CHAPTER 69: CHAPTER 69, THE TEAM’S CRISIS MOMENT, IS HE THE TEAM LEADER?

Kentucky’s offense resumes.

Booker’s pick-and-roll with Dakari Johnson.

After the pick, Booker drives inside, passes the ball outside to Lyles.

Lyles has an opening at 45 degrees on the right three-point line, takes a three-point shot.

"Clank!"

No good!

The basketball bounces hard off the rim and flies high.

.....

Over the next period, the University of Kentucky’s offensive effectiveness was poor, and instead, Wisconsin took advantage with several counterattacks, widening the score gap.

Getting a counterattack in this evenly matched game is quite damaging.

Lacking Towns’ support and with Booker in mediocre form, the University of Kentucky is very passive.

Calipari quickly puts Towns back in to improve the offense, but Towns is too eager on offense and elbows Kaminsky to the ground during a solo inside play.

Kaminsky bleeds on the spot.

Towns only played two possessions before being taken out again, as Calipari doesn’t dare risk it; if Towns continues to play with foul trouble, Kentucky will have no chance to adjust.

Kaminsky’s blood seems to have ignited Wisconsin’s spirit, making them even more united.

Wisconsin’s defensive intensity is extremely high, and the more they defend, the more confident they become; Kentucky’s rhythm is completely passive.

Booker and Lyles consecutively lose the ball while breaking through, leading to opponent counterattacks.

Zeng Xingyang now understands why Kentucky lost in his past life.

The superstars that Kentucky relies on all have minor issues; Towns fails to step up in critical moments and is prone to faltering, Booker’s offensive capabilities are still improving, and Lyles’ individual ability is even slightly weaker, making it difficult against such strong team defense.

On the other hand, a team like Wisconsin has a very stable offense, they don’t rely on individual players to constantly drive the game forward.

Many players step up, and besides Kaminsky, point guard Koning and bench player Jack perform well, their inside-outside play is very reasonable, and they always find Kentucky’s weak defensive spots, whereas Kentucky’s defense never finds a proper countermeasure.

So at this moment, it illustrates that talent does not equate to strength; it doesn’t mean that if someone is more talented, they’ll necessarily play more smoothly on the court.

With 7 minutes and 22 seconds remaining in the game, the score reached 50 to 61.

An 11-point gap is quite significant in the NCAA, with its 30-second shot clock.

The University of Kentucky is in trouble.

At this time, Calipari is also a bit flustered, but he doesn’t show it; instead, he suppresses his emotions and calls a timeout.

"Hey, Kentucky is about to lose."

"Wisconsin showed me the power of team basketball."

"Wisconsin’s offense is a delight to watch; they always get the ball to the most appropriate player’s hands."

"An ordinary team can also beat a talent-filled one."

"Kentucky’s team collaboration is crap; they rely heavily on individual performances."

"Besides Zeng Xingyang, Kentucky’s perimeter is average, their shooting is too unstable."

"Zeng Xingyang is just a role player; he can’t drive Kentucky’s offense."

"Carl is in foul trouble, Devin Booker’s form is poor, Zeng Xingyang and Willie Cauley-Stein lack the ability to attack off the dribble, Trey Lyles isn’t skilled enough. It looks like they have many stars, but actually no one can play, haha."

The Wisconsin fans are gloating.

The University of Wisconsin is getting more and more spirited as they play, which elevates their morale to a terrifying level.

James is on the sideline, becoming the most striking figure; he stands up to clap from time to time and high-fives passing Wisconsin players, his face blooming with a radiant smile.

Seeing Kentucky frustrated makes him very happy.

On the Kentucky bench.

"Carl, you still have to go on; this time, try to avoid fouling and create opportunities for Zeng."

"Devin, you also attract the defense to create shooting space for Zeng."

"Forwards and centers, pay attention to off-ball screens."

"Zeng, shoot whenever you have a chance on the court."

Calipari sets up an offense focused on Zeng Xingyang.

Although Zeng Xingyang hasn’t exploded tonight, he’s been performing steadily. Based on Calipari’s impression, he believes that as long as there’s space, Zeng Xingyang can break through the opponent’s defense.

They’re trailing by quite a bit now, and there aren’t many options left. If the outside doesn’t open, catching up is too difficult.

"OK!"

Booker, Towns, Zeng Xingyang, and the others nod in response.

Zeng Xingyang pats his chest and takes a deep breath.

This is the first time tonight that Calipari has clearly drawn a play for him, and he feels the pressure.

But, it’s also motivation.

He doesn’t fear challenges.

"Carl, I’ll be running from the right side to the top of the arc, you need to come up and screen, Devin, pay attention to my timing."

"As soon as there’s an opening, give me that damn ball!"

"No problem!"

"Will do."

Towns, Booker, and Zeng Xingyang trust each other deeply; their undefeated run this season has made them Kentucky’s strongest offensive trio.

The next few possessions are designed for Zeng Xingyang to attack.

After explaining things with Towns and Booker, Zeng Xingyang calls Lyles and Tyler Ulis over as well.

Coming to the sidelines, the Kentucky substitutes all come up naturally, forming a big circle of people.

Amidst the noise, Zeng Xingyang shouts loudly:

"This is the most important game of our lives so far."

"This game is not for our parents, not for the fans, not for the coach, but for ourselves!"

"For our basketball dreams!"

"Let’s unite as one."

"Comeback!"

"Comeback!"

Zeng Xingyang’s words are highly motivational; everyone from Kentucky starts shouting.

"Click click click!!"

Numerous cameras are now focused on Zeng Xingyang; at this moment, he is Kentucky University’s absolute core.

This scene makes Calipari think he was a bit too late in giving the play to Zeng Xingyang.

Currently, Zeng Xingyang is a player who relies heavily on tactics. Opponents study and guard him closely. If they don’t specifically create opportunities for him, he’ll face significant difficulties; he can’t lead the team’s offense and can only capitalize on his teammates’ passes.

The Kentucky fans in the arena are extremely anxious; the Towns and Booker they trusted have not used their talent to defeat the opponent in one blow, and on the contrary, it’s very likely they’ll be stepping stones for the opponent.

They’re trailing by so many points, they don’t have much confidence.

Previously, Kentucky has come from behind, but back then, they had options.

In tonight’s game, they have no fallback; lose and they go home.

The pressure is enormous.

"Beep beep!!"

With the timeout over, the two teams resume the game.

Kentucky’s offense, Tyler Ulis passes the ball to Booker.

Booker initiates the pick-and-roll with Towns, and following the pick, Booker tries to pass directly to Zeng Xingyang.

But this pass is too obvious and is directly intercepted by Kaminsky.

Kaminsky races for a fast break; as a center, he’s not fast, but his fast break is deadly.

Tyler Ulis gets back in time, but Kaminsky swipes the ball over his head and takes a big step for a layup, scoring.

to 63.

Nobody expected Kentucky to be countered in the first possession after the timeout.

This further dampens Kentucky’s morale.

After completing the fast break, Kaminsky shouts loudly at Towns, "I don’t like you guys, and I’ll take you down!"

He then spreads his arms to welcome the cheers of the fans.

Kaminsky is incredibly arrogant!!