USA, Minnesota, Target Center!
The NCAA Final Four was held in this arena.
The stadium, which can accommodate up to 20,000 fans, was already packed.
Fans from both sides, while cheering for their own teams, also tried to outdo each other in momentum. The entire stadium thundered with wave after wave of shouts.
At the same time, the showdown between Duke University and Michigan State University attracted countless superstar guests.
Hollywood movie star Jack Nicholson, pop diva Taylor Swift, Victoria's Secret supermodels Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid, basketball legend Michael Jordan, rap icon JAY-Z and his wife Beyoncé, and many other A-list celebrities were in attendance.
Grant Hill, Brandon Ingram, Jayson Tatum, Kyrie Irving, and other NBA players who graduated from Duke University also came to the Target Center to cheer for their alma mater.
Other stars included Megan Fox, Emma Watson, Jennifer Lawrence, Gal Gadot, Selena Gomez, and many more.
In addition, this game was listed as a "Nationwide Live Broadcast."
To support this, TNT sent a commentary team led by O'Neal, Barkley, and Smith.
"Hello, viewers! I'm your favorite commentator, Charles Barkley!"
"Today, Shaq, Smith, and I will be bringing you the call for this game."
Before the game even began, Barkley had already started building the hype.
"Let's start by talking about Michigan State University."
After a brief opening, Smith took over. "Michigan State's starting lineup may be the most luxurious in this NCAA Tournament."
"Almost all five starters are projected by the media to be first-round picks."
"Especially Jaren Jackson Jr.—many believe he has what it takes to compete with Deandre Ayton for the top overall pick."
"Now that we've talked about Michigan State, we have to talk about their opponent tonight."
Smith shifted the topic. "Defending champions Duke University staged a stunning comeback in their last game against Oklahoma University after trailing by as many as twenty points."
"Besides Marvin Bagley, there's one player we absolutely have to focus on—the true hero of that game!"
"That's Kai Chen!"
"He scored 22 points on 100% shooting in just four minutes of the final quarter and hit the game-winning shot!"
Barkley straightened his jacket, took over, and said, "That's right. We honestly know very little about this young man."
"In the past three seasons, Kai Chen hasn't left much of an impression."
"And that's why many people believe his performance was just a flash in the pan."
The commentators thoroughly analyzed both teams' highlights before the game.
On the sidelines, Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo was closely watching Duke's pregame warm-ups.
"Coach, the one wearing No. 23—that's Kai Chen!"
Jordan Poole pointed toward Kai Chen, who was going through shooting drills. "It was his sudden breakout last game that eliminated Oklahoma University."
"I know."
Tom nodded, then looked at his players. "A lucky kid—nothing worth paying special attention to."
"Tonight, our defensive focus is still inside. Shutting down Bagley and Wendell Carter is our top priority!"
On the other side—
During Duke's pregame warm-up, Coach K found Kai Chen and said, "I'm starting you tonight. I want you to focus on limiting Jordan Poole, their primary perimeter scorer, on defense."
"Coach, no problem at all."
Kai Chen nodded.
As a seasoned NBA fan in his previous life, Kai Chen knew Jordan Poole very well..
As a member of the Warriors' 2022 championship team, Jordan Poole experienced the brightest moment of his career that season.
His "Splash Trio" with Curry and Thompson, though doubted early on, fought all the way to the NBA Finals.
They eventually lifted the Championship Trophy.
Poole also proved himself to the world and earned a massive contract.
For various reasons, he was later traded to the Washington Wizards.
Just when people thought Poole might thrive after leaving Golden State, he delivered a historically disastrous season.
Watching videos in the locker room, bullying teammates on the court, and acting like a superstar during timeouts.
Both teams soon finished warming up.
Amid roaring cheers from fans of both sides, the starting lineups took the court.
"Duke University has changed their lineup—Kai Chen is starting!"
"Kai Chen's performance last game was flawless; he deserves a spot in the starting five!"
"Even if a nobody starts, what can he do?"
"He's not even worth looking at in front of Michigan State!"
[Ding—detected that the host is starting for the first time. Main quest activated!]
[System Quest: Lead Duke University to the NCAA Finals!]
[Quest Reward: Defense attribute +5]
Kai Chen, who had fused with the peak Booker template—
Offensively, he was already a top-tier presence even by NBA standards.
But Booker also had clear weaknesses, such as average physicality and limited defense.
Now, Kai Chen could gradually improve those areas through system quests.
"This quest must be completed!"
Even without the system, Kai Chen had no intention of losing this NCAA game.
Though peak Booker's abilities still had limitations,
If he couldn't dominate these college players—
Then what was the point of playing basketball at all?