Capítulo 58: March Madness in Indianapolis
On March 29th, Indianapolis was packed!
This lively scene was even more intense than the NBA playoff finals. If the previous rounds of 64 into 32, 32 into 16, and 16 into 8 were exciting, the 8-in-4 game was on another level. This was the ultimate showdown between the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds in the Midwest Division.
One team was the University of Southern California, which had ranked No. 1 in the regular season and playoffs of the Pac-10 Conference for the first time in history. The other was the University of Louisville, which had also ranked first in the Big East regular season and playoffs for the first time ever.
Pac-10 fans had all their eyes on Southern California, as the other seeded teams had been eliminated, leaving USC as the only contender. Meanwhile, Big East fans were focused on the Louisville Cardinals, hoping for a second team from their conference to reach the Final Four, with the University of Connecticut already securing a spot the previous day.
In the dugout at the stadium, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley, two TNT celebrities, were preparing to commentate on the game. They chatted about the competition while organizing their documents.
In a previous episode of "NBA Insider," they had discussed the University of Southern California, not expecting to be commentating on their game so soon.
"Charles, how about we restart the previous bet?" Kenny Smith teased Barkley, remembering his reaction from the earlier commentary.
"Hey, Kenny, that bet was about him entering the NBA. I don't want to bet with you. You know, the great Sir Charles never lowers his standards to gamble!" Barkley replied humorously, straightening his collar for effect.
"Oh, Sir Charles? Does the 'Sir' without a championship ring lack some credibility?" Kenny Smith quipped, leaving the lounge with a grin.
"Damn it, Kenny, you're dead. If the great Sir Charles hadn't met that brat, I'd have that ring by now! It's just bad luck!" Barkley shouted after him, reflecting on his career with a hint of regret. He had hoped to win a championship with the Rockets alongside Olajuwon, but injuries and bad luck thwarted his plans.
When Kenny returned, he saw Barkley's anger had subsided and resumed the conversation.
"Seriously, which side do you prefer for tonight's game?" Kenny asked.
"I'm more optimistic about USC. Despite some twists and turns this season, they've persevered, and their lineup looks strong. I believe they can win it all. People call them a dark horse, but dark horses bring excitement, right?" Barkley responded with conviction.
"Charles, don't you dislike the guy in the USC No. 1 jersey?" Kenny asked with a grin.
Barkley had a reputation for making bold statements that often backfired. He had previously criticized players only to see them succeed.
"I'm just more optimistic about his talent in the interior," Barkley admitted openly.
"So, you're supporting Southern California this time?" Kenny confirmed.
Commentary games often involved each commentator choosing a team to support, creating a dynamic and engaging broadcast with opposing views and lively debates.
"I root for the Louisville Cardinals!" Barkley declared with a laugh, looking at Kenny.
Kenny pointed at Barkley and laughed, knowing his partner's notorious history with predictions. Barkley's 'poisonous milk' reputation for jinxing players and teams was well-known, much like the infamous Chicago commentator. Barkley, however, was self-aware about his jinxing tendencies.
"Charles, do you realize that your support might jinx them?" Kenny teased.
"Hey, I'm just calling it as I see it. Louisville's got a solid team. But honestly, I respect what USC has done this season," Barkley replied, trying to play it cool.
"Well, let's see how it unfolds. Should be a good game," Kenny said, turning his attention back to the game preparations.
...
Less than an hour remained until the game was set to begin, and inside the Louisville Cardinals' locker room, the atmosphere was calm yet charged with anticipation. Earl Clark, Terrence Williams, and the rest of the players lounged comfortably, their faces reflecting a relaxed demeanor after a rigorous practice session.
"USC's luck is really something. That last ultra-long three-pointer they hit," remarked Terrence Williams with a hint of admiration in his voice.
"Yeah, that shot. It's like they cleared a major hurdle for us," Earl Clark chimed in, flashing a wide smile.
Terrence joined in, applauding Earl's observation. They had initially expected to face Michigan State University in this game, a matchup that would have shaken their confidence. This season, Michigan State had proven tougher to handle than the Kansas Jayhawks, who they narrowly defeated due to the Jayhawks' lack of experience.
Facing Michigan State meant dealing with their stringent coaching standards, where freshmen only played as substitutes in their first year. Against such an experienced and robust team, falling behind would almost certainly seal defeat. Both universities also prioritized rebounding, with Michigan State employing a particularly rigorous rebound training method that made their big men formidable opponents.
Against a team like that, winning would have been an uphill battle for the Cardinals, even if they managed it in the end. However, USC's surprise victory over Michigan State had reshaped the game's narrative. Now, the Louisville Cardinals saw themselves as the favorites in the Midwest Division, poised to advance to the national semi-finals if they could eliminate USC, the current dark horse of the tournament.
As the players continued their spirited discussion, Louisville Cardinals head coach Rick Pitino entered the locker room, commanding their attention.
"Let's not underestimate our opponents today. Remember what happened with Kansas—they underestimated us and got knocked out. We don't want to suffer the same fate," Pitino reminded them sternly.
Despite Kansas's elimination, Pitino continued to use it as motivation, knowing well the psychology of his players. His ability to lead the Cardinals to a strong season showcased his coaching prowess, underscored by his past success with the University of Kentucky's NCAA Championship win in 1996.
"Keep in mind, they have two players ranked in the top ten of the draft predictions," Pitino noted, directing his gaze at Terrence Williams and Earl Clark.
Both players were projected to go in the 10-15 range of the first round, a ranking that neither they nor Pitino were entirely satisfied with. Nevertheless, it was a reflection of their skills and the media's assessment after thorough evaluation.
"If you want to prove you're better than those rankings, tonight's game is your chance. Beat them and use them as a stepping stone," Pitino urged, emphasizing the importance of this pivotal matchup.
As the game approached, Pitino prepared to contain Lian Dao and DeMar strategically, though who would emerge as the true game-changer remained uncertain.
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