Chapter 44: A Moment Etched In History
The Georgia Dome stood like a silver giant ship, steadily anchored amid the city’s downtown clamor. From early morning, fans in red-black and blue-orange surged toward this behemoth that could hold seventy thousand people.
On the plaza outside the doors, broadcast trucks from major television networks lined up, cameras already set up. Famous commentators Jim Nantz and Bill Raftery（Bill Raftery） sat in a temporary glass broadcast booth, with a long line of spectators already formed behind them—some holding high “GO ELI!” signs, others painting crocodile patterns on their chests and slapping them while shouting hoarsely.
Inside the arena, the lights dimmed, leaving only the wooden court in the center illuminated in a golden glow. The big screen rolled with highlight reels from Texas Tech University and University of Florida this season.
The VIP seats were filled with familiar faces: NCAA athletics league executives sat side by side, a few rows away were legendary stars “The Glove” Gary Payton and “The Mailman” Karl Malone watching the game; farther off, Hawks’ Joe Johnson and rookie Shelton Williams were taking photos with fans.
In the VIP area, a figure towering above all others stood out—Yao Ming.
He wore a simple gray suit jacket, holding a camera, snapping photos of Xu Ling warming up on the sideline like an ordinary spectator. Chinese media swarmed around him, microphones held densely, but Yao Ming just smiled and said: “I’m here to cheer for Xu Ling, and plus, TTU is a Texas university—what a coincidence? Both publicly and privately, I have to support them!”
With the DJ’s countdown, the pre-game performance began. Atlanta’s famed Morehouse College choir stood in the center of the court, singing the national anthem with the purest harmony, as all seventy thousand spectators shouted in unison, instantly boiling the arena.
The big screen flashed a striking subtitle:
“NCAA Championship Game— Texas Tech vs. Florida”
（NCAA Championship Game—Texas Tech VS Florida）
Jim Nantz’s rich voice carried through the national broadcast signal to thousands of homes: “Good evening, dear basketball fans! We’re right now in the electric atmosphere of Atlanta’s Georgia Dome, bringing you the pinnacle showdown of the 2007 NCAA National Championship Game! Under the spotlight, on one side is the Florida Gators aiming to defend their title—this powerhouse has kept intact the starting five that won last year; and their opponent is the red whirlwind that created miracles all the way from Lubbock, Texas—Texas Tech University Red Raiders!”
Bill Raftery picked up: his voice trembling slightly with excitement. “Jim, let’s take a close look at this Florida team! The no-fly zone built by Noah and Horford is the most terrifying defensive fortress in college basketball, Brewer is the most mature No. 3 in college basketball, plus Green’s precision-guided outside firepower—this near-perfect team is chasing the first back-to-back national championship since the 1992 Duke dynasty!”
“And on the other side, Texas Tech’s story is a fairy tale. Months ago, no one thought they’d get this far—until this super freshman from China appeared.” Jim Nantz continued on Texas Tech University. “Eli Xu, half a year ago, no one knew his name, but today he’s the national focus. In the past month, he’s led the team to beat Duke, North Carolina, Ohio State University consecutively, averaging 28 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists per game. We can say for sure, no Eli, no TTU’s dream run this year. Now, only one last hurdle stands before them? Can they give the basketball world a fairy-tale ending?”
After all pre-game ceremonies ended, both teams’ starting players stood on the court listening to the head coach’s speech.
“The most important phrase in English is ‘God bless America.'” Knight said to the players. “If this is our last game, I believe God has made the best arrangement. Get on the court, I want every Florida supporter in this arena to shut up!”
Then, both head coaches shook hands at midcourt.
If Bob Knight’s coaching style was like a stern father in an old black-and-white movie—dignified, iron-blooded, occasionally showing warmth but not knowing how to express it properly—then Billy Donovan was more like a colorful modern drama. He strived to be the players’ mentor and confidant, knowing better how to guide rather than drive young players to grow.
This difference in philosophy was no empty talk. Donovan had publicly questioned Knight-style coaching, telling reporters frankly: “I want to be the kind of coach my kids would play for. I’ve seen too many people red-faced and foul-mouthed on the sideline, disregarding players’ dignity—I don’t think that’s the role a coach should have.”
Now, the Florida Gators dynasty he built was just one victory away from coronation. Facing Knight, this opponent symbolizing the old era’s spirit, Donovan wanted far more than just a win-loss. What he craved to prove was a whole new basketball philosophy. He didn’t just want to win—he wanted to win the future.
“Coach Knight, I think you’re done for today.”
Donovan said during the handshake.
“No matter the outcome, we’ll be done for this year.”
Knight threw the words back verbatim, then the game began.
When Florida’s starting five took the court, their momentum was indeed markedly different: Joakim Noah, Al Horford, Corey Brewer, Taurean Green, Lee Humphrey—three future lottery picks, talent unrivaled across the college league, but even such a team couldn’t achieve a perfect undefeated season.
So, for Texas Tech University, nothing was impossible.
From the tip-off, TTU showed their edge.
Noah won the tip-off, but Martin Zeno reacted swiftly, stealing possession and pushing forward to assist Julius Jackson for a three-pointer.
Then, Corey Brewer couldn’t hold back his desire to challenge, choosing to isolate Xu Ling. As the nation’s top-recognized small forward, he couldn’t accept Xu Ling—this freshman without even a championship title—becoming the hottest college player in America. Why?
However, under Xu Ling’s airtight defensive pressure, Brewer’s forced shot clanged off the rim. TTU launched a fast break, the Red Raiders opening 5-0 with this defensive transition.
University of Florida quickly steadied, Taurean Green calmly calling Joakim Noah for a pick and roll, using the screen to get open, draining a three-pointer decisively to stem the bleeding.
Immediately after, Al Horford blocked Texas Tech’s guard’s layup cleanly, Brewer fast-broke for the score, tying the game.
This back-and-forth, unyielding offensive-defensive tug-of-war set the tone for the entire first half.
Florida relied on their inside twin towers’ dominance for steady play—Noah and Horford wreaked havoc in the paint, grabbing offensive rebounds consecutively for second-chance points; outside, Green was scorching, hitting from everywhere, University of Florida playing textbook balanced basketball.
But Texas Tech showed no weakness, their outside firepower fully unleashed.
Xu Ling, Jackson, and Zeno took turns firing, threes raining down! Jackson popped off a screen for a shot, Xu Ling hit a tough corner three over Brewer’s closeout, Zeno and Jackson erupted with hot energy. Though helpless defensively against opponents, on offense, they gave the defending champions headaches too.
The score rose alternately, never exceeding a 5-point margin. Every Florida inside attack was answered by TTU outside. And when Taurean Green’s threes threatened to link the Gators’ inside-out, Xu Ling clamped Brewer’s offense, preventing true inside-out synergy.
On the last possession before halftime, Green pushed forward, trying a buzzer-beater, but was double-teamed by suddenly appearing Xu Ling and stripped. TTU fast-broke, Xu Ling pull-up one step outside the three-point line over Brewer’s chase-down, buzzer-beater three.
“Eli hits the halftime buzzer-beater, 42-40, Texas Tech University leads by 2!”
The Georgia Dome’s roar nearly lifted the roof.
This was undoubtedly a super high-level showdown.
Unlike before, TTU tonight clearly had help for Xu Ling.
Xu Ling didn’t need to drop 38 points like against Ohio State University to suppress Oden’s inside dominance.
Instead, University of Florida was limited by Xu Ling’s defense on Brewer in the half-court, plus troubled by TTU’s high transition shooting, unable to fully leverage inside advantage for rebound control and massive fast breaks.
The much-watched Florida twin towers held clear advantages, Horford’s performance was flawless, but Noah was seriously dropping stock in some scouts’ eyes.
Last year at this time, if Noah had entered the draft, he might’ve edged out the Italian for No. 1 pick, but now, his draft market value wasn’t even guaranteed top-five, let alone top-three. Passion aplenty, technique lacking, energy overabundant and prone to hot-headed impulses.
He hadn’t become the more mature player scouts wanted, but that didn’t stop him and Horford from slaughtering TTU’s inside together.
Even so, the Red Raiders still led by 2.
“With no inside advantage, TTU must keep their outside touch, or the momentum flips to Florida instantly.”
“But can any team really sustain shooting touch all night without rebound edge?”
In the second half, Bill Raftery was unfortunately prophetic.
TTU’s outside shooting cooled, Brewer finally had counters, and University of Florida, secured inside, got hotter outside—Taurean Green extending his first-half touch.
In six minutes, Florida ran off an 11-4 run, from down 2 to up 5.
Knight called timeout, summoning sophomore forward Michael Prince from the bench. “Mike, sub for JJ. From now, you guard Brewer! Eli, stick to Taurean Green! Tonight’s all on you!”
No way to ease TTU’s inside disadvantage.
Their only play was to completely lock down University of Florida’s outside—desperate gamble or tide-turner? Time would tell.
Post-timeout, TTU’s adjustment was immediate. Xu Ling pressed Green harder than Zeno had, Prince couldn’t match Brewer’s talent, but Brewer was ice-cold from Xu Ling’s first-half targeting, struggling for rhythm, so facing Prince, he forced a shot—the worst choice.
“Bang!”
Miss. Xu Ling grabbed the long rebound, then fast-broke for a pull-up three.
Margin down to 2, game entered new phase.
Some pretentious scouts said: “Now, it’s about which team wants it more.”
Florida reorganized offense, Taurean Green seeking space off Al Horford’s high screen, but Xu Ling shadowed him tightly, leaving no room for spin or drive.
Green forced pass to wing Corey Brewer. Brewer, facing Prince, jab-step faked, then rose for pull-up jump shot.
But Prince’s long arms were already in his face. Brewer’s shot, under heavy contest, looked rushed and forced, clanging off the front rim.
TTU grabbed the rebound, launched another fast break.
The rebound, of course, went to Florida.
Horford leaped high over Dora to snag the offensive board, then attacked. Dora used every ounce of strength to body him, but the gap was too obvious—Horford faked open space, floater good.
TTU stayed unfazed—they knew this was the norm. Florida’s twin towers influenced nearly every possession in the paint; their job was to counter with outside fire against that inside dominance.
Next possession, Xu Ling got it at the top, facing Green and Noah double. First jab step right foot tricked Noah half-step back, then quick step-back to one step outside three, nearly no-look, launched.
“Swish!”
This shot had VIP Yao Ming jumping up.
“This little rascal is no ordinary fierce!”
Florida offense centered inside again, Noah got Green’s great pass under basket for slam dunk, but Plevka emerged from behind at the last moment—not a strength win, pure anticipation and timing.
Zeno got the floor ball, pushed to frontcourt, pull-up pass to left corner Xu Ling. Brewer flew over, but Xu Ling beat him, swish again.
“Eli again! He hits two straight threes!”
Florida’s turn, Brewer finally muscled inside using physique, shoving Prince a step, who contested hard but Brewer powered it home anyway. But such a bucket only tied it, as TTU answered with another three—this one by wide-open Michael Prince, left by Brewer.
In nearly 38 minutes, Texas Tech University and University of Florida staged a tight retro battle, every possession crucial. 15 lead changes, 7 ties, margin never over 5.
Game entered final two minutes.
Xu Ling drove hard left from top, then cut right low, but crude, reckless Noah body-blocked, they collided—no foul called, ball caromed to corner, grabbed by Taurean Green, ensuing fast break heartbreaking TTU fans.
Green did what Xu Ling always does, pull-up three outside—key shift tonight, Florida’s lead from 3 to 6.
80-74
“First time in 38 minutes a team leads by 6! University of Florida knows they’re nearing the promised land!”
TTU called timeout.
Knight set a pick-and-roll for Xu Ling to pop for three.
But University of Florida anticipated, Brewer abandoned lottery pride, clung like a mad dog to Xu Ling. Plevka’s poor screen failed execution, inbounder Zeno forced inside dump, disrupted by Noah’s long arms—despairing talent nearly overwhelming Texas Tech University.
Just as all thought it’d end in turnover, Xu Ling burst like a leopard! He dove for the near-out-of-bounds ball, circus-tossing it to quietly backdoor-cutting corner Prince. The bench forward unleashed a beastly roar, over Noah’s help for an ugly-but-priceless two-handed slam dunk!
“Fuck them!” Prince pounded his chest post-landing. “We’re winning!”
“！#￥@！￥%”
In that moment, no spectator thought of Xu Ling in the NBA months later, Noah and Horford lottery picks, others turning pro—pure competitiveness, pure basketball, that raw passion ignited the Georgia Dome.
Neutral fans began cheering Texas Tech University.
This was a terrifying atmosphere, as if defending champion University of Florida was the movie villain.
Billy Donovan sensed it—he knew the crowd tilted Cinderella.
It sparked a strong impulse; he wanted to act, but what now?
1:19 left, 80-76, University of Florida up 4.
University of Florida frontcourt, gave it inside to Horford.
Horford had 18 points, 15 rebounds, 4 blocks—best inside performer tonight—but now, tens of thousands roared, Daryl Dora desperate to body him fully.
Under pressure, Horford chose safest: spin jump shot.
“Bang!”
Xu Ling flew for the defensive rebound help.
TTU offense bogged down. Zeno’s pass read, near turnover; Prince ran hard off-ball but couldn’t shake Brewer’s death wrap; Daryl Dora’s screen bypassed easily by Noah. Every tactical option crushed by Florida’s talent.
5 seconds left on shot clock, ball worked to Xu Ling. One meter outside three, Green glued, Noah lurking paint edge.
No space. No time. No play.
Xu Ling pump-faked, Green bit instinctively. In that flash, Xu Ling step-backed two steps, rising 9 meters out.
“BANG!!!”
Ball swished clean!
80-79, 38.8 seconds left.
“Do you believe in miracles?”
Jim Nantz bellowed.
Cheers, screams, “TTU” roars made Georgia Dome quake like an earthquake.
University of Florida timeout.
Billy Donovan drew on the tactical board—every step critical now.
“Noah, Horford, lock the paint—no offensive rebounds for TTU. Green, inbound baseline, sprint frontcourt. No shot? Dump inside. Joakim and Al can close it.”
“Coach, fast break, speed it up!” Noah waved arms excitedly.
“Slow it, burn clock, got it?”
Team chorused, back on court.
Georgia Dome noise didn’t fade—increased.
Donovan deep breath.
“Let this damn Cinderella story end here!”
Taurean Green steadily crossed half, knowing TTU defense would swarm. Sure enough, Xu Ling glued, Prince ready help. But Green didn’t hesitate, lobbing perfectly to Noah inside.
Noah back-to-basket, Dora bodied, Plevka doubled.
The Frenchman fearless, shot boldly even doubled—knowing if miss, Al Horford would sky for offensive rebound tip-in.
82-79
25.4 seconds left.
Knight timeout too—TTU’s last.
“Eli, frontcourt pick-and-roll with Jon, then improvise!” Knight, unconcerned about make rate, set final defense: “After offense, full-court press! No steal? Foul quick! Time’s not ours—go fast!”
University of Florida unfazed by TTU 1-5 pick-and-roll.
They had two elite bigs.
Plevka screened, Horford followed—switch, Horford expected drive, but Xu Ling hesitation pull-back step-back jump shot.
Too quick, too decisive!
Horford stared shocked at ball.
“Swish!!!”
“82-81! Eli quick 2 for Texas Tech University, 14 seconds left, TTU full-court press!”
“Martin Zeno tips it! Oh, out of bounds! 11 seconds!”
“University of Florida inbound!”
“Taurean Green has it! Eli! TTU going for steal!”
“Time!”
“Time!”
At 8 seconds, Xu Ling fouled, but before contact, Green bounced it off his foot out.
University of Florida milked clock again.
6 seconds left, University of Florida inbound again.
This time, to Corey Brewer. The nation’s top small forward, veteran poise, cradled ball, bodied Xu Ling to burn final seconds.
Michael Prince had to foul, sending him to line—4.8 seconds left.
Georgia Dome, seventy thousand screams mixed boos nearly tore roof. All eyes on free-throw line, Brewer felt not on wood floor but abyss edge. Spotlights pierced skin, muscle, soul.
“Can’t miss.”
He repeated inwardly, voice faint even to himself.
First free throw arced tensely, smashed front rim—”Bang”—rebound.
“Ooooh!!!!!”
Arena gasped huge, Brewer’s face incredulous shock.
“Corey Brewer misses first free throw!”
“God, he looks under massive pressure!”
“Yes, poor showing vs. Eli tonight surely adding invisible weight!”
Donovan sideline calm-faced, mind racing. He knew tonight’s court too unusual, instinct said even if Brewer makes second, they’d defend TTU last shot—no timeout left, backcourt inbound—why give instruction chance?
Flash, he decided chaos.
“Corey!” Donovan said amid stunned assistants. “Miss it! Guys, prep defense—keep ’em from half!”
No, make it.
Assistants inwardly wailed, but at this point, nothing absolute.
Donovan’s tactic clear: intentional second miss, use Horford-Noah crash for offensive board. Even if not, chaos burns time, denies TTU organized last shot.
Ironically, needed make he missed; ordered miss, aim laser—perfect back-rim high-long rebound.
But controlling miss arc tough—no special training. Brewer aimed for Noah spot, miscontrolled—rebound fell right to Daryl Dora. Dora just fronted Noah, leaped for board.
Meanwhile, Xu Ling shook Green’s cling with backdoor cut off Prince screen, sprinting front!
“Eli!!!!!!!!”
Dora’s roar pierced din, hurled half-court bullet pass with all strength.
Xu Ling full sprint glanced back, eyes locked flying ball. Behind, Taurean Green chased superbly—one step away.
Final 1.1 seconds.
Xu Ling leaped, caught firm pass midair. No time forward, no adjust.
In that instant, Xu Ling defied physics. Instead of balancing, he back-pivoted off momentum, uncoordinated yet fluid drift side-rear.
Like magnet-repelled piece, he bounced from Green’s contest, feet landing steps before giant championship logo.
Time froze.
Georgia Dome din faded to buzz. Xu Ling’s eyes only on lamp-lit crystal rim—never so far, so near.
0.7 seconds.
Still drifting, near 45 degrees to floor. Balance gone, muscle memory from thousands reps, instinct faith, wrist-flicked.
Ball left fingertips, impossibly soft arc spinning to other end.
Red light, clock zero.
In that flash, noisy world hushed. Time stretched by invisible hand to stillness.
Seventy thousand breaths, heartbeats, shouts frozen under dome.
Fate’s scale, after night’s micro-swings, stopped. One end: Florida’s near-realized dynasty—talent, system, defending glory. Other: final shot, Eastern stranger, obsessive hope for possibility.
Arena time frame-froze, seventy thousand eyes tracked over-arcing orange ball.
Long parabola testing hearts, spanning a century.
Then
“Swish!!!!!!!!!!!”
Crisp, ultimate net-ringing pierced all—celestial!
Followed by earth-shaking explosive cheers!
“It’s in!!! It’s in!!! Eli hits unbelievable three! Gives Texas Tech University 2007 NCAA National Championship! Historic shot! From Lubbock obscurity to Georgia Dome glory, Red Raiders create college basketball miracle! Eli Xu, Chinese super freshman, ends Florida dynasty with impossible shot! Ladies and gentlemen, not dream—history! Texas Tech University your national champions!!”
Commentator Jim Nantz hoarse, thrilled near-breaking, merged with site’s erupted joy.
Bob Knight stood, hands over face, then skyward punch. Night’s lingering phrase roared:
“Hallelujah! God bless America!”
