The players of Barry University were filled with frustration during the timeout.
From being in the lead to falling behind and feeling helpless, it was a bitter experience.
Tois held the tactical board in silence for a while.
The gap in overall strength between the two teams made him feel helpless—the cleverest woman can't cook without rice, and all strategy seemed futile.
Moreover, he didn't dare use his main players as they chased points since their physical stamina was nearly maxed out.
In a 40-minute game, both teams were evenly matched for 35 minutes. From any perspective, Barry University had performed well enough tonight.
But to ask him to give up in these last 5 minutes, how could he contentedly do so!
He looked towards Hansen.
Hansen saw the undiminished desire in Tois' eyes and nodded in understanding.
The two didn't exchange any words, but their communication was complete.
When the timeout ended, Michigan State University's defense was still at full intensity, and halfway through the offensive play, Barry University still didn't have a great opportunity.
Just then, Hansen asked for the ball and made a new tactical gesture.
O'Neal quickly moved into a high pick and roll, and after setting the screen, he swiftly cut towards the basket.
O'Neal's screens had been static before, but this sudden change instinctively made Summers follow O'Neal, resulting in Sutton being driven directly in front of Hansen.
Taking advantage of the mismatch, Hansen launched a quick attack with a step-back three-pointer from the right.
Sutton's advantage was his size and strength, a strong presence both offensively and defensively, but his relative weakness was his slow movement speed.
Previously, when O'Neal was setting solid screens, Sutton couldn't keep up, and although he tried hard to contest the shot this time, he was still clearly too late.
Hansen released the ball mid-air. Though his energy was sapped, his muscle memory did not fade.
The basketball swished through the net once again!
Hansen had hit his fifth three-pointer of the night!
The gap was back to one point!
Barry University's bench erupted, and Tois trembled with excitement on the sideline.
Since tactics were no longer scoring, it was time to hand over the damn ball to the best player on the team.
This is the "Last Weapon" of every NBA coach.
"I shouldn't have mentioned O'Neal, because even your legs aren't as agile as my grandma's."
After hitting the three-pointer, Hansen shook his head at Sutton.
Sutton was about to lay hands on Hansen—he hadn't provoked Hansen, but Hansen kept attacking him relentlessly.
Luckily, Lucas was nearby and energetically held him back, "He's just trying to provoke you!"
"He's right because I can tell you're scared," Hansen said, glancing at Lucas and then shrugging at Sutton.
If it hadn't been for Lucas holding him back tightly, Sutton would have already charged at Hansen to fight.
Seeing this, the referee gave Hansen a cautionary whistle.
Hansen tapped his chest while laughing to indicate he understood but didn't forget to throw a glance in Sutton's direction.
Veins throbbed on Sutton's forehead.
During the switch from defense to offense, Barry University no longer held the zone defense.
This time, it wasn't Tois' tactical adjustment, but rather the players lacked the stamina to continue the zone defense.
Seeing this, Sutton quickly moved to a low position and called for the ball.
Once the ball reached Sutton, Hansen quickly double-teamed.
Summers was wide open on the perimeter and called for the ball.
But Sutton did not pass the ball!
Provoked by Hansen's trash talk, the big man, despite being double-teamed, forced his way to the basket to prove he wasn't the coward Hansen described.
However, his bank shot missed under the double-team, and O'Neal secured the rebound.
Sutton indeed had an advantage in matchups, but he was no real O'Neal.
This made the Barry University bench players unable to sit still anymore; they all stood up at the sidelines.
After this offensive and defensive exchange, an opportunity emerged again for Barry University!
Not only the bench players, but the spirits of the players on the court for Barry University were also revitalized.
Rondo, carrying the metaphorical explosives, charged into the paint, drawing a defensive foul from Sutton.
Just then, a whistle was heard from the sidelines; Green substituted Sutton.
This substitution was quite decisive, and the camera immediately focused on Zoe from Michigan State's bench.
Once her dismissive gaze was set aside, her coaching skills were by no means inferior to those of Tois.
When Green entered the game, he forcefully tucked in his jersey and then gave Hansen a provocative look.
Green had been substituted in the first half, but at that time, Hansen was off the court, and in the second half, both sides' main players played longer, and Green had not yet appeared. So, this was the first time both were on the court simultaneously.
Hansen's glance at Green wasn't the least bit surprised.
It's a nemesis, even an enemy.
During Barry University's offensive round, Hansen continued to carry the ball looking for a mismatch, this time targeting Moore.
Moore let O'Neal come over to double-team, Hansen bounced the ball to O'Neal.
O'Neal went for a layup, but Green, unknowingly, came over to help on defense and blocked the shot at the moment it was taken.
Being an inside player, although Green was less than 2 meters tall, his wingspan reached a terrifying 2.17 meters.
After the block, Green raised both arms and roared with his chest puffed out.
His gesture also drew cheers from the crowd.
Barry University's attack ended fruitlessly, and Moore secured the rebound.
Michigan State University's offensive turn, after a series of passings, Lucas cut in to receive a lob pass from Moore.
O'Neal desperately tried to block, causing Lucas's shot to miss.
But just then, it was Green again; he soared to grab the offensive rebound and quickly passed it back to Lucas, setting up a pick and roll right there.
Lucas turned around for a hook shot and scored.
With only a minute and a half left in the game, Michigan State University widened the gap to two possessions again.
Seeing the ball go in, Green was even more excited than Lucas, shouting at Barry University's players, "You underdogs, you can't win, you can't win tonight!"
Nature is hard to change—he had found Green distasteful since their NCAA days.
But one can't deny that Green's passion greatly boosted the home team's morale.
The unified chant of the fans filled the air.
The echoing chant, like a shot of adrenaline, pumped directly into the bodies of the Michigan State players.
The defensive intensity on the court was impenetrable, making it even harder for Barry University to find opportunities.
With little time left for offense, Hansen continued to play a pindown pick and play with O'Neal.
Rondo, under pressure, made a slow pass, and Hansen, upon receiving it, didn't have a good shot opportunity.
Still, Hansen made a three-point shot motion.
Moore, seeing this, lunged forward to block.
Hansen's biggest threat was his three-point shot.
However, to Moore's surprise, Hansen faked and then changed direction, driving past him.
Hansen's main scoring method now was a three-pointer, but that wasn't all he knew!
Not just Moore, but the other Michigan State players hadn't expected Hansen to choose a drive in the end.
By the time they reacted, Hansen had already broken into the paint.
At this moment, without Sutton on the court, Michigan State's paint was wide open.
Hansen gathered his strength and soared into the air.
The clamoring cheers from the audience instantly turned into a stir.
But just at that moment, a long arm flew towards Hansen's shot.
Though only a freshman, his offensive skills were almost nonexistent, but his rebounding, connectivity, and defense were beginning to show their edge.
Hansen slammed the ball into the hoop with both hands, Green's attempted block hitting Hansen's arm instead.
Green's help defense had been timely, but Hansen was not O'Neal; his shot release was much faster.
The referee's whistle blew. The shot was a 2+1!
After landing, Hansen fiercely glared at Green, "We've got this game tonight, not even God can change that, I'm telling you!"
Did Hansen want to win?
When Tois told him their opponent was Michigan State University, he hadn't thought about winning because the disparity in their strengths was immense. Thɪs chapter is updatᴇd by 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹✦𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖✦𝓷𝓮𝓽
Just as no one would think the East University Men's Basketball Team would stand a chance against the American Dream Team.
But Michigan State's underestimation, Tois's strategizing, and the team's total commitment broke the league barriers. For 35 out of the 40 minutes, Barry University was on par with Michigan State.
So, if you ask Hansen if he wanted to win,
Yes, he wanted to win.
Who the hell wouldn't?