I really can't handle the ball

Chapter 26 Advance to Elite 8

"Let's congratulate the Marquette Golden Eagles for making it to the Elite Eight."

"At the same time, we would like to congratulate Li. This is the first time in his NCAA career to get 30+. Rolling fadeaway jump shot through Kentucky's tough defense."

"Watching Lee play is simply a kind of enjoyment, because you don't know when he will surprise you. I see infinite possibilities in him."

In the studio hall ahead, Barkley and Kenny Smith were finishing the game. When the TV broadcast was about to be cut off, they did not forget to milk Li Xuan in front of the fans.

Houston, Toyota Center.

With the harsh buzzing sound in the arena, the Sweet 16 game came to an end.

In the end, Marquette University defeated the University of Kentucky with a score of 76:52 and advanced to the Elite 8.

After three knockout games, the Marquette Golden Eagles outscored their opponents by as much as 20 points.

This is also rare in the history of March Madness.

这场比赛，李轩上场28分钟，投篮16投13中，其中三分4投3中，罚球3罚3中，砍下32分6篮板4助攻1抢断1盖帽的全面数据，效率非常恐怖。

韦德的发挥也相当不错，他拿下18分5篮板8助攻3抢断1盖帽的全面数据。

Just after the game ended, the atmosphere of the two teams was very different.

The University of Kentucky players were bitter and very unwilling, while the Marquette University players showed bright smiles and hugged each other to celebrate the team's promotion.

After the players on both sides sorted out their emotions, they began to line up to hug and shake hands with the opposing players.

At the same time, the head coaches of the two teams also shook hands on the sidelines and exchanged a few words.

Klein looked at Tabby Smith on the opposite side, patted him on the shoulder and said, "Tabby, your team is good, and your defense is very good, but the offense is still lacking. You still need a tough attacking team." player."

"Congratulations to your team for winning, Coach Klein, I will consider your suggestion." Tabby Smith can only pretend to be cowardly now, after all, only winners are qualified to speak big.

If he wins tonight, he will also arrogantly say to Klein: "Defense wins the championship, offense can only please the fans."

It's a pity that his team didn't help him fulfill his dream of loading a fork.

Klein didn't want to hit Tabby Smith again, and after saying goodbye to him, he turned his head to look at the court, looking for the players.

But found that Li Xuan was already surrounded by media reporters.

After helping the team defeat the University of Texas in the last game, Li Xuan once again became the key to the Golden Eagles' victory today and became the focus of the audience's attention.

The number of reporters interviewed after the game this time has increased several times compared to the previous two rounds. There are too many reporters. Li Xuan can only choose some interesting answers.

"Li, you performed exceptionally well tonight. Not only did you set a new career scoring high in the NCAA, but you also helped the team advance to the Elite Eight. Do you have anything to say now?" ESPN reporter asked.

"My excellent performance is due to the coaches and teammates. They provided me with a comfortable shooting environment. I seized the opportunity and shot them all. I am very happy to lead the team to the promotion. "Li Xuan replied very modestly.

"Then will you participate in this year's draft?" The ESPN reporter continued to ask the next question. .

"I haven't had time to think about these things. At this stage, I'm mainly preparing for the next game. I can't answer your questions until the tournament is over." Li Xuan said vaguely.

After hearing this, the media reporters didn't get the answer they wanted, and wanted to continue to ask questions, but Li Xuan couldn't get into it, and couldn't get any words out, so he had to give up.

After Li Xuan couldn't get any explosive news, the media reporters quickly shifted positions to interview other players.

But the University of Kentucky players were in a bad mood because of the team's loss. None of them were willing to be interviewed, and all walked back to the locker room dejectedly.

After Li Xuan finished the interview, he exchanged a few words with Dayao and Francis who had not yet left the stage, and agreed to have supper later.

Back in the locker room, he asked the head coach Klein for leave, instead of returning to the hotel with the team, he came to the restaurant reserved by Dayao and Francis.

This supper was originally proposed by Dayao, but after watching tonight's game, Francis admired Li Xuan's playing style very much, and wanted to make friends with this little brother, saying that the supper was his.

Li Xuan accepted it very frankly. There is no harm in getting to know a few more NBA stars. Besides, Francis is a loyal person. After the meal, the two happily exchanged phone numbers.

After returning to the hotel, Li Xuan greeted Wade, went to the bathroom to change into pajamas and washed up, then lay down on the bed and fell asleep, ending this busy day.

…………

The next morning.

Miami, American Airlines Arena head coach's office.

Looking at the news headlines related to Li Xuan in the newspaper, Pat Riley smashed the newspaper on the desk in desperation.

"Everything these unscrupulous reporters write is all touting Li, and I haven't seen a single piece of news reporting his shortcomings."

Spoelstra, who was standing aside, saw his teacher so angry, and glanced at the newspaper on his desk out of the corner of his eye.

"Don't you think it's strange? Why did so many media suddenly report on Li Xuan overnight, as if they wanted him to be popular."

"Teacher, isn't this normal? The Sweet 16 has more exposure than the previous two knockout rounds combined." Spoelstra replied truthfully.

"No, it's not as simple as you imagined. Li Xuan's attention has risen abnormally, like a rocket launch, and suddenly reached a high point, sweeping all major sports newspapers in the United States. I think someone is deliberately creating heat. "

After Pat Riley finished speaking, he couldn't help but think of Stern's cheeky old face in his mind.

"What do you mean? Someone wants to improve Lee's draft pick?"

"Well, either other teams are playing tricks, or Stern has increased his efforts to promote Li Xuan for the sake of the Chinese market."

Pat Riley frowned. After being widely reported by the media, it was difficult for Li Xuan's ranking to rise.

Maybe, he might even be in the lottery.

"But we don't have two high draft picks!"

"This is something that can't be helped. If you can't find any mistakes, you can only give up. After all, what we need is an all-round defender as the cornerstone of the team." Pat Riley said with a little regret.

At the same time, the general managers' offices of each team were also discussing Li Xuan's soaring popularity.

This year is a big year in the draft, and every draft pick is very important. If you say that you may not be able to select a cornerstone for the team, you have to be cautious.

(End of this chapter)