CHAPTER 61: CHAPTER 61, ADVANCING AGAIN!

Two days later, the University of Kentucky started the match against the University of Notre Dame led by Jerian Grant and Connaughton.

The overall strength of the University of Notre Dame is stronger than Ohio State University, and they also have two NBA-level rookies in their team.

However, facing Kentucky’s powerful offensive, they still fell behind after the game started.

"Jerian Grant’s breakthrough, Zeng went over to assist defense, stripped the ball, and stole it! Zeng is still playing very actively today, repeatedly putting pressure on the opponent on the defensive end."

"It’s hard to explain how a person’s obvious progress is achieved."

"But after seeing Zeng Xingyang, all of this has materialized. Working hard off the court, fighting for opportunities on the court, getting better and better data, all these result in an overwhelming change in one’s aura."

"Before entering college, Zeng Xingyang hadn’t even experienced systematic training; he mainly played relying on his love for basketball. His crazy training is an engine-like internal drive."

"The naive teenager gradually grew into a confident young man, replaced by a mature aura. Now, Zeng Xingyang has become one of the world’s best college players."

"Towns’ block, Booker is carrying the ball in a counterattack, passes to Zeng Xingyang on the right side, one step outside the three-point line, there’s a gap, before the defense arrives, Zeng’s shot, scores!"

"The University of Kentucky launched a seamless counterattack, this is the rhythm they love, Kentucky’s score advantage continues to expand."

"Jerian Grant tries to play one-on-one against Zeng Xingyang, continuous change of direction, hey, couldn’t shake him off, he broke into the inside, got surrounded, the ball is lost again."

"Zeng Xingyang’s defense continues to freeze Jerian Grant, Coach Calipari trusts Zeng’s defense very much, now he always lets him defend the opponent’s strongest offensive point."

"Zeng Xingyang is pulling on the right side, Booker picks and rolls with Towns, Booker changes direction to the top of the arc, shoots a three evenly facing the defense, scores, oh, the University of Notre Dame is done."

.....

.....

This game didn’t have many surprises; the final score was 77 to 62, Kentucky won by 15 points.

Zeng Xingyang also scored 15 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks tonight.

The scoring wasn’t high mainly due to the garbage time appearing; he didn’t play in the last 5 minutes.

Shooting has improved, but the overall feel wasn’t as good as the last game, instead missed two more shots.

Of course, unlike offense which relies on touch, defense doesn’t need that.

Averaging 16.5 points and 6.7 assists per game, All-American NCAA Team Jerian Grant was completely frozen by Zeng Xingyang, he only got 12 points, 3 assists with 7 turnovers, and a hit rate of only 33%, quite underwhelming performance.

Zeng Xingyang’s defensive role is still very evident; as long as it’s single-defense, even if he can’t completely limit the opponent’s scoring, it’s enough to prevent the opponent’s core from exploding, even playing below average.

Know that when a weak team faces a strong team, they rely most on the core’s explosion, if the core can’t explode to a superstar level, usually they’ll have a hard time.

Compared to Kentucy’s comprehensive lineup depth, the University of Notre Dame can’t compare.

"God, Chinese guards showing a defense ability like a death grip, Jerian Grant is struggling hard on the court."

"The University of Kentucky reached the final four! Are they really going to win the championship with a perfect record?"

When the match ended, the commentator roared wildly on the scene!

Fans of the University of Notre Dame couldn’t believe what they were seeing.

Jerian Grant was predicted to be a lottery pick, why has he been stopped?

In fact, in a previous life Jerian Grant, although he was picked as number 19 in the first round into the NBA, he was quickly eliminated.

He’s a speed-type guard with some shooting ability, but very unstable; brilliant in college with enough ball rights and tactical status, but unable to meet core requirements on NBA teams, there are plenty of such black guards in the NBA.

In short, he’s not strong enough.

Zeng Xingyang mainly focused on limiting his breakthrough, long arm constantly interfering him.

The University of Notre Dame heavily relies on Jerian Grant’s offensive ability, even Connaughton needs his attraction to shoot.

The University of Notre Dame’s style is very similar to Ohio State University’s, just lock up Jerian Grant is equivalent to securing the victory.

This match was much easier than the previous one.

On the sideline, Calipari calmly high-fived surrounding excited fans and staff members to celebrate, then went over to shake hands with the opposing team’s head coach showing sportsmanship.

Compared to previous matches, Calipari was obviously more relaxed this time.

Calipari can see that after promoting Zeng Xingyang to the starting lineup, the team’s defense has become more dominant.

Lyles’ offense is good, but his defense is far less aggressive than Zeng Xingyang’s.

Zeng Xingyang’s defense is not only strong individually, but also has the quality of motivating teammates.

Both on and off the court, Kentucky’s players respect Zeng Xingyang.

Through his own efforts, he constantly focuses on training, progressing step by step.

He is different from many of them, who relax after having a position, prefer to attend parties, and lose focus.

Zeng Xingyang has never been lax, his attitude towards training and matches is consistent, also constantly helps the team achieve good results, such a person is highly respected.

Even Stari Johnson, who initially rejected Zeng Xingyang, has completely changed his attitude towards him.

Aaron Harrison doesn’t waste words when he meets Zeng Xingyang now.

Zeng Xingyang’s performance on and off the court makes competing with him impossible, he only hopes Zeng Xingyang quickly enters the draft after this year so he can stay an extra year and compete.

.....

After the game, Zeng Xingyang was again surrounded by reporters, among them were one or two Asian faces, as an Asian, Zeng Xingyang stands out in the black and white-dominated NCAA.

After entering March Madness, Zeng Xingyang’s performance is very eye-catching, Calipari almost lets him match up against the other team’s star every game.

Such confrontation completely showcases Zeng Xingyang’s defense capability, coupled with a stable three-pointer, Zeng Xingyang’s characteristics become more prominent.

Many predicted first or second-round pick players fell into his hands.

More and more NBA teams are starting to take action.

Teams that need to lose, quickly lose games, don’t tank but are still thinking about winning games.

As long as the record is bad enough, the pick can be high.

If the record is better and can’t get into playoffs, the pick will be very low, making drafts passive.

Magic, Nuggets, Pistons, Thunder, and other executives in anonymous media interviews all clearly expressed the management’s interest in Zeng Xingyang.

Against the University of Notre Dame, Zeng Xingyang’s scoring wasn’t very high, but he always showed his consistent stability.

Defensively solid, appropriate scoring achieved.

He’s not the core of ball offense, how many 3D players can achieve what he does?

Such players are fantastic choices whether to be a puzzle piece for championship-contending teams or a core assistant for rebuilding teams.

Of course, if some rebuilding teams need to find a future superstar prototype, they naturally won’t focus on Zeng Xingyang.

They’d prefer players like Towns, Booker, and if needing inside players, might focus on Koulistan.

NBA teams need many types of players, they select the right players based on their own roster characteristics.

Drafting is like an auction, players are auction items marked with their value....