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Chapter 75: Wildcats vs Tar Heels 6
🕑 Added 2025-04-25 17:00:49 +0000 UTCNorth Carolina’s defense? Suffocating.
Lin Yi had to pull out everything from his bag. He knew Davidson couldn’t go toe-to-toe on defense, not like UNC. So the only way to keep up? Just outscore them.
For nearly eight straight minutes, Lin Yi cooked. UNC players stared at him and—quietly—couldn’t help but think of that legend himself.
Time and time again, he hit them with something new. Fadeaways, floaters, step-backs. It didn’t matter. He just found a way.
Barkley solemnly muttered into the mic, “If you didn't believe in the big man to be a star in the NBA, but tonight? He must have got you sold on.”
UNC threw everything at Lin. Traps, switches, full-body defense.
Finally, Coach Roy Williams had enough. He called for the Jordan Rules.
Because he knew Lin Yi couldn’t keep up this pace forever.
But man, the Davidson fans in that red sea at Lucas Oil? They were already in tears.
Every time Lin scored, the cheerleaders screamed themselves hoarse, like they could lift him with their voices.
Was he done?
Not yet.
Should he be?
Probably. But not Lin Yi.
Coach Roy’s jaw clenched. The man was cracking.
Finally, Lin looked like he had hit his limit.
And just then—boom—the stadium roared again.
“Stephen Curry! He’s back!” Barkley yelled, leaping to his feet like it was 1993 again.
Score: 73–75.
4:27 left on the clock. Davidson timeout.
Coach McKillop clutched the whiteboard tightly. This timeout wasn’t just for Curry—it was to buy Lin Yi a few precious gulps of air.
No sub. No rest.
Lin slumped onto the bench, towel over his head. Even through the fabric, you could hear him breathing like he’d just been through the grind. Because he had.
Steph crouched next to him and grinned. “Lin. You’re my best teammate, leave the rest to me.”
Under the towel, Lin Yi smiled—but didn’t speak.
Too tired.
He was in a weird zone.
His limbs screamed at him to lie down. But his mind? It was flying.
This game—this war against UNC—was the most fun he’d ever had. Pushing past every limit, every ounce of himself. It was painful, yeah—but it felt damn good.
Maybe that’s why Chris Paul would later say: If you don’t go all-in like that... why even play this game?
NBA players were all low-key masochists.
Timeout’s over. UNC’s got fresher legs. Their bench is deeper. They’ve had breathers.
Back on the floor, Hansbrough glanced at Lin Yi and wanted to say, “Dude, just take a break.”
But the words never made it out.
Game on.
Vince Carter scanned the stands, stunned. The crowd? They’d flipped. Neutral fans who’d cheered for UNC were now roaring for Davidson.
For the first time all night, the stadium was louder for the Wildcats.
Steph came back and immediately buried a clean three.
His ankle was wrapped like a mummy’s, but he moved like nothing was wrong.
Wildcats take the lead.
DAVIDSON!
DAVIDSON!
DAVIDSON!
Dell Curry screamed himself hoarse. Sonya Curry cried behind her hands.
Steph turned to Lin after the bucket. Lin had just set a screen for him, barely standing.
Steph grinned, jogged back, and smacked Lin on the butt. “I got this. Rest your legs, big fella.”
Lin nodded.
Barkley was almost choked up. “I can’t believe they’re leading.”
“This might be... the best NCAA game in a decade,” Kenny Smith said.
Nobody in Lucas Oil was sitting anymore.
UNC came back—Ellington dropped in his 22nd point of the night.
UNC back up by one.
Davidson’s next play: Curry and Lin Yi, classic pick-and-roll.
Ty Lawson slammed into Lin like he hit a brick wall. How the hell is this guy still screening?!
Curry faked the three, took one dribble in, and pulled up.
Buckets.
78–77. Davidson back in front.
“DEFENSE! DEFENSE!” roared the red sea.
Steph screamed it. Hands gesturing to fall back.
The whole team followed.
UNC ran their set. Hansbrough got a clean look, turned, and pulled up.
But Lin Yi’s arm came out of nowhere. Got a fingertip on it. Beasley snatched the rebound.
Kick-ahead.
Curry on the break.
80–77.
The crowd lost it.
But UNC answered right back—Lawson nailed a three.
Tied. 80–80.
Barkley groaned. “That’s Carolina for you.”
No matter how hard Davidson fought, UNC never quit.
Steph and Lin ran the PnR again. Steph threw it high this time.
Lin Yi rose up.
SLAM.
82–80.
Roy Williams didn’t call timeout. He trusted his guys.
UNC worked the clock, passed it sharp.
Danny Green popped open in the corner and drilled it.
82–83. UNC up again. Second triple in a row.
Most teams? That would’ve broken them.
Not Davidson.
:47 seconds left.
Steph and Lin. One more time.
Lin drew both Davis and Hansbrough.
Steph slipped past Lawson, rose up, smooth mid-range jumper—
84–83.
The roof came off Lucas Oil Stadium.
