me. You're up against a tough opponent too, so don't get caught off guard by their rookie who's deadly from beyond the arc," Jeff Adrian retorted, his tone direct.
The University of Connecticut Huskies players, who moments ago were joking around, suddenly realized their opponents weren't to be underestimated.
Before leaving the training session, several players approached the assistant coach, requesting a video of USC's recent games. They were determined not to repeat the pitfalls that befell Michigan State, risking backlash from passionate Big East fans.
After all, they were the sole representatives of the Big East, and failure wasn't an option.
...
The media hype surrounding the Southern California Trojans vs. Connecticut Huskies game was intense.
"Liandao vs. Hashim, the battle for second place!" This headline was plastered across numerous platforms, fueling anticipation everywhere.
Even before the game began, the NCAA semifinal matchup between the Trojans and the Huskies was already buzzing with heightened media attention. The media's portrayal of the rivalry sparked heated debates among fans on social media, each side passionately arguing over their team's potential victory.
Meanwhile, as the NBA season neared its conclusion with playoff-bound teams already determined, many basketball enthusiasts turned their focus to the NCAA tournament. The anticipation for the semifinal games was palpable, with expectations running high among fans eagerly awaiting the thrilling matchups ahead.
On TNT's show, Barkley and Kenny Smith were engrossed in a heated debate over which team would advance to the final.
Back in China, Sun Yue found himself sidelined with no opportunity to play for the Lakers. It seemed certain that after the 2009 season, the Lakers would opt out of signing him.
In China, the spotlight on Lian Dao during the 2009-10 NBA season was unprecedented. Domestic reports flooded in, highlighting his journey in the NCAA with dramatic headlines like "NCAA's strongest outside line vs. strongest inside line," "epic duel," and even "Shocked, Lian Dao actually has a secret weapon" — though the latter was quickly debunked as hyperbole.
This marked a significant moment in China's basketball history, as Lian Dao became the first NCAA player to garner such widespread attention through televised broadcasts. While Ma Jian had previously played in the NCAA in the last century, his tenure was overshadowed by limited exposure due to the media landscape of the time. Unlike Ma Jian, who faced challenges in his junior year at the University of Utah, Lian Dao emerged as a star player with immense popularity.
For Chinese basketball fans in 2009, the NCAA was a relatively new concept. Lian Dao's emergence as a formidable player capable of rivaling the likes of Yao Ming and Yi Jianlian ignited a sense of pride across the nation. However, with this newfound attention came the inevitable scrutiny. Chinese media, known for its quick shifts in narrative, once placed high hopes on Yi Jianlian only to dismiss him as his status in the league declined, dubbing him "Space Yi."
Should Lian Dao falter in the upcoming game, the media scrutiny back home was expected to be similarly harsh, showcasing the dual nature of fame — full of both opportunities and challenges.
...
In the blink of an eye, April 4th arrived, marking the day of the NCAA semifinals.
Leading up to the games, the media had built up significant anticipation, and fans were eagerly awaiting the most thrilling matchups of "March Madness."
To ensure fairness, both semifinal games were scheduled for the same day. The UNC Tar Heels faced off against the Villanova Wildcats in the first game, while the University of Connecticut Huskies clashed with the USC Trojans in the second.
Barkley and Kenny Smith narrated the UNC Tar Heels versus Villanova Wildcats game, though Barkley had hoped to cover the matchup between UConn and USC. However, the luck of the draw had him calling the earlier game, much to Kenny Smith's amusement.
The UNC Tar Heels, led by center Tyler Hansborough and boasting seven future NBA players, were considered exceptionally strong that year. Media predictions heavily favored them, giving Villanova Wildcats less than a 10% chance of winning.
As anticipated, Villanova struggled to mount any defense against the dominant Tar Heels. UNC quickly built a commanding lead in the first half, and by the second half, the game was effectively over with Villanova conceding after just five minutes of play. Bench players took over, and UNC Tar Heels cruised to an 83-69 victory over the Villanova Wildcats in a game that lacked suspense from start to finish.
Post-game interviews stirred fan interest, particularly when Michael Jordan, UNC's legendary star, was asked why he hadn't attended the game. With characteristic confidence, Jordan replied, "I'll be watching UNC win the championship in the finals!"
This remark, typical of Jordan's swagger, overshadowed the game itself in media coverage and heightened fan anticipation for the upcoming championship showdown.
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