CHAPTER 40: CHAPTER 40: COME ON, YOU ALMOST BLOCKED ME.

North Carolina locker room.

North Carolina’s coaching staff reiterated their defensive strategy against Zeng Xingyang.

Not against Booker, nor against Towns, but against Zeng Xingyang.

Zeng Xingyang’s explosive performance in the first half put them in a passive position.

"North Carolina is in big trouble, Zeng Xingyang scored over 20 in the first half, don’t forget, this is his first time starting."

"North Carolina couldn’t restrict Zeng Xingyang’s shooting, which made their defense very passive."

"Zeng Xingyang will be picked by the NBA, his stage is in the NBA, he plays so maturely, his three-pointers and positioning are sharp."

"Even among the star-studded University of Kentucky, Zeng Xingyang still occupies a significant place, which shows his importance to some extent."

The two commentators on site clearly felt the difference between Zeng Xingyang and many other freshmen.

Zeng Xingyang looks confident on the court, always making the most reasonable choices.

On the side of the University of Kentucky.

Coach Calipari did not let Zeng Xingyang handle the ball more just because he played well in the first half.

Instead, he continued to arrange for Zeng Xingyang to act as a decoy, in strategies on both sides.

Coach Calipari knows well that Zeng Xingyang’s shortcoming is ball-handling; the longer the ball is in his hands, the greater the impact on the team.

Zeng Xingyang is best suited as an endpoint or a pivot point.

The second half of the game quickly started, Zeng Xingyang continued to start.

North Carolina’s offense.

Peggy dribbled to the frontcourt, passed to Tokot on the right.

Tokot moved horizontally with the help of Brees Johnson’s screen and shot a jump three-pointer.

There was some interference on this shot, but not very strong.

"Swish!"

to 45

This three-pointer slightly helped North Carolina stabilize the situation.

When the team was in trouble, he stepped up.

Tyler Ulis advanced to the frontcourt to observe.

Jackson this time didn’t give Zeng Xingyang any space, constantly colliding with him physically.

The two had a very strong physical confrontation on the other side.

Jackson angrily shouted at Zeng Xingyang: "Don’t even think about shaking me off."

Zeng Xingyang replied: "Keep it up, you’re just a bit away from stopping me."

Unlike Towns and Booker, Zeng Xingyang’s ranking is still very low, he needs to showcase his abilities in every game to have a chance to play in the NBA.

He won’t relax for a moment on the court.

Dakari Johnson and Koulistan continuously came out to screen for Zeng Xingyang.

Dakari Johnson’s screen was very solid, blocking the pursuing Jackson.

The ball for North Carolina was now rotated to Booker.

Booker decisively passed the ball again to Zeng Xingyang.

Zeng Xingyang received the ball and then made a fake move.

Jackson, who lost his defensive position, rushed over again, this time he and the switched center were both fooled.

Zeng Xingyang’s three-point threat was too strong, the fake move was very convincing.

Zeng Xingyang slightly adjusted from spot and shot a three.

The basketball drew a beautiful arc.

"Swish!"

Right in the heart!!

to 45

All of North Carolina wanted to stop Zeng Xingyang’s shooting, but just couldn’t.

Booker and Towns often draw double teams, and Zeng Xingyang’s positioning is sharp, his range is far.

University of North Carolina’s offense.

Jackson finally responded to Zeng Xingyang, receiving a pass from Tokot during his movement at the 60-degree left angle.

The rhythm was perfect, Zeng Xingyang rushed over, but couldn’t disrupt his rhythm.

Jackson jumped very high, he shot a jump shot.

"Swish!"

to 48

North Carolina continued their good shooting from the first half, their outside shots were excellent.

"You can’t reach me." Jackson shouted to Zeng Xingyang.

Jackson realized Zeng Xingyang can’t jump as high as him, he started feeling smug, knowing how to attack Zeng Xingyang.

Kentucky Wildcats’ offense.

Booker dribbled over, directly used Towns’ screen to break through.

Zeng Xingyang on the left side positioned and drew away, Booker penetrated inside, continued facing double teams, passed to the wing to Zeng Xingyang.

Zeng Xingyang received the ball, made a fake move to deceive.

This time Jackson instinctively slightly lifted his center of gravity, Zeng Xingyang chose to cut in.

Though Zeng Xingyang’s ball-handling attack ability may be weak, it’s not non-existent.

After bypassing Jackson, Zeng Xingyang attracted Kenny Mix’s help defense.

Zeng Xingyang passed to Towns, who faced defense smartly, didn’t shoot, instead, seamlessly made a screen.

Towns blocked the defender for Zeng Xingyang, Zeng Xingyang reached the position between the free-throw line and the three-second area.

Towns passed the ball back to Zeng Xingyang.

With an open path, Zeng Xingyang took Towns’ pass, took strides and jumped up, rising further, for a dunk.

"Bang!"

The basketball was dunked into the hoop by Zeng Xingyang.

to 48

The play wasn’t flashy but fully demonstrated Zeng Xingyang’s teamwork with his teammates.

"The positioning and timing for the cut, splendid."

"Fake moves combined with breakthrough and passing positioning."

"Zeng Xingyang seems to be maximally utilizing his positioning ability."

"Carl also has high basketball IQ, working very well with Zeng Xingyang, otherwise he couldn’t make such good passes."

Zeng Xingyang’s series of moves continued to amaze scouts.

Towns came over to high-five Zeng Xingyang: "Dude, your positioning is truly beautiful."

"Your pass was great too."

"But you need to practice dunks more, still less than Devin there."

"Haha, wait for you to train me."

"No way, your intensity I can’t handle."

Zeng Xingyang chatted with Towns for a bit.

There are some Asian fans in the arena, although an away game, seeing Zeng Xingyang playing brilliantly drew cheers from them.

Zeng Xingyang is Asian, not a black star player, he appeals as relatable.

After completing a dunk, Zeng Xingyang’s confidence in winning grew fuller.

North Carolina’s offense.

This time Jackson received the ball, tried to break through Zeng Xingyang on the right side.

Zeng Xingyang stuck closely, didn’t allow him to explode with the first step, Jackson couldn’t break through, he passed to Kenny Mix inside.

Mix slipped to the other side for a reverse layup and scored, Towns couldn’t block, reacted a bit slow.

to 50

North Carolina still showcased their formidable offensive ability, keeping pressure on the Kentucky Wildcats.

Kentucky’s offense.

Booker dribbled to the frontcourt, consistently moving the ball.

Zeng Xingyang continued positioning on the right side.

The ball quickly came back to Booker, who made a pick-and-roll with Towns.

After the pick-and-roll, Booker changed direction to drive in.

Kenny Mix switched to defend Booker.

At this moment, Zeng Xingyang suddenly cut along the baseline to the inside from the corner.

North Carolina’s defense slightly got distracted, leaving only Kenny Mix alone against Booker.

Booker made good use of this opportunity, decelerated to a sudden stop, a close range shot.

Booker jumped very high, and Kenny Mix couldn’t significantly interfere.

"Bang!"

"Swish!"

Steady hit.

to 50

The University of Kentucky continued controlling the score on the court.