The second half of the game started quickly.
In Wisconsin’s offense, after a series of passes, Kaminsky isolated against Towns inside.
Kaminsky made a determined turn and leaned into Towns for a layup.
Before losing balance, Kaminsky tossed the ball out, and it went in as the whistle blew.
Towns now had three fouls, facing a foul crisis, Calipari decided to sub him out immediately, bringing in Dakari Johnson.
Kaminsky vigorously pumped his fist; this and-one play took Towns out of the game.
Towns sat back down on the bench in frustration.
Zeng Xingyang went over and patted Towns; he could sense this game wasn’t going to be easy.
Wisconsin’s tactical cohesion and execution were above that of the University of Kentucky.
Kaminsky was like a superstar in college basketball, playing with immense confidence.
Calipari continued strategizing, taking down Tyler Ulis and swapping in Lyles.
Calipari wanted to maintain a talent advantage over the opponent.
Kaminsky’s free throw was steadily made.
O’Neal said, "Carl’s exit might change the dynamics between the two teams."
Barkley agreed, "Yeah, Carl is the inside pillar of the University of Kentucky; without him, Kentucky’s tactics will need adjusting."
Booker advanced with the ball, Zeng Xingyang didn’t position but instead spread out to the left corner.
Booker passed the ball to Lyles, who accelerated on the right.
Lyles encountered a double-team and passed the ball back to Booker.
Booker accelerated left, bypassing Gasser, attracting a double-team from Hayes and Decker.
Booker jumped, passing in mid-air to Zeng Xingyang.
Zeng Xingyang was already prepared for the catch, faked Hayes, who was slightly out of position, flying him out.
After the fake, Zeng Xingyang dribbled forward and swiftly jumped to shoot.
Despite looking quite simple, Zeng Xingyang’s movement clearly showcased a shooter’s basics thoroughly.
Fake to shake off, dribble to create space, adjust the rhythm to shoot.
It’s a textbook shooting motion.
The basketball was gently flicked out.
The basketball etched a beautiful arc.
Another neat three-pointer.
"Well done, that’s how to shoot." Calipari punched the air in celebration.
Bolaine on the sidelines shouted to Hayes on the court, "Don’t give him space."
Hayes, guarding Zeng Xingyang, felt helpless.
Booker just broke through the defense, should he help defend?
If not, he’d just watch Booker layup and then get scolded.
Everything felt wrong.
After scoring, Zeng Xingyang and Booker high-fived in celebration.
"Keep moving to create space; if I get the chance, I’ll feed you." Booker said.
"Alright!" Zeng Xingyang nodded.
Booker and Zeng Xingyang had great chemistry, trusting each other, both knowing what the other could accomplish.
Zeng Xingyang clenched his fist and waved; he was set on winning this game, seizing every shooting opportunity.
Reggie Miller seriously said, "Zeng Xingyang will become a top shooter in the NBA in the future."
It’s not just talk; it’s Reggie Miller’s insight from Zeng Xingyang’s positioning, fakes, shooting form, and rhythm.
Kenny Smith said, "Wisconsin has been defending him tightly, but he still found an opportunity to shoot."
Reggie Miller said, "For top shooters, it’s impossible to be completely defended throughout; they’ll always find a gap."
Wisconsin’s offense was coming again.
Koning quickly dribbled forward, and Zeng Xingyang continued focusing on defending Hayes.
Zeng Xingyang continuously applied physical pressure on Hayes, challenging him.
Hayes felt troubled; Zeng Xingyang’s height and long arm span, coupled with solid confrontation skills, made it hard for Hayes to shake him off.
Hayes had some ball-handling ability, but his primary role was to shoot open threes.
Koning couldn’t find an opportunity for Hayes and passed it to Kaminsky inside.
Kaminsky was boxed out by Dakari Johnson, who was tougher than Towns in pure physical defense.
Kaminsky had no good chance and passed it back to Koning.
After another series of plays, on the right low post, Decker created a one-on-one scenario with Zeng Xingyang outside the right three-point line.
Zeng Xingyang lowered his center of gravity, spreading his arms, focusing on defending Decker’s drive.
Decker embodied both inside and outside offensive skills, known for driving layups, excellent wing attacks, possessing explosive power and speed, making him very threatening in drives and adept at drawing fouls, though his shooting wasn’t particularly stable.
Decker stood at 2.06 meters, having a mismatch height advantage against Zeng Xingyang, signaling his teammates to spread out.
Zeng Xingyang motioned to his teammates not to double-team; he wanted to try guarding this year’s 18th overall pick himself.
Decker was surprised by Zeng Xingyang’s gesture. He didn’t expect Zeng Xingyang to defend such a mismatch in such a crucial game.
The crowd kept cheering, as American basketball adored such extreme heroism.
Decker quickly cross-stepped the ball to the left, accelerating forward.
Decker collided directly with Zeng Xingyang; Zeng’s physical resistance exceeded Decker’s expectations.
Zeng Xingyang’s physique didn’t appear as weak as other Asians; Decker couldn’t budge him.
Decker quickly dribbled behind his back to the right, sinking down for another attack, with Zeng trying his hardest to keep up.
Decker also exerted significant pressure on Zeng; any lapse would let Decker slip through.
Decker leaned on Zeng Xingyang for a slow three-step layup, attempting to exploit his height.
Zeng Xingyang wasn’t suppressed, leaping with effort.
Though not as tall as Decker, Zeng’s wingspan was longer, and his defense was relentless.
Zeng Xingyang barely blocked the ball, though not completely.
The ball’s trajectory changed, caught by Takari Johnson beneath the basket.
Defended successfully.
"That’s the way to defend."
Calipari clapped in celebration; Zeng Xingyang’s defense wouldn’t disappoint him.
Zeng Xingyang panted, wiping away sweat, confirming that Decker’s current level of offense couldn’t single him out yet.
Decker felt a chill run through him; even with that, he was blocked, leaving him wondering what else he could do to attack Zeng Xingyang if holding the ball.
The University of Kentucky’s offense.
Booker dribbled to the frontcourt; without Towns, Kentucky notably lacked an inside tactical core, forcing their offense to start from the outside.
Zeng Xingyang continued being tightly marked; Booker passed to Lyles.
Lyles broke through, but against Kaminsky’s interference, missed the layup, with the ball rebounding directly to Koning.
Koning quickly pushed for the counterattack, with Booker following but not applying enough pressure.
This allowed Koning to seize the opportunity, charging in for a flying layup to score past the defense.
The matchup between the two teams reached a fever pitch.