Chapter 136: Fateful Entanglement
Obviously, Coach Martin did not complain about the lack of intensity in the game, and there were other considerations for the extra training.
Today, Martin could sense that the team was in a somewhat tense state. Perhaps it was because they were too excited, too nervous, or too stressed. Anything was possible. In short, in the bustling and noisy environment of Athens, the young players' state adjustments were not optimal.
Facing the University of Tennessee, although the total score was "4:0", except for Gawain, every other game was very close. If the Bruins were not absolutely stronger than their opponents and had not held on to the situation at the critical moment, I am afraid that this game would not have ended so quickly.
Fortunately, through this game, Coach Martin saw the problem, and now there is still time to adjust in time and then face the quarterfinals in better condition.
It is precisely because of this that the Bruins conducted additional training after the game.
Of course, the NCAA rules still cannot be broken, and Martin did not conduct professional training or mini-matches. Instead, he played games with the players.
Use a tennis ball as a soccer ball and have the players juggle the ball. Use a tennis ball as a baseball and have the players toss and catch the ball. Use a tennis ball as a ping-pong ball and have the players use their hands to hit the ball.
And so on.
A group of young college students temporarily forgot about their identities as tennis players and the U.S. Championships and started playing happily. As their muscles and bodies relaxed, their mental states also relaxed. Their cheerful and bright laughter echoed over the court for a long time.
After a long season and the pressure of winning the championship as the top seed in the United States, the Bruins team really needs some time to relax.
At the same time, other third-round competitions are also in full swing.
Shortly after UCLA finished its game, the fifth seed Ohio State University also finished its game. They also won easily with a score of "4:0" and successfully advanced to the quarterfinals.
When being interviewed after the game, the team's top singles player Peter Kobelt was full of youthful vigor and youthful boldness. He wiped the sweat from his forehead, his cheeks were rosy and his eyes were bright, and he issued a challenge with high spirits.
"Brown bear, are you ready? Here we come."
According to the draw, after both teams won and advanced to the quarterfinals, UCLA and Ohio State will now face off for a spot in the semifinals.
Speaking of these two schools, although they are not mortal enemies in the same city, they have a deep and complicated relationship with each other.
The story goes back to the 2008-2009 season.
That year, in the semifinals of the U.S. Championship, the third seed Ohio State University faced the sixth seed UCLA. The two sides engaged in a very fierce battle. During the game, the scene was chaotic for a while due to two suspected misjudgments. Both teams were full of tension and the game continued to be entangled until the last singles match.
The final score was "4:3", and Ohio State University advanced to the finals. The two sides had a war of words after the game, and each had its own opinions on the penalties.
Then, in the final of the U.S. Championship, the third seed Ohio State University faced the top seed University of Southern California. It was originally thought to be a fierce battle, but the University of Southern California defeated its opponent cleanly with a score of "4:1", and used this as a starting point to start the journey of four consecutive championships.
Originally, the situation in the final had nothing to do with UCLA, but after the final, students from the University of Southern California expressed their pride.
"How about it, silly bear, you thank us? We helped you get rid of your anger. Are you excited? Are you happy?"
The implicit meaning of the words was that the opponent that UCLA had fought hard to defeat was easily defeated by the University of Southern California, which completely crushed them from a distance.
Now, sparks between the city's sworn enemies were immediately ignited, and the bustling dispute was noisy.
Then, things came back to the 2012-2013 season, which was last season.
In the quarterfinals of the U.S. Championship, fifth-seeded Ohio State University faced fourth-seeded University of Southern California. Ohio State University upset USC with a score of 4:3, ending the latter's dream of winning five consecutive championships and shocking the nation.
USC's four-peat dynasty began with a victory over Ohio State and ended with a loss to Ohio State, which is a fate that makes people sigh.
In the semi-finals of the U.S. National Championship that followed, the fifth seed Ohio State University faced the third seed UCLA. The two sides fought to the last game, and the score was still "4:3", but this time, it was UCLA that had the last laugh.
Reincarnation? Or fate? But no matter what, after four seasons, the familiar scene appeared again -
Then, the UCLA students did their best to ridicule USC, and the Trojans were not going to tolerate that. The two sides started a new war of words.
Especially in the final, UCLA fought hard to the end and lost to the University of Virginia with a score of 3:4, unfortunately missing the championship. Then the University of Southern California went all out and successfully hurt the wounds of the Bruins fans. The two sides even fought each other and caused a group fight.
Everyone is paying attention to the tit-for-tat in the Los Angeles intra-city derby, and Ohio State University, which is caught in the middle, is not feeling well either.
Why should I become a stepping stone for the two Los Angeles teams? Why should I not be discussed whether I win or lose the game? Why should I become a background board for the grievances between the rivals in Los Angeles? Why should I not be taken seriously?
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To be honest, Ohio State University was very angry. The more heated the Los Angeles derby became, the more depressed they became.
What's even more "pitiful" is that the fans of the Ohio State University Eagles made their voices heard and attacked the Los Angeles duo, only to be attacked indiscriminately by the two universities. The unbearable curses caused the outnumbered Eagles fans to retreat step by step and be defeated.
It is no exaggeration to say that this "evil fate" made the Hawks fans hate the two Los Angeles giants.
The result is that the three teams look down on each other and compete secretly with each other. They can't wait to roll up their sleeves and go straight into the battle for a close combat with bayonets and blood. They want to feel the stimulation and excitement of strangling the opponent's neck with their fingers. Only in this way can they eliminate the depression in their hearts.
This year, when the draw for the U.S. Championship came out, the two Los Angeles teams were the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds, guarding the upper and lower halves respectively. They could only meet if both made it to the finals; but Ohio State University was different, they were placed in the upper half where the Bruins were.
This also means that if they can successfully get through the first three rounds, the two teams will meet in the quarterfinals.
Early on, the Ohio State Eagles were looking forward to the quarterfinals, just to give their enemies a hard blow.
First update.
(End of this chapter)