The University of Texas Longhorns belong to the big
Division 12, an athletic league composed of 12 universities in central America, headquartered in Las Vegas, Texas
as.
Compared with basketball, it is actually big
The American Football League of the 12th League is stronger in the competition in the same field and is also in the upper reaches of the country.
The University of Texas, Aldridge's alma mater, had a record of 20 wins and 13 losses during the regular season. Their opponent, Butler University, is a big school.
The east division currently consists of 14 sports leagues from universities in the northeastern, southeastern, and western parts of the United States.
Butler University's record during the regular season is 22 wins and 10 losses. It seems that the record is better than that of the University of Texas. However, because the two sides belong to different divisions, the gold content obtained is also different.
Because the University of Texas has always been a strong team in the South. In contrast, Butler University has never been a traditional basketball powerhouse. It has produced a total of 5 NBA players in history, but the most famous one is
Gordon Hayward now plays for the Utah Jazz.
The most glorious period in its history was the 10 and 11 seasons. Under the leadership of young coach Brad Stevens, who was only in his early 30s, Butler University reached the finals for two consecutive years.
However, after Stevens announced that he was entering the NBA and became the head coach of the Celtics, Butler University failed to recover.
In this first-round elimination match, the outside world is generally more optimistic about the University of Texas, because the University of Texas recruited the famous five-star high school student genius center Michael Turner last year!
Turner, who is 2.11 meters tall and plays power forward and center, graduated from Trinity High School in Pennsylvania. He was ranked 10th in ESPN's 2014 high school rankings and ranked 3rd among players at the same position.
Joining the University of Texas Longhorns in 2014, Turner averaged 10.1 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game as a freshman and was elected to the Big Ten.
The Rookie of the Year in the 12 League, selected to the All-NBA Third Team and the All-Rookie Team.
The field goal percentage of 45.5% also ranks third in the league, and the average rebounds per game ranks sixth!
The arrival of Turner has made up for the Longhorns' shortcomings in their ability to protect the frame inside. He partners with sophomore guard Isaiah Taylor on the outside who averages 13 points, 4.6 assists and 1.1 steals per game. The two work together to help the Longhorns.
We have achieved great results this year.
…
…
16:00 on the 19th.
Wang Zelin and his party got off the plane and went straight to the Lucas Oil Arena, the home court of Butler University.
It's interesting to say that the school team of the University of Texas is called the Longhorns, while the school team of Butler University is called the Bulldogs. It can be said that they are not enemies and never meet!
What was unexpected was that they met two acquaintances as soon as they arrived at the stadium gate.
Seeing the visitor, Aldridge smiled and took the initiative to say hello:
"kd, Augustine, meet again!"
Yes, the visitors were none other than Du Xiaoshuai, one of the current superstars, and his good partner in college, DJ Augustin, who had just been traded to the Thunder by the Pistons.
"...LaMarcus, are you here too?"
"Old senior, long time no see!"
Durant said hello awkwardly, but as he spoke, his attention passed over the old senior and was all on Wang Zelin.
After their exchange, Wang Zelin found out that Aldridge, Durant, and Augustine were actually university alumni.
Of course, the three of them are not from the same class, and they did not play with Aldridge in college.
Because a few months before Durant and DJ Augustin entered the University of Texas in 2006, Aldridge had already participated in the NBA draft, and was eventually selected by the Bulls with the second overall pick, and was later traded to the Trail Blazers.
.
Since they met at the door, Durant and his little brother Augustin also joined the small group of three young men, and the five of them entered the Lucas Oil Arena together.
Entering the arena and arriving at the Longhorns' dugout, Aldridge, Durant, and Augustin were very excited.
At this time, everyone saw a silver-haired, energetic old white man, wearing a blue suit and an orange tie, organizing the Longhorns players to warm up, and he spoke loudly.
This person is none other than Aldridge and Durant’s college mentor—Rick Barnes!
Coach Barnes has a relatively loose coaching philosophy and is extremely good at coaching players.
For both of them, Coach Barnes is definitely the most important figure in their basketball careers.
Aldridge, who was still a freshman, only played 16 games in his first season before suffering a hip injury and ending the season. While he was recuperating from the injury, coach Barnes specially showed him two All-Stars.
A video of power forwards Tim Duncan and Rasheed Wallace playing, and pointed out that the characteristic of these two is that their shooting points are very high.
This style of play inspired Aldridge, so after watching the video, even though he couldn't stand up, he always insisted on sitting on the board looking up at the basket and practicing one-handed shooting again and again.
From the initial dunk under the basket, to later pulling the board further and further away, and finally to outside the three-point line.
The shooting training that looked very strange to outsiders actually made Aldridge's shooting ability suddenly become much stronger after he returned from injury and returned to his normal posture.
In Durant's first year at the university, Coach Barnes was so impressed by Durant's talent that he even gave up on planning offensive tactics for Durant.
"Durant is the kind of player you can only see once in a lifetime. We are lucky to have him." Coach Barnes said, "Lant's tactics will limit his talent. It is better to let him play freely.
He controls the game!"
At that time, the Longhorns' offensive tactics were extremely simple. Augustin would dribble the ball across half court and then hand it to Durant. Durant would attack with the ball and use his teammates' pick-and-roll coverage to pull up a three-pointer.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! It is quite simple and crude, and has no tactical content, but the opponent just cannot defend it!
In that classic game in which Durant scored 37 points and 23 rebounds, Augustin, who is well known to fans, also contributed 14 points and 11 assists.
Later, Augustin participated in the draft a year after Durant and joined the Hornets with the ninth overall pick.
Although he failed to become a star player like Durant, the reason why he was able to play in the NBA for 10 years and still make a living was partly due to the careful training of Coach Barnes in college, which provided him with
Developed solid basic skills.
Later, Coach Barnes also discovered the arrival of Aldridge and others, and came over excitedly. It was natural to exchange greetings with old friends again.
19:00, Lucas Oil Arena.
Amid the deafening cheers of nearly 70,000 fans, the University of Texas Longhorns and Butler University Bulldogs players stepped onto the stage of March Madness.
As Michael Turner scored the first point of the national championship with a dunk, the voice of Reggie Miller in the commentary box also spread to thousands of households in North America:
"Now, March Madness officially begins!"
"Everyone, welcome to the land of dreams!"
In the media box.
In addition to the American media, media from many countries also sent reporters with the team to cover tonight's game.
At this time, Chaoting Channel reporter Zhang Manyuan was standing in the media gallery, excitedly counting the celebrities on the front row of the audience.
"Brother Lou, look over there. That's the head coach of the Jazz, Gordon Hayward, and his teammate Derrick Favors."
"And here, it was reported that Pacers boss Paul George was recovering from injuries, Thunder boss Kevin Durant, as well as Ade and Rice..."
"Oh my god, the king is here too! And he's so close to us!"
"Brother Lou, why don't we go say hello to the king?"
Zhang Manyuan suddenly screamed, pointing excitedly at Wang Zelin who was sitting in the VIP auditorium with one hand, and tugged on the collar of Brother Lou next to him, the photographer.
This move immediately attracted the attention of the people around him.
"..."
Seeing something strange happening behind him, Wang Zelin turned his head curiously and looked behind him, only to see a Xiaojiabiyu-type Asian girl looking at him with excitement.
Hey, wait a minute, he's a little underestimated, he's not a young man at all, he definitely has some hard stuff!
Moreover, he always felt that he had seen that little beauty somewhere.
Immediately afterwards, I saw a photographer holding a "NBA Frontier" sign next to the beautiful woman, and I knew it was one of my own.
"Hello, comrade, may I meet you?"
The two were not far apart and were compatriots in China. Wang Zelin greeted each other warmly.
"Pfft..."
Zhang Manyuan was amused by the sound of "comrade", and her chest heaved with laughter.
"Hello, Your Majesty, I am "
Zhang Manyuan, the anchor of "NBA Frontier"."
Zhang Manyuan!
Isn't this the most popular beautiful reporter from Chaotingdai? No wonder she has top-notch hard goods!
Next, since the game had already started, the two simply chatted for a few words. After exchanging contact information, their attention returned to the court.
At this point, the game had gone on for several rounds, with back and forth between the two sides.
8:6, Butler University is temporarily behind by two points.
"Bulldog! Bulldog! Bulldog!"
Lucas Oil Arena can accommodate 1,000 spectators, and it was naturally full tonight, and 99% of the spectators supported Butler University.
Nearly 60,000 people shouted in unison, making the University of Texas Longhorns players feel guilty.
Even head coach Rick Barnes, who had witnessed such big scenes many times on the sidelines, didn't have much confidence in his heart.
Even if you have experienced the home atmosphere of an NCAA game over and over again, when you actually play away from home, you still can't help but be shocked by the fanaticism at the scene.
You know, this is only the first round of the March Madness Championship!
Wang Zelin, who was watching the game at the scene, also showed a surprised look. He was also frightened by the crowd of fans at the scene. This kind of explosive atmosphere can only be felt in the NBA playoffs and even the finals.
Unexpectedly, a group of college players who have not yet entered the NBA would have such a terrifying influence!
The game continued, and with the deafening cheers from the audience, Butler University gradually gained the home court advantage.
Halfway through the first half, at 36:30, the trailing team became the University of Texas.
Seeing the point difference getting wider and wider, no one expected that Durant would suddenly stand up in the next second and roar at the juniors on the court:
"Defense! Defense! Where is your defense!"
"Texas must win! Longhorns must win!"
The fans at the scene were stunned for a second because no one expected that NBA superstar Kevin Durant would suddenly become so "irritable".
However, only one second passed.
Even louder shouts resounded throughout the arena.
Doesn’t matter if you are Durant or who else?
This is the home field of Butler University!
This is our territory!
Lucas Oil Arena, we can only decide!
Immediately afterwards, something even more unexpected happened to Wang Zelin.
Next to him, Aldridge and Augustin, as well as Lillard, who has never played for the Longhorns, also cheered for the Longhorns.
On the other side, Hayward pulled his good brother Favors and couldn't sit still. He stood up, waved a towel, and competed with Durant and Aldridge.
On the field, a group of slightly immature young people are fighting for their dreams, even to the last drop of their blood;
On the sidelines, their seniors also put aside their usual reserve of NBA star players and cheered for their juniors from the bottom of their hearts.
All of this made Wang Zelin, who came to the scene for the first time and personally experienced the charm of NCAA March Madness, couldn't help but feel a surge of pride in his heart.
At the same time, the blood in his chest was boiling.
At this moment, he strengthened his belief in assisting Dayao in reforming the domestic basketball world.
If it doesn't work for one year, then two years, if it doesn't work for two years, then three years, until ten or twenty years. Anyway, I am still young, Yao is only in his early thirties.
He believes that one day China will have such a basketball atmosphere.
…
…
The two teams fought fiercely for two hours.
In the end, the University of Texas Longhorns, relying on the brilliant performance of talented center Michael Turner with 18 points, 12 rebounds and 3 blocks, narrowly defeated the tenacious Butler University 65:61 and advanced to the next round.
After the game, Turner, who scored 18 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks, and Taylor, who had 14 points, 5 assists and 2 steals, combined for 34 points, became the subjects of interviews with reporters at the scene.
At this time, elites from all walks of life in the audience also left the stadium one after another.
In this game, Wang Zelin followed Aldridge to experience first-hand what "March Madness" is, and at the same time strengthened his belief. It was a worthwhile trip.
After the interview, Turner saw that his senior Aldridge and idol Wang Zelin had not left the arena, squeezed through the crowd, and quickly came to the two of them.
"Hey, Wang, I'm glad you came to watch my game. I'm a big fan of yours, can you sign the jersey for me?"
"You may not know that I have been watching you play since high school, and my current shooting posture is still copied from yours!"
"And your opening show performance during the All-Star period. I have practiced all three dances in private. Especially the Gini in the first year was so beautiful. It was so cool!"
Wang Zelin looked at the black guy blankly, not expecting him to be so enthusiastic.
As for reaching out and not hitting the smiling person, he also showed a smile and responded: "I didn't expect you to be my fan. I thought your idol was LaMarcus, he is your old senior!"
"snort!"
As he said this, a muffled groan suddenly came from the side, and then Aldridge turned his head away.
Hahaha!
After having some fun in his heart for a while, Wang Zelin smiled and signed the autographs for his new fans, then took a group photo with him. Then he left the arena with satisfaction and got on the plane back to Portland.
…
…
On the morning of the 20th, Wang Zelin, Aldridge, and Lillard went to Orlando to meet with the team.
Facing the Magic, which ranked last in the Eastern Conference with a record of only 21 wins and 49 losses, Wang Zelin showed little interest in the whole game. After scoring 23 points and 11 rebounds in less than three quarters, he put on warm clothes and completed the task of clocking out for the day.
Aldridge, on the other hand, was like a gunman today, taking 28 crazy shots and hitting 15 goals, scoring a game-high 37 points and a double-double with 14 rebounds.
This is also the first time this season that he has scored more than 30 points in two consecutive games.
In the end, the Trail Blazers easily defeated the Magic 111:104 in the away game and won three consecutive victories.
But the good situation of the Trail Blazers did not last long. After the Trail Blazers, who were still playing away games, arrived in Memphis, they had not had time to have a good rest. On the night of the 21st, they had a back-to-back doubleheader with the Grizzlies, a team that is famously tough in the West.
Overtime.
In the end, 107:106, Mike Conley beat the score in the away game.
After this battle, the Grizzlies became another team besides the Spurs to double-beat the Trail Blazers in a season.
Originally, the game had entered March, and the players' bodies were very tired. What's more, except for Lillard, the other four of the Trail Blazers' previous five main players had suffered injuries one after another.
Fortunately, Wang Zelin came back early despite a hand injury and almost single-handedly supported the team. This allowed the Trail Blazers to continue their league-leading record.
Therefore, at the end of March, Wang Zelin was very tired.
Not only has the recent training intensity been much lower than at the beginning of the season, but after each game, he also spends a certain amount of time working with a physical therapist for a full-body massage to relax.
Because of this, he was able to demonstrate a terrifying endurance capability that astonished countless people.
But after all, he is not invincible. If he keeps playing like this, he will collapse.
In fact, if you think about it carefully, if it weren't for the temptation of hoping to break the Bulls' 72-win record in the 1996 season, Wang Zelin would probably be on the rest list from time to time at the end of the season just like last year.
After losing to Conley in double overtime, the Trail Blazers' record reached 58 wins and 10 losses. In theory, as long as they can maintain a winning streak in the next 14 games, they can chase the Bulls' historical record of 72 wins.
.
However, is it really worth going through this?
Even if they win 14 consecutive games, they will only tie the Bulls' record. They will be equal and share the first place in history.
Is this result really what the Trail Blazers want?
So, on the 22nd, the management and coaching staff stopped training and held a collective meeting with the players.
Finally, at the meeting, everyone established a united front:
In other words, defending the championship is the top priority!
During the regular season, in order to ensure the first record in the Western Conference, the Trail Blazers will no longer pursue the best record in history.
Anyway, the main players of the Trail Blazers are still young, especially Wang Zelin. He has developed organization and physical fitness in the first two years of his career, and this year he showed off his long-awaited sky hook skill. Maybe he can do something better next season.
New tricks are coming.
The worst thing is to finish defending the title this year and give the young people a summer to evolve. It won't be too late for them to hit the best in history next year.
Yes, they are so confident.
After all, youth is the greatest capital, and the Trail Blazers can definitely afford it!