Chương 85: Champions
North Carolina's Wayne Ellington missed a three-pointer from the outside, but Tyler Hansbrough grabbed the offensive rebound and scored with a layup.
In response, Lian Dao called for Vucevic to set an outside pick-and-roll, shaking off Dean Thompson and sinking a three-pointer over Bobby Frazier!
92:83!
With 1 minute and 50 seconds remaining, USC led by nine points.
North Carolina quickly inbounded the ball and again looked for an outside shot. This time, Ty Lawson capitalized on a pick-and-roll play with his teammates, nailing a three-pointer from beyond the arc.
After Southern California regained possession, the University of North Carolina implemented a fouling strategy.
However, North Carolina had already reached the foul limit, sending Daniel to the free-throw line.
The first free throw was made amidst the boos from North Carolina's fans!
The second free throw fell short, bouncing off the rim.
But in a crucial moment, Lian Dao burst out and grabbed the rebound amidst a sea of players.
With possession secured, Lian Dao embarked on a fast break.
North Carolina, seeing the danger, hastily fouled Lian Dao.
Lian Dao walked confidently to the free-throw line, drowned in a cacophony of boos and insults from the North Carolina crowd. Despite the pressure, he vigorously dribbled the basketball to find his rhythm.
The first free throw: swish. The second: another perfect shot.
After completing the free throws, Lian Dao raised his index finger to his lips, gesturing for silence towards the entire North Carolina audience.
His provocative gesture sparked an uproar among the North Carolina fans, who responded with even louder boos and curses echoing throughout the arena. Unfazed, Lian Dao returned to the defensive end with a sly smile on his face.
1 minute and 25 seconds left!
95:86!
Southern California maintained a 9-point lead.
This time, USC tightened their defense against North Carolina's perimeter players, forcing them to pass the ball to Tyler Hansbrough inside.
Hansbrough, leaning against Vucevic, tried to execute a turnaround jumper.
Vucevic rose to the challenge, leaping to block the shot and sending the ball flying outwards.
The emphatic block unleashed Vucevic's pent-up frustration from the entire game, prompting him to clench his fists, beat his chest, and roar with intensity.
DeMar swiftly retrieved the ball near the three-point line and immediately passed it to Lian Dao, who was racing downcourt.
DeMar swiftly passed the ball ahead to Lian Dao, who was sprinting down the court. Lian Dao abruptly halted just beyond the three-point line.
Facing Bobby Frazier's defense, Lian Dao pulled up for a three-pointer.
Bobby Frazier realized he couldn't contest Lian Dao's shot, so he aggressively swiped at Lian Dao's arm.
"Ow! That stings!"
Despite the foul, Lian Dao gritted his teeth, absorbing the pain, and used his body's power to slow his descent while adjusting his shooting form.
The basketball kissed off the backboard, danced on the rim, and miraculously dropped through the net.
"Beep!"
"Foul"
With only 47 seconds left on the clock.
Roy Williams shook his head in resignation, knowing that if Lian Dao made this free throw, Southern California would lead by 13 points.
With just 47 seconds left and a deficit of 13 points, the game was all but decided.
Lian Dao calmly sank the free throw.
Next, the University of North Carolina missed a desperate outside shot.
Only 30 seconds remained on the clock.
After securing the rebound, Southern California opted not to push further, and North Carolina abandoned their fouling strategy.
"The game isn't officially over yet, but the champion has already been crowned: the University of Southern California!" Barkley declared enthusiastically.
Throughout the broadcast, Barkley had been passionately rooting for USC's victory.
"We also extend our congratulations to the University of Southern California for their victory under the leadership of Lian Dao. Congratulations to USC, and congratulations to Lian Dao!" Mr. Zhang Lili exclaimed, filled with excitement. It was a historic moment for a Chinese player to lead a team to victory in the NCAA finals.
Sun Zhengping beside him was too overcome with emotion to speak.
Across the ocean in China, fans watching on TV were jubilant.
Some couldn't help but clench their fists and applaud.
Meanwhile, back in the arena, the atmosphere was starkly different: the North Carolina fans wore expressions of disappointment, their hopes dashed.
The players from North Carolina stared at the scoreboard in disbelief.
They had fallen short in the national championship game.
Tyler Hansbrough and some of the younger players couldn't hold back tears of defeat—Hansbrough had given four years to the team, while others had dedicated three.
But ultimately, they had come up short in the final contest.
As the final buzzer sounded, USC tossed the basketball high into the air, celebrating their victory.
The Southern California bench erupted, players rushing onto the court in jubilation.
Confetti filled the air, and USC fans flooded onto the court to share in this unforgettable moment with their victorious team.
On April 6, in front of over 80,000 spectators at Ford Arena in Detroit, the NCAA National Championship final concluded. The University of Southern California defeated the NCAA powerhouse, the University of North Carolina, with a score of 99-86, delivering a thrilling display of triumph and defeat.
Even Michael Jordan, who had watched the game live, decided to leave early in the final minutes.
After the game, Barkley's remark, "North Carolina, Jordan's favorite, couldn't pull off the win!" quickly gained popularity.
On the court, Lian Dao was swept up by his teammates.
"Victory is ours! We did it!"
Gibson, overcome with emotion, shed tears of joy. No one understood the significance of this championship more than this seasoned veteran.
Having battled in the NCAA for three years, he had finally reached the pinnacle.
Simultaneously, he had personally avenged North Carolina's elimination of Southern California in the 2007 season.
Gibson pulled Lian Dao and DeMar toward the podium.
Initially bewildered, Lian Dao didn't grasp Gibson's intent until he saw Gibson leap onto the platform.
Gibson gestured for them to join him, urging them up.
Lian Dao watched as DeMar bounded onto the platform.
Together, the three faced the Southern California fans.
"We are the champions!"
They shouted in unison.
As Lian Dao roared those words, he felt an indescribable sense of fulfillment.
That feeling transcended words.
Lian Dao now understood why so many relentlessly pursue the championship.
On the sidelines, Tim watched Lian Dao and the others with profound excitement.
At the start of the NCAA competition, he never imagined standing on the championship stage, let alone daring to dream of winning it all.
It was the relentless effort of every Southern California player that continually bolstered his confidence, showing him he led a team of exceptional talent.
Together, they etched Southern California into history, reaching the National Final Four, then the ultimate championship game, and finally seizing the NCAA's highest honor.
While joy overflowed in Southern California, sorrow engulfed the University of North Carolina.
This had been North Carolina's prime year, with their lineup in peak condition and every player united in the pursuit of redemption and championship glory after last season's setbacks.
Yet, they stumbled on the grandest stage.
And now, their chance for a comeback next season had slipped away.
Roy Williams gathered the team, offering solace to his disheartened players.
Though tough, UNC accepted this bitter defeat.
Tonight, Southern California had not just won—they had also convinced North Carolina of their loss.
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