One Guard

Chapter 44 : Grassroots vs. Giants

This year, the city of Indianapolis is extremely lively. Basketball fans from all over the United States are heading to this city with a glorious history.

Of course, none of this has much to do with the Indiana Pacers, which are affiliated with the NBA. Although the Pacers have had Daniel Granger, the all-around small forward, in recent years, their results have been tepid.

The reason why this city has become the focus of attention in the United States is because their NCAA Division I team has historically reached the finals of the March Madness Championship! Indiana University? No, no, this time, the protagonist is the once little-known Butler University!

Yiyang’s mother was naturally one of the crowds who came to Indianapolis. Last summer, this mother was still worried about her son’s future. But this year, her son has become one of the most high-profile players in the United States. With this kind of pride, Wen Xue had to come to witness her son’s performance in the final even if she was riding on a crowded train.

The entire United States is discussing March Madness, discussing the Duke Blue Devils, discussing the Bulldogs that have created miracles, just like Hollywood inspirational movies.

On the day when the March Madness Championship finals were held, even the NBA had to make way for it. It’s not just the huge fans who go to the scene to watch the football. That day, the TV in the homes of all basketball enthusiasts across the United States will only show the March Madness finals.

The whole city is already boiling, as long as you walk on the streets of Indianapolis, you can feel a strong atmosphere of the competition.

But this cheerful atmosphere can’t penetrate Singer Arena anyway. Because the Bulldogs players who are training hard in the Singer Arena at the moment are very nervous.

In the last game, Yiyang killed the game with a chase and an incredible deduction. There is no doubt that this will make him the main target of Duke in the final.

If other teams want to target Yiyang, Stevens may not be afraid at all. But Duke, but runs under an extraordinary coach.

When Duke is mentioned, everyone will call out the name of the famous “Old K coach” Mike Krzyzewski. The three NCAA championship championships in Duke history were all won by the old K coach. And this year, in the face of the little-known Butler, the old coach K definitely wants to add to his honor.

63-year-old Krzyzewski has been coaching at Duke for 30 seasons. You know, Stevens is only three years older than K’s. People say Stevens is old and wise. But this time, his opponent was extremely powerful.

During Duke’s coaching, coach K’s record was 793 wins and 220 losses, with a winning percentage of 78.3%. In the NCAA league, his overall coaching record is 866 wins and 279 losses, with a winning percentage of 75.6%. Coach K is also the sixth coach in NCAA history with 800 victories and the third-lowest coach to complete 800 victories.

These resumes, but Stevens can’t compare with them. What’s more, the old K also has a dream team coach’s card face high.

Although on paper, the gap between Stevens and Krzyzewski, Butler and Duke is huge. But basketball has never been a matter of fact.

Looking at Yiyang, who is struggling to run on the basketball court, Hayward, who has repeatedly shot beyond the three-point line, and other players who work hard, Stevens will be full of confidence in his heart.

Like Duke, they fought through five levels and beat six generals. Like Duke, they defeated each and every powerful enemy. They are no worse than Duke!

“Okay! Let’s take a break!” Stevens clapped his hands and stopped the sweating players.

The players sat on the floor one by one, and Stevens looked at these children with a bit of dismay.

“Tomorrow’s game…may be the last NCAA game for some people.” Stevens said, his eyes passed Yiyang and others.

“We have struggled together for a long time, we have experienced failures, experienced madness, and won victory together. Tomorrow…Let us use the championship to see off your brothers!” Stevens couldn’t bear it. Ward, he couldn’t bear Matt Howard, of course, he also couldn’t bear this Yiyang who had only played under his own for a year.

If he can, he really hopes to coach this guy forever. He is the best coach and Yiyang is the MVP. Then, they won many, many games together, and won countless championships. What a pity…

People, always go to higher places. The small cage of NCAA can’t restrain the increasingly powerful Yiyang anyway.

“Hey, don’t make it so sad, Boss. After winning the championship tomorrow, we will have no regrets in our NCAA career.” Hayward smiled.

“That’s right! I don’t care what Duke is or what Blue Devils the other party is! No one can give me a runaway in tomorrow’s game. I want each of you to do your best! Think of this as the last basketball game in your life. The game is coming! Only one step away, guys, only one step away, we can stun everyone in the world! Butler, you can also win the championship!” Stevens waved his arm, Yiyang waited. People’s last MCAA match must have a perfect ending!

“Roar!” The players of the Bulldogs made another iconic roar, and Yiyang was still involved. In fact, Yiyang’s roar was the loudest among all.

This seemingly cold and taciturn boy, in his heart, is hotter than everyone else.

※※※

It’s not just Stevens and the Bulldogs players. In fact, the number of fans supporting Butler University’s championship this year is more than that of supporting Duke’s championship.

Duke is one of the most famous aristocratic teams in the field of American college basketball. Their success in the NCAA has a long and quite deep history Since 1984, the Blue Devils have never missed the NCAA madness. The big ball of the March Championship.

It is precisely because Duke is too powerful, so people actually expect an unknown guy to knock this terrifying giant to the ground.

People live in an age that likes legends and dream of witnessing a legend happen with their own eyes. This is why “Forrest Gump” defeated “Shawshank’s Redemption” in 1995 and won the Oscar for Best Picture. same. More people still love fool inspirational legends the most, so more people will naturally like to see dark horse miracles like Butler.

As the super dark horse of this year, this Bulldog team does have countless cute things, such as their living mascot Blue Pitbull, such as their only 33-year-old marshal Stevens, such as their baby-faced leader Hai Ward, such as their brave and fearless No. 1 guard Yiyang.

Think about it, a small school with less than 5,000 people, against traditional aristocrats like Duke, just compare the sports investment funds, the two are not at the same level of dialogue at all. This kind of cuteness is the cuteness of grassroots. And what the American people like most at this moment is this kind of grassroots counterattack story.

The Duke Blue Devils have invaded the Indianapolis territory with their teeth and claws, and the old coach K behind them has already looked forward to the championship champion.

Butler’s bulldogs seem to be vulnerable in front of the mighty Duke, but these guys have always come along without being favored by others.

A poor boy who came out of a slum and an unknown elementary school, what they can do, is very likely to subvert everyone’s imagination!

The day of decisive battle has finally come!