For the first time, Juwan Howard felt the frustration that came with defeat.
Over the previous two seasons, he had reached the NBA Finals twice as the team's second option. Although they had ultimately lost both times, Chris Webber had borne more of the responsibility as the team's number one.
Today, he truly understood what it felt like to be the team's primary star and disappoint everyone who supported him.
It was agonizing.
And he had no chance to make up for it, because once this season ended, he would be stepping onto an NBA court.
That Michigan Fab Five, which had caused a sensation across the United States, had never once reached the summit of March Madness.
And as the team leader, he had also produced the worst result in Fab Five history: failing to reach the finals.
Tonight, under Li Fei's defense, he scored 10 points and grabbed 8 rebounds, far below his usual averages.
At the same time, Li Fei's spectacular Dreamy Footsteps sent his confident defense spinning again and again.
Li Fei had put up a game-high 48 points, 22 rebounds, and 6 blocks.
Thinking of all that—
Juwan Howard, who had picked up his fifth foul, lowered his head and returned to the bench like a walking corpse, his eyes burning with tears.
"Sorry, Coach."
Standing beside his coach, Juwan Howard did not even dare meet his eyes. "I made the team go through another disappointing season."
"This isn't your fault, Juwan."
Head coach Steve Fisher patted Juwan Howard on the shoulder. "Those who gave everything they had don't need to apologize."
To be fair, Juwan had truly given it his all tonight.
But losing to Li Fei—
Could only be attributed to the gap in talent and ability.
Still, Juwan Howard's guilt was overwhelming.
"If I could have been a little better, if I could have been a little taller—"
"Or even, if I had Chris Webber's ability to carry a team by myself."
The tears finally spilled from his eyes. "Maybe the ending wouldn't have been this humiliating..."
Li Fei stepped to the free-throw line and calmly knocked down both attempts, bringing his total to 50 points.
Over the next two minutes, the University of Michigan still refused to give up, but everyone knew it was only a final struggle.
After Li Fei scored twice more in succession, the University of Michigan finally gave up with 40 seconds remaining. When the final buzzer sounded, UC Berkeley had defeated the University of Michigan 94-78, winning by 16 points.
They ended Michigan's season and sent UC Berkeley into the March Madness finals.
Li Fei finished with a game-high 55 points, 24 rebounds, and 6 blocks. He broke the March Madness single-game scoring record and became the first player in March Madness history to record 50+20.
Jason Kidd scored 16 points and handed out 21 assists, setting a new March Madness single-game assist record.
"Although the University of Michigan lost, they fought until the end. We must give them enough respect, especially Juwan."
"But at the same time, we have to congratulate UC Berkeley. As everyone expected, they became the first team to advance to the finals."
"Though they haven't lifted the championship trophy yet, I have every reason to believe this is UC Berkeley's best chance ever to win the first championship in program history!"
After the game, Juwan Howard draped a towel over his head, directly declined the sideline reporters' interviews, and headed back to the locker room through the players' tunnel.
At the entrance to the tunnel, Juwan Howard ran into his upperclassman, Chris Webber.
The moment he saw Webber, Juwan broke down in tears.
"Sorry, Chris. I couldn't carry on your Will of Fire."
"I'm the one who should be sorry."
Webber's eyes were also brimming with tears. "If I could have stood beside you, the outcome might have been completely different."
Li Fei's trash talk during today's game had left him speechless.
It was like a knife had been plunged deep into his soul.
If he could have fought alongside his brothers for one more year—
Even if he still failed to win the championship, even if he still could not redeem himself—
At least Li Fei would have had no reason to call him a coward again, right?
The two tough men embraced, and Chris Webber's heart churned with emotion.
If he had the chance, he desperately wanted to play alongside Juwan in the NBA.
He wanted to join Juwan in getting revenge on Li Fei in the NBA!
"What are the odds that we draft Juwan Howard this year?"
At the same time, in Washington—
Washington Bullets general manager John Nash watched the two embrace in a scene overflowing with brotherly affection, deep in thought.
"Sir, based on the odds, we may end up with the fifth pick."
"Li Fei, Jason Kidd, Glenn Robinson, Grant Hill—those players should all be ranked above Juwan in the draft."
After a pause, the assistant general manager reached a conclusion. "So there's a good chance we can get Juwan."
John Nash narrowed his eyes.
If they really ended up with the fifth pick based on their record, Juwan Howard would absolutely be his first choice.
Of course.
Juwan Howard alone could not possibly make the Bullets rise again.
If they drafted Juwan, should they ask about Chris Webber's price?
Juwan Howard plus Chris Webber.
Letting those Michigan Brothers continue their bond in the NBA?
Those two might really stir up the Eastern Conference!
"Li, before March Madness began, you said on camera that you wanted to see the view from the mountaintop."
On the other side, the postgame interviews had begun. "And today, you finally made it to the finals. What does the view from the mountaintop look like?"
"We've only climbed to the mountaintop."
Li Fei's answer remained calm. "Only the final champion deserves to admire the view from the mountaintop."
Even after advancing to the finals, there was no excitement on Li Fei's face.
The job was not done yet. After eighty-one trials and tribulations, there was still one final demon left.
Meanwhile, Jason Kidd also stepped in front of the reporters' cameras. Today, he had broken the previous March Madness single-game assist record of 18.
"Li Fei destroyed their defensive game plan. He made every part of the game simple. As for me, I'm Li Fei's best partner."
"Li Fei and I are the NCAA's Jordan-Pippen!"
The NCAA's Jordan-Pippen!
Kidd's words caused quite a stir after the game.
In this day and age, what duo dared to call themselves the next Michael Jordan and Pippen?
The two complemented and supported each other, winning the Three-Peat.
They were universally recognized as the strongest duo in the world!
Jordan and Pippen had even become an NBA term. Every basketball duo wanted to become the next Jordan-Pippen.
However, the very next day after the game—
The other semifinal began in full swing.
Before North Carolina faced Temple University—
North Carolina's star player, Rasheed Wallace, responded to Jason Kidd's remarks.
"If the NCAA really has a Jordan-Pippen, then it has to be Rasheed Wallace and Jerry Stackhouse!"
Sheed raised his voice.
"Because this March Madness, they'll sweep aside every enemy!"
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