NBA: My template has no limit

The opening day of the 1995-1996 C-USA (American Athletic Association) season.

DePaul landed in Louisville, Kentucky, where they will face the Cardinals in their first game.

In its inaugural season this year, C-USA, a new force formed by the merger of the Metropolitan League and the Midwest League, has demonstrated top-tier competitiveness and is making a formidable entrance.

Cincinnati, Memphis, Georgetown, Marquette, Louisville, Syracuse...

There are so many strong teams that you can't count them on one hand.

If Xu Feng's team, DePaul, wants to enter the nationally acclaimed March Madness tournament, also known as the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship, they will face an almost impossible challenge.

The first method is to overcome all obstacles, win the CUSA league championship, and directly obtain a spot in the Madness tournament.

The second option is to receive an invitation from the committee. The non-league season that had already ended has concluded, and DePaul achieved a record of nine wins and six losses, which is quite commendable.

If De Paul wants to be invited by the committee, the safest scenario is that De Paul needs to have more than 20 wins.

The league's regular season consists of 14 games, meaning DePaul needs to achieve at least an 11-3 record.

This record is quite extraordinary; it's something only the league's number one team can achieve!

For Xu Feng, if he wants to successfully enter the NBA, he needs to showcase his talent and strength as much as possible.

With very few matches available, Xu Feng had to seize every precious opportunity and could not afford to slack off in the slightest.

The game between DePaul and Louisville was a highlight of the NCAA Midwest, with many television stations from Chicago and Kentucky coming to the venue to broadcast it live.

Of course, their main purpose was to see just how powerful Louisville was.

You can conduct polls across the United States, and you'll get only one answer: Louisville is a strong NCAA team!

The coaching aura of Dani Clam and Louisville's history of reaching the Madness 3 and 4 multiple times make this all very convincing.

That's the reality. The media had all gathered in Louisville, with reporters shoving their microphones forward, almost touching the players' faces, hoping to get an interview.

The person being interviewed is Alvin Sims, a small, round-faced, muscular man with broad shoulders and a thick waist.

According to pre-match information, this guy is only 1.93 meters tall, but weighs 107 kilograms, which is heavier than Xu Feng.

He wore an exaggerated smile, raised his head, and his nose almost pointed to the sky.

"Alvin, what are Louisville's goals this season? Are you confident you can beat Georgetown University, led by the number one draft prospect Allen Iverson?"

"Our goal is always the championship, whether it's the league or March Madness. I don't think any team can pose a threat to us."

"Your opponent today is DePaul University. In the last game, DePaul's Xu Feng achieved a remarkable comeback, scoring 17 points in five minutes on 6-of-7 shooting. Standing in Horizon Arena, is there anything you'd like to say to your opponent?"

Alvin's grin widened, and he tugged at his ear, saying in a nonchalant tone:

"To be honest, I don't care much about this opponent. In my mind, today is a match we are destined to win. After all, luck in one match cannot represent their actual strength. I can only wish them good luck."

Not far away, Xu Feng and the other De Paul players stood together, watching the Louisville players and Alvin, who was bragging incessantly.

"Hey, look at that punchable face, I really want to punch his balls and make that damn smile disappear from his face."

Singh clenched his fists, gritted his teeth, and took a half step forward, looking eager to try.

"Calm down, buddy. Looks like you can't beat him. Don't worry, I'll make him taste my smack on the court later!"

Xu Feng calmly persuaded Singh while sizing up his opponent.

Actually, he was a little doubtful. Who was this Steel Cannon? Did he even have the strength?

The rest of the Louisville team were less flamboyant, each stretching on the field.

The opponents were not particularly tall; on the contrary, Louisville had a defender who was only 1.83 meters tall, Dejuan Witt.

Based on Xu Feng's observations of basketball, these short college players are usually the most ruthless. These players often lack talent and have difficulty making it into the NBA, but their skill level is already very high at the college level.

The tallest is Samaki Walker, a 2.06-meter freshman star with a slender build, who should be an agile inside player.

Although 96 was considered a golden generation, Xu Feng wasn't a hardcore basketball fan in his previous life, and he only remembered the famous players in the NBA.

As far as I remember, Louisville's center Samaki Walker was drafted quite high, and later won a championship with the Lakers alongside Shaquille O'Neal.

Could it be that there are other experts out there?

Xu Feng has improved his three-point shooting to 47 points through two days of extra training. His three-point shooting ability, combined with his height, is the source of his confidence and strength.

In reality, it is very difficult for De Paul to beat Louisville; in the past few years, De Paul has struggled to win a single match against Louisville.

As the audience gradually entered the venue, the match, which was lopsided on paper, was about to begin.

The atmosphere at this match was a stark contrast to the previous game where De Paul played at the Horizon Arena, with the Liberty Hall already transformed into a sea of ​​red!

The stadium, which can hold 19000 people, was packed to the brim with fans, making it difficult for people in the stands to even walk.

Red jerseys, shorts, underwear, red face stickers, a flag with the Cardinals logo...

Amidst a sea of ​​red, only a few scattered blue spots remain—those are the lone boats of De Paul.

This is Liberty Hall, Louisville's intimidating home ground! No one can mess with the Cardinals here!

As players from both sides entered the field one after another, a huge roar of shouts erupted from the sidelines, sweeping in like a surging wave.

The wooden dome of the Freedom Hall has a natural sound-gathering effect, and the excited shouts of the audience in the stands made Xu Feng's eardrums hurt!

This was the first time Xu Feng had personally experienced such a grand scene, and an indescribable restlessness welled up inside him.

"Xu Feng, look at that blonde girl, she's the most comfortable, the best in bed!"

Singh, a seasoned pro, excitedly greeted the stunning blonde with long, wavy hair, who responded with equal enthusiasm.

"De Paul, you piece of trash, get back home! Your skills aren't even as good as my toy!"

Okay, they were indeed very enthusiastic.

I finally found a spectator in the stands wearing a De Paul jersey; he was a chubby man with a thick beard.

When Xu Feng met his gaze, he stood up, ripped off De Paul's jersey, and underneath it was actually the Cardinals' jersey!

The fat man cupped his hands into a megaphone shape and shouted at Xu Feng and the others:

"A bunch of idiots, go home and find your mothers! Louisville will only make you cry!!"

The home ground truly lives up to its name as a "devil's stadium." Don't expect them to be tolerant of their opponents; the fans only hurl insults at them.

Faced with this scene, Xu Feng was not angry at all; on the contrary, he felt like laughing.

He didn't say anything, but slowly raised his hands, extended his middle fingers, and rotated them 360 degrees before walking into the arena amidst deafening boos.

Sorry, buddy, I only win people over with virtue.

"Damn it, Xu Feng is such a daring show-off!" Tome smiled helplessly.

"Wow, this is the first time DePaul has had a player mock the audience. Isn't he afraid of not being able to leave the basketball arena?" The stadium announcer loudly broadcast Xu Feng's audacious behavior.

After taking off their training clothes, revealing their number 8 jerseys underneath, both sides took their positions, and Xu Feng walked to the center circle to prepare for the jump ball.

With the sound of a whistle, the competition officially began!