CHAPTER 52: CHAPTER 52, SWEET 16!

25% shooting percentage, making 6 out of 24 shots, including 1 out of 10 three-pointers, 3 out of 3 free throws, scoring 16 points, grabbing 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 6 turnovers. This is the stat line for UCLA’s strongest attacker, Norman Powell, who was up against Zeng Xingyang all night.

Tonight, the basket seemed to be shut to Powell.

Powell’s performance was a huge disaster for UCLA.

Throughout the game, he was tightly shackled by Zeng Xingyang, suffering greatly, which caused the team’s offense to stall.

Powell’s performance tonight resembled Kobe and Thompson after their injuries.

Zeng Xingyang fully showcased his current defensive abilities.

I can only say that Powell has not realized the importance of intelligently managing playtime, he’s too stubborn, insisting on going head-to-head with Zeng Xingyang.

If he had learned to manage his time smartly, avoiding periods when Zeng Xingyang was on the court, his stats wouldn’t have been so dismal.

Zeng Xingyang recorded 24 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 blocks tonight.

This made him a bit frustrated, as he didn’t play in the last 5 minutes; otherwise, he had a chance to break 30 points.

It’s not that Zeng Xingyang is obsessed with his stats, but now is an important time for the draft, and the better his stats, the more attention he gets, which involves personal interests.

In fact, Zeng Xingyang doesn’t need to worry about not making a big enough impact.

Scouts could see how outstanding Zeng Xingyang’s performance was today.

Offensively, his shooting from the outside was flawless; defensively, he froze the opponent’s strongest attack point.

...

After the game, Zeng Xingyang still went over to greet and hug the UCLA players.

Powell completely ignored Zeng Xingyang, and Rooney said angrily, "You should go to the NBA and stop bullying people here."

Rooney scored 14 points, grabbed 9 rebounds, and made 3 blocks tonight, with a decent performance, but his playing style prevents him from playing a core role.

Zeng Xingyang burst into laughter.

Being praised by the opponents is a delightful thing.

Afterward, Zeng Xingyang also accepted an interview with reporters.

"Zeng, congratulations on a great performance tonight. I believe your draft prediction will improve. In the next game, you’ll face D’Angelo Russell, can you limit him?"

Another game result came out; Ohio State University defeated the University of Arkansas to advance to the Sweet 16, and they will be the University of Kentucky’s opponent in the next round.

Russell averaged 19.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5 assists per game in his freshman season, with a shooting percentage of 44.9% and a three-point percentage of 41.1%.

Russell was selected as the Big Ten Freshman of the Year and made the All-Big Ten First Team.

"Of course, if I have the chance to match up with him, I will defend him." Zeng Xingyang is very confident in his defense.

He knows Russell well; Russell’s playing style is one that softens with intensity.

Russell’s offensive ability is not as good as Booker’s.

Although Russell’s stats are somewhat better than Booker’s, his tactical position is much higher than Booker’s.

If it’s about stats, then look at how Booker racks up stats in the NBA!

Booker could have been more lethal, but he wasn’t given the opportunity in Kentucky.

Cramping Russell isn’t hard, just afraid he won’t dare to match up with me.

After briefly answering a few questions, Zeng Xingyang turned around and walked towards the locker room with Towns and Booker.

The cameramen kept pressing shortcuts while watching Zeng Xingyang’s back.

Many media reporters have watched Zeng Xingyang grow.

Most of them were shocked.

How much time has passed? He’s already moved from a predicted undrafted to pushing into the first round.

"After today, this guy is really going to become famous across America." an ESPN reporter marveled.

....

"The next game is against D’Angelo Russell, we must take him down," Zeng Xingyang said.

"I’m going to crush him," Booker exclaimed loudly.

"Let him come, I’ll give him a few blocks," Towns gritted his teeth.

Russell’s predicted draft position is close to Towns’, which gives Towns a sense of crisis, while Booker looks unconvinced.

Zeng Xingyang also plans to limit Russell’s offense; the three rarely have a common target.

"Zeng Xingyang!"

"Zeng Xingyang!"

The game is over, but the frenzy it sparked hasn’t ended; Kentucky’s traveling fans are shouting Zeng Xingyang’s name at the player tunnel.

They were all reaching out, trying to high-five Zeng Xingyang, and many were holding Kentucky’s number 8 jerseys for him to sign.

Zeng Xingyang was very moved to see this scene; it was his first time experiencing so many fans chasing him for autographs.

"Buddy, enjoy this moment, I’m heading off first," Towns smiled and said to Zeng Xingyang before leaving.

Booker also walked away, looking envious.

Zeng Xingyang stayed behind to sign autographs for the fans.

Even though the fans were noisy and he was tired, Zeng Xingyang enjoyed every moment of it.

........

Zeng Xingyang’s draft prediction was updated that night.

He entered the first round on multiple mock draft sites.

More and more draft prediction sites have received insider information that Zeng Xingyang has attracted attention from several NBA teams.

"From Undrafted to Second Round, then Bursting into the First Round, China’s Sharpshooter Shocks America."

"Freezing UCLA’s No.1 Attacker, Super Defense as Tight as Death Wrap."

"More than 10 NBA Scouts Express Interest in Zeng Xingyang."

"Sharpshooter Zeng Xingyang Scores Another 20+ in the NCAA, Helps Kentucky Slaughter UCLA."

Reports praising Zeng Xingyang are surpassing those for Towns and Booker.

Zeng Xingyang is astonishing those who watched him play with a steady climb upward.

"China’s Zeng’s defense was incredible, completely shutting down Norman Powell."

"UCLA lost by a large margin, an unbelievable scene."

"Zeng Xingyang played so maturely, both offensively and defensively; I think he should be lottery pick material."

"I watched the whole game, and it feels like Zeng played better than everyone, he is the MVP."

"Zeng’s immediate combat effectiveness is strong, only limited by his talent; he doesn’t jump high, and he’s not strong, major flaws."

Many foreign fans on the forum are discussing Zeng Xingyang’s performance.

Last night’s performance by Zeng Xingyang shocked many people.

Back home, many media and fans were surprised to find that a Chinese player stood out in the NCAA.

He’s predicted to be selected in the first round!

Related reposts and discussions are increasing.

Zeng Xingyang’s Weibo followers skyrocketed again.

....

Ohio State University reaching the Sweet 16 shows they’re not weak either.

However, in the next day’s media coverage, Kentucky University still held the upper hand in public opinion.

Ohio State’s performance in the previous two seasons was mediocre, getting eliminated after reaching the top 32 in March Madness.

This season, after acquiring D’Angelo Russell, the team’s offense has risen a level, and they’ve progressed further than the past two years.

Russell’s strong suits are his individual scoring with the ball and pick-and-roll offense.

This season, on February 9th, Russell posted 23 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists in a game, becoming the first freshman in Ohio State’s history to achieve a triple-double, placing him in the top three of prediction rankings.

Russell is a player highly followed by media and scouts, and his clash with the high-profile Kentucky team quickly set up a focused battle, drawing much attention.