I’m Really Playing Basketball

"What's going on at the University of Pittsburgh? Why are there so many people around?"

"It should be Marquette University."

Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh, outside the University of Pittsburgh, while the Marquette University bus was driving into the University of Pittsburgh, another bus was driving into Carnegie Mellon University across from Pittsburgh.

From the symbols and words on the body of this bus, it can be clearly recognized that this is the eighth seed in the Western Theater, the bus of UCLA University.

However, it was different from the situation where the Marquette University bus was surrounded by crowds.

There were basically no welcoming fans or waiting reporters around the UCLA bus.

The atmosphere is so miserable, especially for UCLA.

UCLA is known as the No. 1 giant in the NCAA, but the results in the past few seasons are really stretching, especially this season.

In the regular season of the P-10 league, UCLA only ranked sixth.

As the No. 1 giant in the NCAA, it has now been reduced to being with teams like the University of Washington and Arizona State University.

In the playoffs of the P-10 league, UCLA was eliminated by the University of California in the first round.

If it weren't for the historical background of the NCAA's No. 1 giant, UCLA would miss the national competition for the first time in 15 years this year.

Of course, since it is the number one giant in NCAA history, the NCAA officials still have to give this face.

So the NCAA officially invited UCLA to participate in the national championship this year.

If UCLA still has this half-dead record next year, I'm afraid there will be no such generous treatment.

For UCLA, the official NCAA really needs some courtesy. After all, John Wooden is still there.

But for NCAA fans and the media, there is no need to give face.

Hold on to your history and background, so stay cool and stay there!

With such a cold season this season, the UCLA players on the bus were somewhat resentful.

Compared with the treatment at Marquette University not far away, this made the UCLA players in the bus a little quiet for a while.

"The atmosphere is terrible..."

"Shh, Andrew, keep your voice down!"

Sitting in the back of the bus, 2001 No. 19 All-American Kedrick Postman whispered to Andre Patterson, a 2001 No. 39 All-American next to him.

"Marquette University this season is really a team that people envy and envy."

Next to another 2001 talent, Dion Thompson, No. 28 in the United States, sighed softly, and Bozeman and Patterson kept nodding.

There is no doubt that Marquette University is the protagonist of the NCAA this season!

And it's not the ordinary little protagonist, but the same as the Michigan Five Tigers, a super protagonist who can be ranked number one in the history of the NCAA!

For such a team, few NCAA players have no sense of gap.

Especially for the players of the No. 1 giant team like UCLA.

It always makes people feel that everything Marquette enjoys now is snatched from them.

But even if everything at Marquette University was snatched from UCLA, so what?

UCLA's season is so bad, no one else is to blame.

The team has three talents in the 2001 class alone.

Team leader Jason Kapono himself was the tenth talent in the United States in 1999.

The team's other starters, Billy Knight, Matt Barnes, Dan Gadzuric, and TJ Cummings are also well-known star talents in the United States.

A team with eight star talents finally achieved the results of this season, it is really shameless.

You know, Marquette University has only two star players.

The highest among them, Travis Diener, was No. 40 in the 2001 class, just behind Andre Patterson, No. 39 among UCLA bench players.

Based on the strength and thickness of this lineup, UCLA cannot be the hero against Duke University this season, and even UCLA fans are ashamed of them.

This season is so embarrassing, UCLA's five starters feel a little ashamed, and the atmosphere can't be "cheerful" or "calm" after seeing the beauty of Marquette University.

The contrast is too strong.

The more beautiful Marquette University is, the more embarrassing these UCLA players are.

"The games before the season are over. The national championship game is a restart and a new opportunity. We don't need to continue to carry the burden and pressure of the previous games. Instead of thinking about these inexplicable things, it is better to prepare for the next game." The next game, as long as we can beat Marquette, everything will come back!"

UCLA's titular boss is Jason Kapono.

But in fact, the team's starting swingman Matt Barnes is the real leader.

The boss and the leader are not alone, which is one reason why UCLA has had such a poor season.

Matt Barnes was lecturing, trying to change the mood, but Jason Kapono next to him didn't even give a hint.

Kapono has nothing to say, so how can other UCLA players show something?

For a while, instead of changing the atmosphere, it became even more strange.

"Ahem, beat Marquette University, what Matt said is simple."

"..."

At this time, Kapono not only did not take the opportunity to support a wave of Barnes, but said such words, which made Barnes next to him change his face in an instant, and his two casserole-sized fists were already clenched.

And Kapono didn't seem to see it.

"Do you know what kind of team Marquette is, and what kind of team we are?"

"No matter what level the team is, we are here to be winners, not softies!"

"You said you were a winner and I was a softie?!"

For a while, the atmosphere has become tense.

And the other people in the car didn't seem to see it.

Including the team's head coach Steve LaVine.

LaVine is 37 years old, young coach.

After taking over the team for several years, the record has gotten worse and worse, and they don't have the charisma of Tom Kline, and each team is an All-American talent.

This made his team's job extremely difficult.

The prestige he didn't already have is basically negligible without victory.

In addition, his own handsome position is also in jeopardy.

Without confidence, and unable to be tough, how to control these young and vigorous geniuses?

It can only be regarded as not seeing.

"It's started again."

Cedric Bozeman and other young players in the back row of the bus glanced at each other, then lowered their heads and looked at the current NCAA guidelines written by USA TODAY, that is, just now Kapono asked Barnes , the source of this season's grades for Marquette and UCLA.

The head coach pretended not to see it, and of course they could only pretend they didn't see it.

Moreover, this USA TODAY guide is much more interesting than the quarrel between the two big bosses of the team.

This guide compiled by USA Today divides the 65 teams participating in the NCAA National Championship into six levels: SSS, SS, S, A, B, and C.

Among them, grade S and above are two grades outside the theory.

In normal years, the NCAA generally does not have SS and SSS teams.

This year, suddenly there are two.

The only SSS-level team is Duke.

The SS-level team also has only one Marquette University.

There are two S-level teams at the peak of normal teams, the University of Maryland and the University of Kansas.

And their UCLA University, as the eighth seed in the western theater, was evaluated as a B-level.

Compared with Marquette University, it is three levels behind.

Such a gap, to be honest, is embarrassing.

So, judging from this guide compiled by USA TODAY, UCLA's attempt to beat Marquette is almost a dream.

but……

"Kedrick, I think it's good to have a look at the USA TODAY guide. It's ridiculous that we are evaluated as a B grade, and it is even more ridiculous that Marquette University is evaluated as an SS grade. Marquette University is also rated as a C grade. -The small pond in the USA has been stirring up wind and rain for three months. In the previous non-league games, they had to rely on the magic boy's lore to win five games. It's so scary!"

"I think so too. Everyone in the United States knows that USA Today is 'Eagle Blow'. They like to blow Wade and Wonder Boy the most. By the way, they recently played that Akron kid. I think these three guys are also good. That's it, especially that kid from Akron, I think you were much better than Kedric in high school, who isn't a five-star high school student?!"

It can be seen that too much public opinion is indeed likely to cause some people to backlash.

"Hehe, the nationally televised high school game was still very exciting. LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony both performed very well in that game."

Cedric Bozeman did not take up the resentment of his teammates. He could understand the resentment of his teammates. Everyone was a four-star or five-star high school student in high school. Which one is not the national attention, but now he is a substitute at UCLA. The contrast is too great big.

Although he is also a five-star high school student, he also has a sense of contrast in his heart.

But he knew that his performance in high school was not as shocking as that Akron kid.

As for the future of that Akron kid, he didn't know.

But right now, is Marquette really blowing it out?

Kedrick Postman looked down again.

"The Marquette University Golden Eagles are one of the strongest teams in the NCAA this season. In the NCAA National Championships, how to keep the inside line will be the key to the team's predetermined goal, and their predetermined goal It is the second NCAA championship trophy in team history, overall evaluation: SS (historical team with flaws)."

"Dwyane Wade, the starting forward of Marquette University, the pillar of Marquette University's offensive and defensive ends, has incredible athletic ability and incredible comprehensive ability. Except for three-pointers, he has nothing on the court. Shortcomings, his performance in the conference will also determine the success or failure of the Golden Eagles, as well as his future draft prospects, comprehensive evaluation: SSS (the only 2 3S player this season, the number one favorite).”

"Ron Howard, Marquette University's starting forward, Marquette University's defensive sharp knife, can defend from the first position to the fourth position on the court, especially good at single defense, elegant and clean defensive style, is the best in NCAA At the same time, Ron Howard also has a very good dribbling ability. Maybe he does not have Wade's breakthrough breakthrough, but his dribbling is as perfect as his defense, and he rarely makes mistakes. In addition, he also has a very comprehensive and above-level offensive ability, comprehensive evaluation: S (one of the top 20 S-level players in the NCAA, and a lottery favorite.)”

"Travis Diener, Marquette University's starting point guard, Marquette University's dribbling guard, has the NCAA's top three-point shooting ability, and also has the NCAA's top dribbling ability. He has Like Ron Howard, he has the characteristics of few dribble errors, and at the same time has the defensive ability above the standard. Overall evaluation: A (NCAA star player, with NBA prospects.)”

"Odda Blakeson, the starting center of Marquette University, is not tall, only 2 meters 01, but has excellent strength and jumping ability, is one of the best offensive rebounders in the NCAA, and has the top NCAA Excellent inside single defense and auxiliary defense ability, quick movement, comprehensive offense, on the court, except for height, there are almost no other weaknesses. Comprehensive evaluation: A (NCAA star player, with NBA prospects.)”

"Chen Xiao, Marquette University's starting shooting guard, the most amazing and unpredictable player in the NCAA, possesses a magical talent known as the "God's Eye" in the United States, an incredible talent for court smell, and can kill opponents at critical moments One hit, however, as the first official beginner player in NCAA history, his basketball foundation is very weak, and his physical talent is not outstanding enough. Apart from an elite mid-range shot, he hardly has any offensive means. However, he has As the "eye of God", he will be the ace and X factor of Marquette University in this competition. His talent may determine the success or failure of Marquette University this season. The only reason college can beat Duke. Overall rating: X (unknown), NBA prospect: unknown."

The five starters have one SSS grade, one S grade, two A grades, and one X (unknown) grade.

You know, among the five starting players at UCLA, there are only two A-level players, Kapono and Dan Gadzulic!

Looking at the gap between the players alone, the gap between the two teams is even wider.

"Kedrick, you don't have to worry about it. We are just the team's little guys now, and the game against Marquette University is not something we can decide. Besides, if we want to meet Marquette University, we need to go through it." The first round is fine, maybe we will be eliminated by the University of Mississippi in the first round?"

"makes sense."

Kedrick Postman, who had been frowning all this time, finally had a smile on his face.

That's right, these big shots of the team have left the team, so he is qualified to worry about the team's affairs.

Now, he might not even have the right to worry about it.

March Madness in the NCAA Tournament is one of the craziest sporting events in the United States.

Chen Xiao could only clearly feel this kind of madness after leaving Milwaukee in the stratosphere.

"It turns out that not only in Milwaukee, but all over the United States, we have such crazy popularity!"

This really scared Chen Xiao.

Not to mention Chen Xiao, even Wade and Ron Howard were frightened.

After arriving in Pittsburgh, even if they are dull, they can feel the feeling of being the protagonist and the focus of the United States.

"However, if your performance in this national championship is not good, I am afraid that the praise you are enjoying now will turn into accusations and criticisms against you."

"Yeah, it's not just because of your personal charm that they pursue you so much, but also because of the victories you keep winning."

Tom Klein and Tim Barkley are vaccinating these young guys on the team all the time.

Hearing what the team's two coaches said, Chen Xiao and Wade of course nodded in agreement.

"Mr. Crean and Mr. Barkley are right. The NCAA national championship is not the same as the C-USA game. There will be no real underdogs here. As long as one game is not in the state, we can't have the first one. Second chance."

"And our grouping in the Western Theater is not so good. In addition to us, the No. 2 seed University of Oklahoma and No. 3 University of Arizona are also very strong. By the way, the No. 4 seed Gonzaga University has played against us before. However, we won by relying on a small lore."

Hearing Henry mentioning Gonzaga University, Chen Xiao and the others felt a chill.

This team is really high, and it can really attack! .

It's rare to find a team with so many good big men at C-USA, but there are plenty of them in the NCAA Tournament.

For Marquette University, a team that lacks height, it is indeed not so easy to play against teams with good big men.

"It's still early to meet these teams. We have to get through the 'Pittsburgh' checkpoint first, and Pittsburgh also has an NCAA No. 1 giant that cannot be ignored."

"UCLA..."

Hearing this name, Chen Xiao thought of David Bailey, the first good friend he made in the United States besides teammates.

In that game, David Bailey almost broke him and the team with UCLA cuts.

It's a bit of a shame that David Bailey and Loyola didn't make it to the Nationals.

It's a pity to say that David Bailey led Loyola University to the finals of the Horizon League Championship, but was unfortunately defeated by the University of Illinois at Chicago in the finals.

And the Horizon League has only one place for the national competition this season...

Although Chen Xiao regretted that David Bailey couldn't participate in this year's national competition, Chen Xiao was looking forward to seeing the real legendary UCLA and the real UCLA air cut.

Of course, before meeting UCLA, they need to beat Boston University in the first round.

On March 15, 2002, in Pittsburgh, the Mellon Stadium, which can accommodate more than 13,000 people, was already full at this time.

In the audience'Golden Three! ’ Amidst the cheers, Marquette University, one of the biggest favorites in this year’s NCAA, appeared on the stage under the leadership of Wade and Chen Xiao.

When Chen Xiao, Wade and others were standing on the court, the frequency of the flashing spotlights made people feel that they were the center of the world.

"His journey is finally about to begin!"

In front of the TV, David Stern felt his heart beat faster.

"I want to see if you can continue to sweep the national competition!"

Jay Williams and the Duke players gritted their teeth with disdain and disbelief written all over their faces.

"Golden Three..."

Akron, a certain teenager looked at the extremely warm atmosphere and the constantly flashing spotlights, his eyes were full of envy and expectation.

This stage will also belong to him in the future!

"Guys, did you see that they are another double-S team in NCAA history, and that person is the first X-level ace in NCAA history!"

"As long as we can beat them in this game, we will be famous all over the United States!"

At Mellon Stadium, Boston University head coach Dennis Wolff was yelling loudly.

Driven by him, the excited Boston University players roared like war wolves.

Bostonians will never be slaves!

The battle is about to start!

ps: Dazhang, please recommend, please collect! ! !