CHAPTER 67: CHAPTER 67: A BORN SHOOTER, THE NATION’S BASKETBALL HOPE!

Wisconsin’s offense comes again, this time after passing the ball, Kaminsky plays low against Towns, continuously bumping with a fake turn, faking out Towns.

"Bang!"

Kaminsky hugs the ball and charges up.

"Beep Beep!"

Kaminsky draws a foul from Towns.

Standing at the free throw line, he makes both free throws.

to 11

The game has entered a crazy back-and-forth from the start!

University of Kentucky’s offense, Booker and Koulistan initiate a pick-and-roll on the right.

Booker dribbles with a change in direction to the left and breaks through, still getting inside like before.

Booker passes to Towns. As soon as Towns gets the ball, Wisconsin’s defensive formation instantly changes, with three players double-teaming Towns.

This time, Towns played too dominantly, and without hesitation, he threw the ball to the left corner.

Nigel Hayes, who was following Zeng Xingyang, also moved slightly towards Towns.

Zeng Xingyang had a brief gap, and Towns’ pass was like a cannonball, received steadily by Zeng Xingyang.

Bend the knees and push off the ground!

Power up to jump!

Release the ball from the highest point in the air.

By the time Nigel Hayes rushed over, it was already too late.

The basketball traced a beautiful arc.

"Swish!"

to 11

Zeng Xingyang hit his first three-pointer of the night.

Kenny Smith shouted: "As long as Zeng is given an open space, he can make the shot, he’s a born shooter."

Reggie Miller said: "His sense for open spaces is extremely keen, and his ability to seize opportunities is not that different from those NBA shooters."

Kentucky fans in the venue cheered wildly, they all knew Zeng Xingyang’s three-pointer might be late, but it would come.

After scoring, Zeng Xingyang’s expression was very calm, without excessive celebration, instead focusing on the new round of defense.

Bo Laine smirked helplessly, Towns’ defensive disruption was too strong, making Wisconsin’s defense very uncomfortable.

Wisconsin’s offense still patiently moved the ball, and Kaminsky was pushed out by Towns, unable to get a position inside.

Although it seemed that every point in Wisconsin could initiate an attack, making it hard to find a defensive focus, Kentucky’s man-to-man defense did well this round, switching on screens, leaving no open shot opportunities.

With only 10 seconds left on the shot clock, Dekker and Booker formed a mismatch, Dekker immediately held the ball intending to overpower Booker.

He started the breakthrough from the right top of the arc, charging towards the basket.

Booker couldn’t stop him, losing his defensive position, Zeng Xingyang quickly moved to help defend.

Dekker knew well, realizing it’s hard to score against a double team, he quickly passed the ball to the open Nigel Hayes.

Zeng Xingyang had been guarding against this move from Dekker, timing his pass interception perfectly, jumping up to intercept it, and stealing the ball.

Dekker reacted quickly, tried to steal back, Zeng Xingyang protected the ball with his body, and was hit off balance by Dekker, causing a foul on Dekker.

Dekker felt jittery, Zeng Xingyang, a guard, but his wingspan was longer than Dekker as a power forward, making it hard to avoid his long-armed defense to pass.

Barkley said: "Sam Dekker underestimated Zeng Xingyang’s help defense ability, he’s not afraid of those slow, hesitant pass-breaking shots."

TNT’s commentators couldn’t help but get excited, as the tactical gameplay and players’ exhibitions in this game were no less impressive than the NBA.

In fact, in terms of tactical execution, they did better than many NBA teams.

Zeng Xingyang throws a sideline pass to Booker, who quickly advances with the ball.

Wisconsin’s transition defense was very fast, and by the time Booker reached the front court, they were already set.

Gasser wanted to stick to Booker, but with a crossover dribble, Booker pulled the ball from right to left and went past him.

Booker faced a double team, almost simultaneously, Towns set a screen for Zeng Xingyang off the ball.

Nigel Hayes was blocked, Kaminsky was slightly slow on the switch, and Zeng Xingyang appeared open.

Booker passed the ball to Zeng Xingyang at the 45-degree right angle.

Zeng Xingyang’s first move after catching the ball was a fake, getting Kaminsky up in the air immediately.

Looking at the airborne Kaminsky, Zeng Xingyang calmly drove right into the right side of the free throw line, stopping for a mid-range jumper.

The rhythm was excellent.

"Swish!"

He made it steadily.

to 11, University of Kentucky takes the lead.

Reggie Miller exclaimed: "Beautiful fake, Zeng Xingyang’s grasp of defensive rhythm is precise, he knows how defenders want to guard him and uses the most straightforward way to complete the attack."

University of Kentucky’s offensive tactics are very simple: either Booker and Towns hold the ball to attack, or they attract defense and pass to an open Zeng Xingyang for a shot.

The tactics aren’t complicated, but they are very effective, leaving Wisconsin helpless.

University of Wisconsin decisively called a halt to the game.

"University of Kentucky’s counterattack during this time was too strong, after a passive start, they gradually found their offensive rhythm on the court."

The cheers on site were very loud, which surprised even James, who had seen many big stages.

NBA arenas generally hold about 20,000 people, only a third of this crowd, an experience one misses out on with regret.

........

The first half was fiercely contested by both teams, and no one pulled away in the score.

Both teams tied at 35 each to end the first half.

Wisconsin relied on smooth coordination and extremely tight defense to give the University of Kentucky trouble.

They always found that one opening within Kentucky’s tight defense on offense.

On Kentucky’s side, Towns played the best, dominating the inside, fully showcasing the charm of a top pick candidate.

Zeng Xingyang played 13 minutes in the first half, taking only four shots, making three, with seven points, three assists, one rebound, and one steal, a decent performance.

Many seasoned fans in China followed the game through external links.

"From the first half’s performance, Zeng Xingyang is indeed strong, clearly finding open shots on offense, and can defend from the 1st to the 4th position on defense."

"No wonder foreign media says he’s a solid first-round pick, amazing."

"The University of Kentucky’s talent is clearly better than their opponents, but Wisconsin’s tactical execution is also stronger."

"I want to ask, how do these two teams compare to CBA teams? Watching them play is really comfortable, the passing, positioning, shooting rhythm, this is what basketball should look like."

"Let’s not compare, even the national team can’t beat them, our professional league is only slightly better than the streetball."

"The domestic professional league is too well-protected, with various foreign player restrictions, while on the international stage, those opponents are like wolves! Our protected professional players are like sheep, easily defeated."

Losing hard on international stages in recent years has left many fans disheartened, losing spirit and lowering the baseline.

Now, Zeng Xingyang gives them a reason to keep watching basketball.

Some people see him as a glimmer of hope.

They hope Zeng Xingyang’s rise can change the current predicament in the basketball circle.