CHAPTER 65: CHAPTER 65, O’NEAL AND BARKLEY, FINAL FOUR MATCH BEGINS.

The talent of the University of Wisconsin is weaker than that of the University of Kentucky, and except for Kaminsky, there are no players with outstanding individual abilities in their lineup.

But it was this very team that made it to the Final Four.

The head coach of the University of Wisconsin is Bo Laine, who is 67 years old this year. It’s his 14th season coaching at the University of Wisconsin.

His coaching record in the NCAA is 740 wins and 227 losses, and he is a traditional coach who values team offense.

Just looking at each player from Wisconsin, they don’t seem very strong individually, but when they come together, they are quite formidable.

From position 1 to 5, they have almost strong scoring ability, scoring relatively evenly, and each player’s passing awareness is excellent, never knowing who among them will stand out in the game.

This team is very similar to NBA teams like the Spurs or Hawks, which are team-centric.

They are not afraid of 5V5, but wary of superstar 1V5!

In previous seasons, neither Towns nor Booker from the University of Kentucky had the dominance of 1V5, and 5V5 wasn’t better than the opponent’s team, so they were defeated.

Bo Laine has shaped the University of Wisconsin into a tenacious team.

This is also the ultimate model for many civilian university teams.

April 14th.

Indianapolis, Lucas Oil Stadium.

The sky is a bit hazy, looking like it might rain at any moment, but this doesn’t dampen the fans’ enthusiasm in the slightest.

The original football field was temporarily transformed into a basketball court.

The basketball arena, with over 50,000 seats, is packed full; this is nearly three times the capacity of an NBA arena. The saying that NCAA’s popularity surpasses NBA is no joke; this is a real-life example.

Basketball media from nearly all over America are focusing on this game; ESPN, TNT, and other networks have long been on-site preparing broadcasting equipment.

Barkley, O’Neal, Smith, and Reggie Miller are seriously seated at the commentary booth.

The front row seats are filled with many big-name celebrities, entertainment industry insiders, and political figures. Of course, the most familiar faces for basketball fans are the Splash Brothers, Curry and Thompson, along with LeBron James.

When the camera catches James, the players from the University of Wisconsin are very excited; they all know James is supporting them, which gives them more confidence.

A lot of veterans from the University of Kentucky are here as well, some coming specifically to high-five and cheer for the players.

Compared to the legacy of NBA players, the University of Kentucky crushes the University of Wisconsin; however, the media often likes to create the atmosphere for such confrontations, deliberately ignoring some statements from Kentucky NBA players, specifically looking for reports supporting the University of Wisconsin, making the off-court public opinion look evenly matched.

In terms of NBA player opinion, the University of Kentucky holds the advantage.

Some neutral fans quite like watching a civilian team challenge a genius team, each cheering for Wisconsin.

The front row of the audience is either rich or powerful, while the second and third rows mixed in the middle are some general managers or scouts from NBA teams, and this highlight battle is their focus as well.

The game is about to start.

On the commentary seats, Barkley smiles, saying: "Shaq, what do you think of Zeng’s comments that LeBron only has a high school diploma and shouldn’t be commenting on NCAA games?"

O’Neal adjusts non-existent glasses, seriously saying: "I find that quite reasonable. High school games and college games indeed should not be compared. Those who haven’t experienced one shouldn’t comment, just like those without championship rings and those with championship rings need to be distinguished; those without championship rings honestly don’t understand the feeling of winning a championship."

After saying this, O’Neal intentionally or unintentionally shows four fingers with four rings on them.

Barkley and Reggie Miller simultaneously have black lines across their foreheads.

Barkley retorts: "Will you die if you don’t find a way to mention your championship rings?"

O’Neal says: "Yes, if I didn’t have championships, I’d really go die."

Barkley stands up, shouting at the camera: "If it weren’t for the money, I truly wouldn’t want to be here commentating with you."

O’Neal calmly squeezes a water bottle, seeming to take a sip as if it were a liquid medicine.

Then, he says seriously: "With you here, I’d come commentate even without pay."

Watching these two jokesters bickering for show effects, Reggie Miller and Kenny Smith cover their mouths, secretly laughing.

The starting players from both sides remain on the court.

University of Wisconsin: Bronson Koning (191CM), Josh Gasser (193CM), Nigel Hayes (203CM), Sam Dekker (206CM), Frank Kaminsky (213CM).

Individually they might not seem strong, but together they are formidable!

On the University of Kentucky’s side, it’s still the usual starting five.

Towns easily wins the jump ball over Kaminsky.

Tyler Ulis dribbles past half-court, then passes to Booker, who holds the ball at the top of the arc, observing.

Zeng Xingyang positions on the other side, being defended by Nigel Hayes, with Koulistan setting a screen for Zeng Xingyang as he quickly runs to the top of the arc.

Like everyone else, Nigel Hayes, upon being blocked, doesn’t continue chasing Zeng Xingyang. Meanwhile, Dekker, being a flexible inside player, swiftly switches defense, not allowing Zeng Xingyang an opportunity to receive the ball.

Booker, noticing that Zeng Xingyang hasn’t found space, initiates a pick-and-roll with Towns, changing direction to break in.

As Booker approaches the basket, he faces a double-team from Koning and Gasser. He gathers the ball, preparing to shoot, but Koning quickly reaches out, cutting the ball.

"Slap!"

The ball is stripped away.

The University of Wisconsin showcases excellent team defense right from the start of the game.

The University of Kentucky’s first offense fails.

It’s now their turn to attack.

Zeng Xingyang marks Nigel Hayes in defense.

Nigel Hayes, seeing Zeng Xingyang coming over, stands at the corner, not moving for position.

Clearly, if given a cigarette, he’d light up at the corner.

But Zeng Xingyang truly doesn’t dare leave him open; this guy has a 38% three-point shooting rate and is quite reliable from the corner.

With the defense ace Zeng Xingyang not at the perimeter, the four other players from the University of Wisconsin begin tactical coordination for offense.

Koning first passes the ball inside to Kaminsky, who positions himself on the right and starts a post-up play against Towns.

"Bang!"

"Bang!"

Towns raises his arms high, holding off Kaminsky.

Kaminsky finds it difficult to overpower Towns in this way. Wisely, he makes a move centrally, drawing Booker into a double-team.

Booker tries to strip the ball but fails, causing his assigned defender, Gasser, to slip out to the top of the arc with an opportunity.

Kaminsky delivers a bounce pass to shooting guard Gasser, who catches it in motion, shooting quickly.

"Swish!"

The basketball swishes into the net.

to 3

The coordination between Gasser and Kaminsky has been practiced countless times, so they basically know what each other is going to do with every move.

Wisconsin uses a beautifully executed small coordination to break through Kentucky’s defense.

Booker misjudged in defense this play.

Bo Laine thoroughly researched the University of Kentucky, knowing that Booker’s and Towns’ defense isn’t the best, and tailored the tactics accordingly to leverage his players’ strengths.

Upon seeing the ball go in, James involuntarily claps.

James heard from the media about Zeng Xingyang mocking his high school diploma, which displeased him greatly.

Does this mean any NCAA player can look down on him?

James hopes the University of Wisconsin plays smoothly.