CHAPTER 36: CHAPTER 36, FIRST APPEARANCE, AGAINST NORTH CAROLINA!

Kenny Mix versus Towns in the jump ball.

Towns’ height and wingspan easily tipped the ball over.

The University of Kentucky’s offense.

Tyler Ulis dribbles to the top of the arc to observe.

Tyler Ulis passes the ball to Booker.

Zeng Xingyang positions on the right side, mainly defended by Justin Jackson.

Zeng Xingyang remembers him, in a past life, this guy was selected by the Kings with the 15th pick in 2017.

He has the standard build of a wing player, a decent mid-range scoring ability, strong transition scoring, good passing, proficient in pick-and-roll, excellent off-ball movement, a role player who averages six or seven points a game.

Pretty well-rounded technically, just doesn’t seem to have any standout traits, and he hasn’t secured a foothold with the Kings....

The University of North Carolina assigned him to limit Zeng Xingyang’s first start.

"Zeng, you’re unlucky to meet me, you’re going to be shut down," Justin Jackson shouted to Zeng Xingyang.

Such trash talk is meaningless, and Zeng Xingyang couldn’t be bothered to banter, starting to position himself instead.

The University of Kentucky’s tactics prefer feeding the shooter early, this play Towns and Koulistan simultaneously came up to set a screen for Zeng Xingyang.

The University of North Carolina’s defense strategy is to switch on screens, soon Kenny Mix switched to guarding Zeng Xingyang.

Kenny Mix pounced to the perimeter, Zeng Xingyang suddenly inner cut diagonally, Booker passed the ball to Zeng Xingyang.

Zeng Xingyang stopped suddenly with the ball, shedding the defense, decisively took a jump shot from mid-range at the free-throw line.

This shot’s form was very standard, the rhythm extremely smooth.

The basketball traced a beautiful arc.

"Swish!"

Straight through the heart!!

to 0.

Zeng Xingyang’s shot securely hit the basket.

"Nice pass." Zeng Xingyang went over to high-five Booker, Booker’s passing awareness has improved rapidly, no longer holding the ball too long.

Booker smiled and nodded, knowing Zeng Xingyang’s shooting has become increasingly stable: "Passing to you, assists come especially fast."

Everyone wants to boost their stats quickly, as it raises their draft ranking.

"Then pass a few more," Zeng Xingyang replied.

"Don’t always give it to him, I want some too," Towns interrupted.

"Alright, alright, I’ll pass to you when there’s a chance," Booker said with a smile.

The three of them retreated to their own backcourt while chatting and laughing, on the surface, they all cared about stats, but in reality, what they all wanted was to win the game.

Compared to the clear tactics of the University of Kentucky, the tactics over at North Carolina were somewhat messy.

Mainly because Kentucky’s defensive footwork was very quick, preventing them from creating openings easily during ball rotation.

After two unsuccessful rotations, point guard Peggy passed to Tokot on the right side, who then passed to the inside Brees Johnson.

Brees Johnson, seeing little time left, directly relied on Koulistan for a low-post hard attack and turned around to shoot a jump shot.

Koulistan’s defense was excellent, he didn’t lose position, providing resistance that prevented Brees Johnson from elevating his jump shot.

Zeng Xingyang, coming from the other side, decisively extended his long arm, firmly covering the ball with his palm, slamming it hard.

"Bang!"

Zeng Xingyang directly slapped the ball out of bounds.

"Ah!!"

Zeng Xingyang chest-bumped with Koulistan in celebration, their combined effort stifled this offensive play.

Zeng Xingyang’s eyes were firm, his progress visible to the naked eye, especially in his defense, from being somewhat weak at the start of the season to becoming a strong advantage now.

North Carolina fans watching were all taken aback, this rookie’s defensive awareness was outstanding.

Keep in mind Brees Johnson is 2.08 meters tall, yet even with this height, he was blocked.

"A block from Zeng Xingyang, hey, spectators at the sidelines, watch out not to get hit."

"This Kentucky shooter’s defense is getting stronger, breaking through his defense is difficult for North Carolina."

"Kentucky’s team is too strong, with players all hopeful of entering the NBA, and their predicted draft positions are all high."

The commentator actively described the game on the field.

The University of North Carolina’s throw-in, as soon as this ball was released, the shot clock expired.

The referee indicated a shot clock violation, the University of Kentucky team roared in celebration of this defensive play.

Coach Calipari clapped from the sidelines, defeating a powerhouse like North Carolina was more exciting than any number of wins against weaker teams.

He had been worried that Zeng Xingyang’s defense couldn’t keep up, but over time, he believes Zeng Xingyang’s defense has caught up with the team’s rhythm.

Sometimes he can even confidently let Zeng Xingyang guard the opponent’s perimeter core one-on-one.

The University of Kentucky’s offense.

As Tyler Ulis advanced the ball, the arena erupted in boos.

North Carolina’s fans are very loyal, trying hard to put pressure on Kentucky from the stands.

Tyler Ulis passed the ball to Booker, Zeng Xingyang continued to position!

Booker passed the ball to Towns, Koulistan set an off-ball screen for Zeng Xingyang on the right side.

Justin Jackson was once again blocked, Brees Johnson became the one defending Zeng Xingyang.

Brees Johnson’s movements were noticeably more cumbersome than Justin Jackson’s, he was very wary of Zeng Xingyang’s three-point shot, aggressively defending.

Zeng Xingyang quickly turned and slashed past him, completely deceiving Brees Johnson.

Booker passed the ball to Zeng Xingyang, the pass was very precise.

Zeng Xingyang, with the ball in hand, attacked the basket, attracting the University of North Carolina’s center, Kenny Mix’s, help defense, Zeng Xingyang wrapped the ball around his waist and passed to the other side where the unguarded Towns was following up.

Towns caught the ball, grabbed it with one hand, raising hell with a powerful slam to the basket.

"Bang!"

to 0

Booker, Zeng Xingyang, and Towns completed a brilliant connection.

"These three have great chemistry."

"Beautiful positioning."

"I thought this guy only knew how to shoot, who knew he could also inner cut."

"He’s got a very high basketball IQ, knowing that North Carolina is guarding his three-pointer, so for the first two plays, he went to go inside."

The commentator said.

North Carolina coach Dean Smith shouted anxiously from the side: "Don’t just guard his three-pointer, also pay attention to his inner cuts."

In Dean Smith’s opening defensive plan, the focus was on Towns and Booker, he didn’t expect two consecutive plays centered around Zeng Xingyang.

Justin Jackson and Tokot on the field were at a loss, Zeng Xingyang’s playstyle was like a slippery eel, hard to handle.

He doesn’t seem threatening without the ball, but in reality, he’s always aiming at their weakest defensive spots.

North Carolina’s offense.

After organizing the play, Peggy passed to Brees Johnson in the low post.

Brees Johnson went one-on-one against Koulistan in the low post.

"Bang!"

After collision, he turned to hook shot.

The shot was taken under pressure, but the basketball bounced on the rim and went in.

to 2

The University of Kentucky’s offense.

After a perimeter ball rotation, the ball landed in Booker’s hands.

Zeng Xingyang set a screen for Booker.

Booker used the screen to dive in, drawing the defense, Zeng Xingyang bounced outward.

Booker executed a backward pass to Zeng Xingyang at the top of the arc.

Zeng Xingyang caught the ball and made a fake move, once again pulling the inside defense out.

Towns had another opportunity, Zeng Xingyang decisively passed to Towns, who, in the right low post, exploded the ball up with a single-handed dunk.

"Bang!"

to 2

.....

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