That evening at 7 p.m., after resting up, the UConn players left the hotel by bus for the arena.
An hour later, their game against San Diego State would tip off at Riverside Arena.
On the way there, they received more news. In a game that had just ended in New York, Georgetown University had been defeated 62-61 by fourteenth-seeded Morehead University, producing the first upset of this year's NCAA tournament.
Monroe had played poorly in that game, posting only 16 points and 11 rebounds.
Performance was truly crucial in this kind of single-elimination tournament.
With Georgetown University eliminated, only four Big East Conference teams remained, and the pressure on UConn's shoulders increased once again.
Inside Riverside Arena, the forty-thousand-seat venue had long since filled to capacity.
UConn fans occupied one side, while San Diego State fans occupied the other, wrapping around the entire court in a large oval.
There was a gap between the two schools in terms of history and status, but the number of fans for this game was evenly matched.
When Tang Tian and Walker entered the arena, they could feel the passion from both sets of fans. It was far more intense than during the Regular Season or even the championship game.
This was a true decisive battle.
Unlike previous games, with no home-court distinction, the players from both teams were introduced one after another.
The pregame ceremony became much more interesting as a result.
UConn's players were introduced first. Smith, O'Riaqi, Tang Tian, and Lamb were all greeted by almost nothing but boos from the San Diego State fans. Only when Walker was introduced did UConn fans' cheers drown out the boos from across the court.
When San Diego State's players were introduced, the situation completely reversed. Leonard's entrance brought cheers and boos that