A portion of fans adopted a wait-and-see attitude.
These individuals were well-acquainted with the caliber of the NCAA and understood the immense popularity of March Madness in the US. However, they knew that even achieving fame in the NCAA did not guarantee success in the NBA.
Numerous examples stood testament to this.
For instance, in '04...
The first round of the NCAA was about to commence, and the opponent of the Davidson Wildcats had emerged: the No. 1 seed, the Kansas Jayhawks.
Speaking of the Jayhawks, they represented an eternal pain point for Curry.
In last year's tournament, the Wildcats, led by Curry, were eliminated by the Jayhawks.
Unexpectedly, fate had them crossing paths with their old rivals once again this year.
All official prediction bodies, including ESPN, Slam, and dozens of other media outlets, overwhelmingly favored the Jayhawks.
Not a single one predicted a win for the Wildcats.
On one hand, there was a tangible disparity in their paper strength.
On the other, in the context of '08, no one believed that a team led by a three-point shooter could go far on a basketball court filled with giants.
Even with Li Feng and Curry's previous undefeated streak, they were still not favored.
During interviews with the Jayhawks players, they exuded an almost arrogant confidence, making bold pronouncements.
However, the Jayhawks' arrogance was not entirely unfounded.
This team boasted a long and storied history. Not to mention Li Feng and Curry, even formidable figures like the "Big Diesel" Shaq and "The Answer" Iverson had not achieved such dominance within the modern NCAA rules.
And the story of basketball's divine figure, Jordan, leading North Carolina to a championship was already a relic of the past.
...
Just as the match between the two teams was about to begin, a documentary produced by China's CCTV was finally released.
The documentary was titled "The Underdog's Uprising"!
"The Underdog's Uprising" was also the prevailing theme in the NBA this year.
Due to Li Feng's immense popularity in China, many foreign media outlets struggled to comprehend why Chinese people believed Li Feng could succeed in the NCAA.
But the Chinese people understood. As the leader of the new generation of Chinese men's basketball and their future hope, Li Feng represented a belief!
Furthermore, Li Feng's mature demeanor and strategic thinking, displayed at such a young age, were truly captivating.
In a selection by a domestic media magazine, Li Feng's votes far surpassed those of many young heartthrobs in China's entertainment industry, making him the undisputed "Best Boyfriend"!
Although Li Feng was not particularly fond of this title, it nevertheless illustrated his incredible popularity, with his fame reaching astronomical levels.
Facing a formidable opponent, the Wildcats did not dare to be careless. The entire team declined media interviews to focus on preparation and training.
Li Feng, deeply understanding the principle of "know yourself and your enemy, and you will never be defeated," delved into understanding everything about the Jayhawks.
He discovered that the Jayhawks' playbook was as thick as a dictionary, and their team discipline was as rigorous as that of an army!
It was terrifying!
Even if Jordan were to return to his prime at 18, he couldn't defeat the Jayhawks' myriad of tactical variations solely without relying on the inside game.
However, having reached this point, Li Feng remained the most optimistic member of the team.
He not only actively assisted his teammates in training but also boosted their morale and encouraged them on a psychological level.
After several key starters from the previous year graduated, the captain's armband was passed to Curry.
Curry was a good teammate, an absolute core player, humble, and humorous.
But his pleasant disposition meant that, in some respects, he was not necessarily a good leader.
His later experiences with the Warriors demonstrated that the true leadership of the Warriors emerged when Curry and Green joined forces.
Before the game, Curry unexpectedly handed the captain's armband to Li Feng.
Li Feng, unsure of Curry's intentions, quickly demurred, saying, "Stephen, you are the undisputed core of the team and the captain by all rights. Why give it to me?"
Curry replied earnestly, "Li Feng, you are more suited for the captain's role than I am. I know my personality well; I can play with dedication, but in terms of motivating and pushing teammates, you are more capable!"
Li Feng reluctantly accepted the captain's armband and said, "Alright, but we all know how important you are to us. You are the absolute core!"
Curry shook his head and smiled, "I don't care about personal glory. As long as the Wildcats win, I'll do whatever it takes!"
Li Feng deeply admired Curry's purity; he was a true basketball player, unburdened by any extraneous thoughts.
In his previous life, Curry possessed a similar disposition, even unconcerned about the Finals MVP award.
If a teammate had an open shot, he would always pass, never prioritizing his own statistics.
Li Feng felt deeply gratified and fortunate to be teammates with such a great player as Curry.
March Madness officially began, and the game between the Wildcats and the Jayhawks tipped off.
The Wildcats' starting lineup consisted of Curry, Li Feng, Gethers, Lovedale, and Allison.
The Jayhawks' starting five were Xhelong Collins, Sean Taylor, Brad Morning, Marcus Morris, and Cole Aldrich.
With the referee's whistle, Allison and Aldrich met at center court for the tip-off.
As expected, the Jayhawks secured the first possession and initiated their offense.
Morris received the pass, drove into the paint, and sank a jump shot, giving the Jayhawks 2 points.
From the outset, the Jayhawks' advantage in the forward and inside positions was evident.
Just as the audience anticipated a one-sided affair, Li Feng stunned everyone on the very next possession!