In the bustling rhythm of University life, Sakuragi found himself immersed in a world that extended beyond the basketball court. He decided to Major in Psychology.
Even though he had memory fragments from the future, it's not complete. He only had access to memories related to Basketball and some snippets. Maybe God only wants him to know this much.
But Sakuragi is nevertheless happy because it allowed him to enjoy playing and made him a better person. He also got together with Haruko because of this. So he's content with it.
Because of these memory fragments, he became a lot more mature all of a sudden and he had to have the correct mentality in the court also. He delved into the intricacies of the human mind, attending lectures and navigating the academic challenges with a determination akin to his prowess on the court.
To participate in Sports, you also have to have enough credits to be safe enough as has happened to other players also. The sports scholarship he earned with the help of Coach Kruger also helped him a lot.
Other times he also does some part-time work in a nearby Sports goods store as a salesman. Coincidentally its owner is a distant relative of the store owner who gave him the Air Jordan 6 for 30 yen. He also has the insurance money from his parents which will allow him to live on for 1-2 years. So he decided to sign up for the draft next year. For that, he needed to play well and get good statistics as well and the team needed to go deep in March Madness.
His days were a balancing act – early morning practices, followed by classes, and evenings spent in the store. He tried his best not to get injured as it's the greatest curse for an athlete. So he had done extra hard work which is allowed by his body.
Despite the demanding schedule, Sakuragi embraced the academic journey with the same enthusiasm that made him the "Genius".
One sunny afternoon, before starting his work he decided to call Haruko. As she accepted the call, the familiar warmth of her voice provided a welcome break from his heavy schedule.
Haruko: Hey, Sakuragi! How's university life treating you?
Sakuragi (smiling): It's a whole new ball game, Haruko. Psychology classes, and practice sessions – it's intense but exciting.
Haruko: I can imagine! I'm so proud of you for balancing both academics and basketball dear.
Sakuragi (chuckling): Well, the Dunk King can handle a little multitasking.
Haruko: I'd pay to see that! Anyway, how's Florida treating you?
Sakuragi says smiling, "It's different, Haruko. The campus is vast, and the people are diverse, but I'm finding my way. And you?"
Haruko: Tokyo is the same – busy, and crowded, but I miss you a lot.
Sakuragi (nostalgic): I'm doing well. I too miss you a lot, it's not the same without you.
Haruko (smiling): Yeah, it is. But we're creating new chapters, isn't it? Also, Darling, I believe in you – in basketball, in your studies, and in whatever comes your way.
Sakuragi said while laughing, "Yes dear. Your belief means everything to me. But seriously, I'm glad we're enjoying it the way it is. I'll call you every week to talk.
Haruko: I love that. We can work this out. We might be miles apart, but our bond is unbreakable, Sakuragi.
As the conversation flowed, Sakuragi and Haruko exchanged stories, sharing the highs and lows of their respective journeys. The distance seemed to fade away with each shared moment, and their laughter together.
As they hung up, Sakuragi couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude for the constant support from his sweetheart. Amid university challenges and explorations, the connection with Haruko remained a reassuring anchor – a reminder of the enduring bonds that transcended time and distance.
Sakuragi's training schedule at the University of Florida's basketball was a precise balance between perfecting his skills on the court and embracing the team's diverse training philosophy. It emphasized the importance of exploring various playing styles and adaptability, which was encouraged by Coach Kruger.
As the NCAA season in November drew closer, every member of the team was extra motivated and worked hard. The genuine belief that this year will be great for the team is forming in their minds.
In 2 pre-season friendlies, Sakuragi only played 5-10 minutes just to get the feeling of NCAA basketball. He focused on teamwork and rebounds in these games to understand his team's style.
But he is also itching for the start of the regular season to play to his heart's content.
Sakuragi's typical weekday started with an early morning session consisting of cardiovascular conditioning and agility drills, preparing him for the challenges ahead in the crisp Florida air.
Mid-morning was dedicated to weight training, where Sakuragi focused on endurance and strength-building, with the clinking of weights and motivational music filling the gym. This allowed his confrontational ability to improve significantly as confrontation is not common in Japanese Basketball. His relentless work ethic was evident as he pushed himself to achieve excellence.
After a brief lunch break, the team would gather for skill-specific drills, and Sakuragi, known for his thunderous dunks and dynamic plays including driving to the basket, devoted time to refining his fundamentals such as dribbling, passing, and defensive techniques. Coach Kruger's emphasis on diversity was evident as he encouraged players to contribute to the team's success in multiple ways.
In the afternoon, the team would engage in scrimmages, where diverse playing styles would merge and collide, with Sakuragi's dynamic approach adding a unique flavour to the team's strategy. The chemistry on the court would become palpable as teammates adapted to each other's strengths and weaknesses.
Sakuragi's evenings were reserved for personal skill development, focusing on his signature moves that would showcase his talent and a go-to move he could use anytime. He tried to incorporate Jordan's fallback jumper into his arsenal according to the memories, but it required much more core strength than now he has. It's only beginning to form and will be a big killer move of his in the future.
Coach Kruger recognized the importance of mental resilience and incorporated mindfulness and strategic thinking sessions into the training regimen, which Sakuragi embraced wholeheartedly. He understood that a diverse skill set extended to the mental aspects of the game. Being a psychology major also allowed him to read theory and understand the level of mental toughness needed for this.
On weekends, the team would participate in team-building activities that fostered their chemistry and unity, with the diversity in the team's composition, both in playing styles and backgrounds, becoming a source of strength. Coach Kruger's vision of a team that could adapt to any situation resonated with Sakuragi, who embraced every facet of the game.
As the season approached, Sakuragi's training intensified, with the gym echoing with the rhythmic dribbling, the swish of the net, and the collective determination of a team committed to diversity and excellence. Sakuragi understood that true excellence lay not just in the thunderous dunks but also in the ability to adapt, evolve, and celebrate the diverse ways of basketball.
The first game of their Non-conference regular season starts on Nov 26, against Florida International Panthers at O'Connell Center which is the home court of the Gators.
The NCAA basketball season typically includes non-conference games, conference games, and postseason tournaments. During the 1993-1994 season, Southeastern Conference (SEC) teams played a mix of these games.
Teams usually play non-conference games against opponents from other conferences or independent schools at the start of the NCAA basketball season.
During the conference schedule, teams in the SEC face each other in a round-robin format, with the number of conference games played varying from season to season. After that, a post-season tournament will be held to determine the seeding of the NCAA competition in March termed "March Madness".
The major opponents the Gators face in SEC are the Kentucky Wildcats, Alabama Crimson Tides and Arkansas Razorbacks. According to Sakuragi's memory, it is the Razorbacks that won this year's NCAA finals defeating Duke University. So he knows he and his team have a lot more to do to go all the way.