Of course, one aspect was Michigan's own decline in strength, and another was that their opponents were not to be underestimated.
The Texas State University team that defeated the University of Michigan was in the Southwest Conference season league, which was a notch stronger overall than the Southland Conference where the University of Louisiana-Monroe played!
This was because at least two teams from the Southwest Conference season league had made it into the top 64 of this year's NCAA tournament: Texas State University and Texas Tech University!
Meanwhile, compared to Paul Marshall, Reggie Freeman's playing style was more stable! Moreover, Reggie Freeman was taller than Paul Marshall, at 1.89 meters, matching Hexiong.
However, like the University of Louisiana-Monroe, the Texas State University team had a fatal flaw: their inside game was not strong!
In fact, looking at the entire NCAA, there were very few teams that could match Wake Forest's inside strength!
In any case, the Texas State University team could not withstand Duncan's dominance in the paint. Hexiong simply followed Coach Dave Odom's game plan, continuously breaking through the opponent's defense and feeding the ball to Duncan, which basically completed his task.
At the same time, to help Duncan create as much space as possible in the paint, Hexiong made five three-pointers in this game, forcing the opponent to hesitate to fully collapse and lock down Duncan...
As long as they weren't swarmed by four or five defenders simultaneously, or double-teamed, Duncan could basically score in the paint without being stopped...
72:65, Wake Forest didn't win by a landslide, but they didn't give Texas State University any hope of winning either!
Duncan once again recorded a game-high 28 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 blocks.
Notably, all 3 of Duncan's assists were to Hexiong...
Hexiong had 19 points and 11 assists, of which 7 were assists to Duncan...
The chemistry between Duncan and Hexiong was becoming increasingly默契 (mòqì - tacit understanding) in actual games.
When the media initially reported on the Wake Forest University team, they dedicated a large portion to describing "Mr. Fundamental" Duncan...
Now, beside "Mr. Fundamental," there was also "Mr. Little Fundamental."
Stable ball-handling, sharp passing, solid defense, and accurate three-point shooting... Hexiong's fundamentals at the point guard position were exceptionally strong!
Even the most discerning commentators at Wake Forest had to admit that Hexiong and Duncan were a perfect match!
Because Hexiong lacked offensive desire and never forced shots when he could pass, not only did they not conflict over shot opportunities, but he could also bomb from outside when Duncan was surrounded by opponents, helping Duncan stretch the court and break free from the siege... And as soon as Duncan broke free, Hexiong would immediately reduce his own shots and transfer the scoring opportunities back to Duncan...
"An impeccable playmaker!"
This was the latest evaluation given to Hexiong by most media outlets in Winston-Salem, where Wake Forest was located!
With the combined efforts of these two "fundamental brothers," one inside and one outside, Wake Forest University successfully defeated Texas State University to advance to the Sweet Sixteen of the tournament!
Sweet Sixteen, Elite Eight, Final Four!
These were terms unique to the NCAA. All teams that reached the top 16 were symbols of strength, much like teams that made the NBA playoffs in the Eastern and Western Conferences!
Of the other two teams in the Atlantic Coast Conference, Marcus Camby's Georgia Tech successfully defeated Boston College and advanced to the Sweet Sixteen, but North Carolina, led by Vince Carter and Antawn Jamison, lost to another strong team from the Southwest Conference, Texas Tech!
When North Carolina's head coach Dean Smith saw Wake Forest easily advance with Hexiong's assistance, one could only wonder what he was thinking...
"Once upon a time, a good point guard stood before me, but I didn't cherish him. It was only after losing him that I regretted it deeply. The greatest sorrow in the world is this. If heaven were to give me another chance, I would say three words to that point guard: I agree! If I had to add a specific position to this agreement, I would hope it would be... starting point guard..."
Reaching the Sweet Sixteen meant advancing to the Final Four of the region.
After a day of rest, Wake Forest University needed to travel to Minneapolis, Minnesota, and play their next game at the Timberwolves' home arena, the Target Center! Their opponent would be the University of Louisville from the Big East Conference!
The University of Louisville was considered a traditional powerhouse in the NCAA, having won the NCAA championship twice, in 1980 and 1986!
In terms of history, Wake Forest University truly couldn't compare to the more glorious and brilliant history of the University of Louisville!
This meant that the University of Louisville already possessed a solid basketball foundation, and having successfully reached the Sweet Sixteen this year indicated that this Louisville team was strong.
The core players of the team were Samaki Walker, a 2.06-meter power forward, and DeJuan Wheat, a 1.85-meter point guard.
If all went as expected, Samaki Walker would be selected 9th overall in the first round of the 1996 NBA draft, and DeJuan Wheat would participate in the 1997 draft and be selected 52nd overall in the second round by the Lakers...
Samaki Walker's most glorious moment in the future would be as a role player alongside the "OK Combination."
DeJuan Wheat, on the other hand, never made a name for himself in the NBA. However, being drafted, even in the second round, at least proved that DeJuan Wheat's talent was recognized by the league!
Especially considering that the team that selected him was the NBA powerhouse Los Angeles Lakers!
Hexiong had never underestimated any player who left a mark in NBA history, even the most bottom-tier role players might have their moments of brilliance.
However, in this game, a sudden "shooting slump" caught Hexiong completely off guard...