A week later, Arizona State University ended its journey in Denver, defeating Roberts University and the University of Michigan to advance to the Sweet 16.
It was a good ending, but it wasn’t easy, especially the game against Michigan.
Michigan is the school where the once nationally famous "Michigan Five" was located. Although there are no NBA talented players on the team this year, the average strength of the players is very strong.
This is the type that looks easy to hit, but is actually very difficult to hit.
In fact, the Devils trailed at the end of the first half.
But you have to admit that this Devils team is very resilient on the court. Under the leadership of Harden and Xu Yong, they successfully completed a reversal in the second half, and finally defeated their opponents and successfully got the ticket to Houston.
The next stage of the South Zone competition will be held at the Reliant Stadium in Houston.
The Devils' next opponent will be the University of Memphis.
Although they made it to the Sweet 16, the draft picks of Xu Yong and Harden did not change much.
After all, as the fourth seed in the South Region, these were games they should have won easily, not to mention that their game against Michigan was actually quite tense.
If they want to move up in the draft, they have to have an outstanding performance against a team like Memphis.
There is a day off in between.
Sandek knew that the players were under a lot of pressure for this game, so he only arranged training sessions in the morning. In the afternoon, after watching some videos of the University of Memphis, he let the players rest.
When he came out after watching the video, someone was already waiting for Xu Yong downstairs in a car.
"Brother Zhang." After getting in the car, Xu Yong greeted the other party warmly.
The person who came to pick him up was Zhang Minji, Yao Ming's Chinese agent and also a member of "Team Yao".
Before his rebirth, because he was playing in the CBA and on the Shanghai team, Xu Yong naturally signed with Yao's team.
And there was no choice at that time, because the only team in China with NBA experience was Yao's team, and the "Yi's Team" that drafted Yi Jianlian was also separated from that team.
However, after his rebirth, because he played in the NCAA, he did not need to hire a Chinese agent, so this step was omitted.
But as they are both from Shanghai and played basketball together in the United States, how could there be no connection between him and Yao Ming?
Yao Ming has been helping him adapt to life in the United States and providing some advice. Sometimes when he is busy, Zhang Minji is the one who communicates with him.
"Dayao is already waiting for you at home. Aunt Fang is the chef today. She said that you must miss your hometown food after being in the United States for so long." Zhang Minji said with a smile.
Upon hearing this, Xu Yong's mouth unconsciously secreted saliva.
He had indeed not eaten Shanghai cuisine for a long time. In order not to miss this opportunity, he returned to China once a year since his rebirth.
He also wanted to find Chinese food in Phoenix, but those so-called Chinese restaurants had long since changed their tastes for the sake of the market, just like foreign girls wearing cheongsams, which looked good but tasted wrong.
As for cooking his own food, he would like to, but the student dormitory does not have the conditions for that.
Plus the training schedule is tight, so it might be more convenient to just have a hamburger.
So it would be fine if you didn’t say it. Once you say it, the glutton in your stomach will really start digging and digging for you.
"How is Brother Yao's injury?" After suppressing his craving, Xu Yong continued to ask.
He must have met Yao Ming during his three years in the United States. He even invited Yao Ming to dinner when the Rockets went to Phoenix for a game, but the two of them mostly kept in touch through text messages and phone calls.
The Rockets are still experiencing their sweetest 22-game winning streak, but Yao Ming broke his leg in late February, and the two of them still talked on the phone at that time.
"The recovery is going smoothly. As you know, Yao Ming was determined to catch up with the Olympics..." Zhang Minji stopped talking.
After listening to this, Xu Yong was filled with emotion.
He admires Yao Ming very much, not only because Yao Ming is from Shanghai, but more importantly because of Yao Ming's character.
When he was asked during an interview at the Sydney Olympics whether he could play in the NBA, the firm "yes" made the young him excited. Then what Zhang Minji said was happening. It was originally estimated that it would take 8 to 12 months to recover, but he managed to recover in the swimming pool and participate before the Olympics.
How could you not admire a man like this?
About half an hour later, they arrived at Yao Ming's villa.
When he entered the living room, he was stunned for a moment, because he saw not only Yao Ming but also McGrady sitting on the sofa in the living room!
Yao Ming's text message did not tell him that McGrady would also come.
He was feeling a little excited because besides Jordan, McGrady was also one of his favorite players.
The elegant playing style, the unstoppable pull-up shot, the extremely fast first step, and the similar height make it hard not to like him.
"T-mac, this is the Xu I just told you about." Yao Ming had a plaster cast on his leg and couldn't get up. He could only wave to Xu Yong while introducing him to McGrady next to him.
McGrady stood up and smiled as he stretched out his hand to Xu Yong: "Yao told me that you are the best dunker in China. I am very curious."
Xu Yong smiled and shook hands with McGrady, then took over and said, "Yes, it's me."
Maddie was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter.
Yao Ming on the sofa also laughed so hard that his face looked awkward.
"Special, you are so special, I must take a photo with you." McGrady said and called Zhang Minji for help.
"There's a camera on my stand." Yao Ming stretched out his hand and said to Zhang Minji.
Zhang Minji nodded and took the camera, and a photo of Xu Yong and McGrady appeared.
After taking the photos, the three of them sat down and chatted for a while, and then Maddie left first.
"Yao, remember to send me a photo." Before leaving, McGrady reminded Yao Ming and glanced at Xu Yong.
It can be seen that he has completely remembered Xu Yong.
"How about it? How confident are you in tomorrow's game? Don't tell me it's 100%. " After McGrady left, Yao Ming and Xu Yong talked about the game.
"About four or five points. I was watching their game videos before coming here. Rose is very strong and none of us can defend him." Xu Yong told the truth.
They are going to play the highest ranked team in NCAAD1, and if they are absolutely sure of this, they are simply deceiving themselves.
"Well, don't worry too much about temporary wins or losses, and don't be so anxious about many things. A good start is more important. Look, I entered the NBA at the age of 22, and I'm doing well now." Yao Ming said with a smile.
Xu Yong nodded. He knew what Yao Ming meant, but he didn't say anything.
"It's time for dinner." Just then, Ye Li came to the living room and shouted.
After hearing this, Xu Yong stood up and helped Yao Ming to the wheelchair.
"I won't be able to go there to cheer you up tomorrow, but my mom is the chef today, so I asked her to add more oil. You can eat more," Yao Ming said. [Note 6]
"Sure." Xu Yong nodded with a smile.