Chapter 44: Grassroots vs. Wealthy
This year, the city of Indian-Polis is particularly lively. Basketball fans from all over the country are heading to this city with a glorious history.
Of course, none of this has much to do with the Indiana Pacers, which are part of the NBA league. The Pacers have had Daniel for the years though. Granger is an all-around small forward, but his results have been tepid.
The city was able to become the center of national attention because their NCAA Division I team made it to the finals of the March Madness Tournament in history! Indiana University? No, no, no, this time, the protagonist is the once-little-known Butler University!
Yiyang's mother, who was naturally one of the crowds that came to Indianapolis, was worried about her son's future last summer. But this year, her son has become one of the most high-profile players in the country. This pride made Wen Xue have to come to witness her son's performance in the finals even if she was riding a crowded train.
The whole of America is talking about March Madness, about the Duke Blue Devils, about the Bulldogs that worked miracles, like a Hollywood inspirational movie.
On the day of the March Madness Tournament finals, even the NBA had to make way for it. Not only the huge fans who came to watch the game, but on that day, all basketball fans in the United States would only show the March Crazy Finals on their televisions in their homes.
The whole city is already in full swing, and as soon as you walk down the streets of Indianapolis, you can feel the atmosphere of the competition.
But this cheerful atmosphere can't penetrate Singer's Arena in any way. Because at the moment, the Bulldogs players who are training hard in the Singh Arena are very nervous in their hearts.
In the last game, Yiyang killed the match with a chase and an incredible dunk, which will undoubtedly make him Duke's main target in the finals.
If another team wanted to target Yiyang, Stevens might not be afraid at all. But Duke, however, operates under an extraordinary coach.
When it comes to Duke, everyone will call out the famous "Old Coach K" Mike. Shashewski's name, all three NCAA tournament championships in Duke's history were won by Coach K. And this year, in the face of the little-known Butler, Coach K must want to add another touch to his honor.
The 63-year-old has been coaching Duke for 30 seasons, and Stevens is only three years older than the old K. People say Stevens is old and wise. But this time, his opponent was formidable.
During Duke's tenure, Coach K had a 793-220 record, a 78.3% win rate. In the NCAA League, he has an overall coaching record of 866-279, a 75.6% win rate. Coach K is also the sixth coach in NCAA history to win 800 games, and the third coach to have won 800 games.
These resumes, but Stevens can't compare them. What's more, Lao K still has a dream team coach hanging high.
Although on paper, the gap between Stevens and Shashzewski, Butler and Duke is huge. But basketball is never something on paper.
Looking at Yiyang running the basketball court, Hayward repeatedly shooting from beyond the three-point line, and other players who are working the same way, Stevens will be full of confidence.
Like Duke, they passed five levels and killed six generals, and they defeated strong enemies one after another like Duke. They're no worse than Duke!
"That's it! Let's take a break! Stevens clapped his hands, causing the already sweaty players to stop what they were doing.
The players sat on the floor one by one, and Stevens looked at the children with some reluctance.
"Tomorrow's game...... It could be the last NCAA game for some. Stevens said, his eyes swept over Yiyang and the others.
"We've struggled together for a long time, we've had defeats together, we've gone through madness and we've won. Tomorrow...... Let's see off your brothers with champions! "Stevens is reluctant to Hayward, reluctant to Matt. Howard, of course, he was reluctant to give up this Yiyang, who had only been fighting under him for a year.
If he could, he really wanted to coach this guy for the rest of his life. He was the best coach and Yiyang was the MVP. Then, together they won many, many games and won more championships than they could count. It's a pity......
People always have to go to higher places. The NCAA's small cage can't restrain the increasingly powerful Yiyang no matter what.
"Hey, don't be so sad, chief. After winning tomorrow, we will have no regrets in our NCAA career. Hayward smiled.
"That's right! I don't care what Duke the other party is, what Blue Devil is! Tomorrow's game, no one can desert me, I want each and every one of you to do your best! Play this like the last basketball game of your life! One step away, guys, and we can leave the whole world stunned! Butler can also win the championship! Stevens waved his arm, Yiyang and the others' last MCAA game, must, there must be a perfect ending!
"Roar!" The Bulldogs players let out their trademark roar again, and Yiyang still participated, in fact, Yiyang's roar was the loudest of them all.
This seemingly cold and taciturn boy is hotter than everyone else in his heart.
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It's not just Stevens and the Bulldogs players, but in fact, there are a little more fans supporting Butler's team this year than Duke winning the title.
Duke is one of the most famous aristocratic teams in American college basketball, and their success in the NCAA has a long and deep history. Since 1984, the Blues have not missed the big ball of the NCAA March Madness Tournament.
It is precisely because Duke is so powerful that people actually expect an unknown guy to bring this terrifying giant to the ground.
People live in an era where they love legends and dream of witnessing a legend happen, which is the same reason why "Forrest Gump" beat "The Shawshank Redemption" to win the Oscar for Best Picture in 1995. More people still love fools inspirational legends, so more people will naturally enjoy seeing dark horse miracles like Butler.
As this year's super dark horse, this bulldog team does have countless cuteness, such as their living mascot blue fighting dog, such as their 33-year-old young marshal Stevens, such as their baby-faced boss Hayward, such as their brave and fearless No. 1 guard Yiyang.
Think about it, a small school with less than 5,000 students, compared to a traditional aristocrat like Duke, is not at the same level of dialogue at all in terms of the amount of money invested in sports. This kind of cuteness is the cuteness of the grassroots. And the American people at this moment like the most is this kind of grassroots counterattack story.
The Duke Blues have already invaded Indianapolis territory, and the old Coach K behind them has long been eyeing the tournament winner.
Butler's bulldogs seem to be completely vulnerable in front of the powerful Duke, but this group of guys has always come all the way without being favored.
What a poor boy who came out of a slum and a little-known elementary school can do, most likely, will subvert everyone's imagination!
The decisive day has finally arrived!