Chapter 3: Do you want to go to March Madness

Butler University's head coach's office is not far from Hinkle Arena, but within 5 minutes, Zhang Yu came to the arena.

This is the home court of the Bulldogs and the team's training ground, which can accommodate more than [-] people to watch the game.

Although this far exceeds the 4000-plus students at Butler University, Indiana, as the place with the strongest basketball atmosphere in the United States, has fans.

Every game day, many local fans will come to the Hinkle Arena to cheer for the Bulldogs with the students of the school.

When Zhang Yu entered the arena, the training had already started, and the players were conducting different trainings under the guidance of the coaching staff.

As an NCAA Division I team with a long history, although the Bulldogs' past achievements are pale, their professionalism is beyond doubt.

"Quick, quick, quick! Don't hesitate, make a decision quickly..." Stevens was clapping his hands and shouting, his eyes fixed on a group of players who were doing combined training of dribbling and passing. He saw Zhang Yu and asked him He said hello, "Ronan, you are finally here."

When the players heard what Stevens said, they all turned to look at Zhang Yu.

"Ronan, you're late, I've never seen you late!" Mike Green, the starting small forward of the Bulldogs, teased.

"Mike, you dare to call the coach's name directly, coach, let him substitute!" This is the substitute small forward Julian Beko, whose greatest wish is to become the main force of the team.

"Ronan, we are all waiting for your arrival." Stevens smiled.

The other assistant coaches also came over and greeted Zhang Yu.

Their names came to Zhang Yu's mind-Matthew Graves, Brandon Miller, Terry Johnson, and Brad Stevens, together, formed his assistant coaching team.

"Ronan, Brad said you're feeling unwell, are you feeling better?" Matthew Graves greeted him.

He is a black man with a bald head and a gentle smile who is responsible for the team's player recruitment.

"It's okay, I feel better than ever before." Zhang Yu looked around and saw concern and worry in everyone's eyes.

This is one of the two precious assets left to him by the original body, the good interpersonal relationship within the team.

Another great wealth is naturally the solid and profound basketball tactical theoretical literacy.

"Ronan, say something." Stevens suddenly suggested.

The others also looked at Zhang Yu expectantly.

Zhang Yu thought for a while, and came to the middle of the crowd, and the others automatically formed a circle.

"Everyone is familiar with me, so I don't need to introduce myself? After all, I am the youngest assistant coach in the history of Butler University, oh, and now I am the youngest head coach." When Zhang Yu opened his mouth, everyone expressed goodwill laughed.

"I haven't been in the team for a long time, even shorter than the juniors like Mike and Julian," Zhang Yu looked at Julian Beko and Mike Green, "let alone compare with Steven and Matthew. , I know that some players will question my ability to coach the team, which is normal. How can this young man from the East know basketball? Maybe he can't even dribble well."

Everyone laughed again.

"We have seen your talent for a long time." Matthew Graves interrupted loudly.

Others also nodded one after another. It was precisely because Zhang Yu showed outstanding professional ability and organized the team's tactics in an orderly manner that Lickerett appreciated him so much. These players and assistant coaches supported him to succeed Lickerett. Location.

"Very well, thank you for your approval," Zhang Yu said with a smile, "It seems that I have a good chance of getting my 30 yuan. Thank God, I finally have money. Do you have anyone who wants to go to Hawaii for vacation?"

"Coach, I want to go!" Julian Beko raised his hand and shouted.

"Very well, when I go on vacation, I will definitely send you the most beautiful postcard."

Zhang Yu's words sparked a third burst of laughter.

Stevens looked at Zhang Yu in surprise. He and Zhang Yu had the best relationship. They often watched games and discussed tactics together, and knew Zhang Yu best.

In the past, Zhang Yu put all his energy into the research of basketball tactics, and he was a bit boring. Building a good relationship with players and assistants relied on his enthusiasm for helping others and solid work ability, but today's Zhang Yu is extraordinarily humorous. It's very different from before.

"I am very sad about Coach Lickritt's unfortunate injury. I will never forget Coach Lickriter's help to me. He broke the prejudice and gave me the opportunity to coach the Bulldogs." Zhang Yu's expression suddenly became solemn , the others also restrained their laughter.

"I have to admit that the past history of the Bulldogs is a bit pale. Not to mention compared with UCLA, North Carolina, Michigan State University, even those bastards at Indian State University, we can't compare." Zhang Yu recalled the original memory, said while speaking.

The mood of the players became a little low.

The past results of the Bulldogs are indeed lackluster, but the team and Indiana State University, which is also in the Horizon League, are sworn enemies. Every time they meet, they will be ridiculed by their opponents.

"But fortunately, the school is no longer satisfied with the status quo of the team, they did not choose a good 'qualified' coach after Coach Lickritt was injured," Zhang Yu's voice gradually increased, "Instead, they let me take over The position of head coach is to hope that I can make a difference."

"Are you satisfied with only playing the regular season every season, and can only watch Indian State University shine on the stage of March Madness?" Zhang Yu asked loudly.

"No! I don't want to be pointed at at school anymore, and told behind my back that I'm a waste!"

"I want to play March Madness too!"

"I'm sick of the smug smiles of those idiots at Indiana!"

The players were excited and complained a lot. As players of a weak team, they have encountered too many unsatisfactory things.

Several assistant coaches looked at each other and saw unwillingness in each other's eyes. If they are assistant coaches of giant teams like Duke and North Carolina, and have accumulated several years of experience, they are likely to receive coaching invitations from other universities.

But with the Bulldogs, it was difficult for them to break into March Madness, and almost no one paid attention to them, and they could only be an assistant coach forever.

Zhang Yu raised his hand to press down, the players stopped discussing, and he continued:

"Why can we only watch others play March Madness and enjoy the attention of the United States, while we can only leave after the regular season? Our training is not half easier than others!"

"I want to see the scenery of March Madness, I want to be a big coach that attracts everyone's attention, and I want to leave my name in the history of NCAA, do you want to come with me to see how much March Madness is? crazy?"

"Think!" The voices of the players were deafening.

"Very good, train hard, I will arrange the most suitable tactics for you, choose the best starters, and lead you into March Madness!" Zhang Yu waved his hand, his voice firm.

Zhang Yu raised his right hand in mid-air, everyone understood and put their hands on his, and he shouted:

"3, 2, 1, Bulldog, Let`s go!"

"Bulldog, Let`s go!" Everyone shouted in unison, and dispersed to train.

Looking at the high-spirited players, Zhang Yu smiled.

"Clap clap clap."

There was a burst of applause, Zhang Yu turned around, and a middle-aged black man with a height of nearly 2 meters was standing next to Stevens and looking at him:

"Ronan, your speech was brilliant."

"Mr. Shrewsbury, I just expressed my truest thoughts." Zhang Yu went up to him and shook hands with the black man.

He is Michael Shrewsbury, the director of basketball operations at Butler University. He used to be a player of the Bulldogs and is now in charge of all basketball affairs at Butler University. He signed the head coach contract with Zhang Yu before.

"Call me Micah," Micah Shrewsbury said with emotion, "The Bulldogs haven't entered the championship for four consecutive years. These kids haven't experienced the life-and-death feeling of March Madness, that feeling." It's so wonderful that once you experience it, you will never forget it."

"Mika, they will realize it soon." Zhang Yu laughed.

"Are you really sure to lead the team into the championship?" Mika Shrewsbury stared at Zhang Yu closely.

Zhang Yu said without hesitation:

"Of course, that's my job."

Mikael Shrewsbury turned his gaze to the Bulldogs and whispered:

"Although the team only signed a one-year contract with you, the operation department is under tremendous pressure. Some directors believe that an assistant coach with rich background and more qualifications should be invited to take over Lickriter's position."

"I will always remember the trust of the basketball operations department and Mr. Director in my heart." Zhang Yu's expression was very sincere.

To allow a 23-year-old Chinese to serve as the head coach of an NCAA Division I team, no matter how much Lickett's face is, the basketball operations department and Mike Shrewsbury definitely played a key role in it.

"This is also the judgment we made after a comprehensive evaluation. You are an excellent coach. I believe this decision is correct."

Mikael Shrewsbury praised Zhang Yu a few words, and then changed the tone:

"However, you also know that Indianapolis is a relatively traditional city. Some people on the board of directors do not respect people of different colors and ethnicities like me. If you can't achieve good enough results..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but Zhang Yu understood what he meant.

"Isn't it enough to enter the championship?" Zhang Yu frowned slightly.

Micah Shrewsbury sighed:

"In the United States, white people put in 90% of the effort to get 100% of the harvest, while African-Americans need to put in 120% of the effort, Latinos put in 150% of the effort, and Asians need to put in 200% of the effort. Besides, you're not an American."

Zhang Yu was also speechless for a while, and the two fell silent.

In the United States, anti-racism is absolutely politically correct, but racial discrimination exists on every inch of this country, and Asians are at the bottom of the chain of racial discrimination.

Michael Shrewsbury's words are not alarmist. In the original memory, there are too many experiences of being discriminated against after coming to the United States.

"What requirements does the board of directors have for the team's performance in the new season?" Zhang Yu asked.

Micah hesitated for a moment, then said:

"At least enter the top sixteen."

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