In the first half of the match, after a few more rounds, Prose voluntarily requested a timeout.
To counter Bruce Weber’s overt scheme, Assistant Coach Victor fiddled with the tactics board during the timeout and said to Qin Yue, "Next, you’ll have to hold the ball more at the high post..."
Upon hearing this, after patiently listening to Victor’s setup, Qin Yue glanced at the worried-looking Prose and said, "This tactical adjustment isn’t Coach Skip’s idea, is it?"
Victor nodded, saying, "Indeed, it’s a plan I came up with, but Skip also agreed."
Seeing this, Qin Yue immediately shook his head, saying, "I refuse to execute this tactic."
At this moment, Qin Yue’s reason for refusing the tactic was simple.
Because according to Victor’s design, while he was relieved of the pressure of attacking by moving to the top of the arc to pass to teammates,
the pressure would all be shifted onto the teammates.
Not to mention whether Paul or Gray could cut open positions on the sidelines as Victor required.
Even if they could...
Due to Qin Yue not occupying the low post, Illinois lost its inside threat, allowing Illinois to extend their defense and pressure Devil’s Deacon Team’s perimeter.
Furthermore, if Qin Yue remained outside the three-point line the entire time, who would be responsible for Wake Forest crashing the offensive boards?
As for Qin Yue choosing to break through directly from the three-point line...
"That won’t work, after more rounds like that, Qin will only be more exhausted." On the sidelines, while talking to James about how Wake Forest could break through, Anthony said to him.
In basketball games, why is the superstar’s perimeter isolation usually only used at crucial moments?
Because even for Michael Jordan, if he played this way the whole game, his tongue alone would dry up.
Actually, the moment Victor revealed his tactical setup, an image automatically popped up in Qin Yue’s mind:
During the game, seeing his teammates, upon receiving his pass offloaded the pressure and shot under duress clanking off the rim.
In Qin Yue’s view, such playing style was too irresponsible.
If it was a normal day, he might accept this tactical arrangement.
After all, according to Victor’s design, his post-game stats would definitely look good.
Because tonight is the Mad March finale.
On the bench, watching Victor being rejected by Qin Yue, Prose finally showed a slight smile, "See, I told you he definitely won’t accept your arrangement."
"But... with that, how are we supposed to break the opponent’s overt scheme?" Victor said dejectedly.
Prose shrugged and said, "I trust Qin. I believe he’ll lead us to victory in this match before running out of energy."
Tonight, Paul is destined to have trouble escaping Deron’s grip.
Hence, from a certain perspective, this is precisely a match to test Qin Yue’s star quality.
On the court, post timeout, Wake Forest’s possession.
Qin Yue, first executing a cross-screen at the low post with Reeve, noticing Gray getting the ball from Paul, proactively slid to the left 45-degree angle to set a screen.
Since Hyde was completely shielded by Qin Yue, Gray didn’t hesitate and decisively raised his hands to shoot a three-pointer.
Simultaneously, at the moment Gray shot, Qin Yue turned and charged into the basket area.
In the paint, though Gray’s three-point attempt clanked off the rim, Qin Yue grabbed the rebound before Augustine could get to it, stepped forward, rose, and confidently placed the ball back into the hoop.
While retreating to defense, Qin Yue actively encouraged Gray, "Justin, keep shooting to find your rhythm. It’s okay, all rebound tonight belongs to me."
All rebounds tonight belong to me.
Even though Gray knew Qin Yue’s words were exaggerated,
this sentence invisibly added a modicum of confidence to Gray.
Next up, Wake Forest’s defensive setup stunned Coach Weber on the sidelines.
Wake Forest apparently expanded their defensive area, making it clear they didn’t want Illinois to easily take a three-pointer.
"But in that case, who’s supposed to protect your paint?" Coach Weber thought, puzzled.
Meanwhile, on the field, Bruce Weber quickly got the answer to his question.
Because after Deron chased Paul all the way into the paint, a figure simultaneously appeared above him.
Breaking through, Deron, focused solely on pressuring Paul, clearly didn’t anticipate Qin Yue’s back defense could be that fast.
Only when Qin Yue emphatically swatted his layup against the backboard did Deron recover.
Under the hoop, Qin Yue handed the ball to Paul.
The latter, who had been beaten all along, dared not pause, quickly dribbling through the half-court, and promptly finding Reeve who finished a fast-break with success.
At this point, Weber understood why Wake Forest dared to boldly expand their defense.
Weber’s heart grew even more puzzled instead.
Qin Yue had to fully commit on both offensive and defensive ends, which would only accelerate his energy depletion.
Indeed, the NCAA halves add up to only 40 minutes.
But college basketball is renowned for its intense physicality.
Given Qin Yue’s weight and height...
Weber couldn’t believe he could sustain high-quality play through the very last minute of the game.
On the court, still concerned about the powerful block Qin Yue had just made, Deron opted to hand the ball to Hyde this time.
Outside, Hyde took a step, faked Gray, then jumped to score a two-pointer.
Because all three of Illinois’ backcourt trinity could handle the ball, not just Paul felt the intense pressure, Gray equally bore a significant load on the defensive end tonight.