April 1, 1996, the final game of NCAA March Madness was played as scheduled!
As the on-court DJ announced the players, thunderous cheers erupted from the crowd!
Whether it was Wake Forest University's team or Georgetown University's team taking the court, the audience spared no applause or cheers!
Among them, especially when Georgetown University's Iverson made his grand entrance, the cheers were even more exaggerated, completely overshadowing Wake Forest's "Fundamental Brothers" and making him the most dazzling star of the night!
"Looks like you'll be under a lot of pressure today!"
Duncan, amidst his nervousness, didn't forget to tease Heximon.
"Iverson and I are different types of point guards... In fact, he's more suited to play shooting guard! I'm not going to compete with him in scoring, I'll compete with him in leadership... So, you have to step up! Whether we can beat Georgetown depends on you, you are the key to the key..."
Duncan shrugged, feigning ease. "No problem..."
Georgetown University's core players were, first and foremost, the undisputed point guard Iverson, followed by center Ossela Harrington and power forward Jerome Williams!
Jerome Williams was a first-round pick at No. 26 in the 1996 draft, and Ossela Harrington was a second-round pick at No. 1 in the 1996 draft.
In other words, Georgetown University's core lineup was a point guard plus two big men, which was a very high-quality half-court offense formation!
If they played steady, Wake Forest would have a very tough time!
Therefore, before the game, Heximon had secretly agreed with Duncan that they would not play strictly according to Coach Dave Odom's strategy of half-court offense, as it was too rigid. When opportunities arose, Wake Forest had to run the ball!
Especially on fast breaks!
Duncan grabbed the rebound and quickly passed to Heximon. Heximon, without hesitation, pushed the ball rapidly past half-court. If he had an open look, Heximon would shoot from beyond the three-point line before Duncan could even get into position!
If there was no open shot, Heximon would control the ball, waiting for the trailing Duncan, and directly assist him for a drive to the basket...
Simply put: If they could avoid playing half-court offense, they would avoid it!
Because by avoiding half-court offense, Georgetown University's two interior players would not be able to form effective double teams. Without double teams, neither Ossela Harrington nor Jerome Williams, when matched up individually against Duncan in transition, would have a different outcome: "being crushed"!
After the players finished their introductions and had a brief moment to get acquainted with the rims before the game officially began, Heximon took the opportunity to scan the VIP seating area.
It was rumored that NCAA finals attracted many Hollywood stars to watch.
As a result, there was indeed a pleasant surprise!
Because in a more secluded spot in the VIP section, Heximon saw the most familiar face: Kayla!
Just like in his previous life, when Heximon first met Kayla through his sister Jill's introduction, Heximon once again experienced what it meant to have his heart skip a beat...
As their eyes met, Kayla suddenly felt an unusual sensation... a feeling of "long time no see"...
While Kayla was still in a daze, Heximon, holding the basketball, walked directly over, squatted down, knelt on one knee, and with an uncontrollable smile, presented the basketball to Kayla, his voice trembling slightly as he requested, "Miss Kayla, I am your fan. Can I have the honor of borrowing some good luck from you for this game?"
"I've already proposed in my previous life, what's there to be afraid of asking to get acquainted in this one?" Heximon silently encouraged himself.
Kayla's eyes widened, and a blush crept onto her face... There were many boys pursuing Kayla, but she had never met anyone as bold as Heximon before...
Kayla turned her head to look at her female companion beside her... Wow, it was Scarlett!
It seemed that Kayla and Scarlett's friendship had a long history!
"No need to doubt! This silly boy just wants to get to know you... If you don't want to lend your luck, I can help out..." Scarlett said, reaching out her delicate hand towards the basketball in Heximon's hand!
Kayla quickly intervened, placing her hand on the basketball, and smiled back at Heximon, "Good luck!"
"Hey! Kid, you owe me a favor!" Scarlett teased from the side.
"Thank you to both beautiful ladies for lending me your luck! I think Georgetown University is in big trouble tonight..."
With that, Heximon suppressed his inner joy, held the basketball, and quickly returned to the court.
"This kid has guts!" Scarlett watched Heximon's retreating back, her eyes showing admiration. "I like confident boys! It's a shame he seems to like you more..."
"Are you sure?" Kayla's personality was relatively less fiery than Scarlett's.
"Of course! Just wait! This kid will definitely come back... By the way, if you don't have any feelings for him, you can let me have him... I'm serious..."
Kayla smiled and playfully hit Scarlett's thigh, neither refusing nor agreeing.
When Heximon returned to the court, he looked back and saw Kayla and Scarlett laughing and playfully scuffling.
"Daydreaming?" Duncan's deep voice suddenly sounded behind Heximon. "So you like girls of this type... Hmm, she's not as pretty as my Amy, and her figure isn't as good as my Amy's either... Simon, your taste in girls isn't as good as your game..."
Heximon rolled his eyes at Duncan. "In Chinese, that's called 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder'! You think your Amy is perfect, but in others' eyes... well, your Amy is just so-so..."
"What do you mean so-so? I don't like hearing you say that..."
"We have a big enemy ahead! Can we not talk about this topic for now?"
"Alright! Let's defeat Georgetown first, then we'll talk about women..."
The game began. Duncan stepped onto the center circle, easily beat Ossela Harrington, and tipped the ball to Heximon.
Facing Iverson with the ball, Heximon initially felt a lot of pressure, but since he knew Kayla was watching him from the sidelines, Heximon felt he could charge forward without fear, even against Michael Jordan himself!
For the opening play, Heximon chose a risky solo move!
Of course, it wasn't a stupid head-on challenge with Iverson!
Iverson's steal ability was top-notch even in the NBA, and even more so in the NCAA.
During his drive, Heximon used a screen from the moving Rusty, suddenly changed direction, accelerated, and drove down the middle!
Iverson was caught off guard by Heximon's move. When he tried to steal from behind, Heximon, who was prepared, easily dodged him!
Heximon drove into the paint with the ball, faced Georgetown University's center Ossela Harrington under the basket, and with a difficult, acrobatic reverse layup, kicked off the finals!