Chapitre 44: Dominance on Display
All the Southern California players walked out of the player tunnel one by one. While the older players seemed unfazed, the freshmen were visibly stunned by the spectacle outside.
Despite knowing about the large crowd of spectators and fans, actually experiencing it was a shock! The gymnasium, packed with over 50,000 people, reverberated with waves of noise, dominated by a sea of red that momentarily made Lian Dao feel like he was back at the Galen Center in Southern California.
However, they quickly snapped out of their awe when they noticed the Robert Morris Colonial team also emerging, looking similarly taken aback. Compared to the USC players, the Colonials seemed frozen for a longer moment.
No one from USC mocked their opponents. Instead, they focused on patting the basketball and warming up on the court, setting their sights on the upcoming game. The Robert Morris team also regained their composure and began their own pre-game preparations.
The energy in the arena was electric as fans from both sides waved flags and cheered loudly for their teams. Many Robert Morris supporters believed in the unpredictability of March Madness, where any team could become a dark horse regardless of their initial ranking or perceived strength.
In these packed arenas during "March Madness," numerous scouts were present, carefully observing the players' performances. Teams interested in Lian Dao had dispatched their own scouts to evaluate his skills firsthand, recognizing the high quality of USC's players this season. Similarly, NBA teams keen on DeMar and other players also had representatives in attendance.
With this year being considered a promising draft class, scouts were particularly focused on players they viewed as potential top picks. The setup of "March Madness" ensured there was no home-court advantage; instead, the higher-seeded team played last, a format that placed USC in the spotlight as they prepared to take the court.
The Robert Morris Colonial team lined up with: point guard Jimmy Lanhurst (180cm), shooting guard Betko Francisco (185cm), small forward Jeremy Chapple (190cm), power forward Mezzi Nwegui (193cm), and center Rob Robinson (203cm).
Immediately after, USC took to the court with their lineup: point guard Daniel Hackett, shooting guard DeMar, small forward Lian Dao, power forward Gibson, and center Vucevic.
As the teams clashed, fans from both sides roared their support for their favorites. USC's supporters, clad in cardinal and gold, raised the volume even higher.
Lian Dao stepped onto the court just before the game began, greeted by a thunderous chant of his name from USC fans. He acknowledged their fervor with a wave.
With USC boasting taller players overall, even their shortest, Daniel Hackett, stood taller than the opposing power forward.
From the opening tip-off, USC asserted dominance over the Robert Morris Colonials. Lian Dao's height and wingspan allowed him to effortlessly launch three-pointers over defenders who couldn't contest his shot effectively.
DeMar, fueled by his superior athleticism, relentlessly attacked the basket, delivering multiple emphatic dunks that drew nods of approval from scouts in the stands.
Inside, Gibson and Vucevic formed an impenetrable wall, denying any attempts at scoring near the hoop. Gibson's defensive prowess was evident with four blocks in the first half alone.
If one word could describe the first half, it would be "merciless." USC amassed 68 points while Robert Morris managed only as much as Lian Dao's individual score: 23 points.
At halftime, USC led by a staggering 45 points. The Robert Morris team, unaccustomed to facing such formidable opposition in March Madness, struggled to find their footing.
Expecting USC to start cautiously, the Colonials were caught off guard by the Trojans' aggressive start. USC executed flawlessly, showcasing synchronized offense and suffocating defense.
Robert Morris found themselves unable to cope with USC's intensity from the outset, leading to a demoralizing first-half performance.
Head coach Mike Rice, witnessing his team's plight from the sideline, shook his head in frustration. Envious of USC's talent, he couldn't help but wonder what his team could achieve with such gifted players.
"If only my players had this kind of talent, we could compete at this level," Mike Rice muttered to himself, his thoughts momentarily drifting.
Realizing the futility of such musings, he resolved to focus on recruiting talented prospects after the game. Determination filled his mind as he vowed not to face such a daunting challenge again.
Lian Dao's first-half performance was stellar, racking up 23 points, 15 assists, 6 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 2 steals—a testament to his all-around skills on the court.
In the second half, except for DeMar, all of USC's starters were replaced by substitutes. This decision disappointed Robert Morris Colonial fans, who hadn't anticipated such a lopsided game. Had USC not eased off in the second half, it might have set a new record for the largest margin of victory in NCAA tournament history.
Conversely, USC's supporters were elated. They saw this game as a beacon of hope for USC's season ahead.
Scouts observing Lian Dao, DeMar, and Gibson couldn't contain their excitement. USC's players showcased their potential, with Lian Dao's continued improvement particularly impressing many scouts.
Lian Dao's evolution from a year ago, when he struggled to break through defenses, to now effortlessly slicing through opponents with speed, astonished scouts who had tracked his progress.
Such standout performances were bound to influence team selections in the upcoming drafts.
The game concluded with the University of Southern California clinching a resounding 98-51 victory.
USC's dominant performance secured their spot in the top 32 teams without facing significant resistance.
L’AVIS DES CRÉATEURS 
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État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone