CHAPTER 70: CHAPTER 70: MAKE THE OPPONENT’S HEART UNCOMFORTABLE AT THE CRITICAL MOMENT!

The University of Kentucky is facing increasing pressure.

Their outstanding talent is now becoming a pressure for all of them.

Winning is expected, whereas losing means facing ridicule.

The neutral side also enjoys seeing such things happen, so on the court

"This place is quite close to your school, Kentucky Wildcats; if you lose, you can just walk back."

"Come on, go at them hard!"

The fans of the University of Wisconsin are at their peak momentum at this moment.

Zeng Xingyang’s eyes were resolute, and he clenched his fists tightly.

He definitely doesn’t want to lose this game.

He has been training hard to become stronger, and becoming stronger is so that he must win.

Tyler Ulis brought the ball to the frontcourt and passed it to Booker.

Seeing the team fall into complete passivity, Booker really wanted to rely on himself to solve the issue, but rationality told him it was best to play according to the coach’s plan.

Booker forced himself to calm down and observe the defense.

Booker felt now was not suitable for organizing, so he gave the ball to Tyler Ulis.

Wisconsin’s defense is stronger than any defense Kentucky has previously faced because each of their defenders fights with all their might, never giving up any opportunity for a successful defense.

Nigel Hayes was still defending Zeng Xingyang.

Nigel Hayes’ speed is faster than the average forward and his resistance is strong, indeed causing Zeng Xingyang considerable trouble.

Zeng Xingyang decided to use some feints, moving to the right side of the free-throw line, feigning an inside cut but actually running outside to the right three-point line.

Nigel Hayes kept reminding himself to defend Zeng Xingyang’s threes, but his body instinctively bit on the fake.

When Zeng Xingyang got to the 60-degree position outside the right three-point line, there was a gap to catch the ball.

Nigel Hayes thought it was bad and wanted to catch up but was delayed by Towns coming for an off-ball screen.

Tyler Ulis’s timing and awareness in passing were better than Booker, throwing the ball almost the moment Zeng Xingyang appeared open.

Zeng Xingyang successfully positioned himself, and Tyler Ulis’s pass came at the right time.

As Zeng Xingyang caught the ball, he bent his knees and jumped up, the signature catch-and-shoot of a shooter.

The fingertips rippled the basketball, and the spin of the ball was very pleasing.

It drew a beautiful arc.

"Swish!"

to 63

Zeng Xingyang stood firm with his hand raised, watching the ball pierce through the net.

Then he punched the air in celebration and quickly focused on defending Wisconsin again.

The sound of the basketball swishing through the net made the University of Kentucky’s coaching staff roar with excitement.

The tactic worked. As long as the ball could be given to the open Zeng Xingyang, there was still hope for the game.

Such a three-pointer might not be significant in usual times, but at this moment, it was extremely precious.

"Nicely done!"

"Well played!!"

Fans supporting the University of Kentucky were screaming.

"Pop!"

"Keep shooting like that."

Towns came over to high-five Zeng Xingyang in celebration.

"Nice screen." Zeng Xingyang also encouraged Towns.

Towns provided a very crucial screen for Zeng Xingyang just now, making it impossible for Nigel Hayes to catch up.

"Increase the defensive intensity." Zeng Xingyang immediately went to guard Koning.

Koning is the University of Wisconsin’s outside initiator; he would lead the team’s fluid offense.

Booker, hearing Zeng Xingyang’s shout, also tightened up quickly, pressuring Gasser along with Zeng Xingyang.

Koning did several spins combined with changes of pivot to barely cross half-court.

Koning quickly passed the ball to Kaminsky inside.

But Towns also raised his intensity, not allowing Kaminsky to get a good position, holding his hand up high to confront him, trying not to foul.

Kaminsky was positioned far from the basket, unable to launch an attack, so he passed the ball to Gasser.

The pass was a little high in trajectory; Booker nearly intercepted it, only altering the trajectory slightly, with Gasser barely controlling the ball, and after a step right, had no opportunity and passed the ball to Koning.

"Bang!"

Koning pushed Zeng Xingyang off with his shoulder, gaining a chance for the down ball.

Zeng Xingyang was not shaken off, persistently disrupting Koning’s dribbling.

All other Kentucky players were brought to higher defensive intensity by Zeng Xingyang, with the whole team’s defense suddenly lifting a notch.

Koning couldn’t find a passing opportunity, attempting a change of direction to break through, but was entangled.

If Koning can’t get the space to speed up, he can’t shake off Zeng Xingyang’s defense.

In the relentless entanglement, Zeng Xingyang seized an opportunity, using his long arm to directly strip the ball.

"Pop!"

Making contact with the basketball, changing its trajectory, then suddenly bursting forward.

Zeng Xingyang completely controlled the ball, with Nigel Hayes trying to strip it, he spun the ball behind his back to evade the steal, then passed the ball to Booker.

Zeng Xingyang might not have great dribbling skills, but he had the basic ball protection, and he secured the basketball.

"Such defense, wow, it’s too strong."

"For a small player, if he entangles you, it’s a nightmare."

"Such a wingspan adds to his defensive score."

A few NBA scouts in the third row were discussing while bowing their heads.

Zeng Xingyang continued promoting his defensive abilities to the NBA.

The Kentucky fans on site roared; this defensive one-on-one steal greatly boosted morale.

Booker quickly advanced to the frontcourt; Wisconsin quickly got into a defensive position, not giving Booker a chance to counterattack.

Booker settled down and passed the ball to Tyler Ulis.

Tyler Ulis passed the ball to Towns, who came out to respond, and Kentucky continued to make tactical transition passes.

Zeng Xingyang was running with Nigel Hayes on the other side.

At this point, Towns handed the ball off to Booker.

Booker used Towns’ screen to cut inside.

Booker’s breakthrough was very sharp, seemingly charging towards Wisconsin’s inner line again.

Kaminsky and Decker instinctively shrank back, while Nigel Hayes continued to chase Zeng Xingyang.

Then Towns came over to the right side to block Nigel Hayes from Zeng Xingyang.

In the roughly 15-degree angled position from the top of the arc on the right side, Zeng Xingyang got an open position; Kaminsky, who was supposed to be the backup defense, was unable to come out from under the basket.

Booker soared in the air to throw the ball back to Zeng Xingyang.

When Zeng Xingyang caught the basketball, it was as if time and space were stopped.

At this moment, it was just him, the basketball, and the hoop; the surrounding noise didn’t reach his ears.

Zeng Xingyang quickly exerted force on the ground, bending his knees to jump, reaching the high point and then releasing the ball.

Like textbook shooter form.

The feeling of the basketball leaving his fingertips was so splendid.

The rhythm was perfect, and the basketball went straight into the net.

"Swish!"

to 63

A back-to-back three-pointer.

This three-pointer completely excited the University of Kentucky’s bench and the fans of the University of Kentucky.

This kind of opportunity is not often in this match; Calipari hardly ever specifically designs plays for Zeng Xingyang.

This time a special play came to Zeng Xingyang’s hand, and what he needed to do was simple.

Run out to an open position, catch the basketball, and then shoot accurately.

This series of actions was smooth and fluent!!

"Great!" Calipari couldn’t help clenching his fist and punching the air to celebrate.

If it weren’t for Zeng Xingyang insisting on entering the draft this year, he would have cultivated Zeng Xingyang as the core next year.

This ability to execute tactics and shooting stability both imply that Zeng Xingyang has the potential to become a top shooter.

If this guy’s ball-handling ability is further developed, he might be comparable to Ray Allen.

The point difference was instantly narrowed down to 7 points by Zeng Xingyang’s two three-pointers, which made Coach Bo Laine quickly anxious, shouting to the players, "Don’t make mistakes, control the pace, guard against Zeng’s threes."

Being targeted by Zeng Xingyang like this, Bo Laine felt troubled in his heart.

That sense of confidence, that comfortable rhythm, that kind of shot is intimidating!

Zeng Xingyang passionately waved his fist, the consecutive three-pointers helped him find his rhythm; he had enough confidence, as long as there was an empty spot, he could make the shot!