At 9 o'clock, the Michigan Volkswagen took a bus and went to the Pacers' home court Conseco Arena to adapt to the venue. The training content was very simple. The players practiced a while to shoot, and then finished after running a few tactics.

The specifications of the basketball stand of the Kangsaike Stadium are the same as those of the training hall. If you practice too much, it will not be of much use. The key depends on the players' performance at night.

After returning to the life of ordinary people, Guo Xu has a smile all day long. This unknown is beautiful. He can now fully understand why Brad Stevens doesn't want to know the future. Knowing too much will lead to success and lose some fun, which have both pros and cons.

Michigan vs. Wisconsin is the first game, starting at six o'clock, and many fans gathered outside the arena at three o'clock in the afternoon. They support their respective universities, like a grand alumni meeting.

When the players walked into the stadium, they enjoyed the warm applause and cheers from the fans. They were proud and excited about this, and they would do their best on the court to live up to their youth!

They all knew very well that this would be a great stage, and many NBA legends tomorrow started to make their fortunes in the NCAA Final Four.

The most attractive thing about the NCAA Championship is that you have a certain victory or defeat. You may leave regrets in one game, or you may become a hero in one game. The tension and excitement can only be experienced in the NBA in the playoffs. A game may change the fate of a player and even play an unimaginable role in basketball. This is not an exaggeration. The 1982 NCAA Finals are an example.

That year, freshman Jordan jumped to Georgetown University and brought the championship to North Carolina. That shot played a crucial role in Jordan's basketball career. When recalling that kill, Jordan admitted: "Starting from the shot I hit, everything went on track. If that ball didn't go to the ball, I didn't think I would have achieved what I am today."

Jordan is now the first person in NBA history, but he was dismissed from the first basketball team in high school because of his insufficient height. He was not selected until he grew taller. Although Jordan was already a little famous when he joined North Carolina, even the basketball fans in his hometown of Wilmington were not confident enough. When Jordan won the NCAA Finals, everything changed. He returned to Wilmington to play streetball. As a result, people who heard the news surrounded the court and the local police had to go out to maintain order on the scene.

The players entered the locker room at the stadium at half past four, and could order takeout and fast food to replenish energy. Some people didn't want to eat and had no appetite.

Richardson was just a person who couldn't eat. Looking at Guo Xu's hot dog, he asked in a low voice: "Guo, are you not nervous at all? There are nearly 20,000 spectators in such a large arena, and you still say you want to compete for MOP."

"Isn't there a lot of audiences a thing to be happy about? Why are you nervous?" Guo Xu smiled.

Richardson shook his head and smiled bitterly: "You have changed so much. In the Big Ten finals, you went to the bathroom twice before the opening game."

"There is a Chinese saying that men change at once." Guo Xu said, stuffing the remaining hot dog into his mouth.

His personality changed a lot from his first rebirth, and it was completely suffocated on April Fools' Day. He was not nervous when he went to the boxing ring and PK with a strong man who was 30 kilograms heavier than himself, and he was not nervous when he led a dance on the high platform in a nightclub. How could he be nervous when playing basketball? He now has a strong desire to perform and vows to let everyone remember himself.

Tom Izzo boosted morale in the locker room and said loudly: "Everyone relaxed his mindset. Wisconsin's lineup is average, and there is not even a person who was predicted by the media to play in the NBA. They are only good at defense. As long as we play at normal levels, we will definitely win! Do you have confidence?"

"Yes!" everyone shouted together, full of confidence.

Izo talked to the players alone again, and the first one was Guo Xu. He remembered that Guo Xu was an introvert, but he performed well yesterday, and was afraid that he would not play well in the starting lineup due to nervousness. "Guo, it's about to start, how do you feel?"

Guo Xu smiled and said, "I'm just afraid that you will let me play too short. I hope to play all the games. 40 minutes is too short. Even the NBA's four-quarter 48-minute game system is short, and there is a lot of physical strength left."

"Okay!" Izo patted Guo Xu on the shoulder, very satisfied with his answer.

He could see that Guo Xu had a sense of excitement in his smile. Usually, if he had such performance in competitions, he could become a star in the future. This is the desire to show off and the desire to win is at work.

Cliffs and Peterson of the Spartans are not such people. They are low-key, calm and never talk big. In the final analysis, they do not have the confidence to win and lack a sense of madness. If it weren't for their character, they wouldn't have waited until the end of their senior year to participate in the NBA draft.

Izo went to talk to others again, and focused on encouraging Richardson. He could see that Richardson was very nervous. This was the normal performance of a freshman in the first year.

The players appeared at the prescribed time, and the Consaiko Arena was packed, with nearly 20,000 fans waiting to watch the boys perform.

The appearance ceremony was very grand, just like the NBA feeling. Before the game, the coaching staff members submitted the player list to the on-site commentator, and the appearance order. The lights were turned off, and the searchlights were on the players running out of the passage. The commentator would shout out their names loudly and the audience gave applause.

Americans don’t have much feelings for the land, which does not mean that they don’t have a sense of home. According to surveys, 80% of Americans have received higher education. What does this mean? Basically every American has attended college. Even if a person has moved countless times in his life, at least one mark will not change in his life, that is his university.

This is the unique sense of belonging for fans in NCAA games.

Guo Xu is the first player to play in the team. All the NBA stars are finalists. Tom Izo did not do that. He treated Guo Xu as a secret weapon and did not want his opponent to see the truth clearly.

ESPN live broadcast of the semi-finals, commentator Mark Woodson introduced: "Michigan State University's first appearance was a Chinese player - Jason Guo! Point guard. This guy has a good appearance. He was injured in the quarterfinals and he looked nothing serious."

Guo Xu only received a little applause and didn't care. He would surprise everyone in a while.

The coach arranged tactics for him. He could fight freely in a quick counterattack. His position was not fixed in the position. He relied on the inside to cover the running and received the ball and shot. He had no chance to take action directly, and he could also attack with the ball. Today, he is the protagonist of the team and his tactical status is not as good as Cliffs.

After a simple warm-up, the players on both sides appeared.

Michigan State University Spartans starters: Guo Xu, Martin Cliffs, Morris Peterson, Jason Richardson, Randy Smith.

The starting lineup of the University of Wisconsin Badgers: Barry Hill (191CM, 86kg), Al Rodgers (194CM, 91kg), Charlie Black (198CM, 93kg), Bill Strick (205CM, 100kg), James Bailey (206CM, 102kg).

Wisconsin's inside players are not tall, but the defenders are over 190cm tall. They are characterized by not being afraid of misalignment in each position and having an advantage in joint defense. Their lineup is not deliberately formed, but it just fits the future development trend of basketball.
Chapter completed!