The severe consequences faced by Edwin Ubiles forced the Siena Saints to rethink their strategy. No longer willing to risk further injuries, they abandoned their dirty plays. The players, aware of their slim chances of reaching the NBA, decided it wasn't worth jeopardizing their health and future for the sake of the game.
Lian Dao made two free throws for the blocking foul and another for the technical against Edwin Ubiles, bringing the score to 34-21. USC led the Siena Saints by 13 points.
Without the distraction of underhanded tactics, USC's dominance became evident. Their shooting, drives, and rebounds were unstoppable. By halftime, USC had extended their lead to 61-32.
In the second half, USC maintained their aggressive play. Unlike previous games where they eased up with a big lead, this time they kept the pressure on, showcasing their full potential and dazzling with superior basketball skills.
USC finished the game with an overwhelming 118-53 victory, a 65-point margin, the largest in this NCAA tournament. This not only set a new tournament record but also surpassed the historical NCAA point difference record of 58 points.
The Siena Saints, unable to recover from their earlier mistakes and the loss of key players, were left embarrassed. This game would be remembered as a significant low point in their history, forever marking their place in ignominy.
...
After attending the press conference, Lian Dao was about to return to the locker room when Tim approached him.
"Sickle, a reporter from your country wants to interview you," Tim said, patting Lian Dao's arm.
Tim had never seen a Chinese reporter interested in interviewing Lian Dao before. He sensed it could be crucial as media coverage was vital for basketball players in this era. Without reports, people in China might not even know Lian Dao was playing in the NCAA.
"Are they at the press conference? I didn't notice any Asian faces," Lian Dao asked, scanning the room.
"They might be arriving later!" Tim shrugged.
Lian Dao understood. Local media received priority at NCAA events, often pushing foreign reporters back in the queue.
"Are they in the reception area? I'll go check, Coach!" Lian Dao requested the address, greeted the head coach, and headed to the reception.
Opening the door, he spotted a familiar face. Much younger than Lian Dao remembered, he recognized him instantly.
Su Qun, editor-in-chief of "Basketball Pioneer," a renowned commentator and analyst, sat there. In his early forties now, Su Qun had short hair and wore glasses.
Seeing Lian Dao enter, Su Qun stood and approached. Lian Dao hurried over, shaking Su Qun's outstretched hand.
Su Qun looked excited, introducing himself eagerly. Lian Dao was equally thrilled to meet Su Qun, his first domestic interview since his rebirth.
They quickly warmed up to each other. The conversation in Chinese made Lian Dao feel at home, as if he had stumbled upon a local dialect while wandering.
Though Lian Dao had spent his previous life in the U.S., he returned to China annually. Despite years abroad, he never felt a sense of belonging there and retained his nationality.
Before his rebirth, Lian Dao worked as a basketball trainer and was familiar with domestic sports reporters. He knew personalities like Zhang Weiping, Yang Yi, Su Qun, and Yu Jia.
Su Qun's early focus on NCAA coverage was ahead of its time, as few in China paid it much attention. Being the first to cover the NCAA could give him a head start in the market.
"The country plans to broadcast the NCAA Sweet Sixteen and subsequent games. What do you think?" Su Qun asked Lian Dao as their conversation continued.
Lian Dao was surprised. In his previous life, there were no plans to broadcast NCAA games in China. Most were edited by netizens and posted on local video sites. He hadn't expected his rebirth to cause such a rapid "butterfly effect." But it made sense; few Chinese players had wielded such influence in the NCAA before.
"This is excellent. It will deepen domestic understanding of the NCAA and aid the development of college basketball here," Lian Dao responded.
Su Qun nodded. "Domestic basketball places a lot of emphasis on individual development, which has its merits and drawbacks. However, our high schools and universities lack a professional basketball culture, causing many talented players to be overlooked and miss out on top training opportunities."
"The U.S. system, from middle school through college to the pros, is very effective," Su Qun added.
"Are you planning to enter the draft this year?" Su Qun inquired, touching on a topic that intrigued many reporters.
Lian Dao nodded. "Yes, I am."
"Have you thought about your draft comparisons?" Su Qun asked.
Lian Dao had heard many comparisons before. Los Angeles media likened him to Magic Johnson, even calling him an upgraded version. Others saw him as another Larry Bird, though those templates didn't quite fit. The closest comparison was Houston's Tracy McGrady.
"Tracy McGrady is often mentioned as a comparison, but I've also heard references to Shareef Abdul-Rahim," Lian Dao explained. "Rahim was the third pick in the 1996 draft golden generation. Despite being shorter for a power forward, his versatility, speed, and shooting accuracy made him a strong scorer. That aligns with my playing style."
Su Qun nodded thoughtfully. "That's a solid comparison. Your versatility and skill set indeed make you a unique prospect."
The interview continued, covering Lian Dao's aspirations, his journey so far, and his thoughts on representing China on the global stage. The conversation left Lian Dao feeling more determined and inspired to keep breaking barriers and achieving his goals.