The instant the final buzzer sounded, Grant Hill burst into tears on the court.
Hill had battled through four years of college and won two championships, but it was impossible for him to have no regrets. In his junior and senior seasons, he had truly had a chance to lead the team to a title as its leader.
But they had fallen to UC Berkeley two years in a row. Thinking of that, he could not help but think of Christian Laettner and Bobby Hurley, the two MOP upperclassmen who had already entered the NBA.
He could not face them.
"Sadly, I failed to bring another championship trophy to the Duke Blue Devils."
"Sadly, I let Christian and Bob down again."
"Sadly, the Duke Blue Devils spent two seasons full of defeat with me."
"Even more sadly, I no longer have a chance to repay the fans."
Grant Hill mentioned regret several times during his postgame interview.
It was clear that he truly felt he had let everyone down.
Everyone knew that Hill would enter the NBA as a high draft pick after finishing his senior year. Even though he had suffered a Waterloo in the second half today, it would not have much impact on his draft stock.
After all, while his individual offense had failed to break through Li Fei, his all-around skill set was absolutely worthy of major contracts from most teams in the league.
"Tonight's loss had nothing to do with Grant Hill."
Meanwhile, Coach K took responsibility during his postgame interview. "UC Berkeley's sudden defensive adjustment was the key factor that decided the game. Li Fei killed the game with defense."
"But if I had made an earlier judgment and taken countermeasures, the outcome might have been very different."
"But the worst part was that even I failed to anticipate this situation..."
"My poor coaching decisions created tonight's defeat."
To be fair, as Duke's coach,
Coach K truly had responsibility and accountability.
Anyone who watched the game knew that Coach K's command and adjustments tonight had been quite appropriate.
But even so,
Coach K still shielded his beloved player Hill from the storm for the sake of his draft stock.
"As for Li Fei..."
When asked about Li Fei, Coach K could only shake his head with a bitter smile.
"What could I even say?"
"He has already inherited Wilt Chamberlain's mantle. What are we supposed to use to stop him?"
Coach K was referring to the dreamlike connection between Li Fei and Chamberlain during the first half.
"I don't think Li Fei will become the next Wilt Chamberlain."
After Coach K, UC Berkeley coach Todd was also interviewed. "Li Fei is Li Fei, not the next whoever."
"He is one of a kind in this world!"
Coach Todd was grinning from ear to ear.
"Li Fei helped us charge into the Final Four with his defense. Forget Wilt Chamberlain—even Hakeem Olajuwon, in my opinion, could not reach Li Fei's level of protection!"
"He can decide and influence a game in any way he wants. That is Li Fei."
"I endorse Li Fei."
Good lord, Todd Bozeman was genuinely thrilled tonight.
He was actually speaking on Li Fei's behalf.
In Todd Bozeman's view,
Hill had lost the game, yet his own coach had gone out of his way to protect him.
As Li Fei's coach, what was wrong with praising him a little after the game?
Besides, Todd Bozeman believed
that this year's UC Berkeley had a chance to produce an unprecedented situation in history.
The first and second overall picks, two geniuses!
So they could just keep celebrating.
"UC Berkeley's luck ends here."
On the other side of the Final Four bracket,
the Michigan Wolverines, who had also finished their battle and emerged as the Midwest region's top team, were overflowing with fighting spirit.
According to this year's bracket arrangement, the two teams would meet in the semifinals
at the Los Angeles Lakers' home arena.
The winner would climb to the summit of March Madness.
"I can only say that UC Berkeley has not encountered a truly tough interior team on its way here. Eric and I will make Li Fei experience the real physical intensity of March Madness."
The one making that bold declaration in the postgame interview was the Michigan Wolverines' core star.
The hard-nosed 2.08-meter power forward: Juwan Howard!
Like Grant Hill, Juwan Howard was actually a humble player, and making big claims was not something he excelled at.
But as the core of the team, he had to take the lead in projecting toughness at such a crucial moment.
This was the tough blood he had accumulated as one of the Fab Five, leading his team to the NBA Finals in both years.
Although the Fab Five had failed to win the NCAA championship during their college careers,
they were regarded as the most terrifying five-man basketball combination of those three years and were always called the uncrowned kings.
Thinking back on the University of Michigan's past two years,
in 1991, with Jalen Rose's arrival, Chris Webber, Juwan Howard, Ray Jackson, and Jimmy King became known as the "Fab Five."
In 1992, the Fab Five reached the finals, but ultimately lost to Duke University, which had Christian Laettner and Grant Hill. That final created a record in college basketball history:
20.9 million households across the United States watched the live broadcast!
What kind of number was that?
At the time, it ranked only behind Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals between the Bulls and the Utah Jazz.
Then, in 1993, the Fab Five returned and faced North Carolina in the NCAA final. The two sides fought fiercely, unable to determine a winner until the very end.
With 11 seconds left, Michigan trailed 71-73. Webber grabbed a defensive rebound and instinctively called timeout, but the Michigan Wolverines had already used all their timeouts. Under the rules, Webber was called for a technical foul, giving the other side free throws and burying the game. The Fab Five returned home with regrets once again.
Yet after that year, Chris Webber still entered the NBA as the first overall pick.
The Fab Five had lost their tiger's head, leaving behind four tiger legs.
Michigan did not sink into despair.
Juwan Howard inherited Chris Webber's Will of Fire.
And he developed the 2.13-meter bear-like center: Eric Riley.
The team's strength remained undiminished.
They were still the Midwest's premier team and a serious championship contender.
"Pain is like the wind, always at my side."
As this semifinal matchup was decided, Chris Webber, far away in the NBA, finally spoke about college for the first time. "I was unwilling to mention college because it held painful memories for me."
"But when I speak of the comrades who fought beside me, I am filled with pride!"
"Juwan and Eric will deliver a heavy blow to Li Fei in the paint!"
"I'll be there in person to witness Michigan charge into the finals!"
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