November 8, 2013.
Howard University vs. Georgia Tech.
Season opener.
Michael stood in the narrow tunnel leading out to Burr Gymnasium, his heart steady beneath his jersey. The court lights flickered beyond the shadows, the crowd's electricity humming like a power grid.
Coach Beasley clapped him on the back.
"You're not here to impress them. You're here to change them."
Michael nodded, eyes fixed ahead.
"Then let's start rewriting."
From the tip, Georgia Tech pressed. Hard.
They doubled Michael off every pick. Denied him the ball. Talked trash on every dead ball.
But it didn't rattle him.
By the end of the first half, he had:
13 points
5 assists
3 steals
2 jaw-dropping dunks that made the crowd lose control
But it wasn't just the numbers. It was how he moved.
The way he froze defenders with his footwork. The way he manipulated tempo like a seasoned vet. The calm fire in his eyes.
Georgia Tech led 38–37 at halftime, but everyone watching knew what was coming.
Michael Schmidt wasn't done.
Second half.
He turned up the pressure. Baited defenders into fouls. Began punishing the hedge man on every screen.
He scored 11 straight at one point—two step-back threes, a backdoor cut off a misdirect, and a fadeaway from the left elbow that drew a whistle and a standing ovation.
The crowd started chanting:
"MI-CHAEL! MI-CHAEL!"
Final minutes.
Howard led by 5. Michael called for a clear-out.
He sized up their senior guard—6'5, experienced, quick hands.
Crossover. Pump. Spin. Hang. Bank.
And-one.
Game over.
Final score: Howard 82 – Georgia Tech 74.
Michael's final stat line:
31 points
7 assists
6 rebounds
4 steals
1 block
[System Notification: Game Performance Logged – Tier I Impact Detected][Template Progress: 70.20% → 71.01%]
[Reminder: Future progress will scale harder with each percent gained.][Advanced Threshold Approaching – 80%]
[Note: Sustained NCAA dominance is now required to continue progression.]
Michael exhaled in the locker room, towel around his neck.
Coach Beasley clapped once.
"Gentlemen, that's how you make a statement."
The room roared. But Michael sat still.
He didn't need to roar.
He was the roar.
And this was just the beginning of his takeover.