NCAA Finals Begin: USC vs. North Carolina

The semi-finals and finals were separated by just one day, yet the media's fervor remained undiminished.

"Jordan Optimistic about Alma Mater Winning Championship!", "Can USC, the Dark Horse, Go All the Way?", "Yao Ming Backs USC for Championship Win", "UNC Poised for Championship Repeat"...

These headlines flooded the internet and newspapers alike, dominating all information platforms with NCAA Finals coverage.

Despite the overwhelming coverage, many pundits favored UNC to clinch the championship once again. However, not everyone shared this optimism for UNC.

Charles Barkley, ever the contrarian, threw his weight behind USC: "The University of Southern California will claim their first championship in history!" he boldly declared on TNT.

Naturally, Barkley's stance wasn't widely endorsed by mainstream media, prompting a flurry of rebuttals from other commentators who cited various reasons against USC's chances.

The debate sparked significant interest and discussion.

In contrast to the U.S., many in China expressed optimism for USC's victory, indifferent to their opponents but rallying behind USC's Sickle.

On sports channels' voting odds, USC commanded a staggering 92 percent chance of emerging victorious.

...

On April 6th, in the U.S., all attention was fixated on the 2009 NCAA Finals. The absence of games from the four major sports leagues underscored the significance of this collegiate basketball showdown, drawing immense national focus.

The venue remained the Ford Arena, a fitting choice that eliminated the need for travel, while comfortably accommodating over 80,000 spectators. Notably, it marked a historic moment with the first appearance of Asians in a broadcasted NCAA game: Zhang Weiping and Sun Zhengping, entrusted with the coveted role of broadcasting the finals after their prior collaborative efforts.

Channel 5 carried the live broadcast domestically, ensuring peak viewership and maximum domestic influence. Despite the game falling on a Tuesday in China, a regular workday, anticipation ran high. Office buildings, small shops, breakfast spots, and eager sports fans had already gathered around television sets or computer screens. Even some schools reported a noticeable absenteeism trend, driven by students eager to catch the action.

In classrooms, a few daring male teachers ingeniously used the pretext of stress reduction to tune into the live broadcast alongside their students.

"Good morning to our viewers! We're here live at the NCAA Finals, just about to kick off. Let's start by introducing tonight's competing teams," Zhang Reasonable's enthusiastic voice greeted the audience, setting the stage for the broadcast.

As veterans of Chinese basketball commentary, Zhang and Sun held aspirations for the sport's growth in their homeland. The mention of University of North Carolina, especially as Michael Jordan's alma mater, piqued significant interest among viewers back in China.

Adding to the excitement was the presence of Braised Dan, a prominent figure who boldly declared his prediction during a pre-game interview: "There's only one champion tonight, and that's North Carolina!"

Zhang Weiping provided insightful analysis, dissecting North Carolina's lineup from players to the seasoned coaching prowess of Roy Williams, setting the stage for an electrifying final showdown.

Speaking of North Carolina head coach Roy Williams, he played a crucial role in recruiting Jordan during his tenure as an assistant coach at North Carolina. In 1988, Williams left North Carolina to take on the head coaching position at the University of Kansas. Just a few months later, Kansas unexpectedly clinched the 1988 NCAA title under his leadership. Williams returned to North Carolina in 2003 and steered the team to an NCAA championship in 2005.

After Zhang Weiping's detailed introduction of North Carolina, the audience recognized the team's formidable strength in both players and coaching staff. Despite some viewers feeling their earlier predictions may have been premature, anticipation for the game remained high.

The ethos of meeting strength with strength resonates deeply among the Chinese audience. Throughout history, the world has remembered battles not for the victory of the weak over the strong, but for the clashes between equals.

On the court, players from both teams were deep in warm-up routines. Fortunately, DeMarre and Gibson showed no signs of their previous indulgences affecting their performance; their shooting percentages during warm-ups were impressive.

Could it be that women could enhance their abilities? If so, why did future NBA star Harden reportedly become "dazed" after indulgence? Could rumors of the Kardashian family's influence being detrimental have some truth to them?

After an intense warm-up session, the arena transitioned into the grandeur of the opening ceremony. The University of Southern California, led by their dynamic trio known as the "Trident," stepped onto the court first. USC fans, bedecked in their vibrant red jerseys, filled the stands with a sea of waving flags and thunderous cheers, demonstrating unwavering support for their team.

Across the court, the response from the University of North Carolina (UNC) was nothing short of electrifying. Renowned as a basketball powerhouse with a legacy of national semifinal appearances, UNC commanded a sizable and passionate fan base, their cheers rivaling those of the USC supporters.

As the live broadcast panned across the sidelines, it captured the presence of numerous celebrities and basketball legends. The towering figure of Michael Jordan, synonymous with basketball excellence and UNC alum, stood out prominently among the crowd. Accompanying him were NBA luminaries such as Vince Carter, Antawn Jamison, and Jerry Stackhouse, all avid supporters of their alma mater.

In contrast, USC's alumni contingent, including stars like Nick Young, OJ Mayo, and Gabby Pruitt, added to the star-studded audience. Hollywood glitterati added their flair to the event, but the unexpected appearance of Larry Bird added a unique dimension to the proceedings. Invited as a special guest for the NCAA Finals, Bird's presence underscored the prestige and excitement of the championship game.

Among them were Abby Hornacek and her dad, Jeff Hornacek. Jeff hadn't planned to attend the game, but he got worried about Abby coming alone. He found out she'd gotten a signed jersey just the day before, which made him a bit uneasy. He remembered accompanying his daughter to the last game and didn't know when she got it signed.

After the opening ceremony, both teams lined up with their starting players.

UNC: Ty Lawson, Wayne Ellington, Danny Green, Dean Thompson, Tyler Hansbrough.

Southern California: Daniel, DeMar DeRozan, Lian Dao, Gibson, Vucevic.

Roy Williams couldn't help but smile when he saw USC's starting lineup. He quickly signaled for his players to get into position and strategize.

Tim decided not to employ the "elevator door" tactic in the first half. Apart from Lian Dao, USC lacked a consistent second three-point shooter.

The whistle blew, signaling the end of the warm-up and the start of the NCAA finals!

Larry Bird strolled confidently onto the court, exuding a formidable presence that made both teams hesitate to approach him. He singled out Lian Dao with a question about his shooting accuracy.

"Boy, is your three-pointer very accurate?" Bird asked with a hint of skepticism.

Lian Dao was taken aback by the unexpected question. "I aim to impress the opponent!" he replied confidently.

Bird smirked. "Your trash talk needs work, kid."

Then, without waiting for a response, Bird casually mentioned, "How about joining the Pacers?"

Recruitment? Pacers? Did they offer him a contract?

Lian Dao shook off the distraction and refocused on the game ahead.

Vucevic and Tyler Hansbrough stepped up for the jump ball at midcourt.

"Beep!"

Larry Bird tossed the ball into the air, signaling the start of the game. Afterward, he calmly took a seat next to Jordan.

Using his height and wingspan advantage, Vucevic successfully tipped the ball towards USC.

"And the game is underway, USC wins the tip-off!" Zhang Weiping's voice echoed, marking the official start of the highly anticipated NCAA finals.