CHAPTER 38: CHAPTER 38: THIS IS AN ULTRA-LONG THREE-POINTER!

On the sidelines, the North Carolina coach kept yelling, while Jackson, who was matched up against Zeng Xingyang, continually wiped the sweat off his forehead.

Jackson was proud and ambitious, with outstanding physical talent. He was predicted to be the highest-drafted player on the team, but he got outplayed.

Zeng Xingyang indeed couldn’t take him on in one-on-one matchups, but his off-ball positioning made things extremely difficult for Jackson almost every time.

Jackson could feel how Zeng Xingyang’s defense was getting the better of him.

With so many media and scouts watching from the sidelines, Jackson felt even more pressure.

Zeng Xingyang had always been a substitute, only getting promoted to the starting lineup tonight. North Carolina didn’t have much targeted strategy in their starting tactics against him. They knew Zeng Xingyang was an accurate shooter but didn’t expect his influence on the game to be so significant.

After the game started, Zeng Xingyang constantly used inner cuts to disrupt North Carolina’s defense, completely disorganizing their defensive system.

On the Kentucky Wildcats’ side, Calipari saw the benefits of Zeng Xingyang starting and considered whether to keep him in the starting lineup from now on.

Compared to Lyles, both Zeng Xingyang and Lyles were similar in defense, but Zeng Xingyang was a more accurate shooter and didn’t require much ball possession, making him better for the team’s connectivity.

Lyles had stronger personal dribbling and offensive capabilities, able to score both inside and out, but would take up a lot of ball possession to some extent.

Both Booker and Towns clearly preferred partnering with a player like Zeng Xingyang, who was effective without the ball, rather than Lyles, who needed the ball to score.

Thinking along these lines, Calipari considered giving it a try, so the team would have more diversity by March Madness.

The timeout ended quickly, and Zeng Xingyang faced more intense man-to-man defense, slightly decreasing his influence. However, Booker and Towns began their offensive performance.

Booker made successive mid-range shots coming to a halt, while Towns scored on a face-up dribbling layup.

When Towns and Booker were double-teamed, they passed the ball out, finding Zeng Xingyang who was positioned for a shot.

Zeng Xingyang seized the open shooting opportunity, hitting consecutive corner threes and mid-range jumpers.

However, North Carolina’s offense gradually picked up as their point guard Peggy and frontcourt players repeatedly executed pick-and-roll plays.

North Carolina’s execution of tactics was very precise, achieving the offensive strategies they aimed for and consistently scoring to keep the game tight.

After playing for 14 minutes in the first half, Zeng Xingyang was subbed out for a rest.

"Zeng, well done." Calipari warmly patted Zeng Xingyang on the shoulder.

Zeng Xingyang’s performance as a starter was a pleasant surprise for Calipari, as he made the team play more smoothly.

Zeng Xingyang smiled and nodded, then high-fived his teammates and assistant coaches to acknowledge their gestures.

Zeng Xingyang could clearly feel that people were warmer to him, a noticeable benefit from his continuous improvement in skills.

Up to now in the game, Zeng Xingyang had scored 14 points, 3 assists, and 2 steals, making such an efficient output highly noticeable in this pivotal matchup.

Penguin Sports is an early domestic sports portal website, and now also a forum hub for many NBA fans.

Many fans upload some foreign game videos here.

Zeng Xingyang’s NCAA games weren’t streamed live in China, but experienced fans would always find some live stream links.

Even though it was entirely in English, some fans still watched this game.

They were very familiar with the name Zeng Xingyang, especially when they saw him appearing on the live broadcast, and they would always be very excited.

As time progressed, foreign reports about Zeng Xingyang increased, and they increasingly understood Zeng Xingyang’s characteristics. They sensed that Zeng Xingyang was getting closer to being drafted by the NBA.

Penguin Sports did not miss the opportunity, placing foreign media reports and posts by experienced fans about Zeng Xingyang at the top of basketball-related content.

"Zeng Xingyang showcased his characteristics in NCAA, with Asians having less jumping ability, they played with shooting and intelligence."

"Zeng Xingyang’s playing style is well-suited for domestic guards aiming for the NBA; it’s a very steady style of play."

"Precisely seizing every shooting opportunity, then making those shots."

"A playing style that doesn’t require ball possession is welcomed anywhere."

"Defend diligently and then hit those open shots, which is enough for many NBA teams."

"If there’s no dribbling offensive ability, it’s best to first position yourself well."

"Zeng Xingyang is quite handsome, and in the future, there will be many female fans."

"Currently, Zeng Xingyang is projected to be drafted in the late second round; let’s see if he continues to rise."

Many domestic fans even began imagining Zeng Xingyang’s playing style after entering the NBA.

The game on the court continued, and after Zeng Xingyang was substituted off, North Carolina’s frontcourt started to score, catching up with some points.

With 1 minute left in the first half, Calipari called a timeout.

The score at this point was 48 to 42, with the University of Kentucky leading by 6 points.

This game could be called a showdown of fierce offenses, with both teams playing at a very fast pace and giving their all on the offensive end.

Just when Zeng Xingyang thought he wouldn’t play again in the first half, Calipari waved to him: "Zeng, get back in, shoot if you have the chance."

Calipari placed his left hand on Zeng Xingyang’s shoulder and pointed with his right hand towards a spot beyond the three-point line on the court.

"Crack, crack, crack!"

Under the camera, the mentor-student relationship between the two appeared very close.

"No problem." Zeng Xingyang nodded.

North Carolina’s overall strength was stronger than many teams; they were the strongest opponent Kentucky Wildcats had faced this season.

The Kentucky Wildcats found it difficult to pull away with a large lead as they did against other teams.

On the other side, the North Carolina head coach, seeing Zeng Xingyang was about to enter the game, immediately pulled Jackson aside to instruct: "Do your best not to let him have any open shooting opportunities, his dribbling offense is a weakness, don’t worry about being beaten by him."

The North Carolina coaching staff quickly sorted out Zeng Xingyang’s information and prepared to implement it on the court.

Jackson seriously nodded at Zeng Xingyang’s back.

On the court, the Kentucky Wildcats players gathered together to cheer.

Beside them, Calipari had already drawn up the strategy for the next minute.

Towns was not on the court; Dakari Johnson came up, with the focus mainly on playing around Zeng Xingyang’s shooting.

Tyler Ulis dribbled forward, and Zeng Xingyang came out around Koulistan’s screen to catch the ball a meter outside the right three-point line.

Jackson, at this moment, did not immediately close in on Zeng Xingyang as the coach said. He was looking around, preparing to move up once Zeng Xingyang advanced a little.

He thought Zeng Xingyang might want to run down the clock.

Zeng Xingyang didn’t feel any defensive pressure at first, and after observing Jackson’s position, he guessed his defensive intention.

The NCAA three-point line is slightly closer than the NBA’s, and this position was within Zeng Xingyang’s shooting range.

Zeng Xingyang hesitated not at all, dribbled once before launching a long-range three.

Jackson realized Zeng Xingyang’s intention to shoot too late as he rushed over.

The spectators at the scene covered their mouths, not expecting Zeng Xingyang to make such a bold shot.

The basketball traced a long arc.

"Shush!"

Right on target!!!

to 42

As the ball went in, the scene suddenly went silent again.

Zeng Xingyang raised his three-point gesture high, then made a "you’re too short, you need a ladder" gesture towards Jackson’s direction.

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