"As long as the Wildcats get this stop, they're going to the Final Four!" Barkley's fired up now—probably because these kids are going off. And let's be honest, Barkley's never been a fan of North Carolina. He'd love to see them get knocked out by Davidson.
Smith, though, he's trying to play it cool. Sure, he knows North Carolina's the better team on paper, but let's face it—fans love an underdog. "This possession is huge. Let's see what Davidson's defense does here."
In the crowd, Kobe, LeBron, and Wade were all on their feet. It didn't matter that they weren't playing—this final minute was pure chaos, and they could feel every second of it.
Yao Ming glanced over at Yi Jianlian and Sun Yue, letting out a long sigh.
Chinese reporters were already wondering how to spin this story. If Davidson wins, it's Lin Yi's coming-out party. If they lose… maybe they'd write a heroic in defeat piece, especially with Curry banged up. The headlines were basically writing themselves.
Meanwhile, His Airness, Michael Jordan, and Vince Carter looked a little tense. After all, this was their school out there. Sure, Davidson had been lights-out tonight, but your heart's always with your alma mater.
Back on the floor, North Carolina was setting up for their last shot. Coach Roy Williams had Ellington ready to take it. Smart move—he was keeping the ball away from Lin Yi and Curry. People always assumed Curry was the weakest defender on Davidson, but the truth is, the drop-off from him to the others is steep.
Timeout over.
Everyone in Lucas Oil Stadium was on their feet now.
UNC inbounded from the backcourt. Ty Lawson walked it up—no need to rush, with 30 seconds on the shot clock. He called for the screen. Hansbrough stepped up to set it.
This was all part of the plan. If the first pick-and-roll got them a shot, great. If not, they'd swing it to Ellington.
The air was thick with tension.
Lin Yi and Curry were locked in. Curry slipped the screen before it even hit—Hansbrough's screen wasn't tight enough. That's partly why he never really made it in the NBA. Great motor, but limited tools.
Lin Yi had caught his second wind. He was planted in the paint, ready to wall up if Lawson dared enter.
So the ball swung to Ellington.
Now, Ellington had a nice career in the NBA. Lin Yi remembered he could shoot it—especially in the later 3-and-D years. Solid 40% guy from deep.
That's why during the timeout, Lin had warned McMillan, "Watch for the quick pull-up. Ellington can drain those."
And don't forget—the college three-point line's shorter than the NBA's.
15 seconds left on the shot clock.
Ellington called iso, cleared everyone out. His dribble wasn't flashy. He wasn't fast enough to be a slasher in the NBA, which is why he got turned into a spot-up guy.
McMillan, bless him, just wasn't quick enough to hang.
Ellington gave a shoulder feint—McMillan bit. He had to play up or risk giving up a clean look. Ellington saw his chance, stepped through, and—
There's Lin Yi again.
"Damn, this guy doesn't quit," Ellington muttered.
He rose up and pulled the mid-range.
Bucket.
84–85. Carolina up.
Ellington flexed. The Carolina crowd exploded. Even MJ clapped.
Classic Carolina. That jumper had Jordan's The Shot vibes all over it.
Timeout.
Wildcats.
25 seconds had ticked off that possession. Davidson had 22 to respond.
Wildcat fans suddenly flashed back to last year's heartbreak against Kansas.
Déjà vu?
Barkley figured Lin Yi was taking the last shot. Smith thought it should go to Curry. They went back and forth before Barkley swayed him.
"Look," Barkley said, "Lin's cooking tonight. Doesn't matter who they throw at him—he's torching 'em."
"Don't mess this up, keep it clean and simple. Just need a clean shot for the man."
Yao Ming wiped his brow, nerves building. Meanwhile, Kobe, LeBron, and Wade were busy breaking down how they would play this possession.
On the broadcast, the TV cut to a highlight reel of Lin Yi and Curry's big plays tonight.
People at home couldn't guess—was this Lin's moment or Curry's redemption?
Coach McKillop made the call: "We're going with Lin."
He was feeling it. He'd caught his breath. The team trusted him.
Curry didn't show it, but he felt a little sting.
Last year, he missed the game-winner. It haunted him.
North Carolina's bench figured it too—Roy Williams was sure McKillop would go to Lin. Lin was unstoppable tonight, while Curry's offense was good, but tonight, Lin has been nuclear. UNC geared up to triple Lin if needed.
As they walked onto the court, Lin glanced at Curry, gave him a little grin, and patted his shoulder.
"You're still the best shooter on this court, Steph."
The second time he'd said it tonight.
That unspoken bond? It was real.
Sometimes, you meet people in life who just get you.
Curry's heart locked in.
He leaned down to Curry and whispered, "You're gonna be my Steve Kerr."
Final play. Curry brought it up, Lin set the screen, then popped. Curry fed him and sprinted off.
Yeah—it was Lin's shot.
Ed Davis switched onto him after the screen. Stephen Curry was being shadowed, while the other three UNC defenders waited to collapse on Lin.
They weren't worried about Davidson's other guys.
10 seconds.
Lin made his move. Dribble, dribble—bam, he burst. Davis tried to keep up, but he just didn't have the foot speed.
Hansbrough stepped in to trap.
Triple team.
Ellington dropped down, too.
Lin stayed low. No time to think. He had to move.
7 seconds.
He yanked the ball from his right to his left, slid past Davis. Hansbrough blocked the path, but Lin spun around him.
He was boxed into the corner now.
5 seconds.
Curry suddenly darted across the arc. Lawson stuck with him.
4 seconds.
Then Lin made a wild move—bounced the ball off Hansbrough's leg and slid around him like it was streetball.
Roy Williams nearly tore his hair out.
How can a guy this big dribble like that?
Finally, the defense broke.
Lawson abandoned Curry to help.
2 seconds.
Now.
Lin whipped the ball back to the top of the arc.
Waiting there… was Steph.
He was locked in.
In 1997, Jordan passed to Kerr.
In 2009, Lin trusted Curry.
Curry never cared about getting all the glory.
That's why, earlier in the tourney, he let Lin take over. And when Lin wanted Curry to shine, he made sure he could.
Curry caught the pass.
Signature form.
He let it fly.
The whole stadium held its breath.
The ball hung in the air…
Splash.
Buzzer.
And then—chaos.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" The crowd went nuts.
Curry ran straight at Lin Yi.
They jumped into a chest bump, hugging it out like brothers. More like Steph jumped, and Lin leaned down.
The Carolina blue wave went silent.
The Davidson red stormed the floor.
The Wildcats had done it.
Davidson had just taken down mighty North Carolina.
....
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